Food & Drinks
El Tequileño
Emily and her mom frequented this place so much (before Jack came along), they stopped handing them menus and started just bringing out their usual orders. Jack has now joined them on their semi-regular lunches here although the "you want the usual?" has stopped. Get one of their Grande Spicy Margs, but make sure someone else is driving. Grande means grande.
Address (Lakewood): 1535 S Kipling Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80232 More info: eltequilenomexrest.com
Casa Bonita
You may know it from South Park but Casa Bonita is very real. A Lakewood landmark since 1974, Emily and her siblings spent many a birthday party here as kids.
Jack went for the first time with Emily and her siblings after the South Park guys renovated and re-opened and had a great time watching all of them regress into children re-living all those birthdays.
Address: 6715 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214 More info: casabonitadenver.com
D'Corazon
Another one of our favorite Mexican spots in the city, and a staple before going to Avalanche games. It's one of those hole in the wall places without a sign up (there's literally a hole in the wall in the bathroom). Chances are pretty good you won't miss it though, due to the crowd of people waiting outside to get in. Don't worry, if you have to wait, they send the "medicine woman" out to the patio to bring you margaritas.
Address: 1530 Blake St Unit C, Denver, CO 80202
TrashHawk Tavern
The holy grail of dive bars. Jack's been a regular here since it opened. Ask for a Trash Jack and make sure to do the traditional TrashHawkian custom of "chugging a beer in the photo booth" (the photo booth is only a few months old). Jack's DJ'd here numerous times, including his very first time in public. It's a bit out of the way of the wedding weekend venues but if you've got the time definitely try to stop in and let them know you're in town for "Trash Jack"'s Wedding.
Address: 1539 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210 More info: trashhawktavern.com
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
A gorgeous German-style brewpub in the RiNo arts district, and one of our go-to spots for a great afternoon out. Order the Slow Pour Pils — it takes over 10 minutes to pour and is worth every second. Huge indoor Bierhalle, a sunny outdoor Biergarten, yard games, and giant soft pretzels. Great for a big group.
Address: 2875 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205 More info: bierstadtlager.com
Run for the Roses
One of our favorite date night cocktail bars, Run for The Roses is an underground speakeasy tucked inside the Dairy Block in LoDo ("LOwer DOwntown"). You walk in through the back door of a restaurant and take a back elevator down to the basement. Seasonal craft cocktails, rare spirits, and an intimate atmosphere unlike any other bar in the city.
Address: 1801 Blake St #10, Denver, CO 80202 More info: rftrbar.com
TJ's Sports Bar & Grill
The neighborhood bar right by our house. Really good wings and sandwiches (Emily almost always gets the Southwest Chicken Salad). Large ice cold beers. This is where we watched pretty much all of the 2026 Avalanche Stanley Cup run (when we weren't at the games).
Address: 7893 W Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232 More info: tjssportsbarlakewood.com
Experiences
Puttshack
Not your granddad's putt-putt. It's 21st century putt putt where the course keeps track of your score for you, there's a full bar, and 3 different 9 hole layouts. Right next to Bierstadt Lagerhouse.
Address: 2813 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205 More info: puttshack.com/locations/denver
Flight Club
Basically Puttshack but Darts. They have fancy dart tracking equipment so there's no need to get your hands dirty writing scores on a chalkboard in the corner of a bar. Jack and Emily have capped off a good amount of Downtown dates here.
Address: 1959 16th St, Denver, CO 80202 More info: flightclubdartsusa.com/denver
Outdoors & Sightseeing
Denver Botanic Gardens
A beautiful 24-acre garden oasis just a short drive from downtown, with an incredible range of plant collections, rotating art exhibitions, and a tropical conservatory. It's a peaceful way to spend a morning or afternoon — especially in the late summer when everything is in bloom.
Address: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206 More info: botanicgardens.org
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
If you've never been, visiting Red Rocks is a must. It's a naturally formed, acoustically perfect outdoor concert venue carved into the Colorado foothills, and it's as stunning as it sounds. Brandi Carlile is at Red Rocks the weekend of the wedding, but even without a show, the park is open for hiking, sightseeing, and taking in views that'll make you want to move here.
Address: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80401 More info: redrocksonline.com
Dinosaur Ridge
Just down the road from Red Rocks, this is one of the coolest free things to do in the Denver area — a walk along an actual prehistoric ridge where dinosaur tracks and bones are embedded right in the rock face. The first Stegosaurus fossils ever discovered were found here. It's easy, it's family-friendly, and it genuinely feels like something out of a nature documentary. Guided tours are available if you want the full experience.
Address: 16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465 More info: dinoridge.org
CCU Disc Golf Course
Jack started learning to play disc golf here at Colorado Christian University's free 9-hole disc golf course. Shortly after they started dating Jack took Emily along and by the time they were done with 9, Emily had already ordered a bag and her own discs.
Something quick and easy if you don't have a lot of time between wedding events. If you get here early and have the time (and the arm stamina) you can play it twice through for a full 18.
Address: 8787 W Alameda Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226 More info: UDisc listing
Fehringer Ranch Disc Golf
If you're actually in to Disc Golf, Fehringer is a larger more challenging course and one of the better rated courses in the state. Both courses here are basically just parks with limited facilities so you'll need to bring your own discs and make sure to bring plenty of water. Especially you sea level folks!
Address: W Quincy Ave & S Nelson St, Littleton, CO 80235 More info: ifoothills.org