It used to be that you didn’t hit LoDo unless the Rockies were playing or you were under 25 and wanted to get your grind on at meat markets like Tavern, ViewHouse, or Beta. 1 Up and Wynkoop are just fine for drinks and a casual hang, but there wasn’t much else to bring people back down this way on a regular basis. But things have changed round here. The renovated Union Station gives LoDo a totally different feel and is changing the game in terms of Denver’s urban atmosphere. Think of it as a much smaller version of San Francisco’s Ferry Building, but with no ocean. Denver has been dying for this kind of development and the result is a gorgeous space that’s a great spot for date night, day drinking, or a late night cocktail. Between Mercantile Dining & Provision, Stoic & Genuine, Terminal Bar, and The Cooper Lounge, there are suddenly good reasons to head downtown. Add Hopdoddy to the list as well, because these burgers are legit. Located in a new building just north of Union Station, Hopdoddy benefits greatly from the shine of its neighbor and is perfect for acquiring the meat sweats and ridiculous shakes. Milkshakes. Not trembles. On second thought, maybe both. We hate to admit it, but the Texas takeover of Colorado appears complete. Drive around town and you’ll see more Longhorns logos on cars than the Buffs (okay, bad example given how terrible CU is) and we’re pretty sure the city of Houston annexed Telluride a while back. Hopdoddy’s arrival may well be the nail in the coffin. But if this is what defeat tastes like, things might not be so bad.