These places welcome people of all walks of life.
Tired of bougie brunch spots and rooftop bars playing the same EDM or Hip Hop song over and over and over again? Want a change of scenery that celebrates how uniquely weird, eclectic, and diverse Denver is? Or maybe you just want an especially good cocktail with people you vibe with in a place that’s as unique as you are? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a weirdo, a punk, an artist, or just a person with strange taste, these 5 weird and artsy venues in Denver will welcome you with open arms.
1. Beacon
Beacon is the latest to be added to Denver’s vibrant and quirky bar scene. This isn’t just your normal bar experience though–its a place for artists to gather to connect on a human level. A place where artists have come together and worked to create an, immersive art installations to engage with. The bar is decorated similar to a paradise in Tulum and Tokyo mixed in with that unique festival vibe you could get from Burning Man. Enjoy spaces like the Willow Weave Bar or the Celestial Stardust Wagon pictured above. Dabble in a classic cocktail or enjoy a nice selection of no-ABV cocktails.
Where: 3636 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
2. Meow Wolf’s Perpexiplex Venue
Did you know that Meow Wolf has an upcoming dance party set to the beat of electronic DJs? Well now you do. Meow Wolf, the immersive art house that has taken the city by storm has expanded their reach to music. Enjoy a live party–where there are no kids to be found–from 12am to 4am (drinks will be sold until 2am) with 3 stages that will host 9 different DJs. The venues will be spread out across different worlds of the installation and in their music venue–the Perpexiplex, where they host other concerts as well. Tickets are $85 for this event happening on February 26th, and you can purchase yours here.
Where: 1338 1st St, Denver, CO 80204
3. The Electric Cure
With the tagline of “Drink Rum, Stay Weird,” Denver is a one-of-a-kind tiki concept bar that opened last spring in Edgewater. The decor is, eclectic, to say the least. Velvet paintings of popular actors/characters like Danny DeVito and George Costanza from Seinfeld are framed in gold and perched on the wall. Skeleton motifs abound–from the glassware housing their Creature from the Black Lagoon cocktail (which they set on fire) to their full-skeleton dressed in a safari hat and leis. Their cocktails are often served in funky glassware Tiki is known, with fun names like the Casa Bonita Cliff Diver and Little Georgie. Maybe our favorite aspect of The Electric Cure is their constant rotation of fun, quirky events to enjoy. Their Horror Movie: Zombie Edition Trivia night just passed and upcoming, they’ve got a ‘Satanic Tiki Series’ which plays up on the darker undertones of the bar.
Where: 5350 W 25th Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214
4. Slasher’s
A craft dive bar that caters to the Punk Hardcore Horror/Metal Goth Head, you can feel right at home letting your freak flag fly at Slashers. They’re a dive bar doing unique and well-made craft cocktails. Just listen to some of what they’re slinging on the menu: Baba Yaga’s Chicken Legs has Gin, galliano, lemon juice, honey and star anise simple syrup, pineapple juice, and aquafaba. They also roll classic and modern horror movies quite often, and recently had a “nostalgic console game night.” All of their going ons are relayed on their Instagram so you can follow them to keep updated.
Where: 5126 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
5. The Crypt
The Crypt is Denver’s newest punk bar–recently opened in January–that’s decorated in framed punk band posters from the 80s and has a backbar decorated with tons of multi-colored skulls that call to the hints of death culture decorating the space. As reported in Westword, the owner Priscilla Jerez notes, “It’s stuff that I’ve been collecting for over twenty years. With a name like the Crypt, it’s not just for show. … We don’t feel that death should be so taboo.” The menu is almost entirely vegan, with poutine that serves vegan gravy and Vegan cheese over french fries and a Vegan Eggplant Rueben. For those that eat meat, there’s still burgers and cheesy poutine on the menu, so in that way, the menu is totally inclusive.
Where: 1618 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
[featured image by beacondenver via instagram]