The restaurant industry is well known for its philanthropic activity, particularly when it comes to feeding those in need. However, during this season of giving, restaurants focus their attention on children and the joy of opening a toy as a gift. Join these five restaurants by bringing toys and happiness to children who often lack both. ‘Tis the season to eat, drink, and give back.
1. DBC Ugly Sweater
When: Saturday, December 10, 11am-Midnight
Where: Denver Beer Company {1691 Platte Street, Denver; 303.433.2739}
What: Time to Fa La La La at DBC’s Ugly Sweater Party and Holiday Toy Drive. Dig out your Mom’s holiday sweater from 1982 and play Santa to a child in need. Anyone who brings a toy and wears a sweater gets a buy one get one beer. DBC will be tapping their limited edition holiday brew and all toys or donations will go to the Denver Santa Claus Shop.
2. Xmas in The Smokies Toy Drive and Brunch
When: Sunday, December 11, 11am
Where: Inga’s Alpine Tavern {5151 Leetsdale Drive, Denver; 720.389.6203}
What: Ingas’s Alpine Tavern is combining their traditional Second Sunday Brunch with football, drink specials, and a toy drive to benefit the Denver Santa Claus Shop. While watching the Denver Broncos battle the Tennesee Titans, guests can enjoy a Smoky Mountain brunch with halftime and postgame music by Ryan Chrys and the Rough Cuts. To put everyone in the holiday spirit they will collect toys and donations to give a kid a happy Christmas. Ugly sweaters and holiday attire are encouraged—prizes for best outfits and anyone who donates will receive a free Breckenridge beer.
3. Steuben’s Toy Drive
When: Monday, December 12, 9pm-1am
Where: Steuben’s Uptown {523 East 17th Avenue; 303.830.1001}
What: Steuben’s always drives a huge crowd for their annual late-night toy drive benefiting the children living in DHA housing. This year’s theme is Let’s Get Physical, so wear your favorite workout gear; classic to futuristic. Bring a toy, valued at $10 or less and receive your first cocktail free. After that, drinks are just $5. Guest bartenders and DJ Jack Burton will be back again this year, so come down, get physical, and capture the holiday spirit with a gift for a kid who needs one.
4. It’s A Bar Car Christmas
When: Wednesday, December 14, 7pm–11pm
Where: The Bar Car {819 Colorado Boulevard, Denver; 720.524.8099}
What: The team at Bar Car is holding a toy drive through December 12 to benefit the Denver Santa Claus Shop. Stop by and drop off a toy anytime, then return to celebrate a Sinatra style Christmas party on December 14 in honor of Old Blue Eyes birthday. The Dave Arthur Trio will perform live Sinatra and Holiday music. What holiday party would be complete without a visit from Bad Santa and his roller helpers? Well, they’ll be there along with fantastic drink and food specials all night long.
5. Dirty Pirate Xmas Party
When: Wednesday, December 14, 9pm–11pm
Where: Mile High Hamburger Mary’s {1336 East 17th Avenue, Denver; 303.993.5812}
What: No one does the holidays quite like Hamburger Mary’s! For their toy drive benefitting The Family Tree—dedicated to help people overcome child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness—they will feature instrumental dance/pop music from Prismati. Joining Prismati will be several performers of all types including The Flutation Devices, Sage Grey, Ariel Irving, The Pryde, Haus of FishCandy, and comedian Chuck Roy as Pervy Pirate Santa. It’s guaranteed to be unlike any toy drive you’ve attended and definitely a ton of fun. Bring and unwrapped toy, dress as a holiday pirate and sing along to holiday songs with a scurvy-lyrical twist.
By Elizabeth Woessner
The post Giving Back for the Holidays: 5 Restaurant Toy Drives appeared first on DiningOut Denver/Boulder.