Father’s Day is this weekend – and if you’re like many locals who can’t wait to step outside the confines of indoor living lately – there’s just something special about this year’s holiday.

If you honor the special pops in your life, maybe any son, friend or significant other, or if you’re just someone who wants to enjoy a really good beer, bacon, farm food or barbecue. promotions – then this is for all of you.

Below are 12 top picks for Father’s Day specials, starting today and this weekend in June, and continuing through July and the summer. The choices will take you from jazzy supper clubs in Denver to outdoor adventures across the Front Range. And just for fun, event categories are curated to suit every dad family personality: from “Sportsmen” and “Dinner Conversationalists” to “Adventurers” – starting with a special “Editor’s Pick” here. -below.

So, cheers – to the adventures ahead, to the great food and libations, and to the new memories:

---

Editor’s Choice

Growing up, my dad would pack me in the old GMC truck—after methodically packing coolers full of snacks and camping gear with cast-iron skillets for bacon-greased eggs for the morning—and then down 285 to Buena Vista for river rafting on the Arkansas River.

Arguably one of the best places for rafting, with peak flows especially in June, the Arkansas River Outfitters Association is a great place to start arranging guided tours, including from fly fishing to kayaking.

After wading the river all weekend, my dad and I would ritually stop at historic K’s Dairy Delite (or in my childhood memory, an A&W Root Beer stand), and feast on Root Beer floats. and we sit in the nearby park before heading back to town.

So it reminds Slater’s Denver 50/50. An upscale burger bar in RiNo that offers burgers, bacon and beer specials all month – including a special Orange Cream Milkshake – Vanilla Ice Cream Sorbet Milkshake orange topped with orange slices, whipped cream and an orange cream popsicle. (My dad would love that.)

“The sporty one”

Without a doubt, dads and all diehard Colorado sports fans have been preparing excitedly all week with the Avs in the Finals. These starting points are just a few blocks from Ball Arena, ready for your visit, whether before, during or after the game.

Head toward RheinHaus to Larimer Square to watch the game on giant screens and eat pretzels, Breck Brews and shots of whiskey for $5, and more. At the street corner, Jovanina’s Broken Italian hits the spot with homemade meatballs and other Italian authentics, including wine steals for $24+. On Blake, Fuel and iron bar is a new Pueblo-inspired hot spot offering $2 drinks and $3-$8 snacks, during happy hour from 3-6 p.m. (think, before the game).

“The master brewer »

RheinHaus, above, isn’t just for game day. This is a top spot for the beer lover in the family. Now, with nearly 200 breweries across Colorado and growing steadily, there’s no need to tell you that there are plenty of craft beer options out there. But on June 22, Rhein Haus will offer promotions planned for “National Radler Day.” Radler beer is usually when lager meets lemon or grapefruit, and on the 22nd all day you’ll find happy hour prices on Stiegl-Radler Grapefruit: $5 pints and $10 pints.

“The Pit Master”

RiNo’s The red barber hosts a rooftop “Dad’s Day Off” with all-day happy hour and on-site grilling, including bratwurst and beer tasting specialties for $15. Order tickets, here.

In another take on barbecue, cruise just an hour from Denver to frisco – which is known to be called the “main street of the Rockies”. The bustling city will host a BBQ Challenge Thursday and Friday, including one 6k Bacon Burner, with free concerts and lots of bacon and tail. Stick around all weekend to enjoy the “beach” aquatic and mountain life at Lake Dillon.

“The Early Riser”

Brunches aren’t just for ladies, dads also enjoy a hearty breakfast, especially early risers ready to go, just after the morning paper. flat to Restaurant Snooze for plates like Habanero Pork Belly Benedicts and Bacon Flights with Bloody Marys and more, at locations around metro Denver.

If you are staying in the suburbs, the Hilton Denver Inverness organize a “Bourbon, bacon and beef brisketBrunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $64.95 on The Garden Terrace — with a PGA golf course and great on-property stays, too.

“The afternoon”

There are early risers… and then, my father always said, “the morning worm gets eaten by the bird”.

If you go out in the afternoon with the guys, try Job for a summer day happy hour or a visiting hour on the patio. With a variety of locations across Denver, the wine cafe just added more to its “snack” menus — such as scampi with shrimp and a sausage and cheese platter accompanied by pretzels, with plenty of drink options and renowned bottled wine.

“The Dinner Talker”

At Jovanina’s was mentioned for hockey week, but the restaurant’s real fame lies in its intimate dining. This open-kitchen Italian restaurant is known for hosting Sunday suppers, elevated dinners on the by sopra dining room on the 2nd floor and dinners in the wine cellar sotto voce speakeasy downstairs. And this week launched the Chef’s Tasting Menua four-course culinary experience at the chef’s table.

Note: Ask about the story behind the chef’s table, and the entire space for that matter. (And by the way, did your dad keep wicker baskets, bottles of Chianti wine draped in candle wax? Yeah, mine too. You’ll find similar trinkets at Jovanina.)

“The Aficionado”

There is always a connoisseur among the group. RiNo’s noble riot is a quaint and impressive wine bar, featuring wine and homemade treats. Uniquely, if the caravan dad wants to take the party to the park, you can get picnic-style goodies to go – from fried chicken and charcuterie to wine packs. On the 23rd, find the Pinot specials during “wine school.”

And, LoDo Poka Lola Social Club will feature old-school $6 specials on Sundays – encouraging dads to bring their “father of the year” cups to sip on festively.

“The musician”

If your pop sounds like my dad, Sundays were for chilling out to the tempo on 89.3 KUVO. Step up a gear for the music lover in the family, at RiNo’s Night. On Sunday, the Jazz Supper Club organizes a “Dinner and Showwith live music and a three-course dinner. In particular, the Big Swing Trio will perform two performances, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

“The fisherman”

The family can hit the foothills for a good catch. To recreate the experience, on the taste bud side, find the Water grill in downtown Denver at Market Street Station – a unique seafood restaurant, new for 2022. This weekend will feature classic surf and turf fare and wagyu specialties – including just arrived, Wild Copper River King Salmon on the menu.

“The Ecologist”

Since 2017, urban farmer in Denver, nestled inside the historic Oxford Hotel, has been the go-to place for urban farm-to-table production — and not just vegetables. The modern steakhouse will offer at least seven varieties of responsibly sourced specialty steaks, from Prime to Porterhouse, for the holidays.

Extend the holidays to next month? Consider the outdoor, wood-fired dining experience that is, “Pig Legacy Fire555.” This annual throwback event is a nationwide food and wine tour celebrating heritage breed livestock and heritage products. The event takes place on July 30 at Snowmass Village (more on Snowmass, below) – featuring starred chefs, all-animal cuisine, global inspirations and meats from lamb and goat to duck and well Moreover. Tickets are now available.

“The Adventurer”

Finally, if you’re like any birthday or holiday lover, you’re already subscribed to celebrations that last well beyond the day of the same name. A toast to our fathers is no different. Escape for a well-deserved road trip (don’t forget the classic rock playlist) out of town for Snow Ground Village — where there is no end to activity options.

Snowmass offers: hiking, biking, indoor or outdoor climbing; and at the base of the Village, everything from comedy series to art exhibits; exceptional accommodations at Limelight Hotel, Viewline Resort and Wildwood; and The Lost Forest Adventure Center includes zipline, rope challenges, alpine slides, gondola rides, packages and tours, for all ages.