LoDo & Downtown
Ball Arena
Opened in 1999 with a Celine Dion concert, Denver’s largest multi-purpose arena and music venue is located in the heart of Lower Downtown (LoDo) Denver. During the winter season, the Ball Arena is used mostly for sporting events (NBA's Denver Nuggets and NHL's Colorado Avalanche), but during the spring, summer and fall, expect to find some of the biggest names in music gracing the stage. Just a few minutes' walk from downtown, you can expect to enjoy good concession food, drinks aplenty or even a meal at one of three restaurants located inside the venue.
The Perplexiplex (Meow Wolf Denver)
This is one of the more unusual venues you'll see. It doubles as a 488-person performance venue and immersive art experience. Throughout the year, local and national performers take the stage at ticketed events. But by day, during normal exhibition hours, The Perplexiplex becomes a "surreal arboretum that guests can discover and explore over the course of four scenes," thanks to the projection masters at Moment Factory.
Summit Music Hall
LoDo’s Summit Music Hall has gone through an evolution this past coupleof years. From hard-rock bookings to a thoroughfare of acts across a spectrum of genres and a large-scale renovation that just concluded last year, Summit has become a fantastic venue in the heart of the city. The 1,000-plus capacity venue can even accommodate smaller acts on the touring circuit in its accompanying offshoot, the Moon Room. There’s even a pizza place that serves hot slices throughout the night. What could be better?
Marquis Theater
A smaller counterpart to the nearby Summit Music Hall, the Marquis Theateris an intimate venue and pizza joint as well. The theaterused to be known for its extensive punk and harder rock bookings, but in the past year or so, have extended itself to covering all genres. Also much like Summit, the Marquis is coming off a huge renovation that has opened the small theater into the versatile and intimate venue it is today.
Dazzle
No longer located on the stretch of Lincoln nearby Bar Standard and Temple Nightclubs, Dazzle, the age-old jazz club has found new life in the historic Baur’s Confectionery Building in downtown Denver. The venue, a hotspot for improvised music, has seen a resurgence of sorts to accompany its recent move, yet still holds the title of best jazz club in Denver across a range of publications. Fans of the genre often revel in the national and local upstarts that have made their way to the stage since the venue was conceived in 1998.
Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
The former brothel turned restaurant and venue has, in recent years, become a major addition to Denver’s thriving music scene. Whether you’re catching a local band during a brunch performance or you find yourself tearing up on the venue’s bustling dance floor, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox is always wired.
Black Buzzard
The Black Buzzard is a brand-new venue addition for Denver located in LoDo. Conjoined with Longmont-hailing Oskar Blues Brewing Co.’s Bar & Grill location, the Black Buzzard combines good tunes with good eats in an unfussy and uncomplicated manner.
Herb’s
Nights at the musician-owned and operated Herb’s in LoDo are riotous affairs. The wall-to-wall congregation of loyal clientele reel in the covers and originals of the many talented bands that hit the venue’s stage. With cheap drinks and loose crowd, it's always a memorable night at Herb’s.
Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre has been entertaining crowds since 1929in downtown. From comedy routines to film festivals and from rock bands to Wurlitzer organ performances, there's no shortage of variety in its restored art deco setting. Former Broadway star Sarah Brightman, who was a member of the original cast of "The Phantom of the Opera," performed here recently.
FIVE POINTS
Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & The Other Side
Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & The Other Side caters to a loyal demographic of jam, electronic and hip-hop fans. A former jazz staple that hosted the likes of Duke Ellington, the now meeting place for heady beat freaks has a nearly nightly hustle and bustle reminiscent of its days as a Denver jazz staple. The venue is paramount to finding a community in the local music scene.
Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre is a gritty, no-nonsense, cut your teeth type of venue. Primarily catering hip-hop of a million different shades, the Roxy Theatre is where you’ll find that particular niche that speaks to you, whether it's the Insane Clown Posse or the backpack rap of acts like Chris Webby.
