¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Keep Your Spanish Rolling at Denver's Conversation Meetups

If studying up on the Battle of Puebla for Cinco de Mayo has you in the mood to try learning Spanish, Denver caters to the local love for the Latin language with regular meetups where people practice through conversation.

Spanish conversation meetups have been around in Denver for a while, welcoming every skill set. All of them are free, and most of them take place at a bar or a cervezeria (brewery).

Denver hispanophiles host meetups in a variety of spots, so if you're looking for something in particular — like engaging topics or a friendly, easy-going vibe — there should be one for you. Here's a list of the best places to find a Spanish speaking conversation meetup in town.

Happy Hour Spanish at Mezcal
3230 East Colfax Avenue
Every Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Situated across Colfax Avenue from the Bluebird Theater, the cantina Mezcal is stocked with tequila, tacos and other Mexican dishes and drinks that make it perfect for a cool, nighttime platica (conversation).

A small group of about ten people meet there every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at a corner reserved for the Spanish conversation meetup. Mezcal Spanish organizes the Spanish Speaking Happy Hour and writes that the meetups are "open to the public and to native Spanish speakers or anyone with a desire to learn or practice,"  adding that the conversations can touch on "anything under the sun."

Beer and Español at Raíces
Raíces Brewing Company, 2060 West Colfax Avenue
Every Other Wednesday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
If you want to practice your Spanish with beer and a lively group, the Raíces Brewing Company near Empower Field hosts meetups organized by Denver Conversation Spanish. These see more than a couple dozen participants at times, and attract a mix of skill levels though they're geared towards people learning Spanish.

"You may hear conversations in Spanish only, English only, and/or a mix match of the two!" Denver Conversation Spanish writes. "You are always encouraged to use the Spanish you know!"

The group asks for people to RSVP at least two days in advance, and they can do on Meetup.com. The group's next meetup will be on May 14.  Denver Conversation Spanish occasionally puts together meetups outside the usual date and time, like a Cinco de Mayo happy hour in Westminster.

Cultured Conversations con Museo
Cerveceria Colorado, 1635 Platte Street
Last Thursday of the Month, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Plenty of people have stopped by Museo de las Americas during the art walk on First Friday at the Arts District on Santa Fe, and it stands apart for its exhibits on art and artifacts from across Latin American.

The museum also promotes Latino culture with its Habla! Spanish Conversation Club hosted at Ceveceria Colorado near Confluence Park on the last Thursday of every month. All levels are welcome, and the meetups are free and open to the public. Ceveceria Colorado also gives Museo members a $1 discount on draft Modelo beer.

Each meetup has a theme, like nature or women's history, and starts with icebreakers and thoughtful questions like "how does art reflect cultural identity" and "what is your favorite dish from your culture?" The meetup also features activities and games, like lotteries and storytelling. Museo published a full list of past and upcoming meeting topics and activities for 2025, and anyone can find and register for upcoming meetings online.

The next meeting will be on May 22 and will have a "food and culinary delights" theme, with a game called "guess the ingredient."

Encuentra Más (Find More) with the Denver Free Spanish Network
If you still haven't found the kind of Spanish conversation group that fits you, take a look at the list of events that the Denver Free Spanish Network posts on Meetup.com. The group lists free events happening throughout the week across the metro area, including Arvada, Golden and Glendale.

"We are about speaking Spanish, having fun and making new friends," the group writes. "We have over eighty meetups each month, large and small, in the Denver Metro area. We are over 8,000 Spanish learners of all levels."

The group claims to have been around since 1982, and the events that it lists take place at supermarkets, libraries, cafes, homes and parks. Whether you want to sit and hablar (speak) or walk and talk, the Denver Free Spanish Network should have what you need to help you keep speaking Spanish.