Denver's Best Neighborhoods for a Night Out
Go Wild
One of the strangest things about living in the city is how easy it is to get stuck in a rut of always going to the same restaurants, clubs and bars for weeks on end. Yet within miles of the usual haunts, great neighborhoods with distinctive characters offer a certain something that just shouldn't be missed.
1. LoDo
Only undergoing major revitalization in the last two decades, the historic heart of Denver, LoDo has some of the hottest attractions in the city. On the northeastern boundary of the neighborhood is Coors Field, home to the Rockies. Just blocks to the southwest are the Pepsi Center and Elitch Gardens. Brewpubs seem to be around every corner, each offering their own distinct style and unique blends of hops. If that doesn't tempt your Coloradan tastes, what will?How about some of the city's best restaurants, such as Venice Italian Ristorante and Rioja? LoDo's bar scene is renowned, with spots such as Fado Irish Pub and El Chapultepec offering a wide range of atmospheres and musical styles. If bar hopping isn't part of the plan, the 16th Street Mall that runs through LoDo and downtown provides excellent shopping and people-watching opportunities.
2. Baker
For those in on the alternative music scene, South Broadway in the Baker neighborhood provides the core of evening and weekend entertainment. Hipsters congregate for shows at the Hi-Dive, working off the next morning's hangovers at the adjoining bar/restaurant, Sputnik. Earlier in the evening, you might catch these same people watching an art house film at The Mayan or drinking coffee at Michelangelo's.Even if alternative rock isn't your style, Baker has nice little restaurants and used bookstores that keep the area accessible to a wider audience. Check out Spicy Basil's great Asian fare or the very American food and atmosphere served up at The Hornet. Pick up a great read at Mutiny Now! or Fahrenheit Books. Go upscale with drinks and small plates at the secretive Beatrice & Woodsley or dig the rock music at 3 Kings Tavern, Baker has it all.
3. Capitol Hill
Cap Hill makes its mark by appealing to many fringe cultures, from the punks who frequent 13th Avenue to the alternative music fans who frequent Colfax's live music venues. When a big-name band is coming to town, chances are the concert will happen in Cap Hill. Smaller only than the Pepsi Center, The Fillmore and The Ogden are stellar venues in the midst of a neighborhood known for its hip clientele.After shows, the crowd spills out and filters into Cap Hill's various dive bars and nightclubs. At Bender's Tavern, a gritty bar scene also brings in local bands and karaoke nights while The Church nightclub goes a little sacrilegious in its renovated cathedral setting. The scene in Cap Hill doesn't really run down until dawn, when the last stragglers stumble out of Pete's Kitchen and other all-night diners and head for home. A word of warning, Cap Hill can get a little sketchy late at night, keeping in a group is probably a really good idea.
4. Highland
Weekends and early evenings are by far the busiest times in the area, you don't see many people stumbling home late and buzzed. For brunch, try the Mexican-influenced menu at Lola or the modern American cuisine at Gelman's Restaurant. In the evening, drink where Jack Kerouac once did at My Brother's Bar or check out Mead Street Station's fantastic happy hour menu. Need an afternoon treat? Grab an espresso drink at Common Grounds or head a few blocks further east and browse the shelves of West Side Books.
