Hopefully some of you got the chance to attend the foodie event of the year - Sushi Dens 4th Annual Summer Rooftop Party. We were happy to be able to sponsor this exclusive event for the first time this year, especially since all of the proceeds went to such great causes. The Rooftop Party has taken place on the rooftop of the parking garage right by Sushi Den for the past 3 years, and offers 20 different Chefs flown in from Southern Japan two nights in a row. This year, they included 8 of Denver's top Chefs to take part as well. Other than the exquisite street food, you can also enjoy live music, award-winning sakes, and tasteful beer and wine. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were the make for a perfect summer evening. 

 The Cause 

This event was first inspired to benefit the victims of the devastating earthquake in Southern Japan in 2016, which hit their hometown very hard. Since starting this event, they have raised money to support other natural disasters that have affected the United States, their now long time home. Aside from the Rooftop Party benefiting the Kumamoto Castle Earthquake Relief, they also support a local charity called We Don't Waste. We Don't Waste supports our community and environment by reclaiming and redistributing quality food to those in need. Their team collects unused food from venues, caterers, distributors, and other food purveyors and distributes it to under-served populations. Since starting in 2009, We Don't Waste has recovered over 100 million servings of food. Great food all for a great cause!

The Food

Den Corner hand-picks and personally flies in 20 incredible Chefs from Southern Japan for this exclusive event. These Chefs personally make fresh Ramen, Hand Rolls, BBQ Seafood, BBQ Beef, and more amazing Japanese street food all right in front of you. They come to this event from all over Southern Japan, including cities like Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and more. Aside from the ones who were flown in, they also included 8 of Denver's elite award-winning Chefs from some of our top restaurants. These culinary experts included none other than Alon Shaya, Caroline Glover, Dana Rodriguez, Ian Wortham, Alex Seidel, Carrie Baird, Elise Wiggins, and Paul Reilly. All of these Chefs have won incredible culinary awards, cook at top Denver restaurants, and are experts in their craft. Be sure to check them out and dine at some of their restaurants!

If you didn't get the chance to attend this year, be sure to grab some tickets in advance next year. Great music, great food, and a great location. It's a fun way to finish off your summer and all for a good cause!

4th of July is without a doubt a fun time of year - between the cook-outs, the fireworks, and the beautiful weather. It's a great day to celebrate our country with the people you love. Denver is always a fun place to be, but it's especially fun over a holiday and there's tons of things to do here that will make spending your 4th of July here worthwhile. Below are some of our favorite places to spend a mile high 4th of July.

The Firework Show At Coors Field

The Colorado Rockies typically have a few games around the 4th of July, but what comes after the games are what's really special. Coors Field will host a huge firework show after the games on both July 2nd and July 3rd, and their firework shows are definitely a sight to see. The fireworks typically start about 20-25 minutes after the game ends, that way they can clear anyone not staying for the fireworks out of the stadium. Tickets for the firework shows come in very high demand and usually sell out fast, so be sure to get them ASAP. The tickets usually run at about $50 for two tickets, but for the proximity you're getting it's definitely worth spending the money. Don't want to buy tickets or they're already sold out? Don't worry, you still have a few options! You can snag a spot at a rooftop bar nearby or view it from pretty much anywhere close by. You definitely don't want to miss one of the best displays in Denver, get your tickets here.

Independence Eve at Civic Center Park

Independence Eve is always an eventful way to spend your 4th of July for free. Enjoy some live music from popular local bands that starts at 5:00 PM while eating some delicious food from the food trucks and sipping on a variety of craft beers and wines. For the past ten years, this has been one of the most popular 4th of July events in Denver and it has always had great turnout. The gates open at 4:00 PM, so be sure to get there before the live music begins to grab a good spot. It's also encouraged you bring a lawn chair or blanket for comfortable seating, or even a picnic if you would like. And of course, the evening ends with a huge finale at 9:30 PM consisting of a light show and fireworks atop the Denver City and County Building. This display is definitely a sight to see, so be sure to stop by and take a look at the incredible show. Learn more here.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival 

Aside from the incredible firework displays Denver has, we also offer other fun activities to do over 4th of July weekend. One of the biggest events is the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, right in the heart of the popular neighborhood of Cherry Creek. Right on the 2nd and 3rd avenues from Clayton to Steele street, you can find live music, food & drinks, and 265 excellent artists from July 5th-7th. On Friday and Saturday, the festival starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 8:00 PM, and on Sunday the hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The best part? Admission into the festival is completely free! If you're worried about parking, The Cherry Creek Shopping Center is also offering free daytime parking during the days of the event. Also, if you want to have a night out, on Friday and Saturday night they are also hosting Festival Nights from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This is a great family fun event with a lot of activities, art, and live entertainment that you can't miss! Learn more about the art festival here.