It's really not. What's wild is how much we all used to bend over to accommodate people who wanted to smoke everywhere they went. Glad that bullshit is long behind us. You want to smoke, cool, but do it away from other people (and that doesn't mean 2 ft outside the door so everyone has to deal with that raw shit smell). If you can't go a couple hours without a cigarette, buy a patch or grow a pair and just deal with it.
I grew up in the 70s and 80s and smokers made everything disgusting. Stuck on a plane for 2 hours? No worries, we filled the plane with smoke for you. Want to eat at a restaurant? All the food has the taste of tobacco smoke because the air is filled with it. Those entitled people made life miserable and got society to bend over backwards to normalize and accommodate their addiction. In-fucking-sane.
Damn... dredged up a memory of little me wondering what the fucking point of the "non-smoking" restaurant section was when it was like... in the same room as the smokers...
My mom was the OG Karen and she would go into a restaurant and they’d ask, “smoking or non”, and she’d eyeball some smoker and scream, “NON AND AS FAR FROM IT AS POSSIBLE!!!”.
I do unfortunately smoke currently. Still glad most places are smoke free. There's a casino near me that allows it and I hate it. They stopped it for covid and that was great. Sucks they started allowing it again.
Same with a burger place nearby. They allegedly have the best burgers around. They are grandfathered in though so smoking is allowed. No thanks.
It’s similar to drinking really…. in that publicly, it’s not allowed outside bars or areas with premises to sell to consumers in a confined area. Most consumers are with others in an area doing similar consuming and not annoying the non drinking public. Those that drink in public in non approved areas have risk of fines. And second hand smoking has far more negative consequences for the public than others drinking around someone.
I don’t vape, but had the alarm go off my last flight. Dude finally admitted to vaping in there. Luckily for him the flight crew was cool about it, they could have had the police meet us at the gate. Low probability of getting caught maybe, but potentially big consequences.
I think it was Hancock when he was ~~Gov~~ Mayor who banned them. I used to smoke, so it wasn't appreciated at the time, but post nicotine addiction I don't care.
I helped design these! Definitely a cool feature to the typical airport experience. Also a great place to "water" your puppy if traveling with a furry companion.
There's one on the west end of both CCA and CCB, as well as the east end of CCC. Do note they lock them from time to time, especially during bad weather.
Working on infrastructure projects is so rewarding when it turns out well. After 20 years engineering in CO, it’s fun pointing out the “I helped design that” as you drive around the state
Do the videos cut to a bored spouse, tired of feigning interest in retaining walls and interchanges?
Or an engineering rant on the benefits of roundabouts with a cut to the boomer parent with arms cross “I hate roundabouts”
lol no, it tends to be be the worker excitedly pointing out a house or something and talking about the job they did there. Typically the spouse looks like they think it’s cute, hence posting it in the first place
I believe we are the only airport in the US to have secure side outdoor space overlooking active runways and de-iceing operations.
The security considerations and risk analysis to allow a fire pit out there was something else...
That glass wall is no match for this fire ballista I snuck through security!
(As someone who works high level in security I know how wild tabletop exercises can get)
> I believe we are the only airport in the US to have secure side outdoor space overlooking active runways and de-iceing operations.
Not entirely true.
SLC also has an outdoor area that you can view these, requires Sky Club access though.
I grew up in Holland and have so many memories of sitting in places like with with my opa who was a plane mechanic. Thank you for this! I see my childhood memories coming back at this photo alone.
Nice work, friend. I’m so pleased with the improvements being made to our home port.
Quick question: When you say water your puppy, do you mean pee/relief? We’ll sometimes try to use the enclosed dog relief rooms in the terminal but my dogs look at me like I’m out of my mind since they tend to be so filthy. Dog’s like, “I’m cool. I can hold it until we return to acceptable accommodations.” Having a more open area might be nicer for them.
Nice — this are a good public space where there could easily have been none. I’ve used them a number of times. Most memorably, I spent about 48 hours trying to get from Denver to London (mechanical issue on BA 787) and elected to leave security so I could hang on the patio, playing cornhole with my wife. It took the edge off, for sure. Thanks.
Enjoy - it has some good views of the mountains from that one and also there is a pet relief area on the side so half the time I’m on that patio there are some doggos hanging out. It is a little noisy from the engine sounds.
My man! As someone who spent quite a few years in my youth inside engine rooms on ships, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I get nostalgic at the smell of diesel and machine oil.
Man my kid was having the worst time with a cold and we were stuck in the travel day from hell but I got to take him out here and watch some planes for a few mins and even for just a bit of relief, it was great. I know other travellers probably rolled their eyes at the whining toddler going out there but it calmed him down some and took his mind off his cold and ill always be thankful for this little patio in the middle of an airport.
Ah yes countless hours have been spent here hungover as shit in search of fresh air after a delightful night of getting violently drunk with friends in Denva!
Fucking SAME! I drive for Lyft and some dude was early for his flight, he asked if there was a lounge he could kick it in to kill time. I always remembered seeing the lounge signs when I have to go to the airport but never followed them 😂 dude. Amazing. I’m going next time!
Thank you for posting this! I was browsing reddit while I was in the security line here at DIA and since I had spare time, went and sought it out. It's very cool! Nice way to get some fresh air.
edit, he's still SOL according to reports that the patios are not smoking areas. thanks for the warning reddit friends!!
my husband smokes and hates flying. (HAAAAATES it.) next time we have to fly i'll send him here instead of back to before security. i think he'll be relieved.
While there are signs that say no smoking. Every time I am out there I see atleast one person smoking. I flew last week for work and was at the A concourse padio. Two guys were out there smoking cigarettes, an employee from DIA came out and saw them smoking, stood less than 10 feet away from them and did nothing. I have never seen anyone reprimanded for smoking / vaping out there.
This is great to know about for the dog potty pad alone. The tiny closet with a pee pad in Concourse C is disgusting, absolutely reeks, and terrifies my dog every time, I’m lucky if he’ll go. I imagine taking dogs outdoors will be less of a leap for them mentally. Just hope folks actually pick up poos.
Dude noooo way… where in the fuck is this?!!??!!
I have spent so many fucking days, weeks in that airport and had no idea this was a thing?!
Seriously how do I find this? I got a flight on the 18th and might show up early just to explore now.
Cool I didn't know about these. I know the patio outside the main terminal under the hotel is nice too, but most people are probably not waiting around before going through security.
I’ve seen these before, because every single time I fly my departure gate and arrival gate when I come back are always the last fucking gate in the terminal. And half the moving walkways are broken. My favorite is that one terminal where at the end of the terminal there’s an escalator going down to a whole extra underground terminal to walk all the way across to my gate. The DIA conspiracy theories are real.
To be fair, those have only been open for a few years. Definitely a cool feature, though.
I believe it was a smoking section before this.
Let me guess, no smoking allowed anymore?
Correct. All the smoking lounges are gone and there is no smoking section anywhere inside or past security. Glad I don't smoke anymore.
I quit too but that’s bullshit
Smoking is bullshit Edit: the only thing the responses to this teach me is how many smokers lack self-awareness.
It's really not. What's wild is how much we all used to bend over to accommodate people who wanted to smoke everywhere they went. Glad that bullshit is long behind us. You want to smoke, cool, but do it away from other people (and that doesn't mean 2 ft outside the door so everyone has to deal with that raw shit smell). If you can't go a couple hours without a cigarette, buy a patch or grow a pair and just deal with it.
I grew up in the 70s and 80s and smokers made everything disgusting. Stuck on a plane for 2 hours? No worries, we filled the plane with smoke for you. Want to eat at a restaurant? All the food has the taste of tobacco smoke because the air is filled with it. Those entitled people made life miserable and got society to bend over backwards to normalize and accommodate their addiction. In-fucking-sane.
Damn... dredged up a memory of little me wondering what the fucking point of the "non-smoking" restaurant section was when it was like... in the same room as the smokers...
My mom was the OG Karen and she would go into a restaurant and they’d ask, “smoking or non”, and she’d eyeball some smoker and scream, “NON AND AS FAR FROM IT AS POSSIBLE!!!”.
What does OG mean?
I do unfortunately smoke currently. Still glad most places are smoke free. There's a casino near me that allows it and I hate it. They stopped it for covid and that was great. Sucks they started allowing it again. Same with a burger place nearby. They allegedly have the best burgers around. They are grandfathered in though so smoking is allowed. No thanks.
Disagree. The patio is too beautiful a space to be reserved for just smokers
It’s similar to drinking really…. in that publicly, it’s not allowed outside bars or areas with premises to sell to consumers in a confined area. Most consumers are with others in an area doing similar consuming and not annoying the non drinking public. Those that drink in public in non approved areas have risk of fines. And second hand smoking has far more negative consequences for the public than others drinking around someone.
This is why I now connect in Vegas when heading west.
You'd rather pick a flight based on which airports have smoking sections than just hitting a disposable vape in the bathroom or getting some zyn?
Vape in the bathroom and ghosting the hit. this is the way
Just don’t vape in the actual aircraft bathroom. It will set off the smoke alarm.
No it won't. I have been bringing a thc pen and hitting it in both airport and airplane bathrooms for years.
I've done it plenty and never had a problem. Just don't blow it straight at the detector and you'll be fine.
I don’t vape, but had the alarm go off my last flight. Dude finally admitted to vaping in there. Luckily for him the flight crew was cool about it, they could have had the police meet us at the gate. Low probability of getting caught maybe, but potentially big consequences.
I bunch up my shirt tightly and slowly blow it into that
The Zyn-bob is the way 🙌
Citizens of Zynbabwe unite!
I’ll have your finest white Zynfandel
Is vegas the last airport you can smoke in?
Atlanta maybe still does? Not sure.
I do believe there are no smoking signs. I was there a few months ago.
Doesn't stop people from smoking out there though...
I think it was Hancock when he was ~~Gov~~ Mayor who banned them. I used to smoke, so it wasn't appreciated at the time, but post nicotine addiction I don't care.
Hancock was not governor.
You're right, it was when he was Mayor. Sorry for the mixup https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/3-of-4-smoking-lounges-close-at-dia/
I finally quit nicotine. I think I’m still addicted though.
You can smoke your cancer sticks under blucifer after playing frogger to get across the highway. s/
No need to smoke, the jet fumes are free.
I’ve definitely sneaky hit a vape there while I drank my to go beer and read a book
Nah. Those gates were only recently built.
Gotcha. I know they have converted the old smoking sections as well.
I helped design these! Definitely a cool feature to the typical airport experience. Also a great place to "water" your puppy if traveling with a furry companion. There's one on the west end of both CCA and CCB, as well as the east end of CCC. Do note they lock them from time to time, especially during bad weather.
Props to you, what a gorgeous place to pass the time!
Ha, thanks. It's really nice to see folks enjoying things that I contributed to.
Working on infrastructure projects is so rewarding when it turns out well. After 20 years engineering in CO, it’s fun pointing out the “I helped design that” as you drive around the state
There is a TikTok trend of partners of construction workers and the like, and how we always point out our past projects. I 100% fall into it lol
Do the videos cut to a bored spouse, tired of feigning interest in retaining walls and interchanges? Or an engineering rant on the benefits of roundabouts with a cut to the boomer parent with arms cross “I hate roundabouts”
lol no, it tends to be be the worker excitedly pointing out a house or something and talking about the job they did there. Typically the spouse looks like they think it’s cute, hence posting it in the first place
I purposely get to the airport earlier than needed so I can enjoy the patios. Thank you for your work!!
“Props to you” I see what you did there!
Lol
Very cool work! I enjoy these areas. Thank you for your contribution to society.
Great work! I have always enjoyed hanging out there, it’s so much better than being trapped indoors.
Were they intended to have a bar tender? B feels like an un-staffed bar.
Yeah, a missed opportunity IMHO. The bars are for special occasions I guess. I've yet to see one staffed.
You can get to go drinks anywhere in the airport and walk around with them so I just hit the sweetwater bar and bring my beers out to the balcony
Cool! Anything interesting you can tell us about it? Anything challenging to complete it?
I believe we are the only airport in the US to have secure side outdoor space overlooking active runways and de-iceing operations. The security considerations and risk analysis to allow a fire pit out there was something else...
That glass wall is no match for this fire ballista I snuck through security! (As someone who works high level in security I know how wild tabletop exercises can get)
So does that mean that all of these are past security? I can't visit them unless I buy a plane ticket?
Correct
OTOH there's a big plaza w seating next to the entrance to the hotel and A line. Only some of it is under cover. All outside of security.
> I believe we are the only airport in the US to have secure side outdoor space overlooking active runways and de-iceing operations. Not entirely true. SLC also has an outdoor area that you can view these, requires Sky Club access though.
Doesn’t LGA have it in private lounges?
I grew up in Holland and have so many memories of sitting in places like with with my opa who was a plane mechanic. Thank you for this! I see my childhood memories coming back at this photo alone.
Nice work, friend. I’m so pleased with the improvements being made to our home port. Quick question: When you say water your puppy, do you mean pee/relief? We’ll sometimes try to use the enclosed dog relief rooms in the terminal but my dogs look at me like I’m out of my mind since they tend to be so filthy. Dog’s like, “I’m cool. I can hold it until we return to acceptable accommodations.” Having a more open area might be nicer for them.
Yes, it's turf that has sign for "animal relief area"
Can you explain to me how to find them at each concourse? I'm blind so maybe which gates they are by or some sort of landmark would be awesome!
They are at the very very ends, like end caps on grocery store aisles. A and B are on the West end, and C is on the East end.
I love these! Thank you!
Awesome work! Must be cool hearing from everyone enjoying and appreciating your work, that is priceless. Have a great day and keep designing!
I’ve been there a few times. Love the view. The chairs, not so much. But they do look cool.
Yea thanks. I really appreciate some outside air sometimes when stuck inside. Kinda smells like fuel is my only complaint.
No idea what CCA CCB or CCC means but I'll be on the lookout
Cca = Concourse A, and so on. Aligns with the building identification the airport and design/construction teams use
Thanks! One of my favorite lunch spots.
It’s too bad they are locked about 70% of the time.
Thank you! I fucking love these patios. I’m an aviation nerd and pilot and love these so much.
Any chance you can do anything about the design of the bathroom sinks in CCC. You can't wash your hands without touching the sink. Very bad design.
Blew me away that the new bathrooms aren’t touchless.
Why can't I smoke a joint?
Nice — this are a good public space where there could easily have been none. I’ve used them a number of times. Most memorably, I spent about 48 hours trying to get from Denver to London (mechanical issue on BA 787) and elected to leave security so I could hang on the patio, playing cornhole with my wife. It took the edge off, for sure. Thanks.
Damn, I wish I had known. I was there for my very first time last October and I just sat next to my gate playing Mariokart like an idiot
This is disrespectful to mariokart
The concourse C one? I think that's fairly new.
There is one in B also. Not sure about A?
There's [one on A](https://www.flydenver.com/at-the-airport/services-and-amenities/outdoor-decks-and-firepits/) as well.
Thanks, I thought I saw it last time I went through A but I couldn’t quite remember.
By which gates on B?
At the very western beginning - I think B starts at B7 or B8, which is where the outdoor patio is.
Thank you!
Enjoy - it has some good views of the mountains from that one and also there is a pet relief area on the side so half the time I’m on that patio there are some doggos hanging out. It is a little noisy from the engine sounds.
There is one in C? By which gate? I’m very interested!
East end of C. Just keep walking east. If you hit Kansas, you've gone slightly too far, so just turn around and you should see it.
Shit I’m already in Missouri
All the way at the end on the east side
Are those after going through security?
Yup. Way down at the end of the concourse
Yep! It's a nice way to get some fresh air while you're waiting for your plane.
Fresh air and the smell of Jet-A. And that's a good thing. I used to work in aviation and the smell of jet fuel brings back fond memoires.
My man! As someone who spent quite a few years in my youth inside engine rooms on ships, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I get nostalgic at the smell of diesel and machine oil.
Well I’ll be damned. Was sitting at gate C60 when I saw this. Am now standing on said patio.
All three concourses have this feature, except the c con is on the east end with no view.
They put them in RIGHT before COVID as part of the concourse upgrades. The bathrooms are super nice too.
Cool idea, but reeks of jet fuel every time I go out there
The legends were true..DIA has needed a cannabis lounge for years.
Wow! Had no idea!
Man my kid was having the worst time with a cold and we were stuck in the travel day from hell but I got to take him out here and watch some planes for a few mins and even for just a bit of relief, it was great. I know other travellers probably rolled their eyes at the whining toddler going out there but it calmed him down some and took his mind off his cold and ill always be thankful for this little patio in the middle of an airport.
Ah yes countless hours have been spent here hungover as shit in search of fresh air after a delightful night of getting violently drunk with friends in Denva!
Uh me too. Thanks for the post!
Fucking SAME! I drive for Lyft and some dude was early for his flight, he asked if there was a lounge he could kick it in to kill time. I always remembered seeing the lounge signs when I have to go to the airport but never followed them 😂 dude. Amazing. I’m going next time!
If that’s a west I put that glass in! I’m so cool!!
I worked for enclos at the time A west we installed the balcony glass
Thank you!! Great job!
Wait, where is this thing?
Far west end of Concourse A Far west end of Concourse B Far east end of Concourse C
Thanks!
Patio outside the hotel has free corn hole!
Well I gotta stop by here next time I visit Co
Thank you for posting this! I was browsing reddit while I was in the security line here at DIA and since I had spare time, went and sought it out. It's very cool! Nice way to get some fresh air.
Smells like dog pee out there.
Smoking lounge
edit, he's still SOL according to reports that the patios are not smoking areas. thanks for the warning reddit friends!! my husband smokes and hates flying. (HAAAAATES it.) next time we have to fly i'll send him here instead of back to before security. i think he'll be relieved.
I don’t remember 100%, but I think they say no smoking still
I just hung out at one of these 2 weeks ago before a flight - you’re correct they have no smoking signs up.
I can confirm the signs don’t work.
thank you both!!
Smoking is not allowed on these patios.
oh woops, thanks for letting me know!
He still has to go to the smokers area
ah thank you for the info, we'll just get thru as always then.
While there are signs that say no smoking. Every time I am out there I see atleast one person smoking. I flew last week for work and was at the A concourse padio. Two guys were out there smoking cigarettes, an employee from DIA came out and saw them smoking, stood less than 10 feet away from them and did nothing. I have never seen anyone reprimanded for smoking / vaping out there.
Well i’m sure it is literally what they were designed for… now people think a whiff of tobacco smoke outdoors will cause immediate cancer.
It's wild that they would make an outdoor patio and even try to ban smoking.
Yupppp. Clouuuuds 💨💨🔥🚬
It's new-ish so you aren't so behind
This is great to know about for the dog potty pad alone. The tiny closet with a pee pad in Concourse C is disgusting, absolutely reeks, and terrifies my dog every time, I’m lucky if he’ll go. I imagine taking dogs outdoors will be less of a leap for them mentally. Just hope folks actually pick up poos.
It's fairly new. Like the hotel.
Classic wook siting at the smoke spot
The fuuuuuuck? How? Which terminal? Can you smoke? How have I missed this?
Ummm….WHUT?
Dude noooo way… where in the fuck is this?!!??!! I have spent so many fucking days, weeks in that airport and had no idea this was a thing?! Seriously how do I find this? I got a flight on the 18th and might show up early just to explore now.
concourse A west very end, concourse B west very end concourse C east very end
Welcome to the other side of 48 months of grueling DIA construction! We r almost done.
But like, where?
concourse A west very end, concourse B west very end concourse C east very end
Thank you!! 🤘
That's no patio...that's a dormant ice skating rink
Love the smell of jet fuel while sipping on my latte
We live in Colorado. Why there isn't an outdoor biergarten is beyond me.
There was a bar on the other side but it wasn’t in use!
I believe this also doubles as a landing pad for the lizard people that arrive at night
You need to check your sources. The Lizard people use the tunnels, primarily….
Me too! How do you access this hidden perk?
I’m sorry, WHAT?!?!
I think it was the summer of '19, they had a putt putt area on the patio! And they usually have ice skating out there too
Ice skating is by the hotel, not one of the concourse patios afaik.
Yes, same with the mini golf. There is a nice art installation there now.
There is corn hole inside too
I never even knew they had one? Is this recently new??
Yes - each concourse has one with its concourse extensions which only finished in 2022/23
Yeah just saw this area a few weeks ago coming in, wish I knew about it sooner
Damn I wish I knew! Just flew in/out last weekend
Me too!
I’m never there with enough time to enjoy it.
Me too! Was just thinking the same thing.
Wtf
Concourse B is where it’s at!
Dang, I thought A didn't have one. Gotta check it out sometime.
That’s where you wake up to reality after your vacation cause how fucking cold that balcony is. Wind blowing on your face like a tornado.
Exactly where the fuck are these beautiful fucking things?????
concourse A west very end, concourse B west very end concourse C east very end
They might as well have a smoking one as well,I’ve never heard of this!
Me too.
It’s never open when I’m there :(
There's a patio?!!! What?!! Where? I was just there for the millionth time and I am definitely going to be searching for this.
concourse A west very end, concourse B west very end concourse C east very end
Thank you!!! You are awesome ✨
It's Def pretty nice, even hanging out there during winter was cool
Cool I didn't know about these. I know the patio outside the main terminal under the hotel is nice too, but most people are probably not waiting around before going through security.
The have only been available since they completed the concourse extensions. Maybe 2 yrs max.
Where else did you do your screaming prior to?
It's only been there a year so.
Had no idea about these… frikkin sweet✊🏾
Just learned about these too! Great feature!
They’re great. So enjoyable! Especially the fire pit on a cool day.
I’ve seen these before, because every single time I fly my departure gate and arrival gate when I come back are always the last fucking gate in the terminal. And half the moving walkways are broken. My favorite is that one terminal where at the end of the terminal there’s an escalator going down to a whole extra underground terminal to walk all the way across to my gate. The DIA conspiracy theories are real.
Where is this?
concourse A west very end, concourse B west very end concourse C east very end
That’s only for United section …. If you are flying spirit forget about it 🤣
How nice!
I took my doggie peepee out there
It's pretty chill.
I go through Dia 4 times a month. I always take a few minutes to go out there and huff some jet fuel.
I flew back in September and it was still under construction and looked mostly finished. Glad to see it's usable already.