The Best Clubs in Denver, Colorado, Worth Checking Out

Tucked in a basement below Bar Standard (a great place to start the night, in fact) with an alleyway entrance, Milk is really two clubs in one. The first is Milk Bar, with unusual decor inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971). Nontraditional, yes, but it fits; Milk is known for quirky goth nights, drum and bass and jungle music, as well as the more playful ’80s nights – although you can find just about every kind of music here (except country). The other side of Milk is the old-fashioned Jazz Room, which has cozy, private nooks for when you’re tired from the dance floor. Dress to impress, as there’s a dress code to enter.

For an only-in-Denver experience, head to the quirky Ophelia’s, where you can hear live music and dance in a full-service restaurant with great, globally inspired, vegetable-forward food. Ophelia’s calls itself a gastro-brothel, which plays out with sexy, boudoir-esque decorations. This decor has historical significance, too; it was a brothel turned peep-show house more than a century ago, and at one point an adult arcade. The multi-level venue is spacious, with the stage on the bottom floor, so you can look out at the DJ from your table, if you score the right seats. From the food (green chili cornbread, chicken and waffles) to the vibe, there’s nowhere else like Ophelia’s.

If you’re craving a honky-tonk, the Griz is the place to hear live country music and stomp some boots. The dance hall attracts big-name performers, as well as local musicians (often as often as six days a week), and has plenty of space to line dance, swing dance or two-step the night away. You can also order tasty barbecue to eat and test your cowboy skills on an electric bull. Not sure how to line dance? Many nights begin with free or cheap lessons. Most events are 18 or 21 and up, but you can find family nights too (usually Sundays).

Tracks is the most established LGBTQ nightclub in Denver. It’s earned a national reputation, too, with live drag shows featuring celebrity drag queens, popular Pride week parties and plenty of dancing. Since it opened in 1980, it has grown to offer multiple dance floors, rotating theme nights, high-quality sound and light shows, live performances and a welcoming attitude – there’s no dress code here. Other events include the likes of drag bingo brunch, male reviews, cabarets, industry night with drink deals and swanky jazz nights. Some nights are 18 and up.

This is a mega club, with four stories of dance floors featuring different music on every level. For fresh air, head to the rooftop patio, where you can gaze over Denver and enjoy a cocktail. In the winter, the rooftop is heated. In between dancing, take advantage of the hookah lounge, and for a special night, ask about bottle service. Look for themed nights, such as Latin music, college nights with DJs, LGBTQ night, ’80s and ’90s hits, top 40 and more. The club as it’s known today dates back to 1993, but this has been the spot for many clubs dating back to the 1930s, including cabarets and speakeasies.