The best places to see a concert in Denver are the Bluebird, Ogden and Fillmore — right? Actually, it turns out you don’t have to cruise Colfax to see an awesome band play in an awesome music venue.
The Denver metro area offers numerous unique, killer places to catch some live music. While Colfax and downtown Denver do feature some fantastic venues, just a little way down the road are some of the best places to see your favorite band or musician in the entire metro region.
From the intimate to the not so intimate, here are four music venues on the south end of Denver that every fan needs to check out:
Swallow Hill
Swallow Hill Music is actually more than a music venue, it’s a non-profit organization that puts on concerts, offers classes and organizes free community programs, all in the name of spreading the joy of music.
Swallow Hill manages three locations for music classes, but all of the organization’s music venues are located in their main location at 71 E. Yale Ave.
Catch national touring acts at Daniels Hall or Tuft Theater, or swing by Quinlan Café for some coffee and local music. Whichever venue you check out, you’re in for an intimate experience.
Swallow Hill was founded by folk music lovers, so you’re most likely to see bands and musicians with folk roots here. If you’re looking for something louder, don’t fret, we’ve got plenty of that down the list.
Gothic Theatre
Make sure to bring your ear plugs when you see a concert at the Gothic, or politely ask the bartender for a pair, because you’re going to need them.
From indie rock to hip hop to country and everywhere in between, the Gothic features national and international acts in a revitalized 1920s building that once housed a movie theater.
Located on South Broadway in Englewood, the Gothic’s balcony is a great place to sit back and enjoy the show, even including its own full bar. But if you want to get in on the action, get up near the stage and be ready for rowdy, energetic crowds.
Seating twice as much as the Bluebird, the Gothic is one of those places where even if you’ve never heard of the band or think you don’t like them, you’re guaranteed to have fun.
Levitt Pavilion
Levitt Pavilion is gearing up for only its second full season, yet it’s already entrenched itself as one of the top venues in the entire Denver metro area.
Located in Ruby Hill Park, south of Downtown Denver, you can even access the venue from the South Platte River Trail. Biking to an outdoor concert? How Colorado of you.
Levitt is another non-profit, and they provide a plethora of free shows throughout the year with local and national acts, as well as select ticketed events for the big kahunas.
Bring a blanket, grab some food from local vendors, and don’t forget your dancing shoes. Levitt Pavilion is truly a can’t-miss live music venue for any Denverite.
Fiddler’s Green
Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre — or as the locals call it, Fiddler’s — has been bringing live music to an 18,000-capacity outdoor setting since 1982.
Fans can purchase reserved seats or bring along blankets and lawn chairs to sit along the rolling hills of grass, where they can glimpse the mountains behind the stage.
As one of the biggest venues in the metro area, you’re not going to get an intimate experience at Fiddler’s, but you will get to enjoy Colorado’s mild weather, mountain views and internationally-known acts all at the same time.
Since it’s so big, parking can be hard to come by and get a little pricey. We recommend taking the light rail, as it’s just about a 10-minute walk from Arapahoe Station.
There’s plenty of live music to see in Denver, and you have your pick of the litter to suit every musical taste in existence. But the next time you’re thinking of seeing a concert, try somewhere new — your ears will thank you.
