Music & Venues

Are hip-hop clubs an endangered species in Denver? For decades, they’ve been the subject of complaints from neighbors and cops alike, subject to shutdowns that last days, weeks…and sometimes forever. Over the past year or so, Roo-Bar Lounge has been slapped and LoDo’s legendary Beta Event Center was closed altogether, making other clubs reluctant to take on the genre. All that makes the hip-hop parties and events that (shh!) pop up in the lobby and subterranean space at Nativ Hotel a real reason to celebrate. Fight for your right to party!

The Black Box has been one of Denver’s most consistent purveyors of EDM since it opened in 2016. The club was founded by Nicole Cacciavillano, who had already been fostering Denver’s underground electronic scene for a decade with her Sub.mission event, which occurs at the Black Box every Tuesday to showcase the best of the Mile High City’s DJs. Sub.mission, which celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in 2022, is the oldest active dubstep promoter in the country, and was the first to bring an international dubstep DJ to the United States. The event’s success is how the Black Box came to be, and the club has continued to deliver only the cream of the crop to its dedicated audience.

With its country-Western vibe, the uninitiated might take one look at Stampede and assume it’s a honky-tonk where bluegrass and country reign supreme. And while it does offer line-dancing lessons, Stampede has become known for championing Latin bands on the several nights a week that it hosts live music. The stage has been graced by the likes of Pesado, Duelo de Acordeones, Bertín y Su Condesa and Frank Reyes. In addition, every Wednesday is ladies’ night, when the cover charge is only $5 and women drink for free until 11 p.m. Ándele, pues.

La Rumba celebrated 25 years in business in October 2022, but for its first two years in business, it was a swing-dance club called Ninth Avenue West. We’re grateful that owner Chris Swank decided to change the club’s musical direction, as La Rumba has established itself as the preeminent salsa and cumbia club in the city. There are classes in salsa, cumbia and bachata daily, and the music ranges from Dominican dembow to merengue, reggaetón and more.

One of the sweetest aspects of Nocturne is its supper-club atmosphere, something owners Scott and Nicole Mattson wanted to create when they opened the club in 2015. But the live music — exclusively jazz and showcasing the best local talent Wednesday through Sunday — is the real star here. The club also has an artist-in-residence program, with musicians typically honing their craft for six to eight weeks, giving them a distinct introduction to Denver jazz fans and helping to establish flourishing careers. Nocturne is serious about its artists, and your prepaid “dinner and a show” tab includes a percentage that goes directly to the musicians.0x2029

When Bar 404 opened in December 2021 in the former home of Rory’s Tavern, owners Kerry O’Brien and Marty Varela were eager to start a music program. Enter jazz veteran Ron LeGault, who had played in the building before and had experience in curating programs. After a test run of a weekly jazz series that consistently filled the room, every Wednesday since has been dedicated to free jazz performances from 7 to 9 p.m. You’ll find some of the same musicians you’d see at dedicated jazz clubs around town, but for free and in a neighborhood-bar atmosphere, with cheap but delicious bar food and drinks.

The Bluebird stands out for its diverse booking practices, multi-level layout, excellent acoustics and support for local talent. But another great attribute is its location, which provides concert-goers with lots to do before and after a show. A Bluebird concert can turn into a day of East Colfax adventuring: Fill up on brunch at Denver Biscuit Company, get some spur-of-the-moment ink at Certified Tattoo Studios, then grab a pre-show drink across the street at Goosetown Tavern. And after a night of dancing to top-notch music, you’ll be grateful for the late-night dining options within walking distance of the venue.

You already know the Ogden as one of Denver’s top music venues, but if you’re a Gen Xer, you probably remember it as the place you went on Saturday nights to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show. And if you’re a Boomer — or even older — you might recall its first-run-flicks heyday, which the Ogden enjoyed from its opening day in 1917 through most of the twentieth century. It’s only been a music destination since the mid-’90s, so the next time you’re listening to your favorite new band there, take a moment to think about the kids who once gathered for the Saturday serials, the lovers coming to see Cleopatra on the silver screen, even the proto-goth Rocky Horror fanatics with their lingerie and bags of uncooked rice. You’re in good company.

Considering that Taylor Swift is embarking on a tour that stops at the 76,000-capacity Empower Field, it’s all the more impressive that the Grizzly Rose provided her a platform years ago, when she was less pop and more country. The venue has been Denver’s country-music stalwart since it opened in 1989, and consistently hosts five boot-stomping events a week, including concerts from both local and national country bands, with Denver-based acts allotted several nights a week to allow for a residency of sorts. The Grizzly Rose is pure honky-tonk, with not one, but two mechanical bulls, a 2,500-square-foot raised dance floor, a pool room with five tables, an indoor smoking area and line-dancing classes — so pull on your dancing boots and mosey on down.

With its rock-and-roll memorabilia and psychedelic paraphernalia, So Many Roads is dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Grateful Dead alive. Deadheads gather here weekly to check out Dead cover bands, Phish cover bands and Jerry Garcia Band cover bands, and to listen to original jam bands during its open-mic nights. So Many Roads is also a brewery, and its beers are all named after Dead tunes, such as the Iko Iko IPA, the Midnight Moonlight Porter and the Nut Fade Away Nut Brown Ale. The venue had to close for a spell last year because of city code violations, but it reopened in December with a concert featuring the Cosmic Charlies that even attracted fans from out of state, showing how important Deadhead bars are to the psychedelic community.

At this time last year, Denverites were eagerly awaiting the second coming of Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, which was making use of the pandemic downtime to renovate. The revamped Ophelia’s opened at the beginning of April 2022, welcoming the public back into the unique spot, where musicians play on a stage on the lower level while diners on the restaurant level watch from above. But Ophelia’s is known for more than its music and its food, as good as they both are: For many years, the Victorian brownstone Airedale Building was home to a hotel, brothel, peep show and sex shop. Owner Justin Cucci described the spot as a “gastro-brothel” upon opening Ophelia’s there in 2015, and the slogan says it all: “If these walls could talk, they’d moan!”

The Gothic Theatre has been a Denver landmark for nearly a century. It debuted in the 1920s as a movie theater and hosted community gatherings like Easter egg hunts during the Great Depression. It ended its film career for good in the ’80s after a stint as a porn theater, but that’s when its musical history began, with scattered rock shows from bands like Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, Soundgarden and more. The Gothic officially became a music mecca in 1998 when it was bought by Steve Schalk and his business partner for $175,000. And in November 2022, Schalk sold the Gothic to AEG, which had already been managing its bookings for a decade, for $2 million — which was clearly money well spent. Here’s to another century of music at the Gothic!

Lauren Beno and Denise Day have been best friends for a decade, and in May 2022 they put all their love into Town Hall Collaborative, an event space at the heart of the Santa Fe Art District. The gathering space, which includes a full bar and food trucks, is also a venue for live music, the arts and more. Pop-up markets, DIY workshops, community-oriented learning events, book clubs, open-mic nights, creative writing classes, speed dating and even Shabbat dinners are options on Town Hall Collaborative’s calendar, which is filled with events that the whole family can enjoy.

It can be hard to get the sound just right in a 6,500-capacity space like 1STBANK Center, but the sonics have been right on the money at every concert we’ve attended there. For many years, it was the traditional spot for Colorado jam staple String Cheese Incident to ring in the New Year with a three-night run, and last year, jam-band breakout act Goose moved its annual Goosemas event from its hometown in Connecticut to 1STBANK Center. But no one has demonstrated the excellent sound quality better than king of bluegrass Billy Strings, who played a series of shows there in February.

Colorado is variously known for its mountains, skiing, wildflowers and counterculture, but there’s one landmark everyone knows about when it comes to the state: Red Rocks Amphitheatre. However, not everyone knows about the best bathrooms to use at the venue. Sure, the all-gender stalls below stage left are your best bet for fast-moving lines, or you can venture to the clean bathrooms found inside the Visitor Center at the top. (And if you finish up before your bathroom buddy, you can peruse the Red Rocks Performers Hall of Fame.) Our favorite, though, is at the top, on the far side of the Visitor Center, where you’ll find stairs that lead to what could be the least-used facilities at Red Rocks — and that means fewer lines and more time to enjoy the show.

The Meadowlark, a basement bar in RiNo, boasts a small and dimly lit interior reminiscent of a speakeasy, but without the typically hushed atmosphere. The bar has an impressive events calendar, with shows every night that spotlight local DJs and bands, including Monday jazz nights. But Tuesday is karaoke night, when wannabe singers and even the self-proclaimed tone-deaf are not shy about claiming the stage. Two mics, two lyrics screens, plenty of song options and a host who’s happy to make it a duet add to the fun of a drink-infused night out. Although the official start time is 9 p.m., plan to arrive a little later, as the karaoke crowd takes time to get settled.

The Mercury Cafe, with its twinkling fairy lights, intricately painted tables, fresh flowers and shimmering disco balls, is a legendary local hot spot for poets, authors, musicians and coffee aficionados. The Merc does it all and does it well, but one of its biggest draws is the weekly open-mic night on Wednesday, where you’ll find diverse, soulful, often gifted aspiring musicians holding down the stage. This open-mic night has all the ingredients for a one-of-a-kind evening out: local talent, a friendly audience, drinks, desserts and, of course, the welcoming vibes of the Mercury’s inclusive atmosphere.

A nonprofit artist collective, Knew Conscious is a members-only club where you can see new talent in Denver perform alongside the digital artwork of the organization’s founder, Kurt Redeker, in an intimate setting. And one of the side perks of the private club is that because it’s open late, big-name artists often stop by after playing sets at Mission Ballroom or Red Rocks to keep the party going. That happened in February with none other than members of Billy Strings’s entourage, who played Knew Conscious for hours after their 1STBANK Center show let out. Clearly, that $12 monthly membership is well worth it.

You know how they say not to worry about what other people think of you, because chances are they’re not? That goes double at Your Mom’s House, a small laid-back club in Cap Hill with a bit of a stoner vibe that puts on a variety of shows each week — local and regional cover bands, DJs, open jams, flow artists, you name it — that are always eminently danceable on the floor made from squares of LED lights. Find a couple of cubes to stake out and strut your stuff, but don’t worry: No one cares about your style (or lack thereof). In fact, it’s highly likely that your fellow dancers are far too busy channeling their party favors of choice, mesmerized by the ever-changing lights rotating to the beat. Feel free to let loose — just hang on tight to that PBR tallboy.

The Beacon has become one of the most desirable hot spots in RiNo since Mario Nocifera and Robert Champion opened it in December 2021, and it’s easy to see why. The space is brimming with immersive installations from local artists, including Jon Medina, Aleesha Anderson and Sidney Connell; even the ceiling above the dance floor is a work of art, with a massive cloud-like installation hanging over the packed crowds that gather there. The Beacon emphasizes supporting local musicians, too, and has become a destination for people who want to dance and let loose, and perhaps even stumble upon secret sets from famous DJs. With all-around good vibes, you’ll find yourself coming back for more.

Nissi’s is known to offer rock, jazz, swing, Latin, R&B, funk and more, along with the occasional comedian. But you’ll also find high-quality blues at its weekly Bourbon, Blues & Grooves night, free Wednesday evenings that showcase regional and national bands covering or playing original blues, including Mojomama, the Toneshakers and Reckless and Blue. Nissi’s has also been known to host some of our most beloved local blues bands, including the Delta Sonics (recipient of many past Best Blues Band awards) and Eef and the Blues Express. While you’re enjoying a set on the club’s stage, which has plenty of space in front to shake your groove thing, take advantage of $1 off any bourbon or whiskey drink — the bartenders are skilled, so try the Manhattan — and nosh on a few of the savvy small plates.

DIY isn’t dead in Denver, and the proof is at Seventh Circle Music Collective, which sits in a small house and garage in west Denver. Here you’ll find an art gallery, a record store, and a multi-purpose art and music space that welcomes a variety of genres, including shoegaze, indie, punk, rock, ambient, metal and more. The entire place is run by volunteers — music enthusiasts and creatives who are passionate about keeping Denver’s wild and weird spirit alive while nurturing a community for those who prefer to indulge their interests in more alternative settings.

Broadway is home to some of the city’s great live-music locales, but HQ is the best place to catch a metal show. The club moved into the former 3 Kings Tavern space after the pandemic, when Oriental Theater owners Peter Ore and Scott Happel took over the beloved dive bar with the intention of keeping its independent music legacy alive. And metal bands are taking the stage nearly every night: This year’s lineup includes Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, hardcore legends Madball and new wave of British heavy-metal mainstays Satan and Max Cavalera’s Soulfly. Those acts alone give HQ more than enough heavy-metal cred, but the space also regularly books local bands and events, including drag and burlesque shows. That type of diversity and welcoming attitude is pretty metal, too. Horns, HQ!

When the Larimer Lounge opened just over twenty years ago, there were hardly any businesses or storefronts on its stretch of Larimer Street. But as much as the neighborhood has changed, the Larimer’s mission of bringing rock to RiNo has remained the same. The club, which just completed renovations on its bar, often books indie-rock bands on the brink of making it big: The Lumineers, Arcade Fire, Portugal. The Man and the Killers are just some of the big names that got started on its intimate stage. A quick perusal of the club’s current schedule reads like an indie-rock bible; check it out, and maybe one day you, too, will be able to say you saw them when.

With two decades of supporting local musicians and touring acts under its worn leather belt, the hi-dive has become an institution in Denver. Its smaller stage, elevated at just three feet, creates the perfect intimate setting for the rock and metal shows the club is known for. That’s not to say it discriminates against other genres; you’ll find plenty of singer-songwriter, indie and country acts here, too. But if you like cheap tickets, excellent music and a laid-back atmosphere, then the hi-dive should be your go-to spot for rocking out. As owner Matty Clark told us in November, “Even as Denver’s been booming, the local scene has stayed tight-knit.” And much of the credit for that goes to the hi-dive.

There’s no shortage of great queer bars and clubs in and around Denver, but X Bar remains our top pick. While many queer establishments cater to a certain niche, X Bar is where you’re most likely to find every letter of the LGBTQ+ community represented. Open daily from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., this spot has all kinds of crowd-pleasing entertainment, including Laugh Your Yas Off, the longest-running queer comedy showcase in Denver. X Bar has a different signature event for every weeknight, from Musical Mondays to rotating drag shows every Friday and Saturday hosted by some of Denver’s best performers. The Buy One Get One Happy Hour lasts for five hours every Monday through Saturday, with Sundays dedicated to Beer Bust, when you can get four hours of unlimited beer for $13. With low or no cover charges and an expansive outdoor patio with plenty of seating, X Bar is our go-to for summer day drinking, wild nights and everything in between.

Shows at the dark, divey Globe Hall run the genre gamut, but a big part of the venue’s draw is that on concert nights, the kitchen sends out heaping plates of tender, top-notch Texas-style barbecue: brisket, pulled pork, sausage, chicken and even jackfruit, all lightly seasoned and smoked over post oak wood, which gives everything a slightly spicy and smoky taste. We also applaud the sides of mac and cheese, fried okra, loaded waffle fries, potato salad and apple slaw. Wash it all down with an inexpensive beer and finish with a banana pudding or, in season, peach cobbler. Not in the mood for music? As long as a band is playing, food is available for takeout, too.

A bold turquoise-and-gold-striped exterior emblazoned with a lion heralds an intimate music lounge with dive-bar vibes, grungy music, cheap drinks and lip-smacking slices of pizza. The Lion’s Lair is one of Denver’s oldest independent music venues, first opening as the Playboy Club in the 1930s and then the Aladdin Club before reopening in the early ’90s in its current iteration. The lounge has a varied calendar (including weekly open mics for both music and comedy) and books local bands almost every night. Most important, the drinks here are cheap: Well liquor, shots and beer range from $5 to $7, and during happy hour (Thursday to Sunday, 3 to 8 p.m.), all drinks are an additional $1 off.

Considered a stepping stone for many musicians, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom is where local acts cut their teeth before making their way to places like Red Rocks. Cervantes’ — which contains two separate indoor options (the Ballroom and Other Side) as well as an outdoor patio with a stage — celebrated its twentieth anniversary in January with an amazing daily lineup of concerts. While Cervantes’ often caters to jam bands and EDM, you’ll also hear multiple genres there, as well as some surprise shows. For instance, last summer, Colorado DJ GRiZ announced a spur-of-the-moment set on the outdoor patio, and lines to get in wrapped around several blocks. Whether you’re dancing to bluegrass on the patio or grooving to a jamtronic group inside, Cervantes’ is a guaranteed good time.

When summer nights full of music are just around the corner, our thoughts immediately turn to Levitt Pavilion. The nonprofit, which celebrated its fifth year in Denver last year, has been one of the city’s most treasured gifts, thanks to its Free Summer Concert Series, when families and music lovers gather on the lush green grass of Ruby Hill Park for free entertainment from local and national acts. Levitt has ticketed concerts as well, and this summer will welcome artists including CAKE, Yellowcard, Trombone Shorty and more. The nonprofit’s mission is to build community through music, and the happy crowds that convene for evenings of music, dancing and mingling are evidence that the goal is being fulfilled.

Just before the Crypt opened on January 13, 2022, co-owner Priscilla Jerez told us that the spot was “destined to be weird.” And the uptown punk bar is determined to stay that way, becoming a nightlife destination for its gothic decor inspired by the book Death Scenes and TV series Tales From the Crypt, as well as live shows from punk, hardcore and prog-rock bands. It’s a return to form for the building, which used to house a punk club back in the ’80s. And while it serves bar food, most of it is vegan and gluten-free. Without a doubt, this death-themed club will become your favorite haunt.

We can’t emphasize enough how much we love Mission Ballroom, which has showcased the best local acts along with national and international artists since it opened in 2019. The layout is impeccable, with amphitheater seating that mimics the wide steps of Red Rocks, an ample floor area, and bars on each side at both the top and the bottom, which makes grabbing a drink without missing out on music easy. The acoustics are also incredible, and who can forget the massive disco ball that lights up in a flower-of-life geometric pattern (and won its own Best of Denver award in 2022)? Playing the 4,000-capacity space, which is operated by AEG, is now on many musicians’ bucket lists.

Chinelo Cary Tyler, who makes music under the name Nelo, first popped up on Colorado’s hip-hop scene in early 2020 and has been making waves ever since. Last year he released two EPs, Born Again and Seasonal Depression, a full-length album titled Time Is Limited, and five singles, as well as providing multiple guest verses on other artists’ tracks, collaborating with Jay Triiiple, ego n friends, Holiday, DNA Picasso and Rebecca Hartt, to name just a few. Outside of the studio, he and Kerrie Joy co-created the wildly popular Dope $h!t w/ Friends concert series, a set of independently run shows highlighting BIPOC artists. With conscious lyrics heavily inspired by his spirituality (his parents are both in the ministry, and he’s an occasional guest speaker at local church services) and funky throwback samples, Nelo’s music strikes the balance between easy listening and thought-provoking artistry.

linktr.ee/grnelo

If you’re tired of radio with the same old songs and the interminable advertising that interrupts them, give Indie 102.3 a shot. It’s public radio, listener-supported and admirably devoted to playing lesser-heard “adult-album-alternative” music, with special attention paid to homegrown Colorado acts. While listening, you’ll find yourself less likely to utter a scowling “What the fuck is this?” and much more likely to signify eyebrow-arching approval while saying, “Hey, what the fuck is this?”

cpr.org/indie?