Five Denver DIY and Punk Venues You Should Know About

Denver's music scene has a lot to offer, but if you aren't looking for a traditional concert at the larger corporate venues, or you want something more punk, experimental, or otherwise underground, some of these DIY spaces are definitely worth checking out. These venues typically have all-ages shows in sober, queer-friendly, inclusive spaces, as well as free shows or donation-based concerts.


We spoke with a few musicians from bands in Denver about their favorite DIY and punk spaces, favorite show memories from these venues, and the overall importance of DIY spaces. All of them pointed to the city's need for all-ages shows, inclusive, safe spaces for queer and BIPOC folks, and community spaces that can foster collective action, as the main reasons why these spaces are important.

You can see some of Denver's punk and DIY spaces worth checking out below, as listed in alphabetical order. Creepatorium
1974 South Acoma Street
Creepatorium opened in late 2023, hosting a wide range of concerts, drag shows, vendor markets, horror movie nights and other alternative events. Shows typically include a cover but are all ages or 18 plus, and owners Emerald Boes and Presley Peach say they opened the space as an effort to provide a performance space that was safe, accessible, and inclusive for the horror, alt, and queer communities. You can see the venue's upcoming events on its website. The spot's mission statement says that "Creepatorium was created to host alternative events and foster a welcoming community for the strange and unusual. We curate in-house events such as Sacrilegious Sunday, Vendor Markets and Horror Book Club as well as offer our customizable venue for community rentals. We hope to provide a safe, accessible and inclusive space for the horror, alt, and queer communities." D3 Arts
3632 Morrison Road
D3 Arts is a combined venue for music, arts, skateboarding and a wide range of community events, often hosting donation-based shows in an effort for more accessibility. The nonprofit venue, which opened in its current form in 2020, notes that about 90 percent of shows at D3 are all ages, and the mission is focused on community health, the arts and providing a space for cultural identity, especially celebrating the Westwood area's Mexican heritage.

Larson Ross of local band Flesh Tape recalls opening for They Are Gutting A Body of Water at D3. "That night, there was a bit of chaos with scheduling all of the local acts, a classic DIY dilemma of trying to get to a venue after a work shift," Ross says. "Despite last-minute changes, the show runners were able to pull it together. TAGABOW even offered to be the opening band to help out, though the show runners refused, and we all worked it out. Seeing them playing in their circle formation, completely surrounded by the crowd, no stage, incredible. A perfect match of their attitude and venue.

"D3 feels like what it is, a true labor of love run by caring people, serving a broader mission than just putting on shows," he adds. "IMO,  it takes a sense of mission, an aesthetic manifesto and combativeness. Anyone can put on an informal show (and more should), but few places are able to curate challenging art, an open community, sense of place and a counter-cultural ethic with real bite." Glob
The DIY venue Glob has been running for well over a decade now, save for some closures of both Glob and neighbor Rhinoceropolis in 2016, and it still features a range of hardcore, punk and experimental shows that you won't find in most clubs here. The shows are typically 18-plus or all ages, and with no stage to separate the audience from the band, some of the more crowded shows can feel incredibly intimate. Following the venue on Instagram is probably the best way to keep up with shows, or you can see the full event calendar on its Google Calendar.

Amos Helvey, of bands Destiny Bond and Angel Band, remembers seeing the group Lightning Bolt at Glob. "At Glob there is no stage and the show was incredibly packed. Lightning Bolt is incredible kinetic music so people were pushing into each other and the audience was flowing like a big wave," he says. "People right up next to the band had to hold on to the kick drum or other things to not fall into the band. I stumbled a few times into the bass player's personal space and had to try not to step on his pedals or unplug something. They kept blowing up the power and having to briefly stop the set to fix it. This is a world-class band who chose to do shows like this a long time into their career because they recognized the impact it could have on people."

He says that "DIY spaces are the best vehicle for people from different backgrounds and experiences to share music and interact personally with one another, because there is a breakdown of artist and audience and a closer connection than can be forged at traditional venues." Mutiny Information Cafe
3483 South Broadway, Englewood
While Mutiny moved to a new location further down South Broadway in December, we're just happy that the comic store, coffee shop and music venue's long-held legacy is surviving — and thriving — in its Englewood spot. The new space has a dedicated basement for shows and other events that's sure to keep up the store's spirit of radical politics, activism, and independent music. Most shows include a suggested donation, though Mutiny doesn't turn people away for lack of funds, and many are all ages.

Corey Fruin of Replica City reflects on both the old and new Mutiny locations: "I loved playing at the old Mutiny location because it felt just like playing at a show at your friend’s house. The walls of books and dim lighting had a very welcoming atmosphere that always put me at ease. It didn’t take many people in the crowd to give the shows a fun and lively energy. Though the Broadway location will be missed, I’m really excited for our first show at the new spot in July." Seventh Circle Music Collective
2935 West Seventh Avenue
Seventh Circle Music Collective is another one of the longest-running DIY venues in Denver, taking over in 2012 at the space that was formerly known as Blast-O-Mat. The Sun Valley venue is volunteer-led, all-ages all the time, and is a sober, inclusive space that throws shows with suggested donations, with the purchase of a $5-per-year membership.

"Seventh Circle is definitely a pillar of the Denver art community and is almost single-handedly responsible for keeping DIY alive in the city," says Pierre Booth, of the band Dry Ice. "A good DIY venue is one that centers the music and makes art accessible. People should feel comfortable and inspired from a diy space and it should feel like a community gathering spot as much as a place to enjoy music. DIY spaces are the lifeblood of art. Art is inherently anti-capitalist and the best way to experience it is in a place where the main focus isn’t making profit or exploiting the artist."

Helvey recalls seeing the Breath and Deathro at the venue. "Seeing Japanese punks connect easily with a room of Americans was an incredible experience. Deathro held a Palestinian flag and spoke out against the Gaza genocide and the Breath explained the meaning of their songs and many of them were indictments against racism and bigotry. There was a language barrier between the artists and audience, but it didn’t matter. They were able to communicate what they were about personally, politically and musically," he says.

Seventh Circle underscores the necessity of all-ages concerts, as well, he adds: "Having all-ages shows is really important. I’m 33 years old and I recognize that I’m not a kid anymore, but young people are the most important participants and attendees of underground music of all types. The impact that a music community can have on a young person is incredible. I didn’t really have very much of this growing up in Wyoming, which may color my perspective on this." Squirm Gallery
3553 Brighton Boulevard
Found in the space that was formerly known as Rhinoceropolis, Squirm Gallery is a DIY venue hosting punk, hardcore, alternative and experimental shows. We awarded it the best DIY gallery and event space in Denver last year, and old fans of Rhino have welcomed its continuation of the long-held legacy. Ross, of Flesh Tape, is also familiar with this venue, noting that "Squirm is fantastic."


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