Denver's nightlife is fresh and inventive, with loads of new bars and clubs opening in converted warehouses in the Lower Downtown (LoDo) area. Top spots include Denver institutions the Wynkoop Brewing Company, 1634 18th Street and Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake Street, which is a no frills bar full of sublime beers. For more refined tastes, the expensive cocktail menus of Larimer Square will appeal to budding James Bond's. Try Cru, 1442 Larimer Square, for tasty premium wines or Mynt, 1428 Market Street for refreshing mojitos.

Live music tends to focus on the folk and country music scene, although Herman's Hideaway, 1578 South Broadway, plays anything from reggae to heavy metal. Fans of Jack Kerouac's ‘On The Road' will want to flock to El Chapultepec, 1962 Market Street, which is as crowded and as smoky as ever and still plays great jazz. 

The top nightclub in Denver, and possibly America, is The Church, 1160 Lincoln Street. A converted church complete with stained glass windows, 70,000 watt sound system and an adoring crowd, it regularly hosts the world's top DJs. The focus is on dance music, with top acts like DJ Tiesto headlining the weekend parties.

Other clubs include Vinyl, 1082 Broadway, a popular and diverse club with a stunning rooftop patio, and La Rumba, Acoma Street, a stylish salsa club with an upmarket clientele.

The Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax Avenue (tel: (303) 831 9448), is an old vaudeville theatre and movie house that is now a venue for local and national bands. The Bluebird Theater, 3317 East Colfax Avenue (tel: (303) 322 2308), and the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson at Colfax Avenue, are other historic venues.