Dog-Friendly Denver
Alice in Larimer Square, Downtown Denver
All Dogs Go to Denver!
It has taken me a few years to finally write this post. I grew up just outside of Denver, and I have so much love for my home. I had to make sure I did Denver justice! Although I travel back to Colorado several times a year, I haven’t lived there since I was 18, so I didn’t know the city well enough to write a full post about it. I spent all of July 2021 in Colorado, and I set a goal to spend more time in Denver proper and explore as many dog-friendly spots as I could!
Colorado is extremely dog-friendly! In any neighborhood, you’ll see dogs chilling on patios, walking with their humans, playing in parks - everywhere! Denver is also situated at the base of the Rockies, with a plethora of hiking opportunities (check out our post about dog-friendly hikes near Denver). Humans and dogs alike will have an amazing time exploring restaurants, bars, breweries, and activities throughout Denver!
Getting Around
Denver’s lightrail and bus system allow dogs if they ride on a human’s lap or on the floor out of the aisle. The public transit system has expanded tremendously since I was a kid (and a line directly to Denver International Airport was opened in 2016), but it is not nearly as convenient as the subway system that I’m used to in New York. If you are planning to do any hiking or day trips during your visit, you’ll definitely want a rental car for at least part of your trip.
Downtown Denver is very walkable with plenty of things to do! Denver gets 300+ days of sunshine every year, so even in winter you’ll likely be comfortable walking and even hanging on a patio on some days. The summers have gotten hotter in recent years, so you can expect a lot of 90º days June through August. Luckily, Denver has very low humidity! So even on hot days, if you can find shade and stay hydrated, you and your pup will be okay to explore.
Restaurants, Bars, & Breweries
Denver is known for many things… two of those are green chili and craft beer. Make sure you eat a smothered burrito (a burrito on a plate, doused with green chili, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, whatever else you want on top) at one of the delicious Mexican restaurants in Denver, and spent some time brewery-hopping too!
Restaurants
Mezcal - A Mexican restaurant with a small patio (there was a sign that said no dogs, but they definitely saw Alice and seated us on the patio anyway…) on East Colfax, a historic part of Denver.
Trattoria Stella - Across from Mezcal you’ll find Trattoria Stella, an Italian spot with a dog-friendly patio.
Barcelona Wine Bar - This tapas bar has great food and wine, and a very cute, secluded patio.
Postino - There are multiple locations around the city, but I’ve only taken Alice to the LoHi location, which is very dog-friendly and has a beautiful, large patio.
Rush Bowls - If you’re looking for something light, Rush Bowls has great açaí bowls and several tables outside.
Little Man Ice Cream - A Denver institution! Their ice cream is truly fantastic, which is why you will always find a line at their LoHi location. Alice loves getting the last couple bites of my cone!
El Noa Noa - A well-known Mexican spot with a large patio in the Santa Fe Arts District.
Black Shirt Brewery & Craft Pizza Kitchen - A few outdoor tables that allow dogs to join you as you devour your pizza!
Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen - If you find yourself further south, Spice Trade has good, interesting food options near the tech center. The outdoor seating is lackluster though - tables set up in a parking lot in a strip mall.
Coffee Shops
Highlands Cork & Coffee - I adore this spot and will keep coming back forever! They allow dogs inside to order with you (this coffee shop/bar is in an old house in the Highlands neighborhood), and there’s a very large, somewhat shaded patio. They have food as well, and it turns into a bar in the evening. It can be quite busy, so expect to wait in the morning/early afternoon!
Stella’s Coffee Haus - Located near the University of Denver, this coffee shop has a large patio and you’ll almost certainly see other doggos there!
Wash Perk - Grab a coffee from their to-go window and head to Wash Park for a walk (more information on parks in Denver below).
Roostercat Coffee House - A woman-owned, woman-run coffee spot with a few outdoor tables that allow dogs.
Breweries
Denver Beer Co - Such a good vibe and great location, nestled between Union Station and LoHi. In the summer, all the doors are open to give an indoor/outdoor feel, and they have mist machines when it’s really hot. I’ve only been to the Platte St location, but they recently opened another location near DU!
Our Mutual Friend - A small, but popular brewery with dog-friendly outdoor area.
14er - This brewery is huge, and dogs are allowed both inside and outside! They have lawn games on the patio.
Prost - Prost has a very large dog-friendly deck with a view of downtown!
Epic - Dog-friendly patio and rotating seasonal beers.
Odell - Odell makes some of my favorite Colorado beer (I only like sours and some other fruity beers - luckily, I can find these pretty easily in Denver)! Their patio is dog-friendly.
Great Divide - A well-known Colorado brewery right downtown, their small patio is dog-friendly.
Breckenridge - If you find yourself south of Denver, Breckenridge Brewery’s Littleton location is awesome. It’s huge, so many outdoor tables, and lots of games. There’s good food here too. If you like sours, make sure you try the Mountain Beach!
Peak View - Also in the southern suburbs, we’ve been to Peak View several times because it was started by a friend of a friend! Dog-friendly indoors and on the patio.
Bars
Improper City - This bar has a giant outdoor space with food trucks, plus a large selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
Matchbox - Dogs are allowed inside or outside this divey bar during the day (would not recommend bringing your dog on a weekend night, it gets very crowded and loud!).
Bannock Street Garage - Another great dive bar with very cheap drinks, dogs are allowed inside and on the back patio here! (As you can see, I’m a big fan of Sippin’ Pretty, a sour from local Odell Brewing).
Cap City Tavern - Dogs are allowed on the patio at Cap City, and they have dog beds and treats for canine visitors!
Forest Room Five - Dogs are allowed in the patio area of this bar with great cocktails.
Recess Beer Garden - Dogs are allowed on the patio except after 3:00pm on weekends.
Stranahan’s - My favorite whiskey, and the first distillery in Colorado since prohibition! They have a dog-friendly outdoor space that also has food trucks and live music on certain days.
What to Do & See
Parks
Denver has many great parks! These are some of our favorites.
City Park - The largest park in Denver! They also have live jazz on Sundays in the summer - Alice and I went in 2021 with a group of family and friends!
Washington Park - You’ll hear locals refer to this park as “Wash Park”, and it is truly beautiful! This is the park we visit most often because we have friends who live across the street.
Commons Park & Confluence Park - These parks are right next to each other along the Platte River, between Downtown and LoHi. If your dog likes water, they can get in the water and play!
Civic Center Park - A must-see when you are walking to the Colorado State Capitol building!
City of Kunming Park - A bit further south, this is a great spot for sunset! Across the street you’ll find two other small parks.
Cheeseman Park - A beautiful park with views of the skyline, right next to Denver Botanical Garden (which is, unfortunately, not dog-friendly).
Activities
Colorado State Capitol - Your dog will definitely want a picture on the step that says “ONE MILE ABOVE SEA LEVEL”! It’s also a beautiful building, and Civic Center Park is really nice across the street.
Larimer Square - Larimer Square is always decked out, either with Christmas lights, Colorado flags, or in support of local sports teams. There is a great pet store here, Dog Savvy. There are also shops and restaurants with outdoor seating.
RiNo & Five Points - These neighborhoods have a lot going on - restaurants, breweries, food trucks, street art.
Highlands - One of the most popular neighborhoods in Denver, you’ll find plenty of food, drinking, and shopping here! Make sure you ask if your dog can go into a store, not all are dog-friendly.
Farmer’s Market at Highlands Square - Visit this farmer’s market on Sundays in the summer!
Red Rocks - While dogs can’t attend a show at Red Rocks, you can take them on non-show days or in the morning to explore the amphitheater or the trails around it!
Art District on Santa Fe - The Chicano street art in this area is super cool, and dogs are allowed inside the Denver Art Society, where you can buy art from hundreds of local artists!
City Park Jazz - Live jazz in City Park on Sundays in the summer! Dogs allowed - bring your own food, blanket, chairs, etc.
Take a Day Trip - Boulder, Idaho Springs, or Garden of the Gods are ideal day trips from Denver!
Go Hiking - Consult our list of dog-friendly hikes near Denver!
Where to Stay
I always stay with family when I’m in Denver, but if you are looking for a really cool, historical hotel and don’t mind spending a bit more than the average nightly rate … The Brown Palace is dog-friendly! The Brown Palace was built in 1892 and is a staple of Denver. It is gorgeous inside and out, and I am eagerly planning to stay a night with Alice sometime soon!
If not the Brown Palace… I recommend staying near or just outside of the city center so you can easily walk to bars, restaurants, and activities with your pup!