Places to Drink and Play in Denver

In Denver we play as hard as we work. We’re not the type to sit around. To help us enjoy our precious downtime, Denver bars and pubs have all kinds of fun things for us to do both inside and outside so there is no excuse for being bored. Get out there and play!

Mini-golf at Punch Bowl Social Stapleton
The folks at PBS centered their establishments around fun and games when they opened the first one on Broadway in 2013. However, the new location in Stapleton just debuted a brand new outdoor mini-golf course that is perfect for all ages. This is on top of the all the fun inside the building with its vintage video game arcade, extra-long foosball table, and second floor bowling alley. Guests can play 18 holes of mini-golf including putters and colorful golf bowls for $16 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. Nine holes are $9 for adults and $7 for kids. The course can also be rented out in advance for family gatherings and parties. Give PBS a call for details. (3120 N. Uinta St.; 720-500-3788)

Mini-golf and ping pong at Skyline Park
Celebrate summer on the 16^th Street Mall at Skyline Park and Beer Garden. Not only can adults enjoy cold craft microbrews and wine, guests of all ages can enjoy 40,000 square feet of outdoor space with tented seating and plenty of games to keep everyone entertained. Table games like Jenga and foosball are available along with a ping pong table, cornhole, and a 9-hole mini-golf course that features local Denver landmarks. Putt a golf bowl through a replica of Denver’s famous Clocktower. Food trucks and live music on weekends complete this fun place to play. Skyline is open 11 AM to 10 PM Tuesday through Sunday weather permitting through October 12. (Arapahoe Street between 16^th and 17^th Streets)

Bowling at Hangar 101
Hangar 101 is Lakewood’s indoor playground with nine Brunswick pool tables and six bowling lanes. They also have shuffleboard, air hockey, foosball, and super cool vintage air planes hanging from the ceiling and outside on the lawn. If you can’t find something to do here, you’re not trying. Guests can also watch their favorite sport on the many large screen TVs while playing around. If you can get away from the office, Hangar 101 has free bowling and pool Monday through Friday from noon to 5 PM. (7575 W. Jewell Ave.; 303-600-8934)

Outdoor Courtyard at Viewhouse
All three locations of the Viewhouse have outdoor courtyards where guests can play and hang out with friends and family. Gamers rejoice because each location features a variety of backyard fun like cornhole lanes along with badminton, bocce, and volleyball and plenty of lounge seating to watch it all happen. Each location also offers a variety of weekly leagues and other active events like cross fit workouts and yoga. Whatever activity you’re into, visit the website to see how you can play all summer long. (2015 Market St., Denver; 7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial; 2680 W. Main St., Littleton)

Classic Arcade Games at The 1 UP
When summer days get hot, bring it inside at all three locations of The 1 Up arcade bar. Play it old school with old school pinball games, Skee-Ball lanes, and amazing classic video games like Centipede, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and Galaga. Pair this with a lineup of Colorado’s best craft brews and you’ve got a fun afternoon or evening. The 1 UP is kid-friendly from 11 AM to 7 PM, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults only after 7 PM. Those in South Denver can check out the new location in DTC with over 50 games and 20 beer taps. (1925 Blake St., Denver; 717 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; 6864 S. Clinton Ct., Greenwood Village)

Photos by Carrie Dow