68 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | Best Reason to Go to the 16th Street Mall Regal UA Denver Pavilions 500 16th Street, #310 844-462-7342 regmovies.com As the 16th Street Mall has crumbled under endless construction, the Regal UA Den- ver Pavilions has remained a diamond in the rough. You can’t ask for more from a movie theater, with its comfortable reclin- ing seats, full-service bar and free under- ground parking. Daily showings range from Hollywood blockbusters to special screen- ings of the Metropolitan Opera and ’90s anime movies, offered in standard digital, RPX and even 4DX. While neighboring businesses have closed their doors, Regal UA holds strong. And with fewer people visiting the mall, you don’t have to worry about rushing to get the best seat or waiting in line for popcorn. Best Theater Popcorn Alamo Drafthouse Multiple metro locations drafthouse.com/denver Alamo Drafthouse’s at-your-seat service is a big part of the experience. And while it’s great to enjoy a hot dog that still has some bite to it instead of one that’s been limply spinning on a heated spindle in the lobby for God knows how long, the big winner here is still the hot buttered popcorn. It’s served in real bowls rather than greasy wax cardboard tubs and comes with unlimited refi lls, to boot. And the butter will take you back to a time you prob- ably never lived in: one in which all ingredi- ents were fresh, all seats were good, and all movies were above average. Best Theater Fountain Drinks Coca-Cola Freestyle at AMC Multiple metro locations amctheatres.com What makes an $8 soda feel just a little less shameful? Being able to customize it to a frankly ridiculous degree, of course. AMC movie theaters around Denver have your sugary sinful desires covered with Coca-Cola Freestyle. Craving an orange-fl avored Coke? A sugar-free grape-strawberry Fanta? You got it, champ! What about a peach-cherry-vanilla Mello Yello with a dash of root beer and a topper of pop rocks? Sure, kid, sure. Go nuts. And if it tastes terrible? Pour that sucker out and start again, as long as there’s no one wait- ing for their turn to be a mad soda scientist. Best Theater Expansion Su Teatro 721 Santa Fe Drive 303-296-0219 suteatro.org Su Teatro, Denver’s longstanding Chicano theater company, founded in 1972, has marked a powerful new milestone with its recent expansion into the “Blue Building” at 659 Santa Fe Drive. While many local theaters struggle or downsize, Su Teatro continues to thrive, reinforcing its mission of cultural independence and the preserva- tion of Chicano heritage through arts and education. Under the visionary leadership of executive artistic director Tony Garcia and his daughter, Mica Garcia de Benavidez, this signifi cant acquisition ensures that Su Teatro can expand its award-winning youth pro- grams, educational initiatives and commu- nity engagement. The new space symbolizes a renewed commitment to fostering cultural pride, creativity and resilience, securing the legacy of Su Teatro for generations to come. Best Stand Against Gentrifi cation The Bug Theatre 3654 Navajo Street 303-477-5977 bugtheatre.org In a city increasingly defi ned by luxury apart- ments and trendy cafes, the Bug Theatre defi antly holds its ground as one of the last vestiges of Denver’s avant-garde arts scene. Founded thirty years ago in an old movie house on Navajo Street — once home to ex- perimental galleries and underground artists — the Bug survives as a fi ercely independent venue celebrating unapologetically weird theater, comedy and fi lm. Executive artistic director Alex Weimer continues to nurture offbeat, innovative programming like the monthly Freak Train, Arts & Entertainment continued from page 66 continued on page 70
