your guide to surviving Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2020 (eat & drink & be social)
a guide to
outdoor retailer
When you look at your schedule for the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2020, how much “you time” do you have you blocked off? None, you say? Not even a moment to feed yourself a much needed sandwich or a recovery drink?
We know how hard it is to fit in moments for self care - also known as eating three meals a day - during OR, so we pooled our team’s local knowledge of Denver to assemble a list of eat and drink options to remove one more barrier to your nourishment and fun.
While you’re in Colorado, why not take advantage of the mountains, sun and abundant outdoor culture? No time for sleep or rest. We’ve also picked a couple after hours events to keep you having fun through the evening, and into the weekend.
Below - the crew at Verde put together a list of where to eat during the show, where to go after the show, and a cool opportunity to extend your stay and head up to Breckenridge at the new Loge Camps.
WHERE TO EAT BEFORE THE SHOW
Fuel up for each day of Outdoor Retailer with a breakfast burrito, bagel and coffee at any of these classic Colorado breakfast joints:
Asada Mexican Grill - Named Denver’s best breakfast burritos, Asada has a home-made burrito recipe that you just can’t miss
Black Eye Coffee - Locally sourced Pastries with carefully sourced coffee & more in a bright space with communal reclaimed-wood tables & free Wi-Fi.
Leela European Cafe - A homey cafe, open 24-hours, offering breakfast & sandwich fare with coffee & non-alcoholic drinks
Improper City - If the weather is right, awesome outdoor area with games, serving coffee and cocktails, right near an awesome climbing area if you are interested in climbing
Where to Eat At the Show
The Colorado Convention Center offers plenty of options throughout the show floor.
Walk-to quick eats are your best option if you have 20-30 minutes to spare. Pick up food and bring it back to the show or sit and eat on the spot. Make sure you order ahead of time to skip the lines - all locations below are linked to an order page and are within 10 minutes walking of Civic Center for your convenience.
BuBu Bowls -Customizable bowls featuring veggies, grains, housemade dressings & an assortment of toppings.
Stout Street Social: Hip setting for an eclectic & far-flung menu, including New England clam chowder & sushi rolls.
Jason’s Deli - Deli chain featuring piled-high sandwiches, a salad bar & health-conscious fare.
Mici Handcrafted Italian - Low-key outpost with Italian offerings like thin-crust pizza (available gluten-free) & gelato.
Rialto Cafe - American fare plus people-watching from the clubby dining room & sidewalk seats.
Pizzeria Locale - Artisanal wood-fired pies are the draw at this counter-serve modern pizzeria with an open kitchen.
Tasty Thai - Traditional Thai cooking such as noodles & curries, offered with bubble teas in a basic storefront.
Salt & Grinder - Classic East Coast–style deli serving grinders & side salads plus cocktails & beer on tap.
Menya Ramen and Poke - Quick bite ramen and poke.
Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain - Colorado deli spot offering specialty & build-your-own sandwiches, plus salads, wraps & breakfast burritos.
*Pro tip from Verde’s Dave Simpson: Visit Whole Foods (or a local grocery) before OR and put your hotel room’s mini-fridge to use. Dave always comes prepared with pre-made salads, mixed nuts, and of course - cookies! It is a great way to eat your leafy greens to counter cocktail hour(s).
*Pro Tip: Schedule your order in advance with GrubHub. From three days to three hours in advance, you can get your food order sorted ahead of the chaos. Just don’t forget to set a reminder on your calendar for when it will arrive.
*Get it Delivered with Uber Eats - This is always clutch...if you can’t leave the show for a bite, have the food come to you! And it gives you an excuse to go outside, albeit for a brief moment to catch some of the Colorado sunshine!
Where to Eat, Drink and Socialize after the Show
It is impossible to please everyone right? OR IS IT?! If you’ve got a big crew of hungry folks, show them the way to one of Denver’s many crowd-pleasing markets. From crispy fried chicken to wild mushroom bao buns and tasty crab cakes - all under the same roof - there’s truly something for everyone. Along with drinks and shopping too. Just a short Lyft ride away, these spots make for a fun, delicious evening activity.
Milk Market - An all-local, all-wonderful mix of take-away and dine-in restaurants and bars, run by Colorado chef Frank Bonanno.
Avanti - Bi-level converted warehouse in LoHi with a variety of vendors (pizza, sushi & more), plus a rooftop bar with stadium seating and a great view of the Denver skyline.
Uncle - Small, no-brow ramen shop serving their take on a traditional Japanese staple.
Barcelona - Brunch, tapas, paella & an extensive list of Spanish wines on offer amid quaint-meets-industrial decor
Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Member of a small hip chain crafting an extensive menu of Japanese dishes & top-shelf cocktails.
Fogo De Chao Brazillian Steakhouse - A unique experience with an Upscale Brazilian chain for all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside plus an extensive salad bar.
Sushi Den - Fish is flown in daily from Tokyo at this hopping venue with lots of people watching.
Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar - Upscale chain serving gourmet seafood dishes & creative cocktails in a relaxed, stylish setting located in the great LoDo area of Denver.
Casa Bonita - Let’s just say this is the kind of place you go for the experience rather than the food. Mermaids… but man the experience! The tables surround a 14ft waterfall where you can enjoy dive shows, games and so much more.
Beer: If you enjoy a cold beer, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not visiting one of Denver’s local breweries. Here are our top picks starting with the best!
10 Barrel Brewing - Sprawling brewpub serving several house beers alongside inventive pizzas, burgers & bar snacks in the RiNo neighborhood. (Did we mention they are a Verde client?)
Great Divide Brewing - Intimate, lively joint offering tastes of their own brews, growlers to go & food truck options.
Fresh Craft - Comfort food & bar snacks share spotlight with a bevy of beers at this low-key, late-night alehouse.
Oskar Blues Brew and Grill - Craft beer pairs with Southern-influenced American eats in a modern saloon setting with live music.
Skyline Beer Garden - Urban 3-block green space among skyscrapers with seasonal events like ice skating, concerts & films (live performances on Friday and Saturday’s).
Wynkoop Brewing Company - Colorado's first brewpub offers craft beers and New American pub grub in a pool hall/bar setting.
LATE NIGHT PLANS
Punch Bowl Social - Southern American gastropub fare & punch bowls in a bar & amusement complex with lots of arcade games and bowling, located on South Broadway.
Jacksons - Sports bar across from Coors Field with game day specials, all-you-can-drink nights with fans filling the bar.
Urban Putt - Urban Putt is the city's first and only indoor miniature golf course. Urban Putt offers guests a fun, only-in-Denver experience with top-notch food and drinks, and a fantastical, high-tech 18-hole mini-golf course.
Ophelia's Electric Soapbox - Serves as a restaurant, bar and live music venue, with a boudoir-style décor that honors the building’s past, and Ophelia, the muse.
After Hours Events If you’re looking to get out and about after hours for a show or some music, try these top picks! Not stoked on these options? Browse through all music by date using this nifty event list from the city of Denver.
Denver Nuggets basketball game at 8:30 on Thursday, January 30th at the Pepsi Center.
Winter on the Rocks at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, Jan 29-31.
The Wright Retrospective - A special pop-up exhibit featuring the earliest inspirations and product iterations from a collective of The Wright Award Contenders from the past decade. Gallery Hours: 11am - 6pm, daily between Jan 28 - Feb 1 at 1821 Blake Street At Dairy Block.
Book signing + Q&A with legendary ski artist James Niehues, author of The Man Behind the Maps, and local writer Jason Blevins at The Wright Retrospective | Thursday, January 30 | 5pm - 6:30pm
We know the show tends to come and go without any spare time to actually find good spots to eat + explore the beer scene. We hope that these recommendations from our local Verde crew will help you navigate the week and enjoy some of the best spots in Denver along the way!