About Avanti Food & Beverage

When Avanti opened in July 2015, it was a game-changer for Denver's dining scene. Founders Brad Arguello, Patrick O'Neill, and Rob Hahn created something revolutionary: a food hall where shipping containers serve as individual restaurant spaces, allowing chefs to launch concepts without the massive financial burden of traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants.

The venue occupies a beautifully renovated 1898 building that once housed Avanti Print and Graphics. During renovation, workers discovered a century-old painted sign for "Dodson's Variety Store" on the brick wall, which has been carefully preserved as part of the space's industrial-chic aesthetic. The concept was inspired by Madrid's Market of San Miguel and Denver's popular food truck scene.

The Rooftop Experience

Avanti's rooftop is legendary in Denver—and for good reason. The sprawling deck offers 360-degree views of the downtown skyline, Coors Field, and on clear days, the Rocky Mountains. With modern lounge furniture, heat lamps for cooler months, and a full bar slinging craft cocktails and local beers, it's consistently rated as one of Denver's best rooftop venues.

The rooftop houses three additional vendor containers, creating a unique two-level dining experience where guests can freely move between floors with drinks in hand. Sunset views are spectacular, and the space transforms into a vibrant nightlife destination on weekends with DJs and late-night hours extending until 1:00 AM.

Current Vendors

The Incubator Model

What makes Avanti unique is its rotating vendor model. Leases are typically 12-24 months, allowing the food hall to constantly refresh its offerings and stay on top of culinary trends. Many vendors started as food trucks before graduating to Avanti, using it as a stepping stone to eventually open standalone restaurants.

This approach benefits both chefs and diners: chefs get professional kitchens with built-in foot traffic and minimal startup costs, while guests experience constantly evolving flavors and never tire of the same menu.

Ordering & Atmosphere

Avanti operates on a casual, self-service model. Guests can grab any available seat across two floors, then order food via QR codes at their table or directly at vendor windows. Drinks are full-service—bartenders and servers circulate throughout the space taking cocktail, beer, and wine orders.

The vibe is young, energetic, and decidedly urban. Expect a mix of young professionals, creatives, tourists, and date-night couples. Happy hour (Monday-Friday 2-6 PM, all-day Sunday) draws strong after-work crowds, while weekends bring a party atmosphere with live music and DJs.

Parking & Access

Parking in LoHi can be challenging, especially during peak hours. Avanti offers complimentary valet parking Thursday-Sunday starting at 5:00 PM. Street parking is available but competitive. The venue is also accessible via Denver's B-Cycle bike share program—Avanti hosts one of the city's largest B-Cycle stations on-site.

Events & Private Dining

Avanti is available for private events and buyouts, accommodating groups from 50 to 900 guests across various configurations. The rooftop terrace is particularly popular for corporate events, weddings, and private parties. Seasonal pop-up experiences like "Avantiki" (a tropical tiki takeover) and the holiday "Miracle Bar" add limited-time themed drinking experiences.

Multiple Locations

Following Denver's success, Avanti expanded to Boulder (2020) and Vail, bringing the same multi-vendor concept to Colorado's college town and premier ski resort. Each location features unique local vendors while maintaining the signature shipping-container design and rooftop bar experience.

Why Visit?

Avanti excels at solving the "where should we eat?" dilemma for groups with varied tastes. It's ideal for tourists wanting to sample multiple Denver flavors in one stop, happy hour gatherings, romantic sunset dates, or anyone seeking killer skyline views paired with quality food and drinks. The constantly rotating vendors ensure there's always something new to try.