We’ve rounded up the best of the best ways to eat and drink your way around Denver this week. Whether you’re celebrating the arrival of fall or mourning the end of summer, you’ll find plenty of ways to saturate your sorrows and quell your cravings no matter your interest or budget.
Sept. 26: Robert Mondavi Wine Dinner in Palace Arms @ The Brown Palace
Location: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa – 321 17th St, Denver
Head downtown and get a taste of the best of Napa Valley’s terroir. The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa is hosting a special Robert Mondavi pairing dinner at its über high-end dining venue, Palace Arms. The four-course pairing dinner is going for $200 per person; get yours via Eventbrite.
Sept. 27: Blackbelly Farm Dinner @ The Old Elm
Location: The Old Elm – 8912 Arapahoe Road, Boulder
The talented chefs at Blackbelly Market Catering are preparing a farm-fresh feast. Locally grown, sustainably sourced, all-natural are the buzzwords of the evening—and many of them come courtesy of the farm that’s hosting the dinner. The Old Elm is a historic dairy farm in Boulder, growing a variety of vegetables, herbs, berries, and flowers, and it provides a picture-perfect setting for its series of harvest farm dinners. A seat at the table can be yours for just $125, via Eventbrite.
Location: SAME Café – 2023 E. Colfax Ave. Denver
If that dinner doesn’t strike your fancy, perhaps the Ekar Farm Dinner @ SAME Café will. Two seatings (5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.) promise a delightful evening of fine food, community spirit, and sustainable agriculture. A three-course vegetarian meal using the freshest organic produce, all paired with a local selection of beer and international wines. Tickets to this one are also $125 via Eventbrite.
Sept. 28: Make Your Own Gin Class @ Welton Room
Location: Welton Room – 2590 Welton Rd. Denver
Um, this sounds fun and totally different. Welton Room is hosting a make-your-own gin class. What it entails, you’ll have to let us know. What we can tell you is that the $40 fee covers a bottle of vodka, two infusion jars, various botanicals, and instructional from Woody Creek Gin distillers. Reserve your spot now on Tock.
Sept. 29: Denver Oktoberfest (2nd Weekend) @ Downtown Denver
Location: Denver Oktoberfest- 21st and Larimer Street, Denver
Since 1969, the Denver Oktoberfest has been a stable two-weekend festival. From keg bowling to stein hoisting, costume contests, live music, and more, there’s a lot going on—including a Long Dog Derby. (The weiner race takes place Sunday at 12:30 p.m., if that’s your motivation to go.) You can find the full schedule online here. If it all sounds like a bit much for you, might we suggest renting a cabana? New for 2023, the cabanas give you and up to nine of your friends a guaranteed place to sit and hang, plus a dedicated server keeping the food coming and the drinks flowing. cabanas rented by the hour, with no reservations and no waitlist. If that’s too fancy for you, a person of the people, then get yourself into the Jägermeister VIP Beer Hall, where you’ll be lavished with a commemorative Okstoberfest Stein, unlimited beer and wine, Jägermeister shots, a German lunch, dinner, late-night bites, and apps, and—here’s the biggest reason to upgrade—access to private restrooms. Plus all-day access to private seating, games, and activities. All around a good time. Find out all the details you need to know here.
Sept. 30: HopsDrops Music and Beer Festival
Location: Buchanan Park Recreation Center – 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen
Omg, hopefully, you went right to bed after your three-martini lunch yesterday ’cause Saturday’s a busy one. First, we’ve got the HopsDrops Music & Beer Festival out in Evergreen, which kicks off at 10 a.m. with free yoga for all ticketholders, followed by a full day of music (local and national acts), beer, and great food at the base of Bergen Peak. At noon, Suave Fest 2023 kicks off at Steam on the Platte, where Raices Brewing Co. is teaming up with Cultura to celebrate Latino culture through music, dance, food, and art. Starting at 2 p.m., Park Burger presents Denver Deluxe Music & Art Festival at 26th & Walnut in the heart of RiNo. Jam to live music with cold beers, craft cocktails, and burgers galore at the nonprofit event supporting Colorado UpLift. Just don’t over-indulge, because at 7 p.m., the Ramble Hotel’s setting up a very special Date Night complete with a hotel room so you have a place to lay your head in RiNo, two tickets to Uchi’s sold-out Summer Garden Series, and a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne waiting in your room upon arrival. Tickets to the exclusive Uchi pop-up are typically $250 per person but you can snag them for $150 when you book a room at Ramble. And if you find yourself with any free time throughout the day, head to Golden and raise a can in Cheers to 150 Years of Coors. The biggest brewery in town is throwing a big street festival in the town where it all began, featuring a lineup of musical performances, artisans, brewery tours, limited-edition merch, great food, and beer.
Oct. 1: Supper Club @ The Woods
Location: The Woods – 3330 Brighton Boulevard, Denver
Ready for more? Head to the Source’s terrace to celebrate the bounty of the season at a communal dining experience on the rooftop terrace—where the mountain and city views alone are worth the trip. The four-course, harvest-inspired tasting menu with optional wine pairing is hosted by Dan and Alicia of @DateNightDenver, who will be sharing tips to help you make the most of the season. Tickets are available for $60 per person on Eventbrite.
