Top Five Live Music Concert Venues in Denver

By most accounts, Denver is not a music city. That distinction is reserved for the bigger music scenes in Seattle, LA, Austin, Memphis and New York. But over the last several years, the Mile High City has grown into a pretty decent music scene punctuated over the last year by the rise and signing of local band The Fray.

Yet Denver is still not a place people think of when it comes to great music, which is unfortunate; there are many talented bands in the local Denver scene, and many great venues where you can check them out. I’ve seen every one of these places from both sides; as a spectator and music fan, as well as performing on each of these stages with my band Lazyface. Out of all the venues I’ve been to or played at, these are far-and-away the best.

1.The Soiled Dove
Located right in the heart of Lower Downtown Denver (or LoDo for practical purposes in this article), The Dove is an intimate setting with great sound and a nice atmosphere. Unlike most music clubs, the place doesn’t reek of beer and cigarettes, the floor isn’t sticky and the staff isn’t surly. Both local and national acts have played this room, and it hosts everything from reggae to rock, from hip-hop to country. Most shows are reasonably priced, with tickets running from $3 for local shows to $10 or $15 for national touring acts. Unfortunately, the Dove will be leaving it’s post at 20th and Market in January for greener pastures at the former Lowry Air Force Base, but rumor has it that the room will be very similar, so the only thing we’ll miss is a couple months (the new Soiled Dove is scheduled to open in March of 2006). 1945 Market Street, Denver