Here’s Where to Find Third Places (And Community Connection) Around Denver

Chandler Bing and friends had Central Perk. Norm had Cheers. Lorelai and Rory Gilmore had Luke’s Diner. But where can Denverites go to replicate that neighborhood, community feel of a “third place” that isn’t home (number one) or work (number two)? 

The term “third place” was coined by the urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989 as a place where friends and strangers can gather — think cafes, bars, dog parks, gyms. Unofficially, the term refers to places that are unstructured, welcoming and neighborly — a place where regulars are abundant and it’s easy to chat. A third place should also be affordable or even free.

The idea of the third place recently came back into the national conversation when Starbucks said it was trying to reposition itself as a third place through changes like offering free coffee refills and bringing back ceramic mugs and comfortable seating.

But with the continued allure of Uber Eats directly delivered to your couch, the rise of dating apps and Gen Z being known as the “stay at home” generation, third places are sadly disappearing. 

But not if community-craving Denverites continue to show up at gathering spots across the area. Here are a dozen third places in Denver beyond home and the office that will get you out of the house and socializing. 

Fitness/Sports 

Compass Fitness
2059 South Broadway
Yes, it’s a gym, but according to owner Sunnee Hoppe, “Compass is more than just a place to work out. Our training is intentional and thoughtfully designed, but I’d say it’s the community that makes us shine. We’ve built a space where people not only get a phenomenal workout, but also feel supported, connected, and like they actually belong. That’s what keeps people coming back.”

November Project
Various locations 
The November Project is a free, community-driven outdoor fitness movement where folks meet for a morning workout. What started as a small accountability idea between two friends has grown into a national movement. The Denver cohort meets at 5:30 a.m. or 6:15 a.m. Wednesdays between the Civic Center Park and Colorado Capitol building stairs. The rotating location is announced at 6:15 a.m. on Fridays via Instagram. No workout equipment, just good vibes, lots of neon colors, and plenty of opportunity for get-togethers outside of the workout. 

Bird’s Nest Disc Golf Course
17925 West 64th Avenue, Arvada
According to disc golf app UDisc, the sport has seen a major surge in popularity over the last five years, sparked by COVID. Most courses are free, and it doesn’t require training or extensive equipment to enjoy the sport.  Bird’s Nest is a free-admission, 27-hole course that offers nearby attractions like hiking, the Arvada Dog Park, a baseball diamond and Blunn Reservoir. Sign up for a disc golf league or join Mile High Disc Golf Club to meet like-minded folks just happy to get outdoors.

Vibe Gym and Wellness Collective
4045 North Pecos Street Suite 160
Founded by  Meghan Nelson, VIBE Gym is a hub for women, trans, nonbinary and genderqueer Denver residents to not only explore fitness and wellness, but find community and culture. In addition to improving your squat form, you can also get a tarot reading or attend a political strategy session. Vibe has fitness classes, on-site childcare and a full wellness collective of independent healing practitioners under one roof. Try a free class.

Kids/Family 

The Den Family Social
2900 Zuni Street
For new parents, it can be hard to find time to socialize with adults or find a place that won’t bat an eye if the baby has a meltdown. The Den, a self-described “third space for families navigating early parenthood,” includes a kid-friendly coffee shop, creative corners, classes, story time, social play and easy ways to connect. You may already have a neighborhood playground or belong to a daycare, but this is different. Whether it’s monthly Dad’s Coffee meetups or an eight-week support group for new moms, there are ways – big and small – to connect with other parents. 

The Table Public House
2190 South Platte River Drive 
What’s great about this coffee shop/bar/restaurant/coworking/event spot along the Platte River is the space (2,300 square feet to be exact) and the programming.  For parents looking for a place to meet other adults while keeping the kiddos entertained, stop by from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays for Kids Sing Along. The food menu even includes a section “For the Littles” offering tiny grilled cheeses and lil’ turkey sammies. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, come for Community Night to gather with your neighbors (and sometimes guest speakers). Other events to hang with others include speed dating, murder mystery nights, bingo, trivia, paint night, book launches, and more. 

Bars, Bevs and Bites

Bonacquisti Wine Company
4640 Pecos Street
Wine elitism has no place here. The owners of this Sunnyside spot intentionally strive to welcome people to the winery as if they are welcoming them into their own home. Join the quarterly wine club and attend a complimentary wine release party, come for the monthly networking event, take a 90-minute introductory wine class, listen to live music on Fridays and strike up a conversation with the people next to you.

The Officers Club
84 Rampart Way
People like this Lowry cocktail bar and dining room because it feels custom-made for the neighborhood. When it originally opened eight years ago, the owners conducted focus groups with neighbors and learned they wanted a restaurant with a downtown style without the downtown price tag or location. The vibe feels like a night out, but close to home — elevated but unpretentious, classy but laid back. With plenty of communal tables, live piano on select evenings, and patio dining, it’s the kind of place people return to again and again. Post up at the bar on Monday for happy hour – which lasts until close – and meet a neighbor.

Seniors

Senior Planet
7585 East Academy Boulevard
New technology, apps and gadgets can be overwhelming. Senior Planet by AARP creates a space for adults 60+ to use technology to gain new skills, save money, apply for jobs, create websites, amp up their social media game and even exercise better. Whether it’s virtual reality classes, Apple tech talks, Spanish lessons, workshops to help book your next vacation, defeating online scams or social events, the only rules are to be curious and stay open-minded. All classes are free. 

Aurora Center of Active Adults
30 Del Mar Circle, Aurora 
“Active adults” is not an understatement. This place has it all: day trips, dining adventures, fitness classes, crafts, dancing, volunteer opportunities, trivia, movie club, pickleball and more than we have space to list. 

Community Gathering Places 

Town Hall Collaborative
525 Santa Fe Drive
This space is a mix of event venue, coffee shop, bar, and retail marketplace. You could spend every day here and encounter something new: poly cocktails for people across the polyamorous spectrum, storytelling, poetry, open forum discussions, live music, the list goes on. When co-founders and best friends Lauren Beno and Denise Day opened Town Hall, the intent was to create a space that brings people together who crave connection and creativity.

Edgewater Books
5505 West 20th Avenue, Suite 144
Sometimes you want to connect with others, but the threat of small talk is enough to glue you to the couch. Books provide a nice buffer.  Located inside Edgewater Public Market, this bookstore offers a writing group on the second Wednesday and fourth Friday of every month. No experience necessary – it’s for anyone looking to practice their writing skills and meet like-minded individuals. The shop also hosts a monthly book club on Sunday nights at the store. Check the website for the titles that have been selected for the remainder of the year.

Know of a third place that didn’t make this list? Email us at editorial@westword.com.