Second Stage
The monthly lowdown on Denver's smaller venues
compiled by Cory Casciato and Tuyet Nguyen
There's nothing to do! And it's too expensive! And I want to go out!
You know the feeling. You've got that itch to go out but you don't know where to go. Maybe you're new to Denver and you don't know what's out there. Maybe you're just tired of the same six places with the same tired faces.
Don't panic; help is on the way.
Denver offers a wealth of places to see live music and DJs. You won't see huge arena acts at these places, but you will find an assortment of excellent local and lesser-known national touring bands and DJs in smaller, more intimate settings.
As an added bonus, most of these venues have low ticket prices and cheap drinks, making it easy to take a chance on something you've never heard and affordable enough to drink yourself into oblivion if you don't like it.
The Snake Pit
Location: 608 E. 13th Ave.
Web site: www.snakepitdenver.com
What's it like: A great place to get your groove on with Denver's finest DJs spinning every night of the week. Sexy house music, 80s retro, hard hitting jungle, hip-hop and more all find a home in this intimate club setting. A friendly, casual vibe makes this a premier destination when you're tired of the meat market/fashion show atmosphere of some of Denver's bigger dance clubs. Add in the killer drink specials and cheap cover prices and it's not hard to find a reason to make it down to the Pit.
Who's been there: Dieselboy, Equulei, ILK, DJ Skunk
The buzz: "Definitely not as showy; you can come here in casual dress, kick back, and have a good time. People who like to kick back and listen to house music come here," said Mike Piazza, bartender at the Snake Pit.
Specialties: Every night of the week is something different. Check the Web site for details, but don't miss Hump Wednesdays: $2 well vodka drinks and 50 cent (!!!) Blue Moon drafts combine with banging house music for a guaranteed good time.
Climax Lounge
Location: 2217 Welton St.
Web site: www.climaxlounge.com
What's it like: Eclectic, funky and fun. Step inside and you'll notice such unusual features as a chain-link fence and a collection of vintage arcade games. Live music, dance parties and pinball tournaments are all on the menu and they've even hosted karaoke nights in the past. Extending this eclecticism to the acts they book, you might find a metal band playing one night and an electroclash DJ the next. There's no place quite like it in Denver or probably anywhere else.
Who's been there: The Iron Sheik, Mr. Pacman, Cephalic Carnage, Hella
The buzz: "The Climax combines the post-post-ironic hipness of 80s video games, desolate disco decor, and stiff drinks into a mop-top's paradise for dance parties, fringe bands and the occasional pro wrestler. I never want to leave," says Sid Pink, frequent event MC and constant patron.
Specialties: Club Smash, a monthly 80s dance party, Pinball tournament the first Friday of each month. Check the Web site for details.
Hi-Dive
Location: 7 S. Broadway
Web site: www.hi-dive.com
What's it like: Former punk rock dive resurrected to a hipster dive, but in a good way. A real community space, the Hi-Dive features local DJs, monthly artist showings, and occasional fashion shows. Employees and patrons range from record store employees to band members to graphic artists to all the party people in between. Music selection can go from 80s new wave and 90s alternative to modern electroclash and post-hardcore indie rock. Plus the late-night kitchen boasts unique fried goodies not to be found anywhere else.
Who's been there: The Vanishing, All Night Radio, Voices Underwater, Black Black Ocean
The buzz: "It's a boozy dance party," said Bill Murphy, bartender at Sputnik.
Specialties: Monday night movie night plus a revolving cast of locals spinning their favorite records almost every other night. Fun events happen all the time, including scavenger hunts and craft nights.
Larimer Lounge
Location: 2721 Larimer St.
Web site: www.larimerlounge.com
What's it like: Small space with a big reputation. The stage-only about six inches off the ground-is a perfect height to feel the sweat and heat pulsating from some of the hottest national acts around. The calendar is filled to the brim with nightly live shows and weekend barbecues.
Who's been there: Joan of Arc, Enon, Ima Robot, The Thermals, The Rapture
The buzz: "We have the most intimate stage for this kind of scene. You can shake the band's hand and hang out with them after the set," said Brian Shrader, manager of the Larimer Lounge.
Specialties: Live bands seven nights a week, specializing in the independent rock scene. Shows vary from noise ensembles to acoustic sets to garage rock wonderment. |
