Denver’s beer garden scene has a new addition this summer.
Hopscotch Beer Garden is now open in Denargo Market, an emerging development in the southern pocket of the River North Art District (RiNo). Operated by local event and activation company Drink Denver, the venue aims to be the social heart of the new mixed-use district, offering more than 17,000 square feet of space designed for everything from happy hour drinks to lawn games, live events and weekend hangouts.
Hopscotch is designed to be “a community-first gathering place where nearby residents and neighbors can spend an afternoon with one another, grab a spontaneous post-run or ride beer or pop-in for a nightcap,” says Alison Nestel-Patt, director of development and user experience at Formativ, which is working with Golub & Co. to develop Denargo Market. “Our hope is to become the go-to neighborhood spot, where everyone is welcome, that fosters connectivity and energy for Denargo Market and, more broadly, Denver.”
At the center of the space is an expansive bar built from brightly painted shipping containers, surrounded by casual patio seating and a turf lawn featuring lawn games and pickup volleyball, soccer and badminton matches. During the cooler months, visitors can duck inside the reinforced heated tent structure, making the beer garden a year-round destination.
The beer garden is just one piece of a larger public gathering space. Visitors can spill onto an adjacent event lawn for regular programming, while families will find a playground, a pop-jet fountain and “Rhingo,” a whimsical 30-foot-tall climbable rhino sculpture, all within walking distance. Dogs on leashes are welcome, making it an easy stop for the whole family after a walk along the nearby South Platte River trail. The four-acre public realm embraces a design philosophy of “where urban meets industrial meets wild,” blending modern development with inviting green space.
“We created this space to connect people to the riverfront and each other,” says Laura Newman, vice president of investment and development at Golub & Co.
Of course, the drinks are a major draw. Hopscotch’s 16 draft taps pour a mix of Colorado favorites—including Denver Beer Co., WeldWerks, Great Divide, Upslope and Stem Ciders—alongside wine, cider and canned cocktails. Non-alcoholic options include nitro cold brew from Queen City Collective, MOR kombucha, sparkling water, soda and a range of N/A cocktails and beers.
Rather than a full-service kitchen, Hopscotch is keeping things casual with packaged snacks from local makers such as Denver Chip Co., Kettle Head Popcorn, Yeehaw Pickles and Gnarly Mountain Cookies. A rotating lineup of food trucks—including Hibachi House, Ninja Ramen Mobile, R&B Tacos and Grill, HipPOPs and Bandwagon Sandwich Co.—will provide heartier fare throughout the week.
The venue is also betting that its jam-packed calendar will be as much of an attraction as its bar. Expect everything from trivia nights, bingo and “Yappy Hour” to bike-in movie nights, fitness classes on the lawn, March Madness watch parties and “Second Sundays,” a recurring community event featuring live music, coffee and rotating local pop-up vendors.
Hopscotch is envisioned as the first major gathering place within Denargo Market, a 17-acre mixed-use neighborhood that will eventually include residences, offices, retail shops and hospitality spaces connected by public spaces. The district is envisioned as a “dynamic day-to-night destination for Denver and the surrounding area,” says Newman.
Hopscotch will be at the helm, serving as “the first major point of connection for this pocket of the city and a cornerstone of placemaking and programming for surrounding residents,” she adds.
Before Hopscotch opened last month, there were “virtually no walk-to dining or retail concepts” near the more than 3,000 residential units in the surrounding area, says Newman. Hopscotch is “one of the first food and beverage concepts to service what’s currently an amenity desert—and in time, we hope it will become the heartbeat of an energetic community.”
As the development continues to take shape, the beer garden is expected to serve as its front porch—a place where neighbors, visitors and families can gather long before the rest of the district is fully built.
“We’ve long felt that Hopscotch will be the first catalyst at Denargo Market,” says Nestel-Patt. “It is exciting to see that take shape today with the opening of the beer garden—establishing the neighborhood as a sought-after destination for Denverites to live, work and play.”
Hopscotch Beer Garden is located at 3380 Denargo St. Open Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
