122 APRIL 4-10, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | musicians, DJs or vocalists. But the Roxy on Broadway, known for its 1920s ambi- ence and classic cocktails, has open-mic nights tailored to a variety of performers. Every Wednesday, jazz prodigies and con- noisseurs can enjoy an evening of live jazz and an open jazz jam from 7 to 10 p.m. On the fi rst and last Tuesday of each month, singers and songwriters fl ock to the Roxy’s intimate stage for an open mic from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Even wannabe DJs can practice their record-spinning skills at a DJ open deck from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on the fi rst and third Thursday of each month. Best Place to Find the Jams Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom and Other Side 2637 Welton Street 303-297-1772 cervantesmasterpiece.com Ah, Cervantes’. This dual venue has been a live-music haven since it opened in 2003, and while you can catch numerous genres here, Cervantes’ has become known for staging jam bands from the city and around the U.S. It’s not just up-and-comers, either: The club has hosted the likes of Phish’s Page McConnell and Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes. With the smart layout, after seeing a show in the Ballroom, you can hop over to the Other Side to enjoy more funky tunes. And during the summer, there’s nothing like the vibes on the patio. Best Venue Made by Local Musicians The Rickhouse 6100 East 39th Avenue therickhousedenver.com Longtime musicians Johny Fysh, Josh Thibeault and Steve Addison missed the nondescript DIY warehouse shows of their youth, and they wanted to offer that expe- rience with the Rickhouse, the live-music venue they opened in December 2022. This no-frills spot is purely about the music; you won’t fi nd TVs, pool tables or games here, just great bands that love to play. “This is a DIY establishment built by musicians, for musicians, focused on the musicians, and not the bottom line or budget,” Thi- beault told us. That’s a philosophy we can get behind. Best Club to Dance, See Art and Feel Safe Beacon 2854 Larimer Street be.thebeacon.co The owners of Beacon really know how to create an environment that ignites the party spirit in everyone who walks through the door. Even if you’re an introvert who rarely likes going out, it’s impossible not to enjoy yourself at this club, which is fi lled with immersive installations by local art- ists, including the whimsical bar covered with woven branches and a golden room that emulates a beehive. Aesthetics aside, Beacon is also serious about safety and its “no-assholes” policy. Being able to dance to stellar local and international DJs with- out having to worry about any creeps is a truly wonderful thing that warrants seri- ous props. Best Venue for Public Transportation The Gothic Theatre 3263 South Broadway, Englewood 303-789-9206 gothictheatre.com Not only does the Gothic Theatre offer an excellent lineup of shows every month, but it’s also an easy night out for those who don’t want to drive. The venue is about a fi fteen-minute walk from the Englewood Station light rail stop, and no fewer than fi ve RTD bus lines drop passengers off even closer than that. Both the light rail and the buses run past midnight on Friday and Sat- urday, so enjoy a worry-free show at the Gothic, then hop on the bus, Gus, and get yourself home. Best Venue for High School Nostalgia Summit 1902 Blake Street 303-487-0111 summitdenver.com Summit has a calendar stacked with metal and punk-rock acts that you used to love in high school (whether you graduated last year or two decades ago). There are just as many rising rock stars on this LoDo club’s books as there are mainstay metal heavy hitters — but don’t forget the emo nights, when you can dance and sing along to all of your favorites at full volume. And if sneaking out for pizza between classes was your thing, you can do that here, too. So break out the eyeliner, squeeze yourself into those skinny jeans and head on down to Summit to relive the fast times. Best Venue for EDM The Black Box 314 East 13th Avenue 720-242-9481 blackboxdenver.co EDM has found its Mile High headquarters in the Black Box. Whether you want to hear a touring artist or an underground up-and- comer, this is the spot — and has been for almost a decade. Created by Nicole Caccia- villano in 2016, the Black Box is known for its weekly event Sub.mission, which is also the name of Cacciavillano’s booking and talent agency. Sub.mission was one of the fi rst events to champion dubstep in the U.S., and it’s continued to bring top-notch talent to the venue while maintaining the spirit of old-school raves. As Cacciavillano puts it: “What we look for is just raw talent.” Best Place to Hear a Surprisingly Good DJ While Eating Sushi LoDo Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar 1514 Blake Street 720-354-5058 hapasushi.com Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar, a local Jap- anese-Hawaiian fusion chain, delivers a great happy hour and a fun environment at all four of its locations, but weekend nights at its Blake Street outpost offer something special: DJs. Music at a sushi restaurant? Yes — and it’s not just the sake bombs mak- ing the beats sound distressingly good. More often than not, the DJs at this spot are talented enough to have you grabbing your phone to Google where they’re play- ing next. Best Venue for Both Rock Bands and DJs Larimer Lounge 2721 Larimer Street 303-296-1003 larimerlounge.com The Larimer Lounge used to be primarily a rock club, but it has expanded its audi- ence by welcoming other genres, especially EDM. These days, you can catch anyone from an indie singer-songwriter to a rock band to a techno DJ or dubstep artist here. The Larimer even has an SMS mailing list that will alert you to the best electronic- music artists coming to the venue, with the chance for guest-list spots and other deals. And when you’re at the club, you won’t want to leave; it boasts an easily ac- cessible bar as well as an outdoor area in back where you can swap stories. Best Venue for Discovering New Bands Skylark Lounge 140 South Broadway skylarklounge.com Perched at the corner of South Broadway and East Maple Avenue, the Skylark has a knack for hosting unfamiliar artists that easily become new favorites. One scroll through its website reveals an intriguing roster of under-the-radar musicians look- ing for their next big fan. The small stage upstairs in the Bobcat Club is the perfect place to catch a show during a night out on Broadway, and tickets are always on the cheaper end. Grab a drink, sit back and enjoy the tunes of Denver’s independent musicians. Best ’90s Nostalgia Trip The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues 1624 Market Street 720-502-3535 theblackbuzzard.com Heading behind the red velvet curtain and down the stairs into the Black Buzzard is such a throwback. The stripped-down venue allows for close proximity to those performing, with plenty of seating and a full bar that lets concert-goers choose their own adventure. Get sweaty in a mosh pit or sit on the sidelines watching acts take the stage. Either way, your fl annels are welcome here, and you just might feel the urge to head to a Blockbuster store or fl ip through the Yellow Pages to dial your friend on their landline: The Black Buzzard is just that good at trans- porting you to simpler times. Best Stepping-Stone Venue Bluebird Theater 3317 East Colfax Avenue 303-377-1666 bluebirdtheater.net Anyone who’s lived in the city for a while likely has fond memories from nights at the Bluebird Theater, which many musicians see as a key stepping stone on their path to stardom. It’s where we catch acts on their come-up, and it’s even where many return after hitting the mainstream — it’s that beloved by the musicians who play there. Aside from the quality of the booking by AEG, the Bluebird keeps fans coming back for its intimate, funky setting, from the gar- goyles on the walls to the balcony, where you can grab a beer and have a bird’s-eye view of the dancing crowd. Best Staff at a Venue The Ogden Theatre 935 East Colfax Avenue 303-832-1874 ogdentheatre.com The Ogden Theatre is more than 100 years old, but this intimate concert venue still knows the defi nition of hospitality. The Ogden’s security, bar and operations em- ployees are attentive and kind, willing to give dizzy concert-goers a bottle of water and a place to sit or to point out the location of the bathrooms if needed. The staff is ap- proachable and takes care of every patron. It’s nice to know that no matter what hap- pens at the Ogden, we’re in good hands. Best Venue Name Your Mom’s House 608 East 13th Avenue 720-821-1128 yourmomshousedenver.com You’re going where? Your Mom’s House is such a great name, simply because of the confusion it engen- Music and Venues continued from page 118 continued on page 126 GETT Y IMAGES
