Before & After Meetups: The LoDo Loop
From Union Station coffee to Dairy Block dinner to LoHi speakeasies — your downtown Denver meetup night mapped out.
Welcome to Before & After Meetups — a new series where we map out your entire meetup night, from the first pour to the last round. Every spot in each guide is walkable from the others, so you never have to move your car.
Before: Coffee & Pre-Meetup
You've got a couple hours before the meetup starts. Here's where to post up.
Pigtrain Coffee at Union Station — 1701 Wynkoop St
Located inside Denver's beautifully renovated Union Station, which has shared tables, couches, and small desks perfect for working. Serves locally roasted beans, chai, Italian sodas, and pastries. The station itself doubles as a de facto coworking lounge.
- Vibe: Grand hall, transit hub energy, laptop-friendly
- Good for: Easy access from anywhere in Denver, casual pre-meetup work sessions
- Don't miss: The Great Hall seating — it's one of Denver's best free workspaces
Corvus Coffee Roasters — 1740 Wazee St
The unofficial workspace for Denver entrepreneurs. More Cup of Excellence coffees and microlots than any other roaster in the metro. The LoDo location puts you walking distance from Union Station and the convention center.
- Vibe: Focused, entrepreneurial, excellent coffee
- Good for: Startup founders, solo deep work before the event
- Don't miss: Whatever single-origin pour-over they're featuring that week
The Meetup
LoDo and the Union Station area host meetups at venues like the Denver Convention Center, WeWork spaces along Wazee and Wynkoop, and various restaurant event spaces. The 16th Street Mall shuttle connects the full corridor.
After: Dinner
The meetup's over and the conversation's still going. Keep it moving.
Denver Milk Market at Dairy Block — 1800 Wazee St
An 11-concept food hall in the heart of LoDo — bars, pizza, pasta, poke, burgers, and more. The alley behind the market has al fresco seating with cocktail bars, wall art, and music. Can book for groups of 24-450.
- Vibe: Buzzy food hall, something for everyone
- Price: $$
- Good for: Groups with diverse tastes, eliminates the "where should we eat" problem
- Don't miss: The Dairy Block alley itself — it's a scene unto itself
Tavernetta — 1889 16th St
Italian fine dining right at Union Station. 4.7 stars from 1,000+ diners. The menu is ideal for family-style ordering, and they're accommodating with dietary needs. This is the "celebrating a launch" spot.
- Vibe: Upscale but approachable, beautiful space
- Price: $$$
- Good for: Impressing out-of-town colleagues, team celebrations
- Reserve ahead: Strongly recommended, especially weekends
After: Nightcaps
Not ready to call it? Neither are these spots.
Williams & Graham — 3160 Tejon St
A speakeasy hidden behind a bookstore facade with a 500+ spirits library. Two menus: original creations and 60 classic cocktails. The secret-entrance concept is a perfect "I know a place" moment for post-meetup groups. Named one of the World's 50 Best Bars.
- Vibe: Intimate speakeasy, world-class cocktails
- Price: $$$
- Good for: The "I know a place" moment, cocktail enthusiasts
- Don't miss: Walk through the bookshelf — it never gets old
Linger Rooftop — 2030 W 30th Ave
Global street food small plates in a converted mortuary with a rooftop bar featuring a 1975 GMC RV. Stunning city views and cocktails. Can host up to 175 on the rooftop.
- Vibe: Iconic rooftop, city views, conversation-starter space
- Price: $$$
- Good for: Rooftop drinks with a view, groups who want atmosphere
- Don't miss: The rooftop RV bar and the downtown skyline views
The Walking Route
Here's how the night flows on foot:
1. 3:00 PM — Work from Union Station or Corvus Coffee
2. 5:30 PM — Walk to your meetup venue (most LoDo venues within 10 min of Union Station)
3. 8:00 PM — Meetup wraps, walk to Dairy Block for dinner (5 min) or splurge at Tavernetta (2 min from Union Station)
4. 9:30 PM — Quick rideshare or 15-min walk across the Highland Bridge to Williams & Graham or Linger in LoHi
Total walking distance for the entire night: about 1.5 miles (with a short rideshare to LoHi).
Before & After Meetups is a series by TechMeetups. Next up: Capitol Hill Crawl — coffee shops, diverse eats, and the best bar scene in Denver.