Top Smaller Live Music Venues

Denver has plenty of big venues like Pepsi Center and Red Rocks to attract the biggest acts in the musical business. Fortunately, the metro area is also full of great smaller places to see acts perform in intimate settings. These venues also give lots of support to singers and bands on their way up.

This venue draws some great shows from time to time. The walls and ceilings have a very ornate design, and if you find yourself losing focus on the music you can always stare at the walls. There is a nice balcony with a bar that is usually open. The main bar on the main floor is usually not too crowded. They also have movies and sometimes feature special events.

Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom

2637 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80205-2911
(303) 297-1772
cervantesmasterpiece.com
This venue on Welton Street is a fun place to see music in Denver's Historic Five Points neighborhood. They cater to the jam band crowd but also you'll find good hip hop shows there and sometimes some up-and-coming bluegrass groups. It also offers the benefit of catching a ride on RTD's Light Rail.

Gothic Theatre

3263 South Broadway
Englewood, CO, 80113
(303) 951-6705
gothictheatre.com
The Gothic offers fantastic seating with a great view from almost anywhere in the house. Some fans say the real problem is the lack of well known bands who book into the venue, except for if you're into heavy metal. The art deco building has a wrap-around balcony as well as a state-of-the-art sound and light system.

Ogden Theatre

935 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 832-1874
ogdentheater.net
It's small, intimate and occasionally you get to see some pretty big names there that you normally wouldn't get to see so close up. It's also a great launching pads for local bands on their way up. That does mean it can get very crowded depending on the size of the act, leaving you to (in some cases literally) fight for your seats. Because it's on Colfax it is in walking distance of a slew great bars and restaurants.

Swallow Hill

71 East Yale Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
(303) 777-1003
swallowhillmusic.org
Swallow Hill actually offers much more than just a great place to see music, it's also a great place to learn music. The venue for the concerts is in an old church and fans say this small, intimate setting is a very relaxed and comfortable place to see a show. It also offers a wide variety of classes.