LoHi

Come to this sprawling yoga and fitness studio, housed in a 4,000 square-foot space centrally located in LoHi, for everything from alignment-focused yoga classes to therapeutic spa treatments to dance movement courses. The lofty, light-filled spaces are gorgeous to practice in—and with fully equipped changing and shower rooms available, Freyja easily accommodates yogis on-the-go. At the spa, their Thai yoga therapy (a.k.a. “The lazy man’s yoga”) is tops, and if you’re prone to headaches, request a session of craniosacral therapy; also on offer: acupuncture, cupping, and reiki sessions. (While you’re getting your soul and energy realigned, you might as well get one of their skin-pampering facials, too.)

This is the oldest still-operating bar in Denver, and it's famously the place where Jack Kerouac used to hang out here when he lived in Denver (an experience he wrote about extensively in On the Road). Basically, it's been in this location since long before LoHi became a trendy area to live and work. The inside is dark and cozy, and especially comforting on wintry nights. The menu's nothing special (this place is really about the ambiance), but we recommend snacking on popcorn from the popcorn machine in the back corner (an affordable 50 cents for a basket) and ordering a hot dog, which comes with a full bar cart with all the fixings you could want. Photos: pjroldan

With more microbreweries per capita than anywhere else in the country, it's no surprise that Denver's bar scene is dominated by beer gardens. Conveniently located on Platte Street (to get there from Downtown you'll cross over the lovely Confluence Park), Denver Beer Company has a big open patio that's lively without being rowdy, particularly on sunny weekend afternoons. Dogs are allowed, and they usually have a food truck pulled up in case you'd like to snack while you drink. The menu usually has a mix of old standards and seasonals, but we're partial to their signature Graham Cracker Porter, which is available year-round.

Think of Avanti as a grown-up mess hall: seven distinct dining options are packed into one large, industrial, split-level space, which range from a shawarma joint to a spot where you can pick up a pan-fried trout sandwich and grits to a pizzeria with surprising variety. But this is really more of a watering hole first, where you can choose from one of twenty draft beers or opt for a cocktail, and choose a spot in their lounge, indoor dining area, or spacious rooftop deck. Because of its views, Avanti really shines when it’s warm and you can take advantage of the outdoor stadium-style seating.

This bistro has been in the neighborhood for a decade, making it a LoHi mainstay. Over the years, the upscale (but relaxed) restaurant has maintained more than 40 local partners, who make their farm-to-table commitment possible—and ensure their seasonal menu continues to impress with selections that range from crispy cauliflower with stewed red lentils to country ham carpaccio to “chicken & waffles” (chicken liver mousse on a brown butter waffle with date chutney and pickled shallot). Note: The small space is reliably packed, so it’s good to make a reservation.

This quiet sushi destination right off downtown discreetly serves some of the freshest fish in town. The interior is sleek and calming, and the vibe is unpretentious—it works for date night, as well as a quick lunch during the work week. There's an intimate bar space with a TV downstairs that gets lively at happy hour.

Justin Brunson is known as a meat guy (his other restaurants include Masterpiece Deli, Denver Bacon Company, and Culture Meat & Cheese), and Old Major is his fine-dining celebration of whole animal butchery, which all come from his in-house butcher and charcuterie program; you'll see the charcuterie room just off the dining area. The casual vibe here is quintessentially Denver, with an industrial space flecked with barn wood, exposed brick, a wide patio, and—importantly—a great bar. Brunson's best dishes, understandably, are meat-centric, like a gorgeous dry-aged Colorado ribeye, an excellent charcuterie plate, and the nose-to-tail, a plate of Italian sausage, red wine-glazed confit belly, crispy ears, and pork shoulder ragú served with vegetables. It's a lot of food, but take it from us: You'll want to save room for the pretzel knots.

Hands down, Masterpiece Deli makes the best sandwiches in Denver, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings, you'll find lines out the door for the many hangover-curing items on their menu. The guys here (the same people who are behind Old Major, just up the street) care deeply about sourcing, finding the very best cured meats and cheeses, many of them imported. While the breakfast sandwiches (you can pick from a bunch of different meats) are a universal favorite, we also love the Italian, the Cubano, the smoked turkey and brie, and—so heavy but so absolutely, definitively worth it—the 12-hour braised beef brisket. The original's in LoHi, but they also have a location in Uptown.

Most people choose not to dwell on the fact that the building Linger occupies was a former mortuary called Olinger's—the "O" on the neon sign had long been busted, and the restaurateurs chose the name of their "eatuary" accordingly. Right in the middle of all the action of LoHi's busiest street, the restaurant has two levels: a dining room downstairs, and a more casual rooftop patio upstairs. The street-food-inspired menu highlights a few different cuisines, with dishes like a falafel lettuce wrap alongside Vietnamese surf 'n turf and a masala dosa. For a casual vibe fitting of the food (or a great happy hour), we actually prefer the second floor, which features a bar housed in a refurbished VW bus and beautiful views of downtown Denver.

For a non-toxic mani/pedi, head to Base Coat in LoHi, where services on offer run the gamut from a basic procedure (including an aromatherapy hand/foot soak) with a basic color or natural, shiny buffed nails, to deep moisturizing oil treatments with hot towels (perfect for hands dried out and chapped by chilly mountain air) and full-blown nail art. They offer mini mani/pedis for the little ones, too.