13 DENVER AREA BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS THAT ARE BETTER THAN DINNER AND DRINKS
If you’re looking to spice things up this year and skip the same old dinner and drinks birthday celebration, Denver offers many unique and out of the box birthday ideas for adults. Compete with your friends on classic arcade games or try a physical challenge such as zip lining and rappelling. There is even a premier casino event company that can bring Las Vegas to you. Whatever the dynamic of your group, there is something up everybody’s alley.
For birthday parties of 15-20 guests, Urban Putt has a Banquettes option that provides a semi-private space perfect for hosting a small birthday gathering with drinks and putt-putt golf. Beer and wine are sold on premises and generally, reservations are required for dining. For a single course, the rate is $8 per person and for both 18-hole courses, there is a small discount of $15 per person.
There is a menu with all of the classics, including burgers, pizza, and chicken and waffles. Cocktails, wine, and a rotating menu of tap beer are sold as well. Those on a budget should consider visiting during happy hour, which is between 4-6 on Tuesday through Friday. The discounted rate is $10 for both courses.
PRO Tip: After 8 PM, the venue is 21 and up for those seeking a kid-free birthday celebration.
Conundrum has locations in Lakewood and Arvada, making them a convenient option for many Denverites looking to celebrate their birthday with a riddle-solving experience. The company has been designing escape rooms since 2015 and they’re a popular destination for small groups looking to test themselves and solve mysteries. Most escape rooms are well suited for groups of 4-6, making this a great option for smaller parties. The rate starts at $30 per player and each experience lasts between 80-90 minutes and can easily be followed by a celebratory birthday dinner.
Some of the current experiences include Cabin in the Woods, Submersion, The Hollywood Mystery: A Room Noir, and The Heist, which is suitable for larger parties between 12-36 players. Each room is private to the group and forces participants to work together to find hidden clues, solve puzzles, and overcome obstacles while racing against the clock to escape.
PRO Tip: Check the website to book a reservation and explore the current experiences, which are prone to change on a rotating basis.
Upstairs Circus is a unique space where creative crafts intersect with delicious cocktails. There are two Denver locations, both with reservation availability for upcoming birthday parties. Guests can look at the calendar to find interesting projects from the 25+ menu of DIY crafts that include leather working, concrete pouring, and jewelry making. Current rotating activities include concrete coasters, magnetic shelves, leather koozies, leather card wallets, leather hip flasks, and a stacked bracelet set. Birthday celebrants are welcome to bring in food, gifts, and decor to make the space their own.
All projects include the necessary tools and supplies, as well as a tutorial on how to make them. Pricing starts at the normal ticket price of $42 per person. There is no full-service restaurant within the establishment, though there are a variety of cocktails, wines, local brews, and mimosas sold.
PRO Tip: Keep the alcohol flowing for your guests by purchasing a group drink ticket plan.
Podium Carting not only offers indoor go-kart track racing but there is also an axe throwing room on property, as well as a full-service bar and restaurant serving up American fare. Head on over to the game room to play arcade classics, billiards, and ping pong between racing heats. Small to medium birthday parties can be hosted in the Trackside Tavern, which has HD TVs, WiFi, and booth and high-top table seating. Catering can be ordered from local spots, such as Famous Daves, Biscuits and Berries, and Cafe Rio Mexican Grill.
Reservations can be made for a group, with no minimum number of participants required. These reserved heats aren’t private and partygoers can expect other guests to be racing on the same track. Customizable packages are built around a budget and can accommodate a range of group sizes.
PRO Tip: On Mondays, there is a 20% discount for racing. Two races for $53 per person or three for $66 per person.
Enjoy all the classics, such as Donkey Kong, Frogger, and Street Fighter — as well as over 40 more arcade games, 16 pinball machines, and multiple lanes of Skee-Ball. Compete with friends and family to get to the top of the leaderboard while sipping on cocktails and over 14 beers on tap at the bar. Walk-ins are welcome, though RSPVs are encouraged for larger parties. For a booth reservation, there is a $200 minimum spend and an advanced notice of 48 hours required.
All games are a quarter a piece, with pinball games costing $0.50. There are several change machines inside, as well as an ATM for cash withdrawals. Enjoy American classics such as burgers, wings, and a range of appetizers. If you check the calendar, you’ll find daily specials such as all-day happy hour on Sunday and $3 PBR cans on Thursday.
PRO Tip: Reservations are not booked during Rockies’ home games, as the stadium is close to the venue.
For fans of shows such as Wipeout and American Ninja Warrior, the Warrior Challenge Arena is reminiscent of these physical challenges. With over 100 activities to choose from, personal coaches will create a memorable and unique experience based on group dynamics. Activities include Survivor, Triple Trouble, Breakthrough, and Tower Up. Waivers are required, as the games require physical activity and this comes with the potential for injury. Comfortable athletic attire is recommended.
There is a party area that is open for reservation. Guests can bring cake, ice cream, and other food and utilize the fridge and freezer if necessary. Set up and clean up are included in the price of the reservation, which allows more time for challenging your teammates to the next activity. Qualifying events and competitions are held at the arena for the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association and the Colorado Ninja League.
PRO Tip: The establishment has a contract with a nearby pizzeria, so discounted pizza can be ordered for delivery.
A trip to Las Vegas can be an expensive birthday party, so Casino Event Planners brings Vegas to Colorado. Their all-inclusive offering includes professional equipment, DJs, bartenders, cards, dice, and dealers dressed in formal tuxedos. This is the birthday party of a lifetime and one that invitees will be bragging to their coworkers about. The delivery crew will arrive to set up all equipment and dealers will arrive a half hour before the prearranged deal time.
No cash is exchanged, so there is no age limit. Prizes such as raffle drawings or auction gifts are popular options for winners. Game packages include single-game offerings such as “The Black Jack,” which includes a 7 person table and one dealer, and four hours of play. Those looking to go all out can inquire about “The Vegas Trip” which includes blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette.
PRO Tip: There is a 10% deposit, with the rest being due after the event is completed. This differs from many event planners who require the full cost of the service upfront.
Adventure park enthusiasts will love spending the day outside in the fresh air, climbing ladders and zip lining through the Ponderosa pines in Bailey, CO. Birthday packages are available for groups of eight or more and they include discounted tickets for 2-3 hours of climbing, as well as all of the required equipment. Tables can be reserved and guests are permitted to bring in outside food, drinks, and cake.
Nine aerial courses vary in their difficulty level throughout the property. Over 80 bridges, zip lines, ladders, and rappels will keep guests entertained for several hours. Park managers can set up a custom reservation that is priced according to the number of participants. A non-refundable deposit is charged, as well as the remaining balance due one week before the reserved date.
PRO Tip: The platforms throughout the park are suspended between 20-40 feet in the air. Guests should wear comfortable clothing, athletic shoes, and the safety equipment provided.
With a handful of locations in Denver, Ottawa, Cincinnati, and Omaha, archery dodgeball isn’t a game that has quite swept the nation yet. This physical challenge is perfect for active groups and it doesn’t require any prior experience. Adults looking to ring in their birthday by playing like kids again will enjoy this event space and the unique archery dodgeball combination.
Birthday parties can reserve spots within a public game or opt to book the entire arena for up to 16 players ($480). This covers a 75-minute session that is fully refereed and includes all equipment and training necessary to get started. Snacks and light food items are for sale, as well as beer and wine. Bringing food and soft drinks is permitted and encouraged.
PRO Tip: Private bookings generally take place Monday through Wednesday. You can discuss alternative days with the establishment to determine availability.
10. RiNo Beer and Graffiti Tour
The beer scene in Denver is one of the best in the country, which is why day-drinking enthusiasts should check out some of the local breweries. On this one-mile guided beer and graffiti tour of the River North Art District, birthday celebrants will taste over 10 beers from four different spots. The RiNo district is the most brewery-dense neighborhood in the world, boasting over 20 breweries within a mile radius.
Pricing is $55 per person and private tours can be booked for as few as two people and up to 500 for corporate events. Use the online form to request your preferred date and the company will get back to you with pricing and schedule availability. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended, as the tour will carry on for approximately 2.5 hours.
PRO Tip: There is also a tour of Lower Downtown (LoDo) that hits a few different spots for those who have already explored RiNo.
11. Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike is an exciting bowling alley, arcade, and pool hall all in one. There are also ping-pong tables and shuffleboards. The arcade features over 100 machines, from classic games to modernized versions of your childhood favorites. Private rooms and semi-private suites are available for advanced reservation and they make the perfect birthday venue for adults looking to have a memorable party that includes a full-service bar, dinner, and good old-fashioned competition between friends.
There are 12 lanes in total. When a bowling reservation is booked online, anyone after the fourth player rolls for free. There are several high-definition TVs, making this the perfect place to stay tuned in for the big game. Prices range between $17 and $22 per hour per person, with the higher price being charged from 6 PM to close.
PRO Tip: After 9 PM, the venue switches to 21 and up. This is a great time to celebrate an adult birthday party and not worry about little ones running around in the arcade.
12. The South Broadway Country Club
This “non-members only” country club was founded in 2016 and is Denver’s first indoor golf club that has the state of the art Trackman simulator technology. There are over 100 available options from the world’s top courses, with new ones being added each month. Guests can bring their personal clubs or rent a set on site, as well as participate in lessons, simulator rentals, and sip on cocktails at the full-service bar. There is no food other than light snacks available for purchase, though outside food is allowed.
Those looking to host a birthday party can request pricing estimates, as well as bar options and food and decor choices. It’s recommended to keep around eight players per bay, if not less. Larger groups will have a better experience if they rent several bays to get through more holes.
PRO Tip: There are multiple Colorado locations, allowing the birthday celebrant to choose the most convenient address for their group.
Punch Bowl Social provides the traditional dinner and drinks but in an exciting setting with endless games and activities to participate in. Choose from bowling, arcade games, karaoke, ping pong, foosball, or simply do them all. There is delicious food available to order from the scratch kitchen, as well as a respectable list of cocktails.
Regardless of whether you’re turning 25 or 40, there is always fun to be had during friendly competition against friends and loved ones. Punch Bowl Social offers a fun-loving environment to mingle with strangers and create memories with your group, so long as nobody is a sore loser after losing in a game of cornhole.
PRO Tip: Try the Colorado Bison Patty Melt for a local taste and combine it with a batch of the “Whiskey Diet” for the table.
