Denver City Hall
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Denver Nightlife
Denver's nightlife is fresh and inventive, with plenty of new bars and clubs opening in converted warehouses in the Lower Downtown (LoDo) area. The cheerful and friendly locals help create a relaxed atmosphere in bars, breweries and clubs. Denver citizens are also highly supportive of the arts, with stages scattered across the city attracting crowds for everything from musical comedies to operas.
The Denver Post (www.denverpost.com) provides information about what’s on in Denver. Westword (www.westword.com) is a local magazine that also has extensive entertainment listings.
Bars in Denver
For an unparalleled wine list featuring a wide range of regularly changing wines, visit Crú. This wine bar provides a cosy and communal setting with booths available both inside and outside. The walls are covered with wine labels, while the food is meant to compliment the wine. There are many plates designed for sharing, so the time you spend sipping is also a social experience.
A former dive bar turned cool lounge bar, the Funky Buddha Lounge is a swanky, sophisticated spot for a drink in Denver. There are two incredible rooftop patios that emit a feng shui vibe, making for a perfect spot to enjoy one of the lounge’s signature martinis or evening snacks. Inside, DJs ensure everyone is having a good time with house and hip-hop music.
Within spitting distance of Coors Field, Sports Column is undoubtedly the best sports bar in Denver. When the Rockies are playing, there’s an electric atmosphere and fans are glued to the TV screens throughout. There’s table football, a rooftop patio and live music to entertain those less interested in the game. Anyone can enjoy the traditional bar food, including burgers, salads and a variety of fried appetizers.
Clubs in Denver
For a true taste of Denver’s Western flavour, Stampede is Colorado’s best country bar and dance club. This is the place to try out your swing dancing talents, but rest assured, there are lessons available if you’re not totally confident in your abilities. The Mesquite Grill overlooks the club section and offers nachos, hamburgers and quesadillas you don’t want to miss out on.
As you might expect from the name, this club is set in a former Gothic church, giving partygoers the opportunity to dance surrounded by incredible architecture. Great DJs visit The Church where they play upbeat music that makes the stained glass windows shake. This upscale venue is popular among Denver’s single crowd, as they can socialise while sipping on wine or grab a late night’s bite at the club’s sushi bar.
Made up of four floors all featuring a different kind of music and mood, no one will be dissatisfied at Vinyl. Each floor has areas for dancing, and there are three bars spread throughout, so you’re never far away from your next drink. If you find yourself in need of a break, the rooftop patio is open year-round and equipped with heaters, fire pits and impressive views of the Rocky Mountains, as well as Denver’s skyline.
Live Music in Denver
For a true Western experience, the Grizzly Rose is it. There’s live country music six nights a week by local talent, as well as some of the nation’s top recording artists. This 3,716-sq-m (40,000-sq-ft) space also includes a mechanical bull, the Great Chuck Wagon Grill and country dancing lessons. On Sundays, children and adults alike are welcome at the Grizzly Rose, and the live music, dancing, and food and drinks are as good as ever.
After more than 25 years of hosting bands, Herman’s Hideaway is notorious in Denver as one of the best places to go for entertainment. This venue has helped launch the careers of many successful bands and continues to do so, as newcomers are invited to showcase their talents on Wednesday nights. Regardless of what night it is though, Herman’s dancefloor is always packed.
The Ogden Theatre hosted organ recitals, lectures and vaudeville acts before becoming a movie theatre, and now, it’s back to its roots of acting as a concert venue. The Ogden hosts all different kinds of bands, but never fails to attract a large audience. The floor in front of the stage is sure to be excited, and the energy continues up into the balconies above.
Dance in Denver
As one of the state’s oldest and most successful art companies, the Colorado Ballet produces nothing short of world-class quality dance. The Nutcracker is the most notorious of the company’s performances. This unforgettable presentation is put on annually and is a favourite of many locals. The Colorado Ballet usually performs in the incredible Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Theatre in Denver
This state-of-the-art facility offers 54,255 sq m (584,000 sq ft) of usable space, plus outdoor terraces that allow visitors to enjoy the Colorado sunshine. The Wells Fargo Theatre is a piece of the convention centre, and one of the most dynamic venues of its kind. There’s incredible flexibility within the theatre making it possible for incredibly diverse performances to all happen on this stage.
Music and Dance in Denver
Broadway shows and original, professional performances grace the stages of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The complex is located in downtown Denver’s theatrical tenant and serves more than 75,000 patrons annually. It’s clear that no matter what the performance, the theatre continually engages, excites and inspires all participants and audience members.
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