Expect a flood of green-clad revelers as the city celebrates St. Patrick's Day this weekend. The parade is Saturday — and if you're planning to go downtown, we've got the details on two spots that are opening early for the occasion. If you just want to sip as much Guinness and Jameson as possible, check out our list of the best Irish bars in the metro area.
There are plenty of non-Irish culinary events this week, too, including the return of Black Restaurant Week and several tempting pop-ups, such as La Diabla's Feria de los Moles.
Be sure to bookmark this page — we update it weekly with the best food and drink events in metro Denver. Here are the highlights for the next seven days, as well as upcoming events to put on your calendar:
Through Sunday, April 28
Death & Co has transformed its intimate Suite 6A space at the Ramble Hotel in RiNo into an immersive cherry blossom experience called Sakura Blossom Bar, with more than 400 cherry blossoms lining the ceiling and a menu of specialty highball cocktails.
Through March 17
La Diabla is offering a special lineup for its first Feria de los Moles. "Enjoy a sample platter with seven different moles, an entree with your favorite mole and mazapán ice cream for dessert," the restaurant says. "We will also have a special cocktail for the event and a great selection of pechuga mezcal for you to enjoy." No tickets or reservations are required.
Wednesday, March 13
Stoic & Genuine at Union Station is kicking off an izakaya dinner series with a six-course menu from culinary director Tim Kuklinski, plus pairings from sake expert Katrina Schlom of Momentum Beverage. The meal is $175 per person, and tickets are available on OpenTable. Additional dinners in the series are set for May 22 and July 24.
Chef Andrea Condes, owner of Four Directions Cuisine, will be at the History Colorado Center for a lecture and cooking demonstration of Andean quinoa soup — the first installment of History Colorado's new Stories Through Food! program. Tickets are $30 for non-members.
Friday, March 15, through Sunday, March 24
Last year, Black Restaurant Week launched its first Denver campaign. Now it's back for another round of celebrating the metro area's Black-owned eateries. Some, like TK's Surf and Turf, are offering a discount to diners. For a full list of participating businesses, visit blackrestaurantweeks.com.
Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16
Secret Dance Addiction is hosting a healthy nightlife pop-up. On Friday, the N/A bar will be open at the Arch in RiNo (3001 Walnut Street) from 5 to 10 p.m. with Boozeless Burlesque, singles happy hour and an N/A drink competition and tasting. On Saturday, it will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. for the Shake it Up! Cocktail Class and more, including a dance party. Tickets are $15.
Saturday, March 16
The St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m., but you can start celebrating early. Both the Cherry Cricket Ballpark location and Wynkoop Brewing will open at 8 a.m., offering a variety of food and drink specials for the occasion.
After the parade, Mile High Spirits is throwing its own St. Patrick's Day party with live music, cocktails and party favors for the first 100 guests. Festivities kick off at 11 a.m. and run through 9 p.m.
Rolling pins needed! Restaurateur Kevin Morrison is in the process of turning the original Tacos Tequila Whiskey near City Park into a new concept, Rolling Pin Pizza. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., anyone who drops off a rolling pin to be used for the interior decor will get Tacos Tequila Whiskey merch — with choices like hats, hoodies, socks and more — as well as a coupon for a free one-topping twelve-inch pie once Rolling Pin opens.
Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17
Jackdaw Restaurant inside the DoubleTree by Hilton in Aurora is celebrating St. Patrick's Day with drink discounts and an Irish-themed special dinner menu on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be performances by Irish guitarist and composer Michael DeLalla from 4 to 7 p.m. and Irish step dancing from the Wick School of Dance at 7:30 p.m. on March 17th.
Monday, March 18, and Tuesday, March 19
Chef Manny Barella is set to compete on the upcoming season of Top Chef, but you can get a taste of his fare before the show's debut at his Mientras pop-up at Cantina Loca every Monday and Tuesday through March 19. The four-course meal includes options like beef tartare with salsa macha XO, smoked lobster tetela and birria mafaldine for $110 per person, with an optional cocktail pairing for $50. Book tickets at mannybarella.com.
Wednesday, March 20
Pop-up series Pita Mafia is back with an Israeli-inspired feast at Recess Beer Garden. Tickets are $40, and the menu includes the lamb and beef Sloppy Yosef, aka Sloppy Yooo, baba ganoush and an egg noodle cheesecake.
Save the date:
March 24: It's Oyster Month at Jax Fish House. In addition to a full month of oyster specials, Jax is celebrating with Bubbles & Pearls: The Throw Down, a party with four oyster stations and plenty of bubbly for $225 per person. Tickets for the event at all locations can be purchased at jaxfishhouse.com.
March 25: Movie-and-dinner pairing nights have returned to Bistro Vendôme (2267 Kearney Street). Next up: Cleo. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and includes a four-course meal for $65 per person; reservations can be made on OpenTable.
March 28: Agave spirit- and pozole-tasting event Bowl of ’Zole returns to the Skylight event space (833 Santa Fe Drive) from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $55 and are available online.
March 30: Collaboration Fest is returning to the Westin Westminster. Tickets are $55 (general admission) or $75 (VIP).
April 3-6: Taste of Vail returns for its 32nd year with a packed lineup of events, including new additions such as special gala opening and closing dinners on the first and last evening of the festival. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit tasteofvail.com.
April 9: Head to Cafe Brazil (4408 Lowell Boulevard) for the Latin Supper Club series of twelve fundraising dinners hosted by owner and chef Tony Zarlenga alongside MasterChef Mexico's chef Pablo Aya. Proceeds go to the Sabor Comunitario program for Hispanic students; tickets are $150. Upcoming editions include guest chef Luis Gurrola of Necio Mexican Kitchen on April 9 and Ms. Betty’s Cooking co-owner Tajahi Cooke on April 23.
April 14: The Colorado Wine Walk is back at Dairy Block, with pours from twelve local wineries and live music. Tickets, which start at $45, are on sale now.
June 8: Westword's Out to Brunch returns for its second year with unlimited drinks, bites and entertainment at York Street Yards. Tickets start at $40 and are on sale now.
Know of an event that belongs on this calendar? Send information to [email protected].