I love traveling for so many reasons — but one of my favorite parts is discovering live music wherever the road takes us. Whether it’s a local band in Patagonia, Arizona, or Dead & Company in San Francisco, live shows have become a soundtrack to our adventures.
So when we planned our recent trip to Colorado — a state I called home for over 17 years — I knew exactly where my mind would wander: Denver’s Colfax Avenue.
The Legendary Colfax Avenue: Denver’s Music Highway
Stretching nearly 50 miles, Colfax Avenue is known as “the longest continuous commercial street in the United States.” It’s also one of Denver’s most vibrant live music districts, filled with history, grit, and soul.
Colfax even makes an appearance in Jack Kerouac’s classic travel novel, On the Road. Legend has it that writer Neal Cassady was introduced to Kerouac and poet Allen Ginsberg right here on Colfax Avenue.
In the 1970s, Playboy magazine dubbed it “the longest, wickedest street in America,” sealing its reputation as a place of endless stories — and unforgettable nights.
Today, Colfax remains the heartbeat of Denver’s live music scene, home to some of the city’s most iconic venues. Here are seven legendary Colfax music venues every traveler and music lover should visit — plus a few personal memories from my years in the Mile High City.
Bluebird Theater
3317 E Colfax Ave
Built in 1914, the Bluebird Theater has been a cornerstone of Denver’s music scene for over a century. Once a movie house, it was transformed into a concert venue in 1994 and now hosts a mix of up-and-coming and established artists in an intimate, 550-person space.
I fell in love with this theater after moving to Denver in 1999. I’ve seen incredible shows here — from The Pat McGee Band in 2005 to Gregory Alan Isakov years later.
Great memories: standing at a crosswalk on Colfax, tickets in hand (back when you had to go to will call to get your tickets) and realizing Gregory Alan Isakov himself was right beside me! We chatted briefly about a new silk-screen poster he’d just seen for the first time. I’ve seen him many times since, including at Red Rocks — but that first Bluebird encounter remains special.
One of my favorite memories: back in 2013 I saw a Seattle Band, Pickwick. Another one of those bands to check out (on my Colfax playlist), the lead singers voice is incredible!! During one of their songs he was letting the crowd help sing the chorus and I got my moment to belt out some lyrics into the mic. My friend and I also met a lovely girl who featured me in her “Beards of Denver” blog. Here is the link: The Designer Beard
Designer Beard
Ogden Theatre
935 E Colfax Ave
Hosting more than 150 concerts a year, the Ogden Theatre is one of Denver’s premier music venues. Its general admission setup creates an electric, communal vibe for genres ranging from bluegrass to indie rock.
I’ve seen Trampled by Turtles, Mazzy Star, and Hope Sandoval here — unforgettable shows.
I remember the Trampled by Turtles show was so full that I just moved with the crowd as one big wave!! Fun in my 20’s and early 30s, maybe not so much now.
Fun fact: one of my first Denver jobs was concert security — the only way I could afford to see shows while in art school! I once worked a Mr. Bungle concert and got to watch their soundcheck in an empty venue, organized chaos at its best! Mike Patton even asked me where to find good food afterward in the lobby — I wish I had something good to say, but I was too new to Denver to know any place at all.
Fillmore Auditorium
1510 Clarkson St
With a capacity of nearly 4,000, the Fillmore Auditorium is Colfax’s largest concert venue and one of its most historic. Its roots date back to the 1960s, when it was known as Mammoth Gardens and hosted acts like The Who, Joe Cocker, and The Grateful Dead before it was shut down my city officials. It was reopened as Mammoth Center in 1986.
My first-ever Colfax concert was in 1998 when the venue was still called the Mammoth Center. On that night I saw The Verve, to this day still one of my all-time favorite shows and favorite bands. I remember driving from Iowa and being so excited since they don’t tour in the USA that often.
The venue as we now know it was opened in 1999 as The Fillmore Auditorium, A big restore took place including moving the stage from the right side as you entered the venue during the Mammoth Center days to the stage being now centered. I’ve seen countless shows here since — Wilco, Foo Fighters, Moe., Galactic, Gomez, new Alice in Chains and more.
Lion’s Lair
2022 E Colfax Ave
No list of Colfax music venues is complete without Lion’s Lair, a legendary dive bar that’s been rocking since the 1930s. Originally called the Playboy Lounge and later the Aladdin Lounge, it became a home for Denver’s punk and indie scene.
To be honest, the Lion’s Lair has seen many blurry nights — and my memory’s a little hazy, too! I know I’ve been to a show or two here but my memory and ticket collection didn’t provide me any insight to who that might have been. My guess is it was fun! Let’s just say it’s one of those places where the music, beer, and stories all blend into one.
Lost Lake Lounge
3602 E Colfax Ave
Once home to bars like Mr. Von’s Alamo and The Bulldog, Lost Lake Lounge was reborn in 2010 with a cozy, cabin-style vibe inspired by Silver Lake.
It’s small, intimate, and full of character — the kind of place where every show feels personal. I think the first time I’ve been in the building was when I caught Elf Power here in 2023 on a return trip to Denver. A hailstorm delayed us, so I only saw half the show — but it was still worth every minute.
Velvet Banjo
741 E Colfax Ave
The Velvet Banjo blends live “Newgrass” music with a relaxed bar atmosphere and a few pool tables. I haven’t caught a show here yet, but this spot has deep personal roots for me.
This used to be Sancho’s Broken Arrow, my old local bar when I lived nearby in the mid-’90s. It was a true Grateful Dead-inspired dive where I made lifelong friends and memories (and was even invited to be in their “family photo”) since I spent so much time there. This was a great place to grab a beer before going to a show at the Fillmore since it was right across the street.
While I miss Sancho’s, I’m glad to see the space live on as another Colfax music landmark and keep the hippy vibe going.
The Squire Lounge
2011 E Colfax Ave
The Squire Lounge is one of those true Denver dive bars — great drinks, good people, and occasional live music. While I’ve never seen a full concert here, I’ve closed down the bar more than once after a night on Colfax.
My old neighbor once hosted a comedy night here, and the place has a rich history of supporting local talent and comedy.
Here is an old article about the Squires Open Mike Night and its impact on Colfax.
And one on my old neighbor Greg
Why So Serious, Greg Baumhauer?
There you have it, a complete list of music venues on Colfax. Plan your visit to Denver and make your own history. In the meantime, enjoy a playlist I created with bands I’ve seen at these wonderful venues!
Colfax Playlist
Here is my Colfax playlist! Songs from shows I’ve seen throughout my years in Denver and enjoying the Colfax music scene
We are a soon-to-be-launched internet radio station meshing our love for music and travel
