Summer nights, tacos, and margaritas go hand in hand, which is one of the many reasons the second-annual Top Taco is a must. Tomorrow, June 25, 40 restaurants will convene at Denver’s Sculpture Park (marked by the towering Dancers behind the Performing Arts Complex) to compete for the titles of Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, and Top Margarita.

La Candela, a 10-piece salsa band, will set the mood while you taste and sip (pace yourself!), and choose your favorites. A team of professional judges (including yours truly) will also cast votes. As you nibble and swill, you’ll have the opportunity to sample more than 40 brands of tequila in the tasting lounges, as well as beer from Modelo and wine from Edna Valley Vineyards (look for the respective tents).

The restaurant lineup is impressive (and double what it was last year) and includes Uno Mas, El Camino, Solitaire, Los Chingones, Adelitas, North County, Matador, Leña, Lola, Tamayo, Work & Class, and the soon-to-open Dos Santos. Last year’s winners: Comida (professional vote)/Pinche Tacos (popular vote) in the Traditional Taco category; Machete (professional)/Moontower (popular) in the Creative Taco category, and La Biblioteca (professional/popular) in the Margarita category are all back to defend their titles. Who will take the honors this year?

6:30–9:30 p.m., Denver Sculpture Park (Speer Boulevard, between Arapahoe and Champa streets, behind the Performing Arts Complex); $65 general admission, $95 for early admission at 5:30 p.m., $125 VIP early admission via a private entrance and all-night access to the Patron Tequila Lounge

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—Photo via Shutterstock

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.