The Best Food and Drink Events in Denver This Week
First up is Cinco de Mayo. A number of bars and restaurants are planning May 5 festivities to mark the occasion, including:
- Uprising Taco, a new eatery coming to Five Points in June, is hosting a preview from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Point Easy in Whittier will be serving family-style tacos, guacamole and agave spirits, including a mezcal tasting and a shareable sotol punch.
- Luki Brewery in Arvada is bringing back Rocinante, a fan-favorite Mexican lager; Lola’s Kitchen will be serving birria tacos, quesadillas and smothered fries starting at noon; and there will be live mariachi music.
- The RiNo location of Los Chingones is throwing a block party from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., complete with prize giveaways, Milagro and Don Julio tequila drink specials, lucha libre wrestling, DJ sets and mechanical bull riding.
Then on May 6, catch the Kentucky Derby action at one of numerous parties around town.
Keep reading for more of the best food and drink events this week and beyond, including Burger Week, which kicks off on Monday, the return of Civic Center Eats on May 17, and Westword’s inaugural Out to Brunch event next month.
Friday, May 5
It’s not just all about tacos and tequila on Friday. Denver’s longest-running cheese shop, Truffle Cheese, is hosting a pop-up at the Curtis Hotel (1405 Curtis Street), where it will offer a blue cheese and chocolate pairing. This event is open to the public and will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. in the lobby; products will be for sale.
Saturday, May 6
Beer, bluegrass and a shopping bazaar collide with Derby Day at TheBigWonderful at Belleview Station. The event takes place from noon to 6 p.m., with a bonus headlining show by Chain Station from 6 to 8 p.m. Festivities also include shopping from over fifty local craft vendors, food trucks, music and a livestream of the race. The event is free to attend, but tickets are required for the beer fest and the Chain Station show. Options start at $10.
It’s also all about the Derby at the Source Hotel, which is hosting RiNo for the Roses from 3 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include two drinks, appetizers from the Woods, drink specials, tailgate games, live music, a DIY hat-decorating station, photo installations, contests, giveaways, a prize for best-dressed and, of course, a screening of the 149th annual Kentucky Derby on the big screen.
There are a number of ways to get into Derby Day at Union Station. The Winner’s Circle Pre-Race Brunch will take place at the Cooper Lounge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (reserve your table here). From noon to 4:30 p.m., Terminal Bar’s patio seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis as it serves up drink specials including mint juleps and frosé along with live music by the Royal Street Ramblers. Gather inside the Great Hall for the main event from 2 to 6 p.m., with races shown on a big screen, or go all out with the Millionaires Row VIP Experience at the Cooper Lounge from 2 to 6 p.m., which includes reserved seating, unlimited libations and special food items for $100 per person.
Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson Street) is throwing an opening party for its expanded patio. The eatery will open at 11 a.m., and there will be live music as well as a special beer lineup, including brews from Westbound & Down, Bierstadt, Call to Arms, Cannonball Creek and more.
Goed Zuur in Five Points is saying farewell to founding chef Anthony Lopiccolo and celebrating its sixth anniversary starting at 2 p.m. The festivities will include the release of its Westbound & Down collaboration beer, Acid Jazz Vol. 6.
Herb’s turns 90 this weekend!
Justin Criado
Sunday, May 7
Party like it’s 1933 at Herb’s Bar (2057 Larimer Street) as it celebrates its ninetieth anniversary from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The musician-owned and -operated venue is going all out for the occasion with free food from Max’s Delicatessen, ’30s-themed cocktails and live entertainment from the Gabe Mervine Quintet and Funkiphino. There is no cover, and ’30s-inspired attire is optional.
Head to Casey Jones (24 Broadway) for a hangover brunch party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a Pitbull-themed twist. Listen to hits from the iconic reggaetón singer, enjoy guacamole and tequila specials and more. Tickets start at $20 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 8
In light of recent events that have deeply impacted the hospitality industry, including the double homicide at American Elm, Focus on Health and Another Round Another Rally are hosting a Denver Industry Support Fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Crow’s Nest (4200 Tennyson Street). All tips, proceeds, donations, raffle ticket sales and entries to the rock, paper scissors tournament will be donated to the fund, which will be accessible to anyone in Denver’s food and beverage sector who needs mental health care assistance, emergency financial relief or other services.
Monday, May 8, through Sunday, May 14
Westword is bringing back Burger Week, with seven days of $7 burgers from participating restaurants and a chance to win prizes. Get more info at burgerweekdenver.com.
Keep reading for future events…
Wednesday, May 17, and Thursday, May 18
Civic Center EATS, an annual summer gathering of some of the city’s best food trucks, will be back for the 2023 season every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through September 14, starting May 17. For more information, visit civiccentereats.com.
Saturday, May 20
Stranahan’s is hosting its eighth annual Colorado Whiskey Cask Thief, offering guests the opportunity to taste the rarest “stolen sips” of Stranahan’s whiskeys, extracted directly from the barrel. There will also be food catered by AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q, whiskey-infused ice cream from Sweet Action, live music and more. Ticket options include general admission from noon to 3 p.m. for $70 and an early-access option for $75 (VIP tickets have already sold out).
Sunday, May 21
Following a pandemic hiatus, Wings & Whiskey is back at Ace Eat Serve. The event, which starts at 4 p.m. for general admission and 3 p.m. for VIP, features eight Denver restaurants competing for best wings, along with live music, beer from Great Divide, craft whiskey cocktails and a whiskey-tasting booth, a wing-eating contest, a ping-pong toss and a silent auction, all benefiting the Denver Youth Employment Academy. Tickets start at $65.
Saturday, June 10
Westword is introducing a brand-new event, Out to Brunch, that will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at York Street Yards (3881 Steele Street). The festivities will include bottomless beverages and unlimited trips to a fest-sized Bloody Mary bar, plus unlimited bites from restaurants such as Safta, Citizen Rail and The OG. Tickets are available now; general admission is $40 and VIP is $65, which includes early entry and exclusive access to the VIP lounge.
Know of an event that belongs on this calendar? Send information to [email protected].
