Must-see entertainment in Denver

  • A sculpture at the Denver Performing Arts Complex

    Denver Performing Arts Complex

    Denver

    This massive complex – one of the largest of its kind – occupies four city blocks and houses 10 major venues, including the historic Ellie Caulkins Opera…

  • Curious Theatre

    Denver

    'No guts, no story' is the tagline of this award-winning theater company, set in a converted church. Plays pack a punch with thought-provoking stories…

  • El Chapultepec

    Denver

    This smoky, old-school jazz joint attracts a diverse mix of people. Since it opened in 1951, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald have played…

  • Ogden Theatre

    Denver

    One of Denver’s best live-music venues, the Ogden Theatre has a checkered past. Built in 1917, it was derelict for many years and might have been…

  • Denver Center for the Performing Arts

    Denver

    The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the theater wing of the huge Denver Performing Arts Complex. It has eight theaters, making it the country's…

  • Grizzly Rose

    Denver

    This is one kick-ass honky-tonk – 40,000 sq ft of hot live music – attracting real cowboys from as far as Cheyenne. The Country Music Association called…

  • Nocturne

    Denver

    Art deco meets industrial chic at this jazz club in the heart of RiNo. Though featuring local and national musicians, the stars here are the artists in…

  • Colorado Symphony Orchestra

    Denver

    The Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex is home to this renowned symphony orchestra. The orchestra performs an annual 21-week…

  • Ophelia's Electric Soapbox

    Denver

    Located in a converted brothel, this is Denver's sexiest live-music cool-vibes lounge. The food served in seats overlooking the stage and dance floor on…

  • Bluebird Theater

    Denver

    This medium-sized theater is general admission standing room and has terrific sound and clear sight lines from the balcony. The venue often offers the…

  • Hi-Dive

    Denver

    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…

  • Paramount Theatre

    Denver

    Lots of red velvet and gold trimming deck out the Paramount, one of the premier midsized theaters in the West. Listed on the National Register of Historic…

  • Landmark Mayan Theatre

    Denver

    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,…

  • © 2006 David Madison

    Coors Field

    Denver

    The Colorado Rockies play baseball at the highly rated Coors Field from April to September. Tickets for the outfield – the Rockpile – cost $5. Not a bad…

  • Comedy Works

    Denver

    Denver’s best comedy club occupies a basement space in Larimer Sq (enter down a set of stairs near the corner of Larimer and 15th) and routinely brings in…

  • Colorado Ballet

    Denver

    The Colorado Ballet company has 30 professional dancers who come from all over the world. Most performances are staged at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House…

  • Ellie Caulkins Opera House

    Denver

    Affectionately known as 'the Ellie,' this wonderful performance space has luxurious acoustics, excellent sight lines and a very modern feel. It’s also…

  • Opera Colorado

    Denver

    Founded in 1983, Opera Colorado is based in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The company performs classics like Puccini's La Bohème but also produces…

  • Clocktower Cabaret

    Denver

    Bawdy, naughty and strangely romantic, the Clocktower Cabaret is a wild-child standout among LoDo’s rather straight-laced (or at least straight) night…

  • Dazzle

    Denver

    For live jazz, Dazzle is the longtime go-to place in Denver. Featuring mostly Colorado-based musicians, the club has late-night shows, a great happy hour …

  • Bovine Metropolis Theater

    Denver

    This long-standing black-box theater hosts a clutch of fresh-faced improv comedy performers who take the stage most nights of the week. Tickets typically…

  • Fillmore Auditorium

    Denver

    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…

  • Pepsi Center

    Denver

    The mammoth Pepsi Center hosts the Denver Nuggets basketball team, the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League and the Colorado Avalanche hockey…

  • Comedy Works South

    Denver

    Located 13 miles south of Denver, this place is only worth the drive if there's an act you've been dying to see. The theater is spacious enough but…

  • Broncos Stadium at Mile High

    Denver

    The much-lauded Denver Broncos football team and the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team play at this stadium, 1 mile west of downtown. This 76,000-seat monster…

  • Casa Bonita

    Denver

    The food is horrible (think greasy processed cheese and stone-gray guacamole), but this classic piece of American (and Mexican) kitsch is so entrenched in…

  • Larimer Lounge

    Denver

    This dive is a proving ground for acts from across the indie rock spectrum – last time we checked in, metalheads in clown makeup were sound-checking. With…

  • Colorado Convention Center

    Denver

    At 2.2 million sq ft, this is a city within the city of Denver, centrally located and just steps away from some of downtown's finest restaurants. The…

  • Quixote's True Blue

    Denver

    Fight some windmills at this geeky-meets-freaky space kitted out with a quality PA system and a good bar. Most nights it’s free, but sometimes there’s a…

  • Dick's Sporting Goods Park

    Denver

    Located just north of the city, this 18,000-seat stadium hosts the state's Major League Soccer team, the Colorado Rapids, plus plenty of summertime…