Boulder is great for partying, but there isn’t much of a clubbing scene. The CUI has put together a list of 18+ clubs in Denver, because juniors and seniors aren’t the only ones eager to get out of town for the night.
With a bus pass included in your tuition, you can ride the BV, BF, and BX buses, which will take you down to Denver and back. For those in the dorms, hop on at Euclid Avenue, and those off campus can get on at the Boulder Transit Center or Broadway and 27 Way, near Baseline. If you get off at Market Street Station, the last stop on the route, you’ll be close to most of the clubs listed below. The buses run about every hour after 10 p.m., but make sure to plan accordingly, as the last bus of the night is around 1 a.m. If you miss it, you can catch the 5 a.m. bus the next morning, but that might put a damper on your night out (or just prolong it). All bus route information was provided by RTD.
(Courtesy of Mr Guep via Flickr)
Some people are hesitant to give Tracks a chance because of its reputation as the go-to gay club in Denver. This should make it even more inviting because this is the place where acceptance is widespread, and even those with two left feet can have a good time. The music is different in every room. The main room has a lot of remixed and pop music as the back room bumps hip-hop, R&B and rap all night long. Another notable draw is the interior, which is always decorated whimsically, and includes a go-go cage. This is one club you will want to return to every chance you get. To ease the minds of those men who want a female dance partner, there is an untapped resource of straight women and male allies who go to Tracks to have fun with their friends. Tracks has something for everyone looking to go clubbing.
Lorrie Brunetti, the office manager, said that DJ Blaque Gurl and Nina Flowers are two of the most popular artists that perform at Tracks. The best-selling drink among 21-year-olds is Vodka Red Bull.
Location: 3500 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205
Best night for 18+: Thursdays
Favorite drink for 21+: Vodka Red Bull
Cover: $10
As you walk through the doors, the first thing to hit you is either the bass booming from inside or the faintly familiar smell of Hot Topic. However, the club is much more welcoming than the dark hallway that leads you into the first bar, DJ and dance floor. The building is four stories of an almost grungy brick that gives the club its own taste of rock. The club’s interior, bouncers and the bartenders are all very friendly. For those with a wild streak of rock ‘n’ roll, try Vinyl on for size.
For those of you over 21, bartender Mark Graff said that the best-selling drink is their Long Island Ice Tea.
Location: 1082 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Best night for 18+: Friday and Saturday, according to Graff. Note that Friday, which is Latin night, is “kinda Jersey,” Graff said.
The weirdest thing that ever happened: The roof caved in seven years ago from a massive snowstorm. The club was rebuilt from the ground up after the damage.
Cover: $10-15
Beta is probably the best-known club in Denver. It boasts awards and “green” efforts to top off its popularity. It features two floors, each bouncing with its own DJ and lighting. There is a VIP area for those who are so inclined and of age. On the main floor, there are doors which lead to an enclosed area perfect for cooling off and taking a break from the dance floor or maybe getting to know the hottie you’ve been shaking it with for the last hour. Beta is exactly what you would expect from one of the best clubs in the country. For those looking for the standard club experience, Beta is your destination.
Beta seems to be the go-to club for Boulder students, but student say that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best.
“At the time I had a boyfriend so it was really annoying having random guys grabbing my ass and trying to grind on me. It was very difficult to just dance with my group of girls I went with,” said Kelsey Berlinberg, a 20-year-old sophomore majoring in psychology and international affairs. “I would [go back] on a night where it was a very well-known band or DJ so that it attracts a different crowd.”
Location: 1909 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202
Best nights for 18+: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Cover: $10+, depends on the artist
This is the perfect place to go when you’ve missed the last bus back to Boulder. Open from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., it is the place to party the rest of the night away, featuring drink selections of water and Gatorade to sober you up. This club may be one of the best kept secrets of Denver’s nightlife. The music is sure to keep you going until morning, with house beats of techno and dance selections. From the simpler-the-better interior design to the local art featured on the walls, this club is perfect for those nights where 2 a.m. is just too early to stop the party.
Location: 1144A Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Best night for 18+: Friday and Saturday, 1-5 a.m.
Cover: $10, but if you come in with a SoCo wristband from a different CoClub venue, you get $5 off of the cover
For those readers who have seen the new Footloose movie and loved the honkytonk bar scenes, by the end of the night at the Grizzly Rose, you will have sworn you were an extra in the film. The Grizzly Rose is packed with cowboys and country girls, (including those who put on the swag just for the night) but that isn’t the real draw to this country club. The place is full of different activities apart from getting your boot scootin’ boogie on. Activities include the bar and food, pool, a couple arcade games, riding the mechanical bull, line dancing and, at the end of the night, bumping and grinding to some hip-hop. You also can’t forget the stars of the country music business that come to town every now and then. The Grizzly Rose is the place to get sideways.
The club environment doesn’t necessarily fulfill everyone’s nightlife needs.
“It’s okay, pretty corny, and [full of] weird people thinking they are ‘cowboys,” said Emily Haupt, a 19-year-old sophomore studio arts and pre-journalism major. “Dancing there was crowded. My friends have almost got in fights with people ‘cause they ran into them.”
Location: 5450 N Valley Hwy, Denver, CO 80216
Best night for 18+: Thursday, Friday, and Sunday are all 18+, but be warned: Sunday is all ages and usually full of high school students
Cover: $5-10
Contact CU Independent Staff Writers Mandi Meek and Ainslee Mac Naughton at Amanda.meek@colorado.edu and Ainslee.macnaughton@colorado.edu.
