Denver Entertainment

Denver is a city that loves to play, whether it be on a mountain trail or in a microbrewery pub. The city is full of things to do after dark and visitors will easily find something to entertain them. The bar scene is fantastic, with a little bit of everything spread over the metropolis. Performing arts fans will also quickly realise that Denver is a very sophisticated city, despite its western pioneering façade. To find out what’s happening during your visit, pick up a free copy of the weekly entertainment newspaper, Westword.
 

Nightlife

In its early days, Denver’s first permanent structure was a saloon, and the city hasn’t lost its focus when it comes to fun and diverse watering holes. You can find ample nightclubs, sports bars, brewpubs, western saloons, martini bars, billiard halls and jazz clubs all over town. One of the best places to start is the trendy downtown area called LoDo, which is always a lively source of action. For the best local beer and billiards in town, head over to the downtown Wynkoop brewery.

Denver also has a legendary roughneck reputation, although that mainly stems from its earlier mining days. Pieces of it can still be experienced on the strips along East and West Colfax Avenue and on North and South Broadway. You’ll find many entertainingly authentic Denver dives and lounges. 

Theatre and music

Denver’s Performing Arts Complex takes up four square blocks in the city centre and is the focus of the cultural scene. The complex is home to nine theatres and a concert hall. The Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Opera Colorado and a number of local performing arts groups regularly hold their events here. Essentially, you can find any kind of performance at this amazing complex throughout the year.

Denver also has a great live music scene, which centres around the many bars and historic theatres which grace the city. A number of famous American rock bands have started out in the Mile High City, and the local music scene is thriving. Jazz also has a huge presence here, having its centre around the legendary jazz club, Chipoltepec. If you are a jazz fan, don’t miss the chance to take in a show at this fabled venue.

Festivals

Denver has plenty of interesting artistic and cultural festivals to keep things exciting in this Western American city. Most of them occur during the summer, when the city becomes an open-air party zone.

• Colorado Renaissance Festival is a popular event, bringing the Middle Ages to life in a full re-enactment of a traditional summer fair. Authentic costumes, music, food, dance, jousting and many other wonderful events make this a fun festival (June).
• Capitol Hill People’s Fair is one of the largest fairs in Colorado, with over 500 booths selling arts, crafts and food to go along with the live entertainment (June).
• Cherry Creek Arts Festival is one of the country’s largest arts and crafts festivals, and a major fourth of July tradition in Denver (July).
• Buffalo Bill Day is held in honour of the legendary Wild West figure, Buffalo Bill Cody. Old time games, food, parades and Wild West shows are just part of the fun (July).
• Denver’s Great American Beer Festival brings over 320 American microbreweries to the city’s huge convention hall for tastings of the finest handcrafted beers this country has to offer (September).