A Sixpack of Parties on Opening Day — Right by Coors Field

Coors Field opened twenty years ago this week in the area just northeast of lower downtown formerly known as NoDough. Even before the ballpark opened, though, the neighborhood – now one of the hottest restaurant districts in Denver – had started rolling in dough. And there will be plenty of it changing hands on  April 10, which happens to be opening day for the Colorado Rockies' 23rd season – and the 21st for Coors Field. Whether or not you have a ticket to the game, this part of town is your ticket to fun on Friday. Here's a sixpack of stops that are guaranteed to score.

6) El Charrito
2100 Larimer Street
Many of the bars that are so popular in this area today weren't around when the first pitch was thrown at Coors Field. But El Charrito dates back to 1962; by the time Coors Field opened in 1995, it often only opened on game days. But in 2009 younger relatives took over the joint, and now it's open daily, billing itself as a “five-star dive bar” – a label it certainly earns with its cheap drinks, hipster clientele and karaoke on the weekends. On opening day, El Charrito will have a jazz band after the game from 5 to 7 p.m. – and “otherwise, just cheap drinks all day,” the owners report, “including our Double Play, which is a PBR and a shot for $5.” Play ball!

5) The Tavern Downtown
1949 Market Street
Tavern Hospitality Group started celebrating on Monday, when it started its weekly ticket giveaways; every Monday through the end of the season, all of the Tavern locations will hold Rockies Happy Hour Ticket Giveaways from 3 to 7 p.m. on Mondays. But that's not the end of the freebies: the Tavern Downtown, in the shadow of Coors Field, will be offering a buy-one, get-one draft beer special with a same-day Rockies ticket. And the Tavern Ballpark, which opened on the rooftop deck of Coors Field last season, will give $1,000 to a patron in the bar if the Rockies hit a home game during the first inning of a home game. Find out more at www.tavernhg.com.

4)  Lucky Pie Pizza
1610 16th Street
Lucky Pie Pizza is partnering with Epic Brewing Opening Day Pig Roast, with plenty of pork from Tender Balley and $5 cans of Epic all weekend. Your ticket to hog heaven starts at 11 a.m. Find more info at luckypiepizza.com.

3) World of Beer
1555 Blake Street
The World of Beer that opened last year in LoDo is the only one in the national chain that offers a full menu, including a Sunday brunch. (Although a few other locations are now offering a tavern roster). And on opening day, this spot will put that menu to good use during BEERunch, which will start at 9 a.m. Drink with master brewers from Avery Brewing Company, Upslope Brewing Company, Great Divide Brewing Co. and many more. Get the scoop here.

2) The ViewHouse
2015 Market Street
The ViewHouse, which debuted right before opening day two years ago, will start the party at 9 a.m. MIX 100 will be broadcasting live on-site with DJs all day. Guests can snap a shot or a selfie of the festivities and use the hashtag #VHopeningday for a chance to win prizes; the three best photos will win ViewHouse giftcards. For more information, visit viewhouse.com.

1) Lower48 Kitchen
2020 Lawrence Street
And for a culinary homerun, head to  2020 Lawrence Street, where Lower48 Kitchen, winner of the Best New Restaurant in the Best of Denver 2014, will open at noon on Friday for a patio partio celebrating the home opener. (It's usually only open for dinner.)  Alex Figura (nominated for Food & Wine's People's Best New Chef) will be manning a smoker on the outdoor patio, where he'll cook up Tender Belly hot dogs with smoked coleslaw ($3) large L48 corn dogs and housemade "Funions" ($3) before the game. Lower48 will also offer happy-hour specials from noon through the rest of the night, including $3 beers, $5 wines and $6 cocktails. Find all the delicious details here.

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