Are you ready for some football?
Denver is indisputably Broncos Country, but it’s also a city full of expats from across the country — and there are plenty of bars where they can catch the local team’s biggest rivals.
So if you root (root, root) for anyone other than the orange-and-blue, here’s where you can find your community for the 2023-24 season.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Broncos kick off the regular season against the longtime rival Raiders on Sept. 10 at 2:25 p.m. and the local Black Hole fan club plans to host a tailgate at Empower Field. If you can’t make it, there’s one bar where you can get on the action virtually.
52Eighty Sports Bar, 7575 Broadway, Denver. 720-524-4093. 52eighty-sports-bar-and-night-club.business.site
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching The Black Hole Denver Chapter.
Washington Commanders
Fans of the Washington Commanders used to meet at Blake Street Tavern, but since the stalwart hub for sports action closed in April, they have yet to find a spot to reconvene. Considering bellying up at one of these well-loved sports bars in Denver when the Commanders play the Broncos game on Sept. 17 at 2:25 p.m.
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching Washington Commanders Fans of Denver.
Miami Dolphins
Even in landlocked Colorado, football lovers can find their pod of Dolfans. During games, the local fan club often raffles autographed gear for charity. The Dolphins play the Broncos on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m.
Stoney’s Cantina, 30 South Broadway, Denver. 720-441-1444. stoneycantina.com
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching Rocky Mountain Dolfans.
Chicago Bears
The Broncos and Da Bears may both sport orange, but don’t confuse the allegiance. The Mile High City is home to several dedicated Chi Town bars offering deep dish and thin crust pizza, Chicago-style hotdogs, and more Midwestern favorites. Wrigley’s in Golden serves a free “Bears shot” every time the team scores a touchdown.
The Bears play the Broncos Oct. 1 at 11 a.m.
Da Sauce Pizza, 2907 Huron St., #104, Denver. 720-328-8742. dasaucepizza.com
Hayter’s & Co., 1920 Blake St., Denver. 720-513-3095. haytersandco.com
Wrigley’s Chicago Bar & Grill, 18200 W. Colfax Ave., Golden. 303-277-1551. wrigleyschicagobar.net
Wyman’s No. 5, 2033 E 13th Ave., Denver. 303-996-0842. wymansno5.com
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching Chicago Bears Fans of Denver.
New York Jets
Too far from the Northeast to root for the Jets? Fuhgeddaboudit! There’s at least one place in town where New Yorkers get together on gameday.
The Jets take on the Broncos Oct. 8 at 2:25 p.m.
Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St., Denver. 303-830-6839. stoneysbarandgrill.com
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching 5280 Jets.
Kansas City Chiefs
Don’s Club Tavern has been a go-to for local Chiefs (Chefs?) fans since 2013, prior to the absolutely dominant Mahomes era. What started as a group of 10 die-hards has grown to near-capacity crowds each Sunday. They channel a Chiefs tailgate by hosting a potluck on gameday.
The Chiefs play the Broncos on Oct. 12 at 6:15 p.m. And Oct. 29 at 2:25 p.m.
Don’s Club Tavern, 723 E. 6th Ave., Denver. 303-831-0218. donsclubtavern.com
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching Chiefs Fans in the Mile High.
Green Bay Packers
Cheeseheads abound in Colorado, so much so you might wonder if this is Packers country. Some football hotspots will be easily recognizable by their names – looking at you Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern – while others will be more discrete. (If you go to the LGBTQ+-friendly Tight End Bar, be sure to go back to the “rear” patio, the owner says.) Either way, you’ll be in good company, sometimes with cheese curds, at the numerous bars below.
The Packers play the Broncos Oct. 22 at 2:25 p.m.
Badgers Pub, 76 South Broadway, Denver. 303-733-0488. facebook.com/badgerspub
Kentucky Inn, 890 S. Pearl St., Denver. 303-778-9600. kentuckyinndenver.com
Swanky’s, 1938 Blake St., Denver. 720-483-9699. swankys.com
Tight End Bar,1501 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. 303-861-9103. tightendbar.com
Trinity Brewing Co., 1466 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado Springs. 719-497-2739. trinitybrew.com
Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern, 1417 Market St., Denver. 303-800-2652.
wallyswisconsin.com
Windfall Brewing Co., 14694 Orchard Pkwy., Suite 400, Westminster. 720-531-5822. windfallbrewing.co
Join the local fan club group on Facebook by searching Green Bay Packer Fans of Colorado.
Buffalo Bills
Is Colorado the Upstate New York for the West? Might be if we are counting the number of local Bills fans. There are several different “backers” fan clubs in the region, too, each with a different meeting spot (noted below).
The Bills play the Broncos Nov. 13 at 6:15 p.m. on Monday Night Football.
Alpha Charlie’s Tap and Tavern, 6631 S. Peoria St., Suite 100, Centennial. 720-627-5354. alphacharlies.com (Front Range Bills Backers)
Back East Bar and Grill, 9475 Briar Village Point, Colorado Springs. 719-264-6161. backeastbarandgrill.com (Bills Backers of Colorado Springs)
Frolic Brewing Co., 12910 Zuni St., #1300, Westminster. 303-993-7443. frolicbrewing.com
Jackson’s LODO, 1520 20th St., Denver. 303-298-7625. jacksonslodo.com (Colorado Bills Backers)
Rhino’s Sports & Spirits, 4307 Integrity Center Point, Colorado Springs. 719-578-0608. rhinossportsbar.com (Pike’s Peak Bills Backers)
Roadhouse Boulder Depot, 2366 Junction Pl., Boulder. 303-443-2167. roadhousboulderdepot.com (Boulder Bills Backers)
Sunroom Brewing, 3242 S. Acoma St., Englewood. 720-401-3239. sunroombrewing.com
WestFax Brewing Co., 6733 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood. 303-233-3742. westfaxbrewingcompany.com (West Denver Bills Backers)
Wide Right, 2100 Curtis St., Denver. 720-420-9898. widerightdenver.com
Join the local fan club groups on Facebook by searching Colorado Bills Backers, West Denver Bills Backers, Boulder Bills Backers, and Front Range Bills Backers.
Minnesota Vikings
Skol! The Vikings play the Broncos on Nov. 19 at 6:20 p.m. on Sunday Night Football.
Tavern on 26th, 10040 W. 26th Ave, Lakewood. 303-238-2549. tavernon26th.com
Old Chicago Harmony, 4709 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins. 970-207-9456. oldchicago.com/locations/fort-collins-harmony
Join the local fan club groups on Facebook by searching Minnesota Vikings Fan Club – West Denver and Northern Colorado Minnesota Vikings Fan Club.
David Richard, The Associated Press
A Cleveland Browns fan holds up a sign during the first half of an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns
This season marks the 40th anniversary of the Mile High Browns Backers. Each week they host official watch parties at two places in Denver and one in Centennial with giveaways. They even have their own Cleveland Rocks Lager available at Stoney’s Bar and Grill.
The Browns play the Broncos on Nov. 26 at 2:05 p.m.
Alpha Charlie’s Tap and Tavern, 6631 S. Peoria St., Suite 100, Centennial. 720-627-5354. alphacharlies.com
Dillinger’s Food and Spirits, 1202 Centaur Village Dr., Lafayette. 720-512-3334. dillingersfoodandspirits.com
The Island Grill, 2601 S. Lemay Ave., #12, Fort Collins. 970-266-0124. islandgrillrestaurant.com
Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St., Denver. 303-830-6839. stoneysbarandgrill.com
Stoney’s Uptown Joint, 1035 E. 17th Ave., Denver. 720-485-5503. stoneysbarandgrill.com/stoneys-uptown-joint
Join the local fan club groups on Facebook by searching Mile High Browns Backers, Boulder Browns Backers, and Fort Collins Browns Backers.
Houston Texans
Calling all Texans fans: When games fall on a Monday or Thursday, Society Sports and Spirits serves bottomless wings, fries and beer for $45.
The Texans take on the Broncos Dec. 3 at 2:05 p.m.
Society Sports and Spirits, 1434 Blake St., Denver. 720-517-7303. facebook.com/societydenver
Los Angeles Chargers
Lightning strikes every week at Society Sports and Spirits. When games occur on Mondays and Thursday, the restaurant offers bottomless wings, fries and beer for $45. The Chargers play the Broncos Dec. 10 at 2:25 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 2:25 p.m.
Society Sports and Spirits, 1434 Blake St., Denver. 720-517-7303. facebook.com/societydenver
Join the local fan club groups on Facebook by searching Bolt Up Colorado.
Detroit Lions
Riding high on the heels of a winning season, Lions fans are hoping Dan Campbell can keep up the Motown momentum. The Lions play the Broncos in week 15, but the date and time have yet to be announced.
Candlelight Tavern, 383 S. Pearl St., Denver. 303-778-9530. candlelighttavern.com
Dirty Laundry, 2955 Ulster St., #100, Denver. 303-474-4891. dirtylaundrydenver.com
Overtime Sports Bar and Grill, 2809 Dublin Blvd., Colorado Springs. 719-531-6032. otsportsbargrill.com
Join the local fan club groups on Facebook by searching Detroit Lions Fans in Colorado Springs.
New England Patriots
Brady, who? As far as we know, Patriots fans haven’t changed teams since their star quarterback did.
Historians Ale House, 24 Broadway #102, Denver. 720-479-8505. historiansalehouse.com
Join the local fan club groups on Facebook by searching Patriots Fans of Denver.