Entertainment in Denver
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Opera Colorado
Founded in 1983, Opera Colorado is based in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
reviewed
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Nallen's
Nallen's is Denver's oldest Irish pub, and since opening in 1992 seems to have started a craze. Happy hour is from 2pm to 7pm.
reviewed
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Del Norte Brewing Company
Makes a range of lightly hopped Mexican-style beers as well as the stunning 7.8% Luminaria Bock. All have won awards. You can buy direct from the sales room on Friday afternoons only.
reviewed
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Denver Chophouse & Brewery
Chophouse brews are mostly European in style – pilsner, ales and lagers – and there's a good American pale ale. The Chophouse Brewery has sites in Boulder, Cleveland and Washington DC.
reviewed
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Bovine Metropolis Theater
This long-standing black box theater hosts a clutch of fresh-faced improv comedy performers and shows most days of the week for under $20. They also offer afternoon workshops for tour groups.
reviewed
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Landmark Mayan Theater
Even without the fancy sound system and enormous screen, this is the best place in Denver to take in a film. The 1930s movie palace is a romantic, historic gem and – bonus! – they serve beer.
reviewed
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Colorado Ballet
The Colorado Ballet company has 30 professional dancers that come from all over the world. Most performances are staged at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House within the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
reviewed
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Pepsi Center
The mammoth Pepsi Center hosts the Denver Nuggets basketball team, the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League and the Colorado Avalanche hockey team. In off season it’s a mega concert venue.
reviewed
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Denver Wrangler
Though it attracts an amiable crowd of gay male professionals after work, the central location endows Denver's premiere bear bar with a flirty pick-up scene on the weekend. The sidewalk seating is a plus.
reviewed
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Mynt Lounge
This place offers one of the best happy hours in town – from 3pm to 9pm the martinis are around $3 and there is a massive list to choose from. Mynt is a white-themed minimalist lounge with a very sexy vibe.
reviewed
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La Rumba
Though this place wobbles along as a salsa club the rest of the weekend, the Club Lip Gloss on Friday nights is a great party. Indie rock, garage and British pop bring a ultra hip, gay-friendly vibe to the dancefloor.
reviewed
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Bluebird Theater
This medium-size theater is general admission standing-room, and has terrific sound and clear sight lines from the balcony. This venue often offers the last chance to catch bands on their on the way up to the big time.
reviewed
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Colorado Symphony Orchestra
The Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex is home to this renowned symphony orchestra. The orchestra performs an annual 21-week Masterworks season, as well as concerts aimed at a broader audience.
reviewed
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Denver Center for the Performing Arts
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the theater wing of the huge Denver Performing Arts Complex. Productions have included Shrek the Musical, Billy Elliott, Les Miserables, The Lion King and West Side Story.
reviewed
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Ellie Caulkins Opera House
A major overhaul of this historic performance house has endowed it with luxurious acoustics, excellent sight lines and a very modern feel. It's also huge – over 2000 seats – so if you buy cheap seats be sure to bring opera glasses.
reviewed
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Beta Nightclub
This huge club swaps musical flavors like fashionable boutique sneakers. The best parties go off in the interior Beatport lounge, sending au currant bass, hip hop and electro through a sound system that will rattle your fillings loose.
reviewed
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Fillmore Auditorium
One of the major music venues in town, this big open space has hosted classic acts such as Parliament Funkadelic, big indies such as Feist, and even roller derby. The acoustics are far from perfect, but it's certainly one of Denver's essential venues.
reviewed
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Hi-Dive
Local rock heroes and touring indie bands light up the stage at the Hi-Dive, a venue at the heart of Denver's local music scene. During big shows it gets deafeningly loud, cheek-to-jowl with hipsters and humid as an armpit. In other words, it's perfect.
reviewed
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Paramount Theatre
Lots of red velvet and gold trimming deck out the Paramount, one of the premiere midsized theaters in the West. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recent acts include Rufus Wainwright, Margaret Cho and ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic.
reviewed
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My Brother's Bar
Classic rock and roll, lacquered booths and tables made from old wood barrels greet you inside Denver's oldest bar. Grab a seat on the leafy patio if it's nice outside. The bar is on a popular cycle path, and has been a local institution since it opened.
reviewed
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Charlie's
Who says Colorado is a straight state? There are masses – predominantly male – at this friendly place who would happily contest that. Shoot some pool, croon a tune in the karaoke lounge, jabber around one of the bars or get down to some music on the roomy dance floor.
reviewed
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Tracks
Events in Denver's biggest and wildest gay-orientated nightclub are a blast and many of them are huge; the monthly BabesArounDenver event is the largest women's dance party in the country. There's a mix of musical tastes and crowds, so consult local listings.
reviewed
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Breckenridge Blake St Pub
Blake St is home to the, ah, Breckenridge Blake St Pub, also known as the Breckenridge Ball Park Brewpub. Breckenridge's portfolio of beers is long and includes an unusual vanilla porter. The Trademark American pale ale is the signature brew and probably a good place to start.
reviewed
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Celtic Tavern
The Celtic Tavern is a warm and convivial place with 50 beers on tap and a selection of top-shelf Scotch, Irish and American whiskeys to sample. The bar menu features traditional Irish stew, potato and leek soup, welsh rarebit and the like, as well as classic American favorites.
reviewed
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Uptown Brothers Brewery
When we checked in, the Brothers were just getting their brewing operation off the ground, but looking at their selection of taps and bottles gives us high hopes. The menu? More of the typical bar food standards. Come here to drink and wander around Colfax to work up an appetite.
reviewed