Experience a Virtual Reality Beach at Denver’s Spring Break Bar

Are you one of the few Coloradans not traveling someplace exotic and beach-y for spring break? No need: Last week, Wayward debuted its immersive pop-up Spring Break Bar right here in Denver.

To help out local residents craving some fun in the sun, the Riverfront Park bar is overflowing with beach balls, lounge chairs, and sand boxes. Music videos from the ‘90s play in the background as bartenders mix up a variety of tropical drinks and even Jell-O shots. “Frozen Long Island [iced teas], frosé, and a number of different spritzers will help everyone embrace their inner spring break,” says manager Peter Gordon. The drink menu also includes another collegiate revelry favorite: buckets of beer or wine for sharing with friends.

The many boozy options are elevated (and the effects reduced) by executive chef Talia Diele’s beach fare. Diele took inspiration from Cancún’s street food culture when developing her menu, which includes pork al pastor taquitos with crème fraîche, fish tacos, poblano quesadillas, chile-dusted pineapple, and shrimp ceviche.

If all that isn’t enough to transport you to the tropics, then hopefully the Spring Break Bar’s two virtual reality machines will do it. Pop on the VR glasses, park yourself beneath the heat lamps, and let the beach scenes and warm rays whisk you away to paradise.

If you go: Spring Break Bar at Wayward on Little Raven will be open until May. Doors open at 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and at 1 p.m. on Sundays.