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While in many ways Denver is the most modern city in the Mountain states, it still is very much a wild, Western town. Gay men here are more likely to have toned and outdoorsy gym bodies than in other mid-West cities and the Abercrombie-style prep look dominates the gay male bar and club scene. Oddly, lesbians dominate the social scene in much of Denver not only in a variety of bars catering strictly to women, but also through local sports teams, and hiking and athletic clubs in nearby mountain towns like Boulder. The genders come together at local Country and Western bars where drag kings and queens belt out Conway Twitty and Martina McBride alike. Denver Pride events happen each June and draw a large, diverse crowd.
Charlie's
900 E. Colfax Ave., Denver CO; Tel. 303.839.8890
Charlie's is a gay country western bar in the heart of the New West, and it doesn't shy away from the city's cowboy (and girl) origins. Wood-paneled dance floors and décor provide ample room for sizing up a city slicker's boots (and how he or she can shake them), and the deer-hunting video game is the firing line for pixels and pick-up lines. Charlie's hosts a number of pageants and shows, opening its large patio for more expansive events. |
Denver Detour
551 E. Colfax Ave (use back entrance off Pearl), Denver CO; Tel. 303.861.1497
Hockey-playing lesbians are the dish du jour at this haven for women-loving women. Butch, muscle-armed bartenders throw down Coors and cocktails to painted ladies and their hiking partners. While the Detour serves food, the real attractions are the pool table, which provides sex-tinged heated matches between the bold and the beautiful, and the jukebox, which blasts out a mixture of Hot Country, Lilith fare and classic rock. |
JR's
1669 Clarkson, Denver CO; Tel. 303.831.0459
This two-floor Denver mega-bar occupies the site of the former, popular club Bent, and still manages to pack in the corn-fed Abercrombie boys. Hunky bartenders pour beers all night as the locals warm up for the night ahead. On weekends drag shows and go-go boys keep the clientele entertained, but as club kids slowly take off ('round midnight) for dance clubs like the Wave, the bar quiets down and becomes a casual cocktail hangout. |
The Brig
117 Broadway, Denver CO; Tel. 303.777.9378
Aye, maties! The Brig may not have any sailors, or even a sea theme, but its clientele does resemble a group of prisoners forced below deck. There's nothing wrong with a dive bar, as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. If you are under 40, prepared to be hit on with a vengeance, or at least enough voracity to get your drinks bought for you. |
The Wave Nightclub
2101 Champa St., Denver CO; Tel. 303.299.9283
The Wave hardly opens an eye before midnight, but come the witching hour the boys pack in and the club swells. With multiple dance floors, wannabe Tom Cruise cocktail pourers, and a pumping sound system, the Wave doesn't close until the patrons fall over, the floor caves in or those pesky police arrive. |
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