Who has the best burger in Denver?
Denver’s most anticipated all-you-can-eat and drink festivals – Denver Burger Battle – returns on Thursday, August 1, pitting more than 19 area restaurants against each other to crown the best burger in Denver. Seven new restaurants will compete this year (compared to five new restaurants in 2023), including Blue Spruce Brewing Co., Ultreia, and The W Denver. Denver Burger Battle, produced by Team Player Productions, will be held at the Auraria Campus – Tivoli Quad (1000 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80204) at 5:30 p.m.
Established in 2010, this tasting event includes unlimited samplings of burgers, sides, desserts, beer, wine and cocktails. Attendees will crown a People’s Choice award. A panel of judges, made up of chefs, food industry folks, local media and personalities, will crown a Judge’s Choice.
Tickets go on sale via Squad Up on Wednesday, May 22 at 10 a.m. MT.
VIP ($144) – includes earliest admission to the Denver Burger Battle at 5:30 p.m., unlimited food, full bar with cocktails and access to the VIP Area, which includes a seated lounge and choice cocktails
Early Entry tickets ($94) – includes early admission to the Denver Burger Battle at 6 p.m., unlimited food, beer and cocktail samples
General Admission tickets ($74) – includes admission to the Denver Burger Battle at 6:30 p.m. and unlimited food, beer and cocktail samples
Participating restaurants thus far include (with more to be announced in coming weeks):
The 49th Food & Spirits – new Denver Burger Battle contender
5280 Burger Bar
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Blue Spruce Brewing Co. – new Denver Burger Battle contender
Blue Moon Brewery
Briar Common Brewery + Eatery
Cherry Cricket
Crave Real Burger- new Denver Burger Battle contender
Edgewater Beer Garden
Mighty Burger
Rooted Craft Kitchen
Snarfburger
Stanley Beer Hall
Steuben’s Uptown- new Denver Burger Battle contender
Stoney’s Bar & Grill
Tap & Burger- new Denver Burger Battle contender
Ultreia – new Denver Burger Battle contender
Uptown & Humboldt
The W Denver – new Denver Burger Battle contender
Last year, more than 1,500 attendees tried burgers such as the 2023 Judge’s Choice winner Snarfburger Double from Snarfburger with a double beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, mustard, ketchup and hot sauce on a buttery toasted bun. The “Cricket Royale” burger from Cherry Cricket with braised short rib, bone marrow, caramelized onions, duxelles, melted cave aged swiss cheese, roasted garlic onion jam, black pepper aioli and crispy onions on a pretzel bun took home the people’s choice. It marked the fourth Denver Burger Battle in a row Cherry Cricket has taken home a trophy.
New this year, a portion of proceeds from the sale of tickets will benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled, Colorado’s most comprehensive provider of adaptive outdoor experiences.