Patio of the day: Cantina

The corner of 11th and Lincoln isn't exactly an oasis -- people-watching is more like traffic- and accident-watching, and the spot lacks the quaint neighborhood scenes you would expect from an outdoor space. But somehow, Cantina has revived that always-changing plot of real estate, turning it into an ideal, low-key...

By Samantha Alviani

July 11, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The corner of 11th and Lincoln isn't exactly an oasis -- people-watching is more like traffic- and accident-watching, and the spot lacks the quaint neighborhood scenes you would expect from an outdoor space. But somehow, Cantina has revived that always-changing plot of real estate, turning it into an ideal, low-key break from the concrete jungle.

Enter the patio, and you're seated under a canopy of festive, striped umbrellas so dense that you can fully escape the summer heat. And escape you will: With drink specials a-plenty and a full menu of Tex-Mex delights, you'll forget Lincoln is even there. In fact, you might just embrace it.

Perhaps the biggest draw of lounging on the patio, though, is Cantina's generous roster of daily drink specials. From 3 to 6 p.m. the entire drink list, including a jalapeño margarita that sells like hot cakes, is two-for-one. If exotic cocktails, cold beers, or straight tequila are more your speed, Cantina's menu features options to please all palates. On Thursdays, a live band will whisk your troubles away with help from the occasional live glassblowing artist. Cantina also plans to throw weekly block parties with their friends next door at Stoney's. Cantina serves heaping portions of Tex-Mex on that patio, too. From enchiladas and rellenos to "super tacos, burgers, and dips, you can certainly have some food with your booze. The lunch crowd is mellow, and from around 5 p.m. through the night, the space swells and buzzes with the energy of patrons looking to kick back and let go.

If that's what you're looking to do, you'll be in good company.

Denverites love their patios, and we'll be featuring many of them in Patio of the Day. Have a favorite outdoor eating/drinking area? Post your suggestions below, or e-mail [email protected].

For more, visit out Patio of the Day archive.

Follow @CafeWestword

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.