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11 Sunny Patios Worth a Seat in FoCo ☀️
From rooftop cocktails to riverside hangs, here’s where to soak up the sun in style.
What's Happenin' Team
April 21, 2025
11 Sunny Patios Worth a Seat in FoCo ☀️
Hey FoCo,
Patio season is coming. Whether you’re a brunch-hopper, a beer sipper, or just need a sunny spot to park your people-watching self, Fort Collins has the patio game on lock.
This week, we’re serving up 11 of our favorite patios, from iconic rooftops to canyon-side chill zones. Grab your sunnies and let’s tour the town—cocktails, tacos, and shady seats await.
🌞 Where to Catch Rays & Raise a Glass: 11 Fort Collins Patios We Love
Warm weather in Fort Collins means one thing: patio season is officially on. Whether you’re team IPA or team iced latte, there’s no shortage of places to kick back in the sun, sip something cold, and people-watch until your heart’s content. From riverside escapes to hidden rooftop gems, these patios are serving serious chill.
Here are 11 spots that deliver on drinks, bites, and that fresh-air feeling:
A southeast gem with three patios to choose from and in-house brews that go down easy. Big tables, string lights, and a menu that covers everything from burgers to brunchy bites. Bold brews, a bright patio, and dog-friendly vibes? Count us in. Funkwerks’ outdoor space is low-key perfect for beer flights and catching up with friends under the trees. 🍹 Ace CaféTucked outside the Armstrong Hotel, Ace is an all-day hang. Their brunch game is strong, and the cocktails don’t mess around (get the Dynamite Tots while you’re at it). Part pizzeria, part patio playground. With cornhole, picnic tables, and open-air vibes, it’s the kind of place where your kids can run around and you can relax with a creative pie and pint. A Fort Collins patio classic. The fountain, the festive energy, the famous margaritas… if you haven’t done summer here, have you really done summer? This rooftop patio is a hidden jewel. Whether the windows are open to the breeze or buttoned up for cozy vibes, it’s all charm. Great for cocktails, date nights, or a solo moment with a view. | Spacious and sunny with great people-watching and hearty eats. Try a milkshake or a brunch cocktail and bask in the lush greenery that almost makes you forget you’re downtown. Shady, relaxed, and steps from the heart of Old Town. With 18 taps and nearby Postcard Pizza on deck some evenings, this one’s a local favorite for good reason Just a hop from the reservoir, this spot is perfect post-hike or paddle. Their revamped patio includes an entertainment stage and plenty of room to kick back after summiting Horsetooth Rock. Two patios, over-the-top mac and cheese, and a “beer it forward” wall? Done. Located in The Exchange, it’s a great mix of cozy and lively. Live music, a treehouse(!), and a laid-back, leafy patio that feels like a secret garden. The vibe’s unmatched, especially when there’s a show on. |
🎖️ Honorable Mentions
Mishawaka — Technically outside FoCo, but c’mon… it’s a patio in a canyon next to the Poudre River. Go for brunch, stay for the show.
CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing — Two-sided patio right in Old Town. Great pub food, solid beer, and people-watching for days.
Got a go-to patio that’s not on the list? Hit reply and let us know — we’re always down to discover a new favorite perch.
☀️ Patio season waits for no one. See you out there.
🧠🗳️ Quick Poll: Would You Come to a What’s Happenin’ Happy Hour?
We’re thinking about hosting a casual local meetup—somewhere easy, fun, and full of good vibes. Think drinks, new faces, maybe a little trivia or live music.
Would you be down to join? |
Hit reply or tap your pick—we’re scouting the vibe!
🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings
📅 Monday, April 21 🆓 Free Events 📚 A Pensive Evening with Kurt Fausch 📍 Old Town Library | ⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎙️ New Material Night! (recurring Monday) 📍 The Comedy Fort | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎶 Open Mic at The Lyric (recurring Monday) 📍 The Lyric | ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Beer & Bingo (recurring Monday) 📍 Maxline Brewing | ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🧠 Weekly Trivia with Geeks Who Drink (recurring Monday) 📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎤 Karaoke Club (recurring Monday) 📍 The Lyric | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🍻 Industry Night (recurring Monday) 📍 Peculier Ales | ⏰ 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free 💵 Ticketed Events | 📅 Tuesday, April 22 🆓 Free Events 🎤 Open Mic Night (recurring Tuesday) 📍 Horsetooth Tavern | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Bingo with Jason (recurring Tuesday) 📍 Peculier Brewing | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Weekly Bingo (recurring Tuesday) 📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 💃 Zumba – A fun, music-driven workout in a welcoming space📍 The Movement Apothecary, 7–7:55 PM (Recurring Tuesdays) 💵 Ticketed Events 🧘 Tuesday Morning Sound Bowl Meditation with Joe (recurring Tuesday) 📍 The Movement Apothecary | ⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM | 🎟️ Donation-based 💃 Heels Dance Class (recurring Tuesday) 📍 The Movement Apothecary | ⏰ 8:15 PM – 9:10 PM | 🎟️ Donation-based |
🌤 Fort Collins Weather Outlook
Today (Mon, Apr 21) | Mostly Sunny — 71° / 38° | A breezy beauty to kick off the week. West-southwest winds up to 19 mph — hang on to your hats and your happy hour menus.
Tuesday, Apr 22 | Partly Cloudy — 70° / 41° | Mild and mellow with light SE winds. Perfect for an after-work walk or one more round on a sunny patio.
Wednesday, Apr 23 | Partly Cloudy — 68° / 45° | Clouds creeping in, but still plenty of warmth to go around. Keep an umbrella nearby just in case.
Thursday, Apr 24 | PM Thunderstorms — 62° / 41° | Spring’s dramatic side returns. Expect afternoon storms, cooler temps, and maybe even a rainbow if we’re lucky.
🪴 That’s a Wrap, FoCo
 | Whether you’re raising a glass on a rooftop, catching live tunes from a leafy backyard stage, or sneaking in a sunny lunch break downtown — there’s no wrong way to patio in this town. Let us know your favorite local perch (bonus points if there’s a dog, a view, or bottomless mimosas involved). Catch you curbside, —Your What’s Happenin’ Crew ☀️🍹 |
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