Ten Things to Do in RiNo

In the last several years, RiNo has grown from an industrial neighborhood mostly known for housing local breweries to a full-blown destination for art, shopping, entertainment and some of the best food in the city. It still has that gritty feel we love, but now with more options than ever.

What are some ways to spend a day in RiNo? Narrowing down ten spots in such a bustling neighborhood was no easy feat, so the focus here is mostly on women-owned businesses. (Unexpected surprise: there’s a refreshingly high amount of RiNo businesses with women involved.

Here are the top ten ways to take advantage of one of Denver’s most artsy and casually cool neighborhoods.

Murals, Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour 
Various RiNo locations
Operating since 2014, Denver Walking Tours founder Jill Collins employs around fifteen tour guides who take a fun, light-hearted approach to tours through the city, as opposed to “a history lesson.” But it’s the RiNo walking tour that stands out, because the artwork is constantly changing.

The walking tour starts at Denver Central Market and loops through streets and alleyways for two hours, covering a little over a mile, and includes a brewery stop with a beer tasting. According to Collins, the RiNo art tour is more popular with locals than tourists, who tell her they can’t believe they walk by so much artwork regularly without a second look.

The team at Denver Walking Tours also does their homework: interviewing the artists to learn the story behind the piece and finding the hidden stories behind the art. Take artist Jeremy Burns, who was in a horrific car accident and lost his ability to hold a pencil. Realizing he could still hold a thick piece of chalk and a roller, he transitioned to street art. His notable RiNo mural and story of resilience is just one of many you’ll see along the way.

“There’s so much to do in RiNo, yet we locals sometimes just walk by and don’t look around,” Collins says. “It’s fun to be a tourist in your own city.”

Blind Tiger Lounge
3040 Blake Street, #131
Tucked in a nook just off Blake Street and overlooking a mini courtyard is the Blind Tiger Lounge, a women-owned spot serving up creative cocktails and mocktails (and let’s not forget hot dogs). The business’s lemon lavender martini, while simple, is just the kind of cocktail that you want to be sipping while posted up at the bar near the open garage door, catching a cool breeze.

This is the perfect place to go for drinks if alcohol isn’t for you because the mocktails are just as delicious — try the Bite Me (Ghia sumac & chili, grapefruit soda, tajin rim, lime) or the Sicilian Spritz (ginseng, blood orange, holy basil, green mandarin). There’s also cold brew and kombucha on tap.

Go during the day when the weather is nice, play a few rounds of Connect Four, do some people watching, snag an Elote hot dog, and you’ve just orchestrated a lovely little afternoon.

Spicy Librarian
3040 Blake Street, #110
Former kindergarten teacher Sydney Ivey opened the bookstore in January 2025 with a mission to empower women to feel less shame about their love for romance novels. Filled with books by female authors, this adorable space — which feels like the library of your Instagram dreams — will make you want to curl up with your new purchase before you even hit the cash register. And we aren’t talking about Fabio romance novels from the ’90s (although if that’s your thing, no judgment). The shelves include books from recognizable authors of beach reads and popular chick lit: think Emily Henry, Emily Giffin, Elin Hilderbrand.

No trip would be complete without a visit to The Vault, a spicy secret room tucked behind a bookshelf, offering a curated selection of luxury sex toys and accessories.

Even better? A portion of the proceeds support the Purple Leash Project, which helps fund pet-friendly shelters for victims of domestic abuse.

Puttshack
2813 Blake Street
As the only business not started by a female on this list, Puttshack — owned by the founders of Top Golf — makes the cut because of its innovative and cool business model.  It’s not clear how flawed traditional mini-golf is until you set foot here and see there’s a better way. For starters, at Puttshack, you’ll make a tee time. No more waiting for Chad and Karen in front of you, who couldn’t find the hole if their life depended on it; instead, everyone is spaced out strategically. Say goodbye to mini golf pencils, trying to remember which stroke you’re on, and reporting back to your friend who begrudgingly volunteered to keep score. Each ball is outfitted with some sort of magic technology, so you’ll see your score posted in real time on the screen hanging above each hole. At each hole, a mini table awaits, ready to hold your beer.  This isn’t just “who can get in the hole in the fewest strokes” kind of golf, either. Think true or false pop culture questions posted on the screen, and you either hit the ball left or right based on what you think is the correct answer. When you’re done playing one of the four indoor courses, grab a gourmet burger or flatbread at the bar, and giggle with your group about how you’re no Tiger Woods.

Three Arrows Gallery
2936 Larimer Street
When was the last time you bought something and truly thought about the person you are supporting with your purchase? At Three Arrows Gallery, the shopping is that personal. On its website, you can find short blurbs about several of the vendors. Take designer Cindy Chavez, who comes from a family of tailors in Mexico; or candlemaker Nicki Krob, who started making candles as a wedding favor when she got married — and the rest is history. It’s much more fun to buy from someone who has a story. If you want to shop local and support women-owned businesses, this huge showroom with more than fifty vendors is the spot. Whether it’s local honey, candles, jewelry, pet goods, clothing or Colorado-themed gifts, you’ll find unique and curated items you didn’t realize you needed.

Honey Elixir Bar
2636 Walnut Street, #104
Before owner Jocasta Hanson’s best friend Matt Lackey died in a hiking accident, he was planning to open a restaurant in RiNo. When he passed, she honored his legacy by opening a space in RiNo dedicated to his memory. Her cocktail bar, Honey Elixir, is the kind of bar you take friends from out of town to. It has a story, uniqueness and drinks you won’t find anywhere else.

As the name suggests, the concept revolves around raw honey as a healthier alternative to sugar. “Elixir bar” serves as an umbrella term for what it offers: apothecary-inspired cocktails, non-alcoholic potions, ceremonial cacao, jun (a fermented tea), wine and beer. Try the “RiNo Shrub,” a cocktail featuring peach, peppercorn, ancho chile, honey, champagne vinegar, lime, tajin, and your choice of tequila or mezcal.

Tucked away in a RiNo alley (read: you cannot have an Uber drop you off at the door), this place is somehow both airy and breezy on a gorgeous fall day and also cozy and intimate as the weather turns.

“As a queer, neurodivergent creative, I infused every detail with intentionality, crafting a space that reflected my inner world,” Hanson says.

Judith and Joe
3040 Blake Street, #100
Women’s clothing boutique Judith and Joe is one of the oldest businesses in the area, operating inside a former bus garage since 2016, a time when many described RiNo as “up and coming.” The clothes fit the RiNo vibe: casual, cool, trendy, but not pretentious. The store also sells jewelry, handbags, and miscellaneous gifts.

Owner Jamiee Peterson bought the store in November 2024; she was feeling in a rut career-wise and offered to help the previous owners with fashion buying. She took a leap of faith and bought the shop shortly after. “I’m coming up on my first year as the owner, and I couldn’t be happier to breathe fresh life into the store,” she says.

Judith and Joe is more than just a traditional clothing store. Peterson tries to keep everything sustainable, eco-friendly, ethical and affordable. “Shopping sustainable can often be very expensive, and we want to be a starting point for people starting on a less fast fashion trail,” Peterson says. “Our website has tags on most of the items where you can learn a little bit more about these missions, such as small batch, fair trade, made in the USA, or low waste products.”

Embassy Tavern
3463 Larimer Street
If you had to describe Embassy Tavern as a song, it would be “Dark Bars” by Miranda Lambert. She sings about being drawn to dark bars “where nobody knows me/where I can be lonely.” Listen, it’s a compliment. Every neighborhood needs that one place you can slip into, undetected. Don’t get us wrong — at this woman-owned dive bar on the outskirts of RiNo, there are certainly lively, welcoming nights with bad karaoke and trivia. There’s a sunlight outdoor patio. But the best way to soak up the charm is on a cold Tuesday night when life feels bleak and you need to drown your sorrows in a Miller High Life. It’s not the kind of dive bar that’s trying too hard to be a dive bar. It’s a welcome respite amidst a sea of just-opened RiNo hot spots. Lambert sings it best: “Neon truth can hit real hard/in a dark bar.”  

Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club
1330 27^th Street
Owners and husband/wife team, Scott and Nicole Mattson, dreamed of opening a place that would make jazz music more accessible. Since 2015, they’ve delivered. The vibe is 1920s Great Gatsby mixed with 1940s supper club. It’s elevated enough for date-night and special occasions but still approachable. Make a “dinner and a show” reservation so you can snag a great table with a three-course meal, all while listening to talented and trained jazz musicians. (Many musicians participate in a multi-week residency which allows them to build strong connections with the audience and workshop new material). At Nocturne, the food and drinks are just as much part of the experience as the show itself. For dinner, think duck leg confit or carrot gnocchi. As for drinks, there’s an extensive and exciting menu — but something about sipping on a traditional Tom Collins feels right. 

Paddywax Candle Bar
2654 Walnut Street, Suite 520
Candlemaking is having a bit of a moment. Earlier this year, the Today show’s Craig Melvin revealed it was one of his favorite hobbies; Gen Z loves DIY crafts that double as mindfulness activities. No matter why it’s trending, Paddywax is the perfect spot to feed your creativity. Book a 45-minute reservation, pick a vessel and scent (that’s the real fun), pour your candle, and return three hours later once the candle has set.  On a tight schedule but still need to pick up a gift? You can also purchase at-home candle-making kits or pre-poured candles.