Summer Sun in Cherry Creek North: Denver's Hippest Neighborhood's Top Outdoor Hotspots

Any Denver resident knows that the city boasts 300 days of sunshine per year. From the beginning of spring through the end of fall, one of the best places to spend those days is on an outdoor patio with friends and neighbors, or just hanging out by yourself. Denver's Cherry Creek North neighborhood offers several great patios coupled with great restaurants for fine dining, or just hanging out with a nice cold beverage.

What makes a great outdoor patio? Pleasant atmosphere, a fun crowd, and great service. These Cherry Creek North Patios deliver.

Cherry Creek Grill - With its west facing patio, Cherry Creek Grill offers a spot that fills with sunshine from noon to sundown with the added bonus of a view of Colorado's famous orange sunsets. The Grill offers beverages from ice tea and soda, to beers and cocktails. Plus, a full menu is available.
North - North has two patios actually. One on the north side of the building, and one on the west. The west patio offers sunshine and comfy patio furniture with full bar service while the north patio offers a pleasant dining experience without the direct glare of the sun. Great people watching thanks to the JW Marriot Valet stands and passers-by on 2nd Avenue.
Cherry Cricket - The Cricket's patio sits on the north side of the building in a parking lot making it a terrible place to people watch or catch any sun. What it lacks in setting, it makes up for in ambiance. The Cricket crowd is fun and eclectic. Full service is availible including the Cricket's famous burgers, plus beer wine and cocktails.
Chez Jose - Believe it or not, for all of its great patios, Cherry Creek North has just one uncovered ground-level patio that faces south, and it is at Chez Jose. If you want a bottle of beer and the sun, this is your home.
Q Worldly BBQ - The big south-facing patio in Cherry Creek North belongs to Q BBQ. Although it is sunken below street level, this patio offers two tiers and plenty of sunshine, especially in summer. Its main drawback it that is serves as the smoking area for the restaurant so if beer, BBQ, sunshine and FRESH AIR are your desires, you might not find them here.
Plush - Don't need direct sunlight? Plush has a large patio on the north side of the restaraunt where they've converted the restaraunt-wide stairway into fun ampetheatre style seating. Enjoy Denver's great weather without putting on sunglasses or sunscreen.
Einstein Bagels / Starbucks - These two side-by-side businesses offer one large concrete patio. While on the east side of the building, the patio offers plenty of southern exposure thanks to it corner location. But, afternoon sun can be hit or miss thanks to tall buildings to the east. If you are O.K. hanging with the latte crowd, this patio can be great fun.
Cucina Calore - Thanks to its west-side location and "it's part of the restaraunt" mentality, the patio at Cucina Calore is definately more for dining than hanging out all afternoon with your friends and favorite drink. However, as a location for a fine leisurely Italian meal with a great bottle of wine, it is top notch. Show up around five for a no-wait table and graze on four courses and your favorite wine.

Other locations offer nice patios too, but these 8 locations exemplify the best of the best for pure outdoor bliss on one of Denver's many beautiful days. Check them out and enjoy your summer. Remember, no matter what day it is, winter is coming!