Second stage
the monthly lowdown on Denver's lesser known venues
compiled by
Chip Boehm and Sarah Conway
Photo by Danny Holland
Bender's 13th Ave. Tavern
Location: 314 E. 13th Avenue
Web site: www.benderstavern.com
What's it like: Not a dive but a mild mannered working class hang-out with the feel of a drinkin' country bar. A welcoming staff helps you feel at home with no trace of pretentious bullshit and the simple surroundings offer no need to dress up and feel hip. A focus on the local scene is apparent in manager Stephen Copeland's three rules: No more than five bucks will ever be charged to see a local band; variety in local bands will be the norm in an evening's line-up; and bands are paid from the money the bar makes. The more you like the band, the more you drink, the more the band makes.
Who's been there: Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, Railbenders, The Swanks
The buzz: "Bender's is definitely the new place in town for local music," said Copeland.
Specialties: Mondays are "Drinkin' Country" with DJ Danny offering the roots and branches. Tuesday and Thursday nights are "New Wave/Indie Karaoke Night," and Wednesday is "Rebellious Jukebox." Saturday and Sunday morning from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m., catch two dollar Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, and Shot Specials along with breakfast specials from Chris' Kitchen.
The Gothic Theater
Location: 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood
Web site: www.nipp.com
What's it like: Back in the Roaring Twenties, The Gothic took its place in history as the first theater in the city to show talking movies. Now, after being renovated and saved from the clutches of bankruptcy, this theater-turned- music hall features a wrap-around balcony and a decorative paint scheme. To compliment the fancy interior, The Gothic has had several bands grace their stage pre-MTV days.
Who's been there: Face to Face, Recover, Midtown, Good Charlotte, Saves the Day, Thursday, Le Tigre, Old 97s.
The buzz: "There is no other 1,000 seat venue in America as warm and intimate as The Gothic," said Kent Sheldon, house manager.
Specialties: Different drink specials to compliment each show: you might find a $2 beer special, or a $3 "you-call-it" special.
Rock Island
Location: 1614 15th Street
Web site: www.rockislandclub.com
What's it like: Under the same ownership since 1986, Rock Island is the oldest night club in Denver. Dark and artsy, it caters to all in search of a good time. Featuring music from DJs, hip-hop, r&b, party music, goth, industrial, punk and hard-core, not to mention they're two-leveled. This means that downstairs they're likely to be throwing erotic parties, hosting art or fashion shows or magazine/music release parties, while upstairs the bands are rockin'.
Who's been there: Fear Before the March of Flames, Northstar, The New Amsterdams, Piebald, A Static Lullaby, The Casket Lottery
The Buzz: "Rock Island is 'no attitude.' None from us, none from our customers, and, thus, no issues...just good, loud music all the time at the lowest prices around," said Dave Clamage, owner of Rock Island.
Specialties: Thursday nights are world-beat acid-jazz night with two-for-one drinks for the ladies, 10-11p.m., $5 cover; Saturday nights is "Shout" an all-ages dance party; Sunday nights is "unseen," the goth and industrial party. Also, Rock Island hosts a radio show on 1150am every Sunday night from 7-9. |
