Hey, Ho! Let's Go!
Denver sits just about half way between Chicago and Los Angeles, which means that just about any band that is on a U.S. tour has to pass through Denver. We get a lot of great music in this town. From tiny Indie Rock bands to massive stadium tours, we get to see them all. Here are the best places in Denver, arranged by size, for you to check out your favorite band.
Small Venues
200 to 500 person capacity.
7 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
Indie rock is what they do best at this small club. Always something new and worth checking out. I saw a band called Aqueduct here a few months back and I was instantly a fan. Fair priced drinks too.
Indie rock is what they do best at this small club. Always something new and worth checking out. I saw a band called Aqueduct here a few months back and I was instantly a fan. Fair priced drinks too.
The Falcon
3295 S. Broadway Englewood, CO 80113
Half bowling alley, half concert club. This place was named Best New Venue by Westword this year. I saw the U.S. Bombs play here not long ago and the sound and energy of the show was incredible. They also serve food. Try the sliders!
314 East 13th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
This is a really great sounding room that books mostly Alt-country, Rockabilly, and the sort of music that attracts Bettie Page looking girls with lots of tattoos. I love it. The crowd is more drunk and fighty than at most other venues, but hey, it’s all part of the rock n’ roll experience. Right?
This is a really great sounding room that books mostly Alt-country, Rockabilly, and the sort of music that attracts Bettie Page looking girls with lots of tattoos. I love it. The crowd is more drunk and fighty than at most other venues, but hey, it’s all part of the rock n’ roll experience. Right?
60 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
Hard rock, punk, metal, country. It can all be found at 3 Kings, along with burleque shows and girls tending bar in their underpants. This is a fun club with great sound and the barstaff keeps the booze flowing.
Hard rock, punk, metal, country. It can all be found at 3 Kings, along with burleque shows and girls tending bar in their underpants. This is a fun club with great sound and the barstaff keeps the booze flowing.
1578 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80201
The first (and often last) stop of a million local bands, Herman’s keeps the music playing year after year. The drinks are cheap and the place usually has a festive, if a little too hippy, feel about it.
The first (and often last) stop of a million local bands, Herman’s keeps the music playing year after year. The drinks are cheap and the place usually has a festive, if a little too hippy, feel about it.
Mid-size Venues
500 to 1500 person capacity.
935 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
Once a run-down movie house, then a run-down concert hall, and now, after a big renovation in 2006, a great place to catch a show. The best seats in the house are on the arms of the balcony that extend almost far enough to overhang the stage.
Once a run-down movie house, then a run-down concert hall, and now, after a big renovation in 2006, a great place to catch a show. The best seats in the house are on the arms of the balcony that extend almost far enough to overhang the stage.
3263 South Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113
Beautiful art-deco theatre with state-of-the-art sound. A great place to see a show and not a bad seat in the house. Two bars dispense drinks with lightning speed. Consistantly voted Denver’s best venue.
Beautiful art-deco theatre with state-of-the-art sound. A great place to see a show and not a bad seat in the house. Two bars dispense drinks with lightning speed. Consistantly voted Denver’s best venue.
Bluebird Theater
3317 E. Colfax Denver, CO 80206
A really intimate and charming venue where up and coming National acts routinely break into the Denver market. A great place to see a show.
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2637 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80205
A good sized venue with a nice stage and a big bar. Lots of hippy jam bands have always come through here but lately they have broadened their repetoire to include rock, hip-hop and metal bands.
A good sized venue with a nice stage and a big bar. Lots of hippy jam bands have always come through here but lately they have broadened their repetoire to include rock, hip-hop and metal bands.
Live at the Gothic in Denver
Large Venues
1500 to 4000 capacity.
1621 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80202
A beautiful and historic Denver Theatre with truly great sound and lights. Assigned seating makes it a little difficult to dance or get to the bar without saying “excuse me” a thousand times, but if you are going to sit and listen to your favorite artist, you’ll hardly notice.
A beautiful and historic Denver Theatre with truly great sound and lights. Assigned seating makes it a little difficult to dance or get to the bar without saying “excuse me” a thousand times, but if you are going to sit and listen to your favorite artist, you’ll hardly notice.
1510 North Clarkson, Denver, CO 80202
The Fillmore was once a large skating rink and, unfortunately still sounds a bit like one. But it is a beautiful room and they book more world-class talent to play there than nearly any other venue in town.
The Fillmore was once a large skating rink and, unfortunately still sounds a bit like one. But it is a beautiful room and they book more world-class talent to play there than nearly any other venue in town.
Outdoor Venues
Summer is sweet in Denver.
Even a terrible band looks and sounds great at Red Rocks. Believe me I know, I saw “Frankie goes to Hollywood” here in 1985 and they were awesome, even though they sucked. On a warm Colorado night there is no better place to be than seeing a show on the Rocks.
Even a terrible band looks and sounds great at Red Rocks. Believe me I know, I saw “Frankie goes to Hollywood” here in 1985 and they were awesome, even though they sucked. On a warm Colorado night there is no better place to be than seeing a show on the Rocks.
6350 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Englewood, CO 80111
Sure, it’s nice to be outside, drinking beer and listening to a band rock out. But for some reason I have never had anything but a lousy time at Fiddlers Green. Maybe it’s just me. From the parking to the seating to the crowd, it has always just seemed like an ordeal.
Sure, it’s nice to be outside, drinking beer and listening to a band rock out. But for some reason I have never had anything but a lousy time at Fiddlers Green. Maybe it’s just me. From the parking to the seating to the crowd, it has always just seemed like an ordeal.
Universal Lending Pavilion
1700 7th Street, Denver, CO 80204
The concerts under the tent at Universal Lending Pavilion are a lot of fun. More often that not they book acts that my parents would enjoy more than me, but hey, parents need fun too.
The concerts under the tent at Universal Lending Pavilion are a lot of fun. More often that not they book acts that my parents would enjoy more than me, but hey, parents need fun too.
909 York St, Denver, CO 80206
The summer concert series at the Botanic Gardens is great. The shows are done in-the-round and, for an outdoor gig, the sound is always top-notch. And it is a lovely place to watch a show as the sun sets on a summer evening.
The summer concert series at the Botanic Gardens is great. The shows are done in-the-round and, for an outdoor gig, the sound is always top-notch. And it is a lovely place to watch a show as the sun sets on a summer evening.
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Click here to log in.nice job capturing the scene! A couple of others I like – Larimer Lounge and the Oriental Theater – two quality small venues. If you haven’t been, you’d like them both (based on your selections here).
Great guide dude!