South Broadway in Baker: 5 Stops From Sputnik to Urban Prairie

South Broadway through Baker runs from a late-night kitchen at 3 S Broadway to a prairie scene at 200 S Broadway, with a live-music stage, a rooftop patio and a games complex in between. Taken in address order, the five stops make an evening that starts with dinner and ends with a show, and the weekend adds brunch at three of them. For another south-of-downtown neighborhood, see 5 Hidden Gems in Wash Park; citywide picks are in Denver Hidden Gems.

Two venues share the low numbers, so the night can start and finish on the same block.

Sputnik Patio Capitol Hill is a vintage-style late-night spot with vegetarian- and vegan-friendly eats, which suits a group with mixed diets. The site lists beer and wine, and the restaurant does not take reservations. It has been a South Broadway original since 2003. Hours are Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1 a.m., Sat 11 a.m.-1 a.m. and Sun 11 a.m.-midnight. The 1653 Google ratings average 4.4 of 5.

Next door is Hi-Dive, a bar and stage with cheap drinks and live music from local and national acts, from punk to bluegrass. The site describes a musician owned-operated rock club that has run in Baker since 2003. It opens daily, 4 p.m.-2 a.m., so a show can follow dinner at Sputnik. The entrance and the restroom are both wheelchair accessible. The 809 Google ratings average 4.5 of 5.

The Irish Rover is a homey bar with a long lineup of Celtic brews, a whiskey selection and a spacious rooftop patio, all on its site. The patio runs year-round, with retractable awnings and walls, fireplace tables, overhead heaters and misters. Live music is listed too. Hours are Mon-Fri 3 p.m.-2 a.m. and Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Mimosas for a summer brunch and hot cocoa cocktails are also listed. The 1879 Google ratings average 4.5 of 5.

Punch Bowl Social South Broadway Patio fills a 24,000-square-foot venue with bowling, karaoke and craft cocktails. The menu is Southern American gastropub fare, with punch bowls to share. It suits a group that wants something to do besides sit. It has outdoor seating and takes reservations, which helps with a large party. Parking is free street parking or paid street parking. The 4624 Google ratings average 4.2 of 5.

The last stop is the one without a bar. Urban Prairie is a dreamlike Colorado prairie scene wrapping an entire corner building, with native grasses, pronghorn antelope and meadowlarks. It is good for children, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible. Parking is paid street parking. The Irish Rover is the nearest stop on this list, 0.19 mi away in a straight line. Its 51 Google ratings average 4.9 of 5, the highest on this list.

Sputnik, The Irish Rover and Punch Bowl Social are each closed for brunch Mon-Fri. Sputnik Patio Capitol Hill serves brunch Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The Irish Rover serves it Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Punch Bowl Social South Broadway Patio serves it Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For a Saturday plan, start at 54 S Broadway or 65 Broadway at 10 a.m., or at 3 S Broadway an hour later. Hi-Dive opens at 4 p.m., so the evening can pick up there.