Dust off your cowgirl boots and throw on your Stetson hat, the National Western Stock Show is back in town. From January 11 to 26, the 16-day event at the National Western Complex will feature rodeos, horse shows, bull riding, mutton bustin’, and all the excitement you can wrangle.
The show isn’t just about livestock, though, it’s a cultural and culinary phenomenon. The annual Kick-Off Parade will start at high noon on Thursday, January 9, where more than 30 Longhorn cattle will walk through the streets of downtown Denver (starting at Union Station and ending at 17th Street and Glenarm Place). At the Stock Show itself expect a wide variety of entertainment from shopping to demonstrations to food and drink.
“The Stock Show is the best 16 days in January,” said Todd Langfield, vice president of SSA Group, a Denver-based hospitality company that oversees the show’s food and beverage operations. “People always look forward to having something exciting to do after the holidays.”
Whether you’re there for the rodeo, the barbecue, or the chance to celebrate Colorado’s agricultural roots, the Stock Show promises to have more thrills than a buckin’ bronco. To channel the Wild West spirit, we’ve compiled a list of places around Denver where you can embrace your inner cowboy this Stock Show season.
Eating at the Stock Show
Dining options inside the event range from classic concessions like corndogs and cotton candy, to food trucks and sit-down restaurants. There’s even a pop-up steakhouse dubbed the National Western Bar & Grill Steakhouse.
“One of the coolest parts of the Stock Show is our pop-up, full-service, high-end steakhouse, open exclusively during the 16 days of the event,” said Langfield. “The menu includes ribeye, filet mignon, New York strip, and prime rib. One of our new signature items is a giant, eight-hour braised beef rib that always blows our guests away.”
Local Talent Shines at the Stock Show
The SSA team brings in over 40 chefs from across the country to execute the event, creating a top-tier dining experience within the bustling Stock Show grounds. It also creates hundreds of local jobs.
“Something we take great pride in is working with local and minority-owned businesses, particularly in the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods that surround the Stock Show,” Langfield added. “For instance, we bring in local vendors and food trucks from the neighborhood and we also create numerous job opportunities, over 400 just for food service.”
The Stock Show is also partnering with Wild Boyd Farm, one of the few Black-owned farms in Colorado. Its products are featured in items like smash burgers and Italian sausages at concession stands.
Bison Days at Number 38
From January 8 to 26, Number 38 in RiNo will once again be hosting its 18-day long Bison Days event during the National Western Stock Show. Just a half-mile walk from the Coliseum, the sprawling bar is the perfect place to pre-game for the rodeo with a rowdy lineup of live music and 120 beers on tap. Events include a free rodeo kickoff party on January 10, Western Wednesdays with line dancing and barbecue, plus performances from musical artists like Eric Paslay, Drake Milligan, Walker Montgomery, and more. 3560 Chestnut Pl., Denver, nmbr38.com
Go Country at Grizzly Rose
After the Stock Show, take your dancing shoes over to the Grizzly Rose, Denver’s premier country bar. The honky-tonk has a lineup of live music and line dancing during the Stock Show, plus beer and snacks like pizza and wings. You can even channel your inner pro bull rider and mount the bar’s mechanical bull. 5450 Lincoln St., Denver, grizzlyrose.com
Stock Show Brunch at Church and Union
New to Denver’s LoDo neighborhood, Church and Union will open its doors for a special brunch during the Kick-Off Parade on Thursday, January 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to bottomless mimosas, diners can indulge in a variety of dishes fit for the frontier like the CU burger, an applewood bacon omelet, a fried chicken sandwich, and the signature holy $h*t breakfast, served charcuterie board-style with fried chicken, eggs, bacon, house-made donuts, biscuits, house-crafted jam, and a choice of one Mimosa or Bloody Mary. 1433 17th St., Denver, churchandunion.com
Cowboy-Inspired Goodies at Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Located at the start of the parade route, head to Wynkoop Brewing Co. on Thursday, January 9, to celebrate the festivities. The iconic brewpub will have a special menu of hearty, cowboy-inspired dishes and craft beer. Guests can enjoy a classic chicken fried steak served with green beans, mashed potatoes, and creamy country gravy. Or go big with the bold Cowboy Philly Steak Sandwich. Wash it all down with Wynkoop’s Trick Rope Blonde Ale, a crisp, golden brew with subtle hints of sweet biscuit and lightly floral hops. 1634 18th St., Denver, wynkoop.com
Channel John Wayne at Denver Stockyard Saloon
A trip to the Stock Show wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Denver Stockyard Saloon. This local landmark is a scene right out of a John Wayne film, with a bustling dance floor, live country music performances every night, and all the quintessential cowboy drinks and dishes from barbecue to T-bone steaks. When you hear the whistle blow, run over to the bar for $6 shots and $4 beers. From January 10 to 25, the saloon will have extended hours from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 4710 National Western Dr., Denver, denverstockyardsaloon.com
Photo Opt With a Prize Steer at The Brown Palace
On Friday, January 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Brown Palace will host one of its most time-honored traditions, the 79th Annual Steer. The National Western Stock Show’s 2025 Grand Champion Steer will waltz down the red carpet into the hotel’s nine-story atrium lobby, where it will preside over the palace’s iconic Afternoon Tea. General admission is free, or go big with the VIP Viewing & Luncheon package for $175, which includes a barbeque lunch, two signature Pendleton Whiskey cocktails, and an open bar of beer and wine. Reserve tickets through Eventbrite. 321 17th St., Denver, brownpalace.com
Nosh the Rodeo Cowboy Burger at The Cherry Cricket
The Cherry Cricket is getting into the Stock Show spirit with its Rodeo Cowboy Burger. Within the masterpiece find a half-pound Cricket patty topped with horseradish cream cheese, candied bacon, crispy onion strings, and campfire sauce, and served with ranch-seasoned fries. The limited time offer will be available throughout the entire month of January. Guests can also enjoy beer and a shot (Montucky and Pendleton whiskey) for $13. Multiple locations, cherrycricket.com
Wild West Hunting at Buckhorn Exchange
This classic Denver steakhouse is old enough to remember when the West was still Wild. Established in 1893, Buckhorn Exchange stays true to its roots with food options like Rocky Mountain Oysters, marinated rattlesnake, fried alligator tail, game meats like buffalo and elk, plus a variety of steaks. If you do choose to dine inside, try not to stare too hard at the taxidermied heads of bucks, mountain lions, and other Rocky Mountain critters that adorn the walls of this centuries-old saloon. 1000 Osage St., Denver, buckhorn.com
Eat Cowboy Style at Kachina Cantina
From January 9 to 26, saddle up for Kachina Cantina’s “Cowboy Cantina.” The special menu celebrates the National Western Stock Show with mouthwatering items like tequila-marinated skirt steak and bison sirloin tacos. Top it all off with “The Cowboy” cocktail, made with Jack Daniels, fresh citrus, and demerara sugar syrup. 1890 Wazee St., Denver, kachinadenver.com
End the Show at High Lonesome
After the commotion of the rodeo, grab a nightcap at High Lonesome, aptly named after the 1950 cult classic Western. This chic, dimly-lit dive has a pool table in the back, and is open daily until 2 a.m. Try cocktails like the Raspberry Rodeo with mezcal, Meletti chocolate, raspberry, lemon, and mint. Or sample the Cowboy Coffee with Buffalo Trace, Liquor 43, coffee, sea salt, and orange. The menu also features a large selection of bourbons and whiskeys, as well as local beers on tap. 3360 Navajo St., Denver, thehighlonesomebar.com
