Stratos Katsaros
Audio By Carbonatix
It’s pretty easy to find live music in Denver, but on Christmas Eve, not so much. Plenty of our regular stalwarts are closed altogether, and others are turning off the lights early or not hosting their usual live performances.
But all is not Grinched: We’ve found a few venues where you can kick back and listen to something besides pa rum pum pum pum.
Charlie Brown’s
980 Grant Street
303-860-1655
I Charlie, you Charlie — at one time or another, all of us Charlie. And while the beloved covered patio of the 90-something-year-old establishment is now non-smoking (you can still light up in the unroofed area), Cap Hill’s cheerily decorated “Cheers” will be welcoming regulars and strays alike on Christmas Eve. Gather around the piano from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. and make it a real Charlie Brown Christmas.
Lion’s Lair
2022 East Colfax Avenue
303-320-9200
Colfax never lets us down, and neither does one of Denver’s best dive bars. Shimmy on in when the doors open at 7 p.m., listen to some locals or touring bands at 8 p.m., then strut your stuff at 9 p.m. when the open mic show takes the stage. The Lair provides drums, guitar, bass and sound along with a “judgment-free zone,” so sing as naughtily (or as badly) as you need to. Special Santa Bonus: There’s a Midnight Happy Hour until 1:30 am. Is this a great country, or what?
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Herb’s
2057 Larimer Street
303-299-9555
Party like it’s 1933 at Denver’s oldest jazz bar’s regular Hump Day Funk Jam. The all-genres jam kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and rocks until Rudolph is on his way back to the North Pole (1:30 a.m.). A backline is provided — thanks, Santa! — so just bring your voice and your axe.
Courtesy of The Pearl
The Pearl
2195 California Street
Nothing says “Christmas” like a lesbian speakeasy, and we are here for it. The former Mercury Cafe will keep things swinging on Christmas Eve with two West Coast Swing dance classes on the upper level, and “Gayme Night and Karaoke” from 7 p.m. to midnight in the lower level Rose Room. Expect crafts, board games, karaoke and plenty of queer holiday cheer.
