When the Fourth of July falls in the middle of the week, it can be difficult to fully enjoy all of the festivities. Thankfully, this year, Denver is saving much of the party for the weekend. Jam-packed with food events from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, this Saturday seems to be the honorary “weekend” Fourth of July. Of course, there is still lots to do throughout the week if you prefer to spread the celebration out and celebrate America’s birthday all week long.
Monday, July 3
Doggie Happy Hour
When: Monday, July 3, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Fort Greene Bar — 321 E. 45th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: You can mix up your happy hour this Monday by bringing along your furry pals. Fort Greene will be selling $2 beers and $7 cocktails. Use the money you save to buy treats from Ivan’s All Natural Doggie Delights for your best friend.
Tuesday, July 4
Fourth of July at The Post
When: Tuesday, July 4, 4 – 8 p.m.
Where: The Post Chicken and Beer — 2200 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: The Post will be celebrating the Fourth of July with live music and food and drink specials. Buy the ‘Merica BBQ Platter — which includes a chicken leg, pulled pork, 1/2 sausage, slaw and beans — for $15 and wash it down with five cans of Post Beer for $10.
Wednesday, July 5
International Wine & Spirits Guild Open House
When: Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: International Wine & Spirits Guild — 4640 Pecos St., Unit H, Denver
Cost: Free Admission — register here
The Lowdown: Ranked as one of Food & Wine’s top five best places to study wine, Denver’s International Wine Guild offers over 24 winemaking courses. At the open house, you can learn about these programs while sampling wine and small plates. From those who just want to learn more about wine to those pursuing a winemaking career, everyone is invited.
Thursday, July 6
French Conversation Happy Hour
When: Thursday, July 6, 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: Alliance Française de Denver — 571 Galapago St., Denver
Cost: $7 — reserve by calling 303-831-0304
The Lowdown: Alliance Française de Denver — a nonprofit educational center — is hosting a happy hour for anyone interested in French language or culture. Wine and cheese will accompany French conversation with people of similar interests. Members of Alliance Française can enter for $5 or for free if they bring a dish to share.
Friday, July 7
Bites n’ Brews
When: Friday, July 7, 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Cook Street School of Culinary Arts — 1937 Market St., Denver
Cost: $99 — tickets here
The Lowdown: This monthly cooking course features both a lesson in cooking with craft beers and an educational beer tasting led by a local brewery. At this month’s class, The Cook Street chefs will show you how to make seasonal dishes including corn chowder with red kölsch and baritone black mole. Black Shirt Brewing Co. will select a beer to go with each course and explain the reasoning behind the pairing.
Sweet Sounds: Kara & Peter Dugan
When: Friday, July 7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Crested Butte Mirror Palace — 32-38 Emmons Rd., Crested Butte
Cost: $45 – $60 — tickets here
The Lowdown: This concert comes with a side of ice cream. Big Gay Ice Cream — which operates two storefronts and a food truck in NYC — will be visiting Colorado to serve up sweet treats. Juilliard graduates and husband-wife duo Peter and Kara Dugan will provide music for the evening.
Saturday, July 8
Mile High Spirits Crawfish Boil
When: Saturday, July 7, 12 – 6 p.m.
Where: Mile High Spirits Distillery and Tasting Bar — 2201 Lawrence St., Denver
Cost: $25 — tickets here
The Lowdown: This Renewing Smiles fundraiser will serve up drinks from Mile High Spirits and all-you-can-eat crawfish. Proceeds will help further the nonprofit’s mission of easing the financial burden of dental care. This particular fundraiser will help two people get the surgery to fix their congenitally missing teeth.
Bruz One Year Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, July 7, 7 – 10 a.m., 12-10 p.m.
Where: Bruz Beers — 1675 W. 67th Ave., #100, Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: This Belgian brewery will begin their first birthday party with a car show in the morning. People can show off their cars in the Bruz Beers North Lot while sipping on Pablo’s coffee from Backstage Coffee & Bistro. In the afternoon, the celebration continues with special beer releases, the Park Burger food truck, live music, yard games and a small outdoor market.
Baere Brewing Company 3rd Anniversary Extravaganza
When: Saturday, July 7, 12 – 11 p.m.
Where: Baere Brewing Company — 320 Broadway, Suite E, Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: To celebrate three years of business, Baere Brewing will be serving up special beers on tap all day. Sweet Action will also be providing ice cream — including a beer flavor. INDYINK will be doing live t-shirt printing.
Great Divide Summer Block Party
When: Saturday, July 7, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Square on 21st Street — 21st St. between Larimer and Lawrence St.
Cost: $5 – $40 — tickets here
The Lowdown: This music, game and beer-filled festival offers three different ticket options: For $40, you get unlimited beer, a commemorative glass and access to exclusive beer tastings. People who opt for the $10 ticket will reserve their spot at the festival and get one free beer with more available for purchase. You can purchase the same ticket for $5 at the door — but only if space is still available.
Cocktail Curriculum Class: “Blender Neutral”
When: Saturday, July 7, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: The Way Back — 4132 W. 38th Ave., Denver
Cost: $40 — tickets here
The Lowdown: This installment of The Way Back’s monthly cocktail class will focus on how to make frozen drinks. Participants will get to try three different drinks paired with small plates made by The Way Back’s culinary team. After the class, attendees will also get 20 percent off their restaurant bill.
Berkeley Beer & Spirits (and Wine) Mini Fest
When: Saturday, July 7, 3 – 7 p.m.
Where: Local 46 — 4586 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: $18 — tickets here
The Lowdown: Across the street from the Horseshoe Craft & Flea Market, Local 46 and the Tennyson Berkeley Business Association will be hosting this after-party. For $18 — or $25 on the day of the event — you get over 15 samples from local food vendors, two tacos from El Camino, a welcome bag, and entry into multiple giveaways. All proceeds go to the TBBA, which strives to strengthen the local small business community.
Mile High Wine Festival
When: Saturday, July 7, 3 – 8 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Northfield Stapleton — 8340 Northfield Blvd., Denver
Cost: $30 — tickets here
The Lowdown: Along Northfield’s Main Street, over 25 Colorado wineries — including Avanti, Red Fox Cellars and Talon Winery — will be handing out unlimited wine tastings. The event will also feature food samples, local retail vendors and live music.
Sunday, July 9
Denver: bRUNch at Blackbird Public House
When: Sunday, July 9, 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Where: Blackbird Denver — 305 S. Downing St., Denver
Cost: $40 — tickets here
The Lowdown: Before sitting down for brunch at Blackbird, you can take part in a 5k or 10k hosted by Denver’s bRUNch club. Your ticket includes entry into the run, a commemorative cup, an entree and two drinks — alcoholic or nonalcoholic. Tickets are only $35 for members of bRUNch running club.
Bluegrass Brunch
When: Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Station 26 Brewing Co. — 7045 E. 38th Ave, Denver,
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: This brunch features beer from Station 26, barbecue from Turn-In BBQ and bluegrass from Wood Belly. To round out the brunch experience, Glazed and Confused will be serving up their donuts.
Mark Your Calendars
Slow Food Nations: Colorado-Made Block Party
When: Friday, July 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Larimer Square — 1430 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $69 — tickets here
Slow Food Nations: Taste Marketplace
When: Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Larimer Square — 1430 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
Slow Food Nations: Ark of Taste & The Food Underground
When: Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Union Station — Wynkoop St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission