84 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | FOOD & DRINK | MUSIC & VENUES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | SPORTS & RECREATION | CONTENTS | Best New Venue Federal Theatre 3830 Federal Boulevard thefederaltheatre.com The Northside has a new space for com- munity and live music, now that the Federal Theatre has been revived into a top-notch venue, courtesy of Oriental Theater owners Scott Happel, Andy Bercaw and Peter Ore. The Federal demonstrated its dedication to the local scene upon its September 2025 opening with a free show from iZCALLi and Los Mocochetes, followed by another free concert the next evening with Cobranoid. Longtime local DJ Miggy Camacho has also started hosting a series there dubbed “Federal Nights,” which unites the neigh- borhood, lowrider community and more with Latin tunes and food. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for this venue, which is already becoming a neighborhood staple. Best New Pop-Up Venue Project 70 4600 Humboldt Street project70underthebridge.com Project 70 may not be open year-round, but it’s already made a splash. Inspired by the concept of the New York City venue Under the K, AEG debuted the pop-up venue last September with a hardcore lineup com- prising Turnstile, Mannequin Pussy and SPEED, and it was one of the best shows of the year. Located under the I-70 over- pass near the Denver Coliseum, the venue included food trucks and even a half-pipe with pro skaters for the affair, which was followed up by a rave with Chase & Status. The sound is surprisingly impressive (you can’t hear a whisper of the cars rushing overhead), and despite its size, Project 70 carries the impression of an underground show — and we’re here for it. Best Marquee The Bluebird Theater 3317 East Colfax Avenue bluebirdtheater.net When a Denver band sees its name on the marquee of the Bluebird Theater, it marks a milestone moment in its career. The Blue- bird, which opened in 1994, has cemented itself as one of the top venues in the area for artists who are starting to make a name for themselves (as well as established ones — Jack White returned to the Bluebird for an intimate performance a couple of years ago). It’s where such musicians as Adele and Billie Eilish cut their teeth on early tours, so it’s a big deal when hometown bands make it to the stage. Best BIPOC Open Mic Manos Sagrados 9975 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora manossagrados.com If there’s one thing Manos Sagrados does exceptionally well, it’s bringing together a sense of community you may not have realized was missing. Hosted by Melissa Ivey, the monthly BIPOC Open Mic event transforms the Manos stage into a platform for a dynamic lineup of emerging talent and fi rst-time performers alike. Free and open to the public, it invites attendees to share covers, workshop original material, or simply listen. With its spirit of inclusiv- ity and encouragement, the event fosters an atmosphere where artists, especially those who haven’t always felt seen, can feel wel- comed, supported and celebrated. Best Venue for Music, Community and Food Bar 404 404 Broadway bar404broadway.com Kerry O’Brien and Marty Varela opened Bar 404 in 2021 in the former home of Rory’s Tavern, and in the following years it’s be- come known as an excellent, lowkey spot for local live music, food and fi nding com- munity. A larger stage was installed, making more room for Denver bands that perform there in residencies or at Indie 102.3’s net- working events, which it has hosted in the past. Bar 404’s concert programming includes weekly jazz on Wednesdays and, most recently, a bluegrass jam on every Tuesday except the fi rst of the month. A big bonus: The food is also incredible. Best Place to Eat Pizza and Watch a Show Marquis Theater 2009 Larimer Street marquisdenver.com Going out and having a good time at a lo- cal show isn’t complete without indulg- ing in some sort of greasy food to soak up the go-go juice afterward. Marquis The- ater saves you a trip by putting the pizza right inside the venue. You’re also spared from standing outside in the freezing cold waiting for your order from a food truck. These aren’t basic cheese and pepperoni slices, either. The venue has tons of options, from a chicken pesto pizza to a vegan tofu pizza. Grab slices, whole pies, appetizers and even desserts without missing a note, no matter how late the show goes. Best Local Music Networking Events Indie 102.3’s Local 303 cpr.org/indie/local-303 The last Monday of every month is for shak- ing hands and rubbing elbows with song- writers, musicians, producers, performers and anyone else in the Denver music scene. Hosted by Indie 102.3, a local favorite for discovering new artists, these events allow anyone to stop by and meet people, includ- ing the hosts of Indie 102.3. Not only is this a great way to start networking with the music community, but attendees are also treated to a live show from a local band, along with concert ticket and prize raffl es. The meetups are hosted at different venues each month, and admission is free (though donations are appreciated). Best Weekly Karaoke Skylark Lounge 140 South Broadway skylarklounge.com One of South Broadway’s best-kept secrets is the weekly Wednesday karaoke night, known as “Alley Cat Karaoke,” held at the Skylark Lounge. Hosted by Allison Young, the event takes place downstairs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and features a wide range of performances, from oldies and indie sleaze to current hits. You might even catch a screamo rendition of a favorite pop song, as all styles are welcome. There is no wrong way to karaoke here, and when a song resonates with the crowd, the entire bar often joins in. See you there! Best Chandeliers in a Venue Fillmore Auditorium 1510 Clarkson Street fi llmoredenver.com The Fillmore Auditorium is a favorite venue for touring artists ranging from rock to hip- hop to indie and more. And while the sound system, stage and layout are all great, those sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling are a highlight of the concert-going experience there (especially if you have indulged in some psychedelic fun). When there’s a really good light show happening, the beams bounce from the stage across the crystals on the chandeliers, creating a mesmerizing effect. The venue, which has a capacity of around 3,700, has a lot going for it, but we had to give its eye candy a nod. Best Divey Venue Hi-dive 7 South Broadway hi-dive.com You haven’t experienced South Broadway (or the Denver music scene, for that mat- ter) without seeing a show at the hi-dive. This neighborhood spot is a staple for local performers getting started in the scene, and a friendly gathering place whether you’re looking to catch a show or just hang out. Its neon “The Club is Open” sign welcomes passersby inside and signals community for Denver musicians and fans alike. The drinks are cheap, the stage is dark, and the crowd is packed in. True to its alt aesthetic, the hi-dive sold “Keep ICE in the Well” shirts in January, donating proceeds to the Colorado Rapid Response Network. From community activism to great music, it’s everything you want from a local dive. Best Venue to Sit Back, Relax and Enjoy Two Moons Music Hall 2944 Larimer Street twomoonsmusic.com Located right on bustling Larimer Street, Two Moons is a much-needed breath of fresh air from typical music venues. Rather than fi ghting to see over a tall person stand- ing in front of you and squeezing in and out of crowds to get to the bar, Two Moons of- fers a spacious, comfortable environment to enjoy the show. With plenty of cozy seating, tables, and even small snacks, this is our fa- vorite place to see a show when we want to be able to really kick back. Two Moons also books a wide variety of shows, and also hosts fun events like live-band karaoke. Best Concert Programming Levitt Pavilion 1380 West Florida Avenue levittdenver.org Levitt Pavilion has been hosting a slew of free concerts each continued on page 88 ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES M U S I C & V E N U E S
