One of the first things I do when I move to a new city is google “best concert venues in [insert city name here].”
Concert venues are important to the concert goer, as they want the best experience in the realm of live music.
Denver has a wonderful music scene and venue gems that concert goers gush over. Whether it’s ten or forty five
minutes away, these venues are the place to be, especially with 2022’s concert season about to be underway. Here
is a list of my top five Denver area concert venues so you can have the most enjoyable concert experience.
- Red rocks amphitheater in morrison, colorado
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We have to start with this classic Colorado venue staple. Located in Morrison, Red
Rocks Amphitheater has made an international name for itself. Built into the formations of Red
Rocks, the amphitheater was opened in June of 1941. It has since become a bucket list essential for all concert
goers who seek out amazing live music. The natural acoustics are practically perfect due to the
formation of the amphitheater and the rock formations. There is no actual bad seat in the house,
but the sound quality might be diminished slightly the higher your seats are. Bands such as U2,
Widespread Panic, Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and The Jimi Hendricks Experience have
graced the stage of this natural amphitheater, making it one of the top venues to play in an
artist’s life. Ticket prices will vary for the venue depending on the artist and whether it’s general
admission or not, but the average ticket will cost you $80 to $115. The best part about Red
Rocks Amphitheater? There are hikes all around the venue as well that are safe and well
traveled! People from all over love coming to Morrison, not just to check out the concert venue,
but the sights and sounds surrounding it as well. The venue can hold up to 9,525 people.
- the filmore auditorium in denver, colorado
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Nestled in the neighborhood of Capitol Hill, The Fillmore Auditorium has had a lengthy history to get to the
great venue it is today. It opened in 1907 as a roller rink, but the auditorium wouldn’t be turned into a concert
venue until 1968. The venue is owned and operated by the same proprietors of the iconic Fillmore in
San Francisco. Some of the famous artists who have played this stage include The Who, The Doors, Beastie
Boys, Bob Dylan, Sublime, and Slayer. The concert hall currently holds the title for the
largest general admission venue in the state of Colorado. Tickets can be as low as $35 per person and
skyrocket all the way to the $300 range. The venue can currently pack in about 3,900 people per event.
- the ogden theatre in denver, colorado
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The Ogden Theatre is a quaint venue also located in the neighborhood of Capitol Hill. This former movie
theatre is also listed on the National Register of Historic places. The Ogden Theatre was opened as a concert
venue in 1993 and hosts around 150 events every year. Some iconic acts who have solidified the history of the
Ogden Theatre include Deftones, No Doubt, The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, and Slightly Stoopid. The only
downside to this venue is, because of how small it is, there is only a tiny parking lot behind the venue-
this makes parking a mess. The venue holds up to 1,600 patrons.
- the ball arena, formerly the pepsi center, in denver, colorado
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The Ball Arena (previously known as the Pepsi Center) is a multipurpose event center located in
downtown Denver. This venue is a iconic to Denver entertainment, no matter the type and
has arena style seating. One of the most recent artists to grace this stage was popstar Harry
Styles, who played the Arena on September 8th, 2021. Other artists who have performed at
this arena include Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Gwen Stefani. The venue seats up to
19,000 people with floor seating included. The Ball Arena has great acoustics and is an
extremely fun venue for artists who have a massive following! Parking around the Arena
can range from $20-$45, depending on which parking lot you choose, how you pay,
or if it’s part of a concert package.
- larimer lounge in denver, colorado
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Located in the heart of the RiNo (River North Art District), Larimer Lounge is the place to go
if you really want the experience of a local Denver concert lover. A lot of the bands and artists that have
played this venue are a little more eclectic in their taste; not everyone has heard of them and
not everyone will love them. If you’re into unique, funky music, this is the place for you.
Some of the musicians that have played this venue include Arcade Fire, Young The
Giant, Death Grips, Schoolboy Q, and Mitski. This venue is extremely intimate, only holding 250 people at
max capacity. There is general admission and standing room only. This venue is perfect if you want to get up
close and personal with a musician. Not everyone will like this venue because of how packed it can get, but it
really highlights some of the greatest parts of live music.
This list would not be complete without a few honorable mentions: Mission Ballroom (Denver, CO), Summit
Music Hall (Denver, CO), Bellco Theatre (Denver, CO), Paramount Theatre (Denver, CO), and Fiddlers Green
Amphitheater (Denver, CO).
I hope this list gives you a taste of the concert experiences you can find in and around Denver, a city full of life
and music. Live music has always been a huge part of Denver’s nightlife and history, so knowing the best places to
go see live music is definitely worth your time and money. So start looking- your favorite artists might be playing
one of these venues soon!