40 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | FOOD & DRINK | MUSIC & VENUES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | SPORTS & RECREATION | CONTENTS | Best New Professional Sports Team Denver Summit FC denversummitfc.com Denver can now boast of being at the peak of women’s soccer. The city’s newest pro sports team, Denver Summit FC, debuted in the National Women’s Soccer League in March, with at least four players who were born or grew up in Colorado, including the team’s fi rst signing, recent University of Colorado Buffalo Jordan Nytes. The Sum- mit broke the NWSL record for most ad- vance season ticket orders, at over 15,000, and expects a big turnout for its fi rst game at Empower Field at Mile High on March 28. As the team awaits a new major stadium in central Denver, you can catch the Sum- mit at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Com- merce City before home games move into the new Centennial Stadium this summer. Best Way to Get a Sweet Local Jersey Colorado Rockies Promo Nights mlb.com/rockies/tickets/promotions Buying a nice jersey for the home team costs a day’s pay nowadays, and anything rare or limited is double or triple. But if you’re willing to show up early to certain Colorado Rockies games, you can take home unique jerseys, and other mer- chandise, from limited-edition shirts and sweatshirts to jerseys in honor of mystery players, Pride and even the book Fourth Wing, as well as collaboration hats with the nearby universities. The Rockies have a long list of promotion nights with spe- cial gear for a certain number of fans fi rst through the doors, and while some of this gear is for kids, the college hat collabora- tions, Father’s Day Hawaiian T-shirt and other swag are legitimately cool and will be sold at overpriced vintage stores on Broad- ways. All you have to do to get it is show up for a baseball game. Best Holiday Sporting Event Colorado National Speedway Fourth of July Races 4281 County Road 10, Dacono coloradospeedway.com Football and basketball are great, but we want places where prices are low and entertainment is nonstop — and whether we’re talking about the cars or people watching, who cares? The Colorado Na- tional Speedway’s Fourth of July races include stock cars, sprint cars and circle drag races between street-registered cars right out of your neighbor’s garage (and a police vehicle or two). The crazy-eight track ups the thrills when pros are out there, and the talent is noticeable, as the Speedway is a NASCAR short track. Gen- eral admission was just $24 for adults and $15 for kids in 2025, but show up early if you want decent seats or parking, because the fi reworks display draws crowds. At- tendees can bring their own food, and the carnival-style concessions are perfect for a summer day — and did we mention the drinks are cheap? Best Place to Try Your First Hot Yoga Class Black Swan Yoga 1308 North Pearl Street blackswanyoga.com It can be intimidating to try a new activity, especially in the fi tness community. But those wanting to try hot yoga (or yoga in general) will fi nd a welcoming environ- ment at Black Swan Yoga, a donation-based studio in Capitol Hill. Classes are held throughout the day, taught by a variety of instructors, and can be booked for as low as $15. The small studio can get crowded during peak class times, and the yoga move- ments would feel easier if it weren’t 90 degrees inside the studio (although that’s kind of the point of hot yoga), but Black Swan classes are open to all experience levels, offering opportunities to level up and down, depending on your day. Best Pilates Studio Fierce45 527 East Mississippi Avenue fi erce45.com Pilates has exploded in popularity in the last few years, but Fierce45 has been leading the scene in Denver for more than a decade. First launching in LoHi in 2015, it now has six locations across the metro area offering re- former pilates classes daily. The 45-minute high-intensity workouts are enough to sat- isfy advanced practitioners, but the patient instructors also make the exercises welcom- ing for fi rst-timers. With airy studios, per- sonalized playlists and instructors who refer to each participant by name, Fierce45 has turned an infamously intimidating exercise space into an inviting one. Best Place to Do Cardio While Watching a Movie Movie Theater Cardio at Chuze Nine metro locations chuzefi tness.com Cardio isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. But cardio while watching a movie? Not too bad. Avail- able at several locations across the metro area, Movie Theater Cardio at Chuze allows participants to check out what’s playing that day before popping behind a black curtain and hopping on an elliptical, treadmill or sta- tionary bike while watching a movie. There might not be popcorn, but it is a unique way to burn calories. Other Chuze amenities in- clude red light therapy, team training, hydro- massage, pools and hot tubs, a lift lab, a sauna and circuit training — but how many of those will make you appreciate the art of cinema? Best Bar for Watching Sports Rhein Haus 1415 Market Street rheinhausdenver.com Sports fans get a two-for-one special at Rhein Haus, which is internally connected to its sister joint, Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern. And while the overall vibes and German- infl uenced bites make plenty of cheeseh- eads feel right at home, the two bars have enough TVs, cold and tasty treats and friendly bar-goers to make every game an easy fi t. Rhein Haus’s two fl oors and open layout ensure tables are more available than at most downtown watering holes, and the bocce ball court in the middle of the place will keep you occupied at halftime or in between games. The Rhein Haus is also located close to Coors Field and Ball Arena, enabling a quick jaunt to see the Avalanche, Nuggets or Rockies in person if you get the urge. Best Bar for Balling Out Basketball Social House 7450 South University Boulevard, Centennial thebasketballsocialhouse.com You can throw axes, play golf or volley- ball, or drive an F1 racing simulator at bars around Denver, but how many wa- tering holes have multiple indoor basket- ball courts? While you may have to save the drinking for after the activities — to anyone who can chug beers and then rain threes, more power to you — Basketball Social House provides a unique baller ex- perience, with a full bar, kitchen and lounge area with fl at screen TVs, as well as three private hardwood suites equipped with hoops and TVs, a three-on-three arena, a wall of hoops for arcade-style shooting, and, when you really want to run, a full court for fi ve-on-fi ve. Book a private court with your friends, join a rec league or take your kids to basketball camp at the Social House — and when it’s time to chill, there are always games on or an M.J. vs. LeBron argument to be had. What else does a hoops fan need? Best Place to Watch People Beat Each Other Up Stampede Club 2430 South Havana Street, Aurora stampedeclub.net The UFC doesn’t visit Colorado or other high-altitude cities very often, but that thin air is exactly why so many fi ghters train here, which makes for a solid re- gional martial arts scene. For our money, the best place to take in local fights is Aurora’s Stampede Club. Although better known for hosting dance nights and musi- cal performances, the multi-story Stam- pede is a fabulous martial arts venue, with plenty of room for fi ghting rings, octagons and attendees. You can lean against the rail on the second story, get a bar seat closer to the action, or drift around with a beer and fi nger food as amateurs and pros (some of whom are cornered by UFC coaches and fighters) beat the shit out of each other. It’s grimy, emotional and feels like a more regulated version of Road House. Visit the venue’s website to buy a ticket for the next one. S P O RT S & R E C R E AT I O N ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES
