Colorado Avalanche: Tailgating for Stadium Series Weekend

Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta
Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta

Stadium Series weekend includes both the Friday night Alumni Game on February 26 and the regular season game on February 27. Discover the best bars for tailgating the games.

The Colorado Avalanche have a whole spectacle planned for Stadium Series weekend. It’s not just the Alumni Game and regulation game itself. Coors Field is also hosting a fan fest in its environs.

Coors Field itself is opening early on both game days. However, despite the stadium’s name, there isn’t just going to be a keg of Coors sitting at your seat. Rather, eating and drinking at the stadium are going to be pricey. Not to mention there are bound to be long lines.

On the bright side, Coors Field is located in the heart of downtown Denver. There are a host of bars and restaurants in easy walking distance. Frankly, any bar or restaurant into which you walk in LoDo is going to be a treat. However, here are some establishments nearby who are especially catering to the sports crowd.

Wynkoop Brewery

1634 18th St, Denver, CO 80202

Wynkoop Brewery in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta
Wynkoop Brewery in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta /

Wynkoop Brewery is located just across a large parking lot from Coors Field. If you’re wanting to check out some of the microbrews that help make Colorado Famous, Wynkoop is a good place to start. The brewery is one of the oldest in the LoDo area.

Wynkoop features two floors. The bottom floor is mostly the restaurant, and the top floor is the main bar area. The menu offers typical pub fare but with a brewery twist — for example, free range chicken in beer and IPA fish and chips.

Ice House Tavern

1801 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

Ice House Tavern in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta
Ice House Tavern in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta /

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The Ice House Tavern building used to house a salsa dancing bar that I loved. That’s long gone, but in its place is a sports bar that supports the Colorado Avalanche! Look at that Avs flag flying and enjoy the Avalanche banner!

Indeed, while Coors Field itself is not the place for cheap Coors beer, the Ice House Tavern is. On game days — including Stadium Series weekend — the bar sells Coors and Coors Light for $2.

The Ice House Tavern also features daily specials. Weekday happy hour runs from 3 to 7 pm. Weekend happy hour is even happier — from 11 am to 7 pm. The Ice House is also the place to get your weekend brunch.

Jackson’s

1520 20th St, Denver, CO 80202

Jackson’s in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta
Jackson’s in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta /

Jackson‘s is located right across the street from Coors Field. The two-story sports bar also offers the largest rooftop patio in Denver.

The sports bar is also touting itself as a spot for tailgating the Stadium Series game. In fact, the bar features game day specials that are generally $3 — for Coors, tacos, fireball shots and Jack Daniels drinks. Friday nights is a dangerous evening — pay a cover and you can drink for free. Saturday nights ladies drink for free regardless.

In other words, Jackson’s is party central for Stadium Series weekend.

Denver Chop House

1735 19th St, Denver, CO

The Chop House in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta
The Chop House in Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta /

The Denver Chop House isn’t exactly my cup of tea — I’ve never had a great meal there. However, 20 years’ worth of Colorado Avalanche players can’t be wrong. This has been one of their favorite party spots since the first year. (I’m guessing they get better fare than your average Joe.)

That said, the Chop House bar is a fun place to hit after the game. In fact, everything their food doesn’t offer their drinks do. Not only does the Chop House feature classic Colorado micro brews, but they specialize in cocktails. One of their cocktails — The One Martini — features blue cheese stuffed olives.

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View House

2015 Market Street, Denver, CO 80205

The View House, Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta
The View House, Denver, Colorado. Photo credit: Nadia Archuleta /

As the name suggests — and the picture shows — the View House has a clear view of Coors Field. The restaurant features two levels. The bottom is larger and also offers an outdoor area with lawn games. (We’re talking 2-by-4-sized Jenga.) The top level is the one with the panoramic view of LoDo, especially Coors Field.

The View House is an excellent place for lunch. Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm, the restaurant offers a special of half a salad, soup or side with half a sandwich or entree.

More About the Stadium Series:

Stadium Series weekend is first and foremost about the Colorado Avalanche winning some hockey and hopefully securing a playoff berth. Everyone’s also very excited about the Alumni Game on Friday night.

However, whether you’re new to Denver or just not a LoDo regular, kick your heels up during Stadium Series weekend. The weather’s forecast to be balmy, and there’s always a good chance of sun during the day. Stadium Series weekend looks to be a great chance for Colorado Avalanche fans to get together and celebrate our team and our sport.