Entertainment in Rocky Mountains
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Cecilia's
Ski bums love to rag on Cecilia's, but that doesn't stop them from flocking to this long-established party spot nightly. There's a large dancefloor with mostly DJ-spun grooves (and occasional live acts), lots of martini choices, pool tables and even a corner couch for some quiet kissing.
reviewed
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B
Benders Tavern
Benders is one of the premier music venues for smaller punk bands and local bands in Denver. It's a great space kitted out with a quality PA system and a good bar. Most nights it's free, but sometimes there'll be a modest cover charge. There's a weekly karaoke night and an open-mic night.
reviewed
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C
The Club
It bills itself as 'The World's Greatest Ski Bar,' and while we wouldn't go that far, this is the place to catch Steve Meyer's Après-ski show, which is best paired with tequila shots. The club hosts live music seven nights a week in high season and offers good-value drink specials.
reviewed
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D
Laughing Goat
Sure, the ambiance might diminished a bit by the glow of two dozen laptops, but the coffee is good enough (served in pint glasses too!) and locally roasted. The scene revolves around eyeballing college co-eds and tapping away at the term papers – at least until the singer songwriters start up.
reviewed
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Larimer Lounge
This dive is a proving ground for acts from across the indie rock spectrum – last time we checked in metal heads in clown makeup were sound checking. With shows seven nights a week, it's a reliable bet for upcoming locals and good touring indie acts. There's also a patio to escape from the noise.
reviewed
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F
CU Basketball
Seldom pushovers, rarely great, CU's basketball games are always fun to watch because the competition is usually stiff. And like most great schools they do have a transcendent baller from the not too distant past. Chanucey 'Mr Big Shot' Billups starred here before he became an NBA champ and finals MVP.
reviewed
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G
Downstairs at Eric's
Downstairs at Eric's is a Breckenridge institution. Locals flock to this electric basement joint, with a games room full of vintage pinball machines, for the pitchers, juicy burgers and delicious mashed potatos (mains from $6). There are more than 120 beers, including several microbrews, to choose from.
reviewed
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Divino Wine & Spirits
Bottles are stacked from floor to ceiling in this southwest shop – a little out of the way, but worth it for serious wine drinkers. They host events and do tastings on the weekend and the staff know their stuff. The budget conscious want to keep an eye on the rotating selection on the ‘10 under 10 rack.’
reviewed
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Bar Standard
From the sleek deco interior to the DJ roster that spins way outside the typically mindless thump, Bar Standard is an inimitable gem on of Denver’s nightclub scene. It’s ice cold without the attitude, and when the right DJ is on the tables it can be some of the best dancing in town.
reviewed
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Eric's Bar
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
One of three bars in the Su Casa complex, all of which are owned by one savvy fellow. This one is by far the coolest. It's a brick-walled lounge with DJs on Thursday nights when the midnight freaks dance like mad. If the crowd gets too tight, head over to the billiard hall or upstairs to the cigar lounge.
reviewed
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Falling Rock Tap House
High-fives and hollers punctuate the scene when the Rockies triumph and beer drinkers file in to forget an afternoon of drinking Coors at the ball park. There are – count 'em – 75 beers on tap and the bottle list has almost 150. With all the local favorites this is the place to drink beer Downtown.
reviewed
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TAG
TAG's dinner menu, with it's bold and bizarre concoctions, might make more sense after a hit of acid; we still can't decided if hiramasa dressed in Pop Rocks is revolutionary or revolting. Apply this same mad scientist meddling to the drink menu, however, and it's amazing. Jalapeno kumquat mojito? Yes, please.
reviewed
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Mezcal
Sure they serve food, but we won't to lie – we come here to drink. They have a bundle of tequilas (though, strangely, not much mezcal) and the margaritas pack a punch. After a few and you will inhale the $1 tacos, which are available after 10pm. It's a great place warm up before a show at the Blue Bird Theater.
reviewed
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Sing Sing
This lively dueling piano bar is very popular with bachelorette parties. Sing Sing fills quickly; arrive around 6:30pm to score a table near the pianos. It's pretty noisy (don't expect much talking) but the atmosphere is fun. Song requests are taken (usually accompanied by $5), but many folks request the same songs.
reviewed
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Denver Performing Arts Complex
This massive complex – one of the largest of its kind – occupies four city blocks and houses several major theaters, the historic Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the Seawell Grand Ballroom. It's also home to the Colorado Ballet, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
reviewed
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Cheyenne Gunslingers
The Cheyenne Gunslingers is a nonprofit group of actors who puts on a lively, if not exactly accurate Old West show - from near hangings to slippery jailbreaks. Stars include corrupt judges, smiling good guys and, of course, the bad-ass villains. Show times are 6pm daily as well as noon on Saturdays.
reviewed
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Loft
One of the most interesting venues in Colorado Springs, this Old Colorado City spot features indie artists in an underground performance space sans liquor license. It's all about the performance, not the party, here. But that doesn't mean you won't have a great time. Check the website for details about upcoming shows.
reviewed
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Q
Diamond Belle Saloon
A rowdy corner of the historic Strater Hotel, this elegant old-time bar has waitresses flashing Victorian-era fishnets and live ragtime that keeps out- of-town visitors packed in, standing room only, at happy hour. Half-price appetizers and drink specials run from 4pm to 6pm. Also in Strater, The Office serves cocktails in an upscale and much more low-key atmosphere.
reviewed
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R
El Rancho Tavern
A bar with a long history, this place attracts loads of loyal locals who come to drink their whiskey well into the night. A dive with attitude, its long bar is made for serious boozing. Don’t miss the mural on the outside, and there are pool tables in the back. El Rancho gets progressively rowdier as the night progresses.
reviewed
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Great Divide Brewing Company
This excellent local brewery does well to skip the same-old burger menu and the fancy digs to keep their focus on what they do best: crafting exquisite beer. Bellying up to the bar, looking onto the copper kettles and sipping Great Divide’s spectrum of seasonal brews is an experience that will make a beer drinker's eyes alight.
reviewed
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Catacombs Bar
A cavernous pool and beer joint in the Boulderado Hotel basement, this dark, dank joint really does feel like the catacombs. Expect a young and rowdy crowd with ultracheap drink specials. The dimly lit rooms are perfect for getting tangled up with a becoming stranger or two. Tuesday is Trivia Night and Wednesdays bring karaoke.
reviewed
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Cup
This groovy loftlike space opens onto Pearl St, pouring forth a tempting whiff of damn good coffee and handpicked organic loose-leaf teas. They also do fresh quiche, wonderful cakes in cups, burly sandwiches and swift wi-fi. No wonder it's always packed with the comely, the studious and the industrious. Monday is open mic night.
reviewed
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Manitou Penny Arcade
If you or someone you love is the type that loves a vintage arcade (you know the kind: they miss games like Pole Position and Ski Ball, Galaga and Out Run, Supershot and air hockey) this sprawling complex, stretched between Canon and Manitou Avenues, is for you. And it might even help ween the kids off modern video games. Or not.
reviewed
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El Chapultepec
This smoky little old-school joint attracts a diverse mix of people. It's a dedicated jazz venue where the music is the main focus. Since it opened in 1951 Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald have played here, as have Jagger and Richards. Local jazz bands take the tiny stage nightly, but you never know who might drop by.
reviewed
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Boulder Theater
This old movie-theater-turned-historic-venue brings in slightly under-the-radar acts like jazz great Charlie Hunter, the madmen rockers of Gogol Bordello and West African divas, Les Nubians. But they also screen classic films like The Big Lebowski and short-film festivals which can and should be enjoyed with a glass of beer.
reviewed