Nightlife Adventures in Denver, Colorado

When I fly into Denver, I usually stay with my Mom just north of here. So staying with a friend in town for a few days and nights is an adult treat.

My pal David is typical of Californians emigrating to Colorado. He used to have a high-powered career and an overpriced home. He now has greater disposable income relative to necessities and a more conservative outlook on healthy living.

David lives in Capitol Hill, walking distance from dozens of brew houses, restaurants, and alternative businesses. He lives with his 15-years-young Pomeranian, Teddy and cultivates a contrarian sense of humor.

Because Teddy is mostly bald, people ask what breed he is when one walks him. David says his breed is “old.”

His computer is programmed to play a riff from “Master of Puppets,” Metallica’s famous drug-addiction song, whenever one of his friends logs onto Facebook.

The vibe in this part of downtown Denver skews younger and more transient than other U.S. cities. There is no rent control. The market is filled with attractive affordable sale apartments. There are lots of alternative businesses.




It is more diverse than the rest of Colorado, where the dominant Mexican-American and Euro-mutt contingents saturate a landscape covered with churches and schools. There are tons of black folks and gays and a small international crowd.

Many of the nightspots in Denver give casual nods to the its Wild West roots. It is not unusual to see cowboys or wagon wheels or beer barrels. Instead of a disco ball, Charlie’s has a pair of mirror paneled shit-kickers hanging over the dance floor.