12 Best Things to Do in Englewood

Drive south about seven miles from downtown Denver on Broadway and you’ll hit downtown Englewood — a charming block of shops, restaurants and bars. Although the historic part of town was once a neighborhood of abandoned storefronts, it's now booming back to life with new businesses.

To encourage shopping local, the City of Englewood is even letting you earn cash back through its Explore and Reward Network program.

Here are the twelve spots we recommend in downtown Englewood — and the surrounding area — for a shopping haul, cultured expedition or night out:

Pen Pals
3490 South Broadway
Penpalsstore.com
When Englewood resident Judy Gehrke-Gilbert saw a “for rent” sign in the window of this empty downtown space, it was a sign to finally open the stationary shop she’d dreamed of for years. A regular on the local art scene and craft show circuit, Gehrke-Gilbert wants her store — which opened in November — to be a place that supports the artists she’s met over the years. If you’re looking for leopard print wrapping paper, pencils that say “this meeting is bullsh*t” or handmade greeting cards, this quirky gift and stationery shop is your place.

Englewood Arts
1000 Englewood Parkway
englewoodarts.org
Looking for a fresh date-night idea that will leave you feeling cultured? At the 200-seat venue Hampden Hall — inside the Englewood Civic Center — you can catch a concert featuring musicians from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, presented by Englewood Arts. Tickets mostly run $30 or less. It’s time to finally understand the difference between the violin and the viola.

ILLSE Home Goods
3437 South Broadway
Another newcomer to the much-needed downtown Englewood shopping scene, owner Sheri Knox’s gorgeous home goods store is pure luxury. If you walk by, you might catch her arranging and rearranging the front display to get it just right.  Little details matter here. Take the wagon she bought when living in Denmark; it now serves as a holder of vintage homewares, Scandinavian pots, charming throw pillows and elegant candles.  If you’re on the hunt for items you didn’t realize you needed (cutting board conditioner, anyone?), you’ll find it here.
Gothic Theatre
3263 South Broadway
303-789-9206
gothictheatre.com
Art Deco charm meets sticky floor grunge at the Gothic Theatre, a live music venue built in the 1920s with a capacity just shy of a thousand. At the Gothic Theatre, you’ll find everyone from country-ish Anderson East to trending TikTok artist Tommy Richman. If you were lucky in the summer of 1991, you saw Nirvana give one of the first live performances of “Smells Like Teen Spirit." In 2009, Lady Gaga took the stage before anyone knew anything about a meat dress. Today, you can catch both local bands and national acts.

Downtown Englewood History Tour
Across the parking lot from the Gothic Theatre stands a nondescript, abandoned white building. It was once Rockybilt Hamburgers, which claimed to have invented the cheeseburger in the 1930s and sold hamburgers for 10 cents. If you’ve ever wondered, “I wonder what that building used to be,” the self-guided tour created by the City of Englewood in partnership with the Englewood Historic Preservation Society is a great way to spend a Saturday (and get your steps in). Many of the 29 landmarks include signage to indicate you’re in the right place. Get your footing first by visiting the website, which includes a map and surprisingly high-quality videos describing the sites. Bet you didn’t know that Englewood was once so rowdy, it was known as the “Bowery of the West” and included five bars and two brothels!

Brewability
3445 South Broadway
303-598-0809
Brew-ability.com
Instead of ordering a West Coast IPA or Hefeweizen, ask for the orange or green beer at Brewability. Everything is color-coded to make it easier for the servers — adults with disabilities. Owner and former special education teacher Tiffany Fixter has thought of everything: weighted silverware for people who struggle with motor control, round tables to accommodate folks who are hard of hearing, low-top tables for people who use wheelchairs and Braille menus. You’ll feel a burst of pride when you see people of all abilities drinking beer and eating pizza together.
Mutiny Information Café
3483 South Broadway
303-778-7579
Mutinybooks.com
One of Denver’s oldest used bookstores is now open in Englewood. Priced out of its former location in Baker, Mutiny—which sells books, comics and coffee — opened in October on Englewood’s downtown strip. You’ll be greeted by two things you don’t see often anymore: working Pinball machines and an old-school photo booth. The coffee isn’t just an aside; Mutiny sells everything from drip to espresso to French press (in addition to vegan and vegetarian breakfast foods). The other coffee joint on the strip — Mango Tree — is closed on Sundays, so Mutiny might end up being your saving grace.

Lady Justice Brewing Company
3242 South Acoma Street
Ladyjusticebrewing.com
Want to drink beer and feel good about it? Lady Justice is a community-focused brewery supporting nonprofits that empower women, girls and nonbinary people with every beer purchased. Owners Betsy Lay and wife Alison Wisneski set the tone by posting their house rules on the front door: “Homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, racism, ableism and other hateful or hurtful intolerance will not be tolerated.” The slogan is simple: great beer, better world. With plenty of NA beer options, TVs, run club, food trucks and game nights, there’s something here for everyone. Oh, and the beer is good.

Cushing Park
700 West Dartmouth Avenue
As far as casual neighborhood parks go, Cushing Park — which was renovated in 2022 —  is above average. Amenities include a basketball court, skate park, pond, playground, two pavilions, picnic area and a fitness court (seven functional training zones for bodyweight exercises. Think assisted squats, pushups and lunges). Another bonus: a newly renovated restroom. The grassy area is huge — perfect for frisbee, kickball, volleyball or playing catch with Rover. In the summer, as part of Englewood’s Neighborhood Nights, you can catch food trucks and live music. While Cushing Park's only faux pas might be the lack of a pickleball court, there’s something charming about the way it truly feels like a community gathering place.

Tabletop Tap
3422 South Broadway
[email protected]
Tabletoptap.com
From Pac-Man to Parcheesi and everything in between, this beer taphouse boasts 200 arcade and board games to play while sipping one of the 20 beers available on tap. While there isn't a kitchen, you can bring your own food (and your own board game if you come up with one they don’t already have — I dare you). It’s a great place for a second date, family in town or anytime you need a slight distraction from the people staring across from you. There are no reservations, so if you’re planning a big Saturday night game of Risk with a few buddies, get there early.

Grow + Gather
900East Hampden Avenue
720-535-7217
Feedery.com
Just off the historic downtown strip is Englewood’s Wellness District, anchored by Craig Hospital and Swedish Medical Center, where you’ll find wellness hub Grow + Gather. Part urban farm, market, café and event venue, Grow + Gather is focused on local ingredients and sustainable options. You can even take a yoga class in the greenhouse! If you’re continuing your Englewood shopping spree, the market sells local goods (think honey, sauces, plants and pots). The onsite restaurant, The Feedery, is full of healthy and seasonal options sourced from local providers or the on-site indoor and outdoor farming operations. A fun menu twist is the “lemonade stand” where you can sip on freshly squeezed classic, lavender or blueberry lemonade (and booze it up, if you wish!).

EASEL: Englewood Art Studios, Events, Lessons
3485 South Broadway
720-722-2107
easel-co.com
Denver artist Nicole Korbe found the perfect downtown spot for her newly opened art hub. A former building owner was a stained glass artist and some of their work is still evident on the windows and cabinet doors. Many of the original touches from the former boarding house are still there: doors with transom windows and mail slots. The space now houses NKollectiv Gallery (formerly located in the Santa Fe arts district), featuring work from 14 local printmakers, ceramicists, sculptors and a metalsmith. In addition, EASEL includes five artist studios, gallery space for art and yoga classes (if you’ve ever wanted to dabble in oil or wax painting, stay tuned for class sign-up details) and rentable event space. Korbe says moving to Englewood is a more affordable option, where she’s now able to work with the community to share arts and events in ways that are accessible to all.