Romantic Dinner Ideas in Denver

Stretch your grown-up wings when you carve out time for a romantic evening out in Denver's dinner scene. Enjoy swanky sophistication or natural simplicity to spark your appetite as well as romance.

Snuggled in the basement of the Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower in downtown, the Clocktower Cabaret (1601 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO) rolls out a speakeasy feel with lush European decor and live entertainment. Sip a seasonal craft cocktail or choose from an eclectic collection of wines and beer. Nosh on light fare while enjoying entertainment that varies from vocal impressionists and vaudeville comedians to piano bar songs and national acts.

No matter what the weather, enjoy dinner in the tropics inside Adrift (218 S. Broadway, Denver, CO). The tiki-themed bar has puffer fish lamps, bamboo appointments and even grass hut canopies on the patio. Spark off the evening with a Baker Fire Bowl. This shareable cocktail has four kinds of rum blended with sweet tropical fruits. The Pu Pu Platter is a dinner designed for two. Sup on Kalua pork sliders, guava barbecue ribs and Pele wings accompanied by onion rings, mofongo (plantain) chips and edamame.

Savor views of over 100 species of tropical fish swimming in a 50,000-gallon centerpiece aquarium at the Downtown Aquarium (700 Water St., Denver, CO), or enjoy a Mystic Mermaids show where mermaids swim among the colorful fish. The aquarium offers a wide selection of fresh seafood along with steaks, pasta, chicken and vegetarian dishes. Get a souvenir glass to remember your enchanted evening when you order a specialty drink like an Aquarium Seahorse, the lounge's version of a Moscow Mule.

Enjoy Denver's mild summer weather when you dine under the stars at Denver Botanic Gardens (1007 York St., Denver, CO). Pack a picnic and blanket and enjoy the fragrance of thousands of flowers as you listen to the music of the Summer Concert Series that runs from June through August. Most concerts take place in the gardens' main York Street location where you can bring a bottle of wine or other alcohol (in its original container) to accompany your romantic picnic. Concerts taking place at the Chatfield Farms location in Littleton have beer and wine for sale and allow you to bring in only food.

Kitchen Table Cooking School (6380 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Ste. 108A, Greenwood Village, CO) offers themed date-night cooking classes especially for couples. Just 3 miles south of Denver city limits, the school rolls out cuisine from around the world. Celebrate Bastille Day in mid-July with Petite Parisian Romance based on a menu of shrimp and lobster with cognac cream sauce and puff pastry. Other classes include Love in Lima, Tacos & Tequilla and Tapas for Two, among others. Come back with your children to enjoy the school's Cooking With Your Kids classes.