Denver’s River North Art District is urban charm personified. Creatives flock to this area of Denver to enjoy the unique personality of the neighborhood, from historic warehouses, jazz bars, art galleries, and even studio space. The diversity of local businesses draws many visitors to this Denver hub and provides an exciting and walkable community for residents.
The Best Coffee Near RiNo
Denver’s RiNo neighborhood provides residents with convenient access to local coffee shops, including Prodigy and Milk & Honey. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, pick up an iced matcha, a steaming cappuccino, or even a shot of espresso to start your day with a bang.
Prodigy Coffeehouse
4500 Broadway
Prodigy Coffeehouse has multiple Denver locations, with their Broadway shop being a stand-alone former motorcycle maintenance garage. This unique industrial vibe is popular with those wanting to snap a shot for their social media or simply sit back and relax over a cup of coffee and good conversation. On tap, Prodigy serves up nitro cold brew, Upstart kombucha, and iced black tea. Espresso-based beverages include mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos. If you need breakfast to go, snag a burrito, a handheld waffle, or one of the handcrafted pastries on display.
Milk & Honey Coffee
2401 Blake Street Unit 102
Milk & Honey is woman and veteran-owned, serving up dark and moody craft beverages to residents of River North and beyond. All syrups are thoughtfully crafted in-house, with rotating flavors depending on the season. Coffee beans are sourced from Denver’s very own Queen City Coffee Collective. The menu features drip coffee, iced coffee, macchiatos, lattes, and cappuccinos. Breakfast options range from almond butter toast to breakfast sandwiches and granola and yogurt using house-made granola. Pastries are sourced from Reunion Bread Company and Pandemic Donuts.
Where to Eat & Drink in RiNo
RiNo is about as diverse as it gets with its restaurant and eatery offerings. If you’re in the mood for tacos and margs, head to Los Chingones, and if you’re looking for a memorable date night, make a reservation at Beckon.
Los Chingones
2463 Larimer Street
While Los Chingones doesn’t claim to be “authentic,” chef Troy Guard’s Mexican concept restaurant has been a hit. With spacious patio areas, guests can relax in the fresh air and indulge in tacos and margaritas. On weekdays, the taqueria hosts a $5 happy hour and includes options such as chips and guacamole, street corn, a tostada pizza, and the daily quesadilla. Drinks include a carafe of house margs for $25 and a shot and a snack for $5. Regular menu items include enchiladas and an extensive taco menu with unique options such as duck confit, a paleo taco, and even one with rattlesnake chorizo.
Stowaway Kitchen
2528 Walnut Street #104
Stowaway’s menu has been built off of a treasure trove of recipes collected from all over the world and brought back to their new home in Denver’s River North district. Serving breakfast and lunch, as well as drinks and coffee, this restaurant is a popular spot to bring a group of friends when nobody can decide what they want to eat. The menu includes Asian-influenced plates, as well as a smoked trout salad and a plum, almond, and meringue waffle. Freshly baked brown butter, chocolate chip, and walnut cookies, and honey and garlic scones are a must-try. If you’re into day drinking, order a grapefruit IPA or a Stowaway Spritz.
Park Burger
2615 Walnut Street
Claiming to be Denver’s neighborhood burger bar, Park Burger has set the bar high for its carnivorous diners. Chef-inspired burgers include the birria burger with pepper jack cheese, cilantro, and garlic aioli, and the Fun Guy, featuring sautéed mushrooms, haystack onions, and truffle-infused aioli. If you want to keep it classic, order a double and a side of hand-cut fries. On football nights, Park Burger hosts watch parties with a football-inspired menu and discounted Love This City Pilsners. The RiNo Tuesday $9 Special includes a Park Burger and a beer for less than $10 between the hours of 5 and 9 PM.
Beckon
2843 Larimer Street
Beckon is about as intimate as it gets, with an 18-seat chef’s counter and a quarterly menu release that’s concurrent with each of the four seasons. This enables the restaurant to bring only the freshest ingredients to your plate, using produce that’s in its prime and begging to be enjoyed. Guests can opt for the Beckon counter or the garden patio, depending on personal preference and the weather. The eight-course menu generally requires two and a half hours to fully work through and is best paired with a glass of wine and meaningful conversation.
Colorado Sake Co.
3559 Larimer Street
The Japanese izakaya menu at Colorado Sake Co. has been designed as a tapas-style dining experience that’s best shared with friends or family. The small and shareable plates allow diners to taste a range of menu items and savor a variety of bites from kimchi, yellowtail, and seaweed salad. The extensive sake menu includes 12 different sakes on tap — which is the most in America! Specialty cocktails include the Tokyo Mule, topped with ginger beer, and A Night in Osaka with matcha, lime, and mint. Order a full flight for $32 or choose between a half glass or full glass depending on your aptitude for the drink.
Can’t-Miss Shops in RiNo
River North is home to The Other Side Boutique, a popular spot to shop for home decor and furniture while on a budget.
The Other Side Furniture Boutique
4400 Wynkoop Street
This Denver hidden gem has everything you need when it comes to furnishing your new home with quality new and used items. Who doesn’t love saving money, after all? The latest inventory includes abstract paintings, washers and dryers, an antique wooden secretary, a traditional-style rocking chair, and a small tufted loveseat. Peruse the showroom and see what’s speaking to you. When you shop at The Other Side, you’re also lending support to the Denver-based nonprofit called The Other Side Academy, which is a school dedicated to teaching social and vocational skills to those struggling to find their way.
The Nightlife Scene Around RiNo
The RiNo neighborhood doesn’t lack fun nightlife activities, ranging from bars, music venues, and laid-back lounges. Whatever you feel like getting up to, River North is bound to have it.
The Mission Ballroom
4242 Wynkoop Street
The Mission Ballroom is a state-of-the-art concert venue that opened in 2019. The 60,000 square feet of space provides multiple configuration options, allowing artists to put on an unrivaled show with some of the best sound and light capacities available. The moving stage allows artists to host between 2,200 and 3,950 guests. The rising rows and a dance floor provide a multitude of options for sitting and standing, blending the name of the venue with the ballroom experience. Upcoming events at the ballroom include Wilco, Bullet For My Valentine, Teddy Swims, and Tinashe.
Finn’s Manor
2927 Larimer Street
Finn’s Manor is a cocktail bar in the heart of the River North neighborhood. Guests can expect 16 rotating taps, as well as 800+ spirits. Of these spirits, over 400 are whiskies! If you’re a gin lover, don’t fret, as there are 30+ variations of the floral spirit available to sip or mix with a cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, some of Finn’s favorite drinks include the Figgy Pop with Four Roses Bourbon, fig liqueur, and lemon and the Berry Me at Dawn with reposado, ginger beer, and a sherry float. If the hard stuff isn’t for you, order a glass (or bottle) of wine and hang out until closing.
Honey Elixir Bar
2636 Walnut Street #104
Honey Elixir takes great pride in having a menu that’s crafted around unique and sometimes obscure beverages, all intended to delight and excite customers. The space is curated to be comfortable and a little bit funky, all while providing an environment meant to foster social connection. Instead of using sugar, Honey Elixir opts to use raw honey instead due to its nutritional benefits and the complexity it brings to drinks. Those who don’t wish to imbibe will enjoy the selection of “potions,” or the non-alcoholic elixirs that make use of organic herbs, botanicals, and even superfoods to wow your tastebuds. Small snack selections include a cheese plate, hummus, and chocolate mousse with lavender and a white chocolate whip.
Larimer Lounge
2721 Larimer Street
This independent music venue is well known for the range of indie artists they’ve hosted over the years, including Caamp, Matt Maeson, and Billy Strings. This slice of Denver’s music scene is popular amongst those who enjoy DJ sets and listening to artists before they make it to a Red Rocks level of fame. Upcoming acts include Sam Nelson, Sorcha Richardson, Jervis Campbell, and Lisa Finck. Fast-rising musicians often hit Larimer Lounge on their way up, so keep your eyes peeled and catch them before they make it big and tickets skyrocket at the larger venues.
ReelWorks Denver
1399 35th Street
ReelWorks began as a cracker company in the 1890s before being sold as a factory in the 1920s. Eventually, the building burned down and has since been considered a historic location that’s been given new life. ReelWorks has hosted artists such as Tyler Childers, Carl Cox, Train, and Deorro over the years and continues to have some of the world’s best artists perform to lively, sold-out crowds. Every show is sure to be both an auditory and visual experience, as the venue has a JBL sound system, block rocking bass, and intelligent lighting design. The venue hosts anywhere from 250 to 2,500 guests, depending on the type of event.
Outdoor Spaces in RiNo
The RiNo neighborhood isn’t situated around a namesake urban park, though it does include Globeville Landing Park within its borders. However, one of the best things to do outside is to take a walking or bike tour of the many graffiti murals and various art displays around town.
RiNo Art Tours
Art enthusiasts or simply those who want to get to know their way around Denver a bit more will enjoy the Denver Graffiti Tour. The two-hour stroll is a great way to stretch your legs, hit your 10,000 steps for the day, and learn about local artists and the messages they’re trying to spread. Tours are available year-round on Saturdays and Sundays. Custom times can be arranged for private groups.
Places of Interest in RiNo
RiNo isn’t all bustling nightlife and fast-paced activities. Spend an afternoon at the Forney Museum of Transportation for a history lesson or head to The Denver Central Market for a bite to eat and to support local business.
Forney Museum of Transportation
4303 Brighton Boulevard
The Forney Museum has a unique collection of over 800 pieces that relate to the history of transportation over the years. Originally, the museum began with a 1921 Kissel but soon expanded to vehicles of all shapes and sizes, including motorcycles, steam trains, aircraft, and even bicycles and sleighs. During the holiday season, the museum hosts a holiday tea experience in a festive atmosphere with a selection of snacks. Current exhibits include Cars of the Disco Era and a lecture series with speakers such as Kevin Snow and David Forsyth.
The Denver Central Market
2669 Larimer Street
The Denver Central Market features 11 vendors located in the heart of the RiNo neighborhood. Indoor and outdoor seating are available and there’s even a bar on premises so you can pair your meal with your drink of choice. Tattered Cover also collaborates with the market for avid readers to enjoy local food, art, and their next favorite read. The Denver Central Market has a range of daily deals, including a $6 root beer float on Mondays at High Point Creamery and $2 ribs on Tuesdays from The Local Butcher. Whatever you’re craving, you’re sure to find it at the DCM.
Want to Learn More About Living in Denver’s RiNo?
If living in Denver’s exciting RiNo neighborhood sounds like the place for you, our friendly team at RE/MAX Professionals would be excited to show you what’s on the market. We can also introduce you to other pockets of The Mile High City that may speak to you more, whether you’re looking for quiet suburban life or you enjoy the bustle of living downtown.