Top Patios In Northern Colorado

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Colorado has lots of patios and they aren't just for summertime. Thanks to outdoor heaters and the occasional 60-degree February day, you can find Coloradoans sitting on patios at any time of year. Here are just a few of the very best patios in Northern Colorado.

Beach House Grill

125 S. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 498-0873
www.beachhousegrill.com

This restaurant brings a little slice of the tropics to Fort Collins and features the best rooftop patio in all of Northern Colorado. Opened in 2010, the space was formerly the home of Stonehouse Grill. Today, the menu has a Mexican flare and consists of lots of seafood, like fish tacos and shark bites. The patio is just off the Beach House Grill's second bar area on the top floor of the establishment. Nestled between the brick walls of the two adjacent buildings the patio is a great place to meet friends high above the hustle and bustle on the streets below.

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

303 Main Street
Lyons, CO 80540
(303) 823-6685
www.oskarblues.com

This place deserves to be on this list because they have not only one, but two great patios with lovely views. Located in the tiny town of Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Gill & Brew is a popular stop for motorcyclists who enjoy cruising through this beautiful area. The restaurant and bar serve up Cajun inspired food, but this place is also well known for their musical lineup and their beer. Oskar Blues crafts beer in a can, with Dale's Pale Ale garnishing many awards and lots of accolades. The brewery is located in Longmont, Colorado.

Bent Fork The Grill

5971 Sky Pond Drive
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 613-9333
www.bentforkgrill.com

Bent Fork, located at The Promenade Shops at Centerra, is often misidentified as a chain restaurant. In fact, there are just two locations, one in Loveland and the other on Iliff in Aurora. This is a locally owned establishment that earns high praise for its both it's food and service. A bonus at the Northern Colorado location is the patio, perfect for sipping wine, chatting with friend and soaking up the Colorado sunshine. Patrons can watch shoppers drifting pass or be amused by the children playing in the large splash park in the large square in front of the restaurant.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

825 9th Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 304-9292
www.riograndemexican.com

The Rio, as fans call it, is an institution in Northern Colorado. Established in Fort Collins, in 1986, the restaurant now has six locations around the state. The Greeley restaurant is a local favorite, with one of the largest and most popular patios in all of Weld County. It's easy to forget that you are in Colorado, not Mexico, while sitting on this patio surrounded by flowering plants and splashing fountains. On any given night this fabulous patio is filled with patrons laughing and visiting over The Rio's famous margaritas and dependably good Mexican food.

Pumphouse Brewery

540 Main Street
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 702-0881
www.pumphousebrewery.com

Here's another restaurant/brewery with awesome beer, delicious food and one heck of a nice patio. Located on Main Street in new and improved downtown Longmont, this is the ideal spot in to hang out during the hot Colorado summers. Watch the world pass by as you sip a microbrew while munching on one of the Pumphouse's hamburgers. This is the only patio on this list that includes an overhead door that can be opened to expose the bar on during warm days.