It’s getting cold out there, and while this winter’s surge in COVID cases would have many of us spending more time outside in the open air, the chilly winter weather is pushing us indoors. For those looking to go on dates, meet friends or just get out of their houses once in a while, it can be a tricky balancing act deciding where to go out that is both warm and allows for decent social distancing.
To help you navigate all of this, we’ve put together a list of restaurants and bars around town with private, heated and enclosed outdoor seating. Think igloos and yurts, greenhouses and tents, or any dining experience that allows guests to remain in their pods.
And special thanks to Laura R. for submitting the question that inspired this article! Do you have a question about Denver you want answered? Submit it using this form. We might just make a story out of it!
My Brother’s Bar
$, 2376 15th St.
Denver’s oldest pub got some swanky new igloos last year. Now, Kerouac fans can enjoy a beer and a burger in a private bubble outfitted with mid-century modern furniture, heaters, rugs, and light fixtures. These tables are first come first serve, so be sure to show up early to put your name in.
Angelo’s Taverna
$$, 620 E 6th Ave
This beloved pizza and oyster bar in the Speer neighborhood has four greenhouses on its back patio, available to reserve online. Show up on a Monday for the restaurant’s “Mollusk Mondays” special: $7 for a bowls of mussels, and $17 for clams and linguine plus a soup or salad.
Two greenhouses can accommodate parties of up to 4, and two can accommodate groups as large as 8. Keep in mind that these tables have a 2-hour cap, and the whole table must spend a combined minimum of of $75.
Cart Driver Lo Hi
$$, 2239 W 30th Ave
Denver’s trendy wood-fired pizza joint now offers heated greenhouse dining for groups of 4-6! Enjoy brunch or pies while maintaining social distance from other patrons. Guests are limited to 90-minute stays, so be sure to show up on time.
American Elm
$$, 4132 W 38th Ave
Situated under the canopy of an American Elm tree, the patio at this relaxed West Highlands eatery offers an ambient setting for brunch, dinner or cocktails. Now, you can enjoy that ambience in all seasons, thanks to American Elm’s new private heated greenhouses.
Rupert’s at the Edge
$$, 2045 Sheridan Boulevard, Edgewater
Waterfront dining? In Denver? This Edgewater brunch spot sits at the corner of Sloan’s Lake, allowing outdoor diners to soak in views of the lake as they sip mimosas. Now, you can do that in the warmth and comfort of one of Rupert’s six private greenhouses.
Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen
$$, 8775 E Orchard Rd, STE 811, Greenwood Village
For global cuisine and a cozy drinking experience, head out to this street market-inspired brewhouse in Greenwood Village. The five outdoor dining domes can each fit up to 8 guests, and are heated with a powerful hot air heater.
Bar Dough
$$, 2227 W 32nd Ave
Bar Dough’s expansive patio got an upgrade last year when the rustic Italian restaurant installed a village of private igloos. Now, you can enjoy pizza, pasta and burrata while distancing with your pod of 2-4. Stays are timed at 90 minutes, and reservations require a refundable $15 deposit per person.
Annette
$$, 2501 Dallas St, STE 108, Aurora
The Stanley Marketplace eatery was one of the first spots to offer greenhouse dining. The patio has a whole “village” of heated greenhouses, plus a 30 foot yurt for larger groups. Guests will enjoy home-inspired rustic cuisine by an award winning chef while dining in the privacy of their own little pods.
Barolo Grill
$$$, 3030 E 6th Ave
This Italian restaurant invites guests to dine in their own private “bungalow,” an enclosed outdoor structure that is either heated or air conditioned, depending on the weather. On Tuesdays-Thursdays, diners can order a la carte, and stays are timed at 1.5 hours for 1-4 guests and 2 hours for 5-8 guests. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bungalows are available for tasting menu reservations only. Tasting menu visits are timed at 2 hours, and cost $89 per person.
You’ll also have to pay a $25 per person deposit, refunded upon arrival, to make any bungalow reservation.
The Wolf’s Tailor
$$$$, 4058 Tejon St
If you’re willing to splurge, this elevated American restaurant in Sunnyside serves a tasting menu experience out of its cozy heated canvas tents. For $150 per person, your party of 2-6 can enjoy James Beard-caliber cuisine cooked in the Donabe, or Japanese clay pot, cooking style.
Did we forget something? Let us know! We’ll continue to update this list.
