Denver Restaurants Prepare for Patio Season Boost

Warm, sunny weekend expected to drive increased outdoor dining traffic

Feb. 6, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Denver restaurants are gearing up for a surge in patio business this weekend as the city experiences an early taste of spring weather. With warmer temperatures and clear skies in the forecast, businesses that rely on outdoor seating are ramping up preparations to accommodate the influx of customers eager to enjoy the sunshine.

Why it matters

Colorado's unpredictable winter weather can often limit outdoor dining options, so a mild stretch like this provides a welcome boost for restaurants that depend on patio and rooftop seating to drive a significant portion of their business. The ability to capitalize on this early spring-like weather is crucial for these establishments.

The details

Restaurants like Forget Me Not in Cherry Creek and Sorry Gorgeous in RiNo are stocking up on extra products, increasing staff, and planning special events to take advantage of the expected spike in outdoor dining traffic. Managers say weather plays a major role in their operations, and they're ready to accommodate the surge of customers eager to soak up the sun.

  • The warm, sunny weather is expected this weekend (February 7-9, 2026).

The players

Ryan Dunn

An employee at Forget Me Not restaurant in Cherry Creek.

Donavon Long

A manager at Sorry Gorgeous, a rooftop cocktail lounge in the RiNo neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“Having a weekend like this, we're right back into Spring and Summer — half of our seating is our patio. If we see nice weather coming, we're stocking up heavy for it — extra product, extra prep, getting ready for those bubbles on the patio.”

— Ryan Dunn, Employee

“When our patio is open and there is no cold weather, there are no limitations to what we can do.”

— Donavon Long, Manager

The takeaway

This early spring-like weather provides a crucial boost for Denver restaurants that rely on outdoor dining to drive a significant portion of their business. The ability to capitalize on this opportunity is essential for these establishments, as Colorado's unpredictable winter weather can often limit their options.