Denver, CO
Denver’s best LGBTQ bars: A guide to the long-standing gay clubs and a few newbies
Merely putting a Delight flag in a single’s window doesn’t an LGBTQ bar make, however it’s at the least heartening to see the rainbows winding their approach into increasingly more mainstream institutions.
For queer bars, Denverites typically need to look a bit nearer, as town’s LGBTQ cultural scene will not be all the time matched by the prominence or quantity of our golf equipment. We misplaced promising spots corresponding to Sir and seemingly steady venues like Delight and Swagger in latest months, so the remaining names are all of the extra vital.
We’ve additionally seen quite a lot of spots grasp on throughout unimaginable, pandemic-related challenges. Some, such because the Denver Eagle on West Colfax Avenue, even reopened after a six-year closure. In that spirit, right here’s a fast roundup for Delight month and upfront of Denver PrideFest (June 25 and 26), together with legacy bars and a few new(er) names, so that you don’t need to do all of the work your self.
Additionally try our take a look at evolving, post-pandemic queer areas and the altering LGBTQ cultural scene from The Denver Publish’s Tiney Ricciardi.
Tracks Denver
Indisputably Denver’s largest and most vital LGBTQ membership, the present incarnation in what’s now the RiNo Artwork District has over the past 17 years made its title with national-quality drag performances, touring artists and raucous, themed events. Moreover nurturing Denver-based “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winners corresponding to Yvie Oddly and the latest season’s champ, Willow Capsule, it’s bought open mics and hip-hop nights (18 and up!) and three of one of the best dance flooring and DJ setups within the metropolis. The gold customary. 3500 Walnut St., 303-863-7326 or tracksdenver.com
X Bar
Inside strolling distance of downtown Denver in addition to Capitol Hill’s quite a few venues and bars, X Bar is a robust magnet with its enormous patio events and palpable camaraderie. The one-story, dance-friendly house stays busy with karaoke, DJ nights and a wild weekend environment, however Delight month will generate even larger strains down the block. Get there early, or not, and be able to sweat (particularly if it’s at one among their lingerie or leather-based events). Search for #partyyoncolfax on Instagram for a few of the costumed revelers and occasion flyers, from brunches and sing-along nights to queer proms. 629 E. Colfax Ave., 303-832-2687 or xbardenver.com
Boyztown
Lengthy a late-night stop-off on the bustling size of Broadway within the Baker neighborhood, Boyztown payments itself as Denver’s Hottest Male Revue (RIP the previous Compound Basix close by). And you understand what? Most nights they’re not improper, with limber, lower dancers, deft DJs, and a typically high-energy environment that runs till final name. It’s the one solely-male strip membership in that space (or the complete metro space, final I checked), so you will have to endure straight-girl bachelorette and birthday events, even because the bar retains it actual with its loyal workers and clientele. 117 Broadway, 303-722-7373 or boyztowndenver.com
See additionally: The low-key Li’l Devils Lounge on South Broadway. It doesn’t determine itself as an explicitly homosexual bar, however it’s a preferred hangout for older homosexual males occupying the previous Barker Lounge house. fb.com/lildevilslounge
Tight Finish
Queer sports activities bars could seem area of interest however they’re most definitely not, which is why it’s unusual that Denver solely boasts of the sports-focused Tight Finish. Nonetheless, the Metropolis Park West bar — which opened final yr within the gritty Streets Denver punk bar — provides glorious people-watching on its patio, playoff nights on huge screens, trivia, ingesting video games, karaoke and extra. As different guides are fast to level out, it’s simply throughout a busy stretch of East Colfax Avenue from Blush & Blu, a lesbian, queer and trans-centric house with programming galore (see beneath). 1501 E. Colfax Ave. 303-861-9103 or tightendbar.com
Blush & Blu
This busy house has helped fill the hole of Denver’s long-closed Detour, a former lesbian bar, and developed a few of the metropolis’s greatest drag queens, poets, singer-songwriters and stand-up comics on its small stage (see additionally the Mercury Cafe). It’s socially aware and has a stable menu, with the aforementioned, and nationally uncommon, concentrate on lesbian, queer and transgender clientele. Sure, there are vacationers and curious pedestrians, given its proximity to hashish dispensaries and Denver’s first Voodoo Doughnut location, however they’re welcome, too. It’s additionally nice for espresso and chai, because it previously hosted the LGBTQ house tHERe, which had the same menu. 1526 E. Colfax Ave., 303-484-8548 or blushbludenver.com
Charlie’s
Like Tracks Denver, Capitol Hill bar Charlie’s — a part of a Nation Western-themed chain with areas in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Chicago — predates Denver’s inhabitants and building increase by a long time, proudly holding court docket on East Colfax Avenue with indoor and outside occasions starting from beer busts to pull reveals, line-dancing classes and horny go-go boy performances. Cowboy hats and leather-based chaps are all the time welcome, however definitely not mandatory, and the falafel-and-gyros menu might be surprisingly welcome after an evening of themed cocktails and dancing. 900 E. Colfax Ave., 303-839-8890 or charliesdenver.com
Fusions Bar & Grill
This RiNo Artwork District watering gap is the place you go while you need stir-fried noodles and severe drinks, together with an estimable Mongolian grill menu and spectacular concentrate on tropical cocktails (with heaps extra to come back, house owners say). It bravely opened in the course of the pandemic and has sustained itself with a dog-friendly patio and unbelievable, evolving beer choice. An excellent stop-off, or vacation spot in itself. 3053 Brighton Blvd., 303-862-7376 or fusionsdenver.com
R&R Lounge
Traditional in feel and look, with beautiful classic signage and a comfy inside, the R&R is tucked alongside a vibrant stretch of East Colfax Avenue. Its house owners have claimed it’s town’s oldest homosexual bar, having opened within the Nineteen Fifties and gone overtly homosexual within the Seventies, in accordance with Westword, with its immediately recognizable, rainbow-painted door. Assume pleased hours, darts and Broncos video games. 4958 E. Colfax Ave. #1208, 303-320-9337 or yelp.com/biz/r-and-r-lounge-denver-denver (the bar doesn’t have its personal web site).
Commerce
Though it’s not an overtly bear bar — house owners describe it as Denver’s queer, underground fetish bar — it’s a favourite of the bearded, steadily muscle-bound class of homosexual males who describes themselves as such (notably within the absence of the late Denver Wrangler). Commerce additionally helps fill a clean spot in that specific space’s Denver’s homosexual scene, with a perch alongside Santa Fe Drive and numerous programming that ranges from drag reveals and DJ nights to leather-based nights and beer busts. 475 Santa Fe Drive, 720-627-5905 or fb.com/tradedenver
Denver Candy
Is Denver Candy the equal of Minnesota Good? In a approach, possibly, however it’s additionally town’s solely overtly bear-bar and one of many metro space’s greatest rooftop spots, LGBTQ or in any other case. Tasty bar meals and brunch, honeyed clientele and DJs combine for sunny afternoons and breezy nights on a pair of occasion flooring on the former Funky Buddha house, which by no means to appeared to have discovered its area of interest till Denver Candy took over in Could 2019. The house owners — each former DJs on the Wrangler — advised Out Entrance Journal that their aim is to make it a welcoming instance of the bigger bear-bar scene, which doesn’t precisely have a status of all the time being pleasant towards ladies and trans individuals. Thankfully, they appear to be reaching that aim. 776 Lincoln St. 720-598-5648 or denversweet.com
The Triangle Bar
Simply this week, Tasting Desk named this fashionable downtown spot as one of many nation’s greatest LGBTQ bars, having been open in its present incarnation since early 2018. The title stretches again to the Seventies when the slim brick constructing hosted a homosexual membership referred to as Triangle, and was a tryout spot for varied, unsuccessful bars and craft eating places after the unique Triangle closed within the early 2000s. Its resurrection has introduced again queer stand-up, big-name drag queens, “Actual Housewives”-themed brunches and a secure LGBTQ house to a central and glossy location. 2036 N. Broadway, 303-658-0913 or thetriangledenver.com
Hamburger Mary’s Denver
Lengthy a food-and-drinks vacation spot, the Denver outlet of this North American chain additionally provides reliably colourful programming and a comfortable environment for informal stop-ins and events, with plenty of gender variety (and cis-het allies) along with LGBTQ patrons. Having moved west on seventeenth Avenue awhile again to a smaller, extra good-looking house, it’s typically filled with wild partiers on drag-queen and different present nights. And but, it’s all the time pleasant and accessible. 1136 E. seventeenth Ave., 303-993-5812 or milehighmarys.com
Lucid
Barely a yr outdated, Lucid is one other upstart that’s managed to carry on by way of nightmarish challenges for the service trade. It’s a welcome addition to the scene, with a neon-spiked profile amid the standard programming (trivia, lip-sync battles, drag reveals, and many others.). It additionally provides curios corresponding to velocity courting, and a notable lineup of racially numerous performers which can be typically laborious to search out at different LGBTQ bars (Latinx Couture? Sure, please). Search for this “disco bar” above Kyu Ramen, because it’s a second-story house. 600 E. Colfax Ave., no telephone quantity is accessible. luciddenver.com
#Vybe
Like Lucid, #Vybe contains a bit extra variety than many homosexual bars, with drag queens of shade and high touring queens like Adore Delano swinging by way of often, along with stand-up comedy, sport nights, Denver Broncos events (the cheerleaders even stopped in for a present just lately) and plenty extra. It’s arguably the one overtly LGBTQ spot within the ritzy, gallery-heavy Golden Triangle neighborhood, though it strains the identical public-transportation hall as Denver Candy, Li’l Devils, Boyztown and others. 1027 N. Broadway, 720-573-8886 or 303vybe.com
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Denver, CO
With contracts near expiration, Salvation Army's future with City of Denver's hotel shelters unclear
DENVER — Contracts allowing the Salvation Army to oversee two of the City of Denver’s hotel shelters are days away from expiration.
According to Denver City Councilwoman Shotel Lewis’ office, the current contracts for the former DoubleTree and Best Western Hotels along Quebec Street expire on March 31. It’s unclear if the city will renew the contracts with the Salvation Army or choose another service provider.
Lindsey Torres and her dog, Flynn, haven’t had an easy road.
“It’s been about a year almost,” said Torres, referring to her time living in city-owned shelters.
Now, she calls the former Best Western home.
“But sometimes I’d almost rather be outside,” admitted Torres.
Inside the hotel shelter is a lack of hot water, bugs and drug use, according to Torres.
“They do have roaches here. I was getting in the elevator and I could hear it walking on the wall,” said Torres.
There’s also a history of crime. Last week, the Denver Police Department arrested an employee accused of sexually assaulting a woman staying at the 4040 Quebec St. shelter. Last March, the former DoubleTree was the scene of a double homicide.
“You don’t want to have homicides happening within facilities in which we have stood up to house folks to get them off the streets,” said Councilwoman Shontel Lewis.
On Monday, Denver City Council rejected another nearly $3 million contract with the Salvation Army for homeless services.
“I would say my experience with the Salvation Army has been disappointing,” said Lewis.
- Hear from Councilwoman Shontel Lewis in the video player below
‘Deep and grave concerns about the Salvation Army’: Hear a Denver councilwoman’s passionate speech on homeless services
The councilwoman said it’s time to turn to community-based organizations for help.
“We have organizations that are providing food for hundreds of families on a weekly basis. We have community organizations that provide housing. We have community organizations that provide behavioral support. What they don’t have is the investment of the city,” said Lewis.
Denver7 took that idea to Amy Beck with Together Denver.
“Some of the people in the grassroots organizations already have connections with the folks here, already treat them with compassion and love and kindness, so it just makes sense,” said Beck.
But Beck said it all comes down to if the city wants to change course with its current plan.
“It comes down to if the mayor’s office wants to move in that direction because he’s already created this homelessness response and it’s not working,” said Beck.
We asked the Salvation Army about the possibility of losing the contracts. In a statement, a spokesperson said, “The Salvation Army is a proud partner of the city of Denver and would like to continue the Housing Now program together. If that’s not possible, we will continue the program with other funding for as long as it’s deemed possible
“We think we’re doing this work well. And we’re doing it from a place of deep care for our neighbors.”
If the contracts do expire, city officials said there are no plans to close the two shelters.
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Denver, CO
Second dean shot at Denver’s East High in 2023 sues DPS, alleging district failed to keep students and staff safe
The second dean injured in the 2023 shooting inside East High School is suing Denver Public Schools and its Board of Education, alleging the district’s discipline policies were “unclear and inconsistently applied” and that staff were not properly trained to search students.
Eric Sinclair filed his lawsuit Friday in Denver District Court, following a similar suit against the district filed earlier last week by Wayne Mason. Sinclair and Mason, as East High administrators, were shot by student Austin Lyle inside the city’s largest high school on March 23, 2023.
Lyle, who had been required to undergo daily weapons searches at the school, took his own life later that day.
Sinclair’s lawsuit was heavily redacted — his attorneys cited student privacy rules — but it alleges East High staff weren’t adequately trained on how to search students for weapons. It also alleges that, by removing police officers from schools in 2020, the board and district “shifted the responsibility to faculty and staff to manage, search, disarm and de-escalate potentially violent or volatile students.”
Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges, DPS’s discipline policies, which have been criticized by parents and educators as too lenient, weren’t always implemented as written.
“Defendants actively obstructed East High School and other schools’ ability to suspend or expel students who violated Colorado law and Denver Public School policies and presented a danger to the schools,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit was filed under Colorado’s Claire Davis School Safety Act, which says schools can be held liable if they fail to provide “reasonable care” to protect students and employees from violence that is “reasonably foreseeable.”
Sinclair was shot twice, in the thigh and through his stomach and chest, resulting in the loss of his spleen, according to the lawsuit.
“The events of March 22, 2023, were the consequence of Defendants systematically shifting responsibility for guns in schools onto faculty and staff while denying them the tools to keep people safe,” the lawsuit states. “The result of Defendants’ actions were two tragedies: two deans shot and an obviously gifted but immature and volatile young man dead.”
Bill Good, a spokesman for the district, declined to comment on the lawsuit.
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Originally Published:
DENVER — For the first time in 2025, the City of Denver will offer up its e-bike rebate vouchers on Tuesday.
Vouchers for standard e-bikes are worth $450, while those in need of an adaptive e-bike can receive vouchers worth $1,400.
Residents can combine the vouchers with the State of Colorado E-Bike Tax Credit, which is also worth $450. Rebates can cover up to 80% of the e-bike’s total price, excluding sales tax. That means if an e-bike costs $1,000, the Denver rebate and Colorado tax credits can only cover up to $800.
Sue Baldwin, the electrified mobility program manager for the Denver Office of Climate Action, said people should have everything prepared before the website opens up to applications at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Denver7’s Ethan Carlson
“One thousand residents will have the ability to get through and get applications,” said Baldwin. “Typically, we have between 15 and 17,000 people on the website at 11 a.m., so they will go quickly. The best thing to do is have all of your documents uploaded on your computer or phone so that when it hits 11 o’clock, you’re just hitting submit.”
This year, the Denver rebate program is only for income-qualified individuals. The goal is to expand access to transportation options to as many people as possible.
“An e-bike is a little bit more expensive than a normal bike,” said Baldwin. “So, who doesn’t want a little bit of financial support in order to move forward into the next level of technology?”
In order to qualify, an applicant’s income must be either:
- Below 100% of the state of Colorado’s median income
- Below 200% of the relevant federal poverty level
- Between 60% to 100% of the area median income
Denver7’s Ethan Carlson
Over 30 e-bike shops throughout the city participate in the program. Mike Fritz, manager and lead mechanic at Pedego Denver, has seen first-hand how some residents could only buy e-bikes because of previous years’ vouchers.
“It’s the difference between somebody buying an Amazon bike and buying a bike that can actually be taken care of in the long haul,” said Fritz. “A lot of people see the value in having a bike shop actually within their grasp in case anything happens.”
Fritz encourages people to buy from a local shop that can also work on and repair their products. Someone who buys an e-bike online will have to figure out maintenance on their own. The Denver e-bike rebate program helps support these local shops.
“There’s an express need for things like e-bikes, especially for people that don’t have cars, people that are kind of over public transportation,” said Fritz.
If you miss Tuesday’s rebate drop, don’t worry! The city will release additional vouchers on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 25
- Tuesday, May 27
- Tuesday, July 29
- Tuesday, September 30
- Tuesday, November 25
For more information on the Denver e-bike rebate program, you can check out the city’s website here.
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