Summers in Colorado are some of the best in the whole country, and the Flat Irons of Boulder are the perfect place to experience the season. Most Boulderites like to spend their time outdoors, so why move inside when it’s time to grab a bite to eat? For those who want to make the most out of the summer months, we’ve put together a list of the best patios in Boulder:
Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace
Any restaurant that has palace in the name has to be good – or at least memorable. Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Palace is both delicious and memorable, providing the ideal location to catch up with friends and people watch on Pearl Street, as well as consume delicious Latin cuisine and refreshing margaritas.
The Mediterranean
Part of the appeal of this Boulder gem is that you don’t feel like you’re in Boulder anymore. Hidden away behind the restaurant proper, The Mediterranean’s patio is situated away from busy streets and lots of noise, creating the feeling of sitting on a hillside in Tuscany instead of a backyard in Colorado. The Mediterranean has been offering tranquility and a good meal for the last two decades, with patrons coming back year after year for tapas and refreshing sangria.
The Bitter Bar
While this laid-back hangout is more for enjoying a refreshing beverage than grabbing a bite to eat, the atmosphere created on The Bitter Bar’s large front patio will definitely make it your new go-to spot this summer. The ambiance on the patio is set with lights strung overhead to create a twinkling canopy, and with the longest happy hour in Boulder – 5-8 p.m. – it will be hard to walk away from The Bitter Bar without a smile on your face. The lounge offers a variety of hand-crafted cocktails, as well as freshly popped popcorn to snack on while you chat with friends.
Sherpas
Certainly one of the most unique eateries in Boulder, Sherpas is owned by a true Nepalese mountain trekker, Sherpa Pemba. Colorado is Pemba’s adopted home, and he’s brought a taste of Everest with him, offering up authentic Nepalese cuisine and beautiful ambiance. The outdoor patio is covered in hanging vines to provide privacy and protection from the heat, as well as the perfect place to share some garlic cheese nan and take in the day.
Bohemian Biergarten
If you’re looking for a new spot to hang out in downtown Boulder, Bohemian Biergarten is just the place. Modeled after the traditional beer halls of Munich, this unique bar offers patrons German-style food and beer, as well as hospitality. The main room is outfitted with long picnic tables for communal seating and the patio lets customers enjoy their beer while soaking up the sun and doing some people watching.
West End Tavern
This Boulder eatery touts itself as being “Definitely not your daddy’s tavern,” and the saying is certainly true. West End wants to turn everyone in Boulder into beer savants, and to do so the pub offers unique and rare craft beers, as well as tastings and pairings. If you want to know more about a certain kind of beer or are just trying to figure out what you like, the staff at West End is incredibly informed and eager to share their knowledge. If beer isn’t really your thing, West End also offers the largest bourbon list in Colorado with 75 varieties. Enjoy a beer, bourbon or burger and watch the sun set over the beautiful Rocky Mountains on this unique patio.
