Pull up a spot in the warm sun or under a shady umbrella. It’s patio season, when that favorite dish or sun-kissed cocktail tastes all the better under big sky views. There are some beauties that have joined the local dining and drinking scene since 2020. Here are our favorites.
Pikes Peak Lager House
A downtown rooftop patio that’s part of the hot Trolley Market—Pikes Peak views included? Yes, please. There’s a full array of quality brews on tap from Pike’s Peak Brewing, from flagships to seasonals like the bright Pearl Devere Sours series. Take your food pick from charcuterie plates, flatbreads, sausages or sandwiches. Or head next door to CO.A.T.I food hall. Yes, you can take your beer. Just make sure you leave someone to save your table. These are the kind of views you don’t want to lose.
Red Leg Brewing Company
Just … wow! Call this the king of new local patios — with a strong case for being king of all Colorado Springs patios (Bristol Brewing/Ivywild, FH Beerworks, Hacienda Colorado and Atomic Cowboy may beg to differ). But come on, about 60,000 square feet of outdoor space? Red Leg’s outdoor Garrison can hold 876 people, comfortably they claim. Think of the new Westside multiplex as part brewery, part outdoor food hall, with local food, spirits and other vendors rotating through. Whatever you want to call it, it’s a prime spot to raise a glass, play yard games and savor the close-up mountain views.
ViewHouse
OK, ViewHouse makes a strong case for top patio monarch too. We’ll call them queen of the patios, and you can decide who’s top monarch. Staking its very name on the scenery, ViewHouse delivers a gorgeous Front Range panorama with a big, fat sightline of Pikes Peak. With so much glass, you can see from the inside too, but we’re talking patios. Take a seat on the sprawling downstairs area and join in the yard games. Or choose an upper deck table to survey the happening scene below.
The Garden
Pull up a cushy patio chair or step inside the roll-up garage doors for a seat at the chic, organically modern bar or fireplace. We love the open air vibes of the Garden, which calls itself Colorado Springs’ original craft beer garden. Ordering is all digital on your phone. Local beers, signature cocktails and more come from the permanent bar; food options are served from several food trucks. Lush F2F (for Farm to Fork) is always on-site, offering street tacos, burgers and salads. Others such as Hangry Ohana, Sosa’s Pupuseria, Kabob Kaboose and the vegan Green Machine Grill rotate through. This one’s a perfect dog-friendly, family-friendly addition to the hot corner of S. Nevada and E. Costilla.
White Pie
The Wallenta brothers, Kris and Jason, know how to patio. Their Dos Santos digs (and tacos) are one of our favorites. Now add their pizzeria to the list. Pull up a bench beneath the black and white umbrellas and twinkly string lights and enjoy some divine pizza. Hand crafted in New Haven or Sicilian style, you can get creative or stay basic. If you don’t care about the labels, just call ‘em delicious and kick back with downtown views, including Sharon, the star figure of Kinship Landing’s four-story mural.
The Depot
Kick back with a historic touch at The Depot. There’s a chill vibe out in front of the renovated train depot, across the street from the leafy Antlers Park. We’re fans of the patio couches around the fire pits. And for shade, there are plenty of tables under the colorful umbrellas. “I love sitting there next to beautiful Antlers Park with the sun setting, the lights from town coming on, music, the fire pits soothing glow,” says owner Charles Ochs. “Life doesn’t get any better. Well, maybe with a cocktail in your hand, but we can take care of that.” Take your pick of menus from Track Ten Urban Kitchen or Brakeman’s Burgers, and don’t miss the Sunday brunch.
Parry’s Pizzaria and Taphouse
How many ways can you rave about Pikes Peak views? Parry’s rooftop patio at Interquest delivers a spectacular north-side panorama, featuring the Air Force Academy, Mount Herman, Blodgett Peak and, of course, American’s Mountain. The tasty New York style pizzas and slices are huge. So is the beer menu. With 95 taps, you’ll find lots of local, Colorado and national craft beer from breweries such as Avery, Epic, Upslope, Left Hand, Stone, Firestone Walker and more. This Colorado chain is a stellar, scenic addition to the north-side boom.
Got a favorite patio we missed? Let us know here or at @SpringsMag.
