Going out to a concert takes determination.
There’s the mounting anticipation of seeing a favorite act, the time spent in front of the mirror inspecting outfits, the dreaded waiting in line to get into the venue, and the minutes standing between openers that seem to never end. And that’s all before the headliner takes the stage.
As such, food shouldn’t go by the wayside, whether that’s before, during or after a show. These restaurants and dives, located in live music and entertainment across the Front Range, were recommended by friends and readers of The Denver Post, as well as avid concertgoers.
Bluebird Theater/Lost Lake Lounge
Both of these venues are on East Colfax Avenue, which is undergoing a three-year construction project, and restaurants in the area say they are struggling now more than ever. Atomic Cowboy (3237 E. Colfax Ave.) is the choice for many standing outside the Bluebird Theatre — and who would turn down a stand-up slice of pizza? In between that venue and Lost Lake Lounge is Tommy’s Thai (3410 E. Colfax Ave.), an airy family restaurant on the strip since 1988; Q House (3421 E. Colfax Ave.), an upscale Chinese restaurant; and Machete Tequila + Tacos (3570 E. Colfax Ave.), a Mexican restaurant dishing out more than a dozen types of tacos made with corn tortillas. Goosetown Tavern & Restaurant (3242 E. Colfax Ave.) is a cozy bar and grill as well as a music venue across the street from the Bluebird.
Boulder Theater/The Fox Theatre
Both The Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater are surrounded by places to get food. A popular and convenient option is Avanti Food & Beverage, a food hall currently home to an Italian deli, Mediterranean restaurant, pizza spot, ramen bar and more. Both venues are graced by having dumplings nearby: Zoe Ma Ma (919 Pearl St.) by the Boulder Theater and Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings (1125 13th St.) by the Fox. If you’re lucky, maybe you can grab a table at Pasta Jay’s (1001 Pearl St.) and order a pizza from the Pearl Street staple.
Fillmore Auditorium/The Ogden Theatre
Further west on East Colfax — but still in the path of the East Colfax BRT project — are two other stages drawing major talent to Denver. It’s not uncommon to see a line of teens and young adults before a show at either venue. Dependable handheld bites are across the street at Gyroz (880 E. Colfax Ave.), Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard (808 E. Colfax Ave.), Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs (638 E. Colfax Ave.) and SliceWorks (700 E. Colfax Ave.). New to the neighborhood are Uptown Banh Mi & Pho (1201 E. Colfax Ave.) and Champagne Tiger (601 E. Colfax Ave.), which is keeping alive the former home of Tom’s Starlight.
Don’t want to cross Colfax? You’ll find vegan hotspot Watercourse Foods (837 E. 17th Ave.) a few blocks away, as well as bar and grill Park & Co (439 E. 17th Ave.), and Revival Denver Public House (630 E. 17th Ave.), a swanky restaurant serving rich comfort food like buffalo gumbo and shrimp and grits.
Gothic Theatre/Swallow Hill Music
Several restaurants along South Broadway approach the Gothic Theatre and Swallow Hill Music. Swallow Hill senior manager Barry Osborne recommends Mexican food restaurant El Tejado (2651 S. Broadway, Denver), Colore Italian Restaurant (2700 S. Broadway, Englewood), and brewery and pizzeria Brewability (3445 S. Broadway, Englewood).
If you crave some post-show breakfast food while your eardrums readjust, Denny’s (275 W. Hampden Ave., Englewood) is open 24 hours. Lastly, Moe’s Original BBQ (3295 S. Broadway, Englewood) is a familiar barbecue restaurant that also happens to be a venue and bowling alley.
Larimer Lounge/The Mission Ballroom
In the wide swath of former warehouses known as the River North Art District, there are more (and better) places to eat than what first meets the eye. Left Hand Brewing Co. (4180 Wynkoop St.) is next to the Mission Ballroom, as is a new Mexican food restaurant, Chubby Unicorn Cantina (4180 Wynkoop St.). Closer to Larimer Lounge are Redeemer Pizza (2705 Larimer St.) and Dio Mio (3264 Larimer St.), both from the Mamas & Papas Hospitality Group. If a food court is more your style, vendors at Denver Central Market (2669 Larimer St.) and Zeppelin Station (3501 Wazee St.) are open until at least 9 p.m.
Other Colorado venues
Venues tucked into the mountains, such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison and Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue, are near restaurants that have themselves become destinations, such as The Mishawaka (13714 Poudre Canyon Road, Bellvue) and The Fort (19192 CO-8, Morrison).
Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre is another large outdoor venue away from the city center, though still with restaurants like I.C. Brewhouse (6460 S. Syracuse Way, Centennial) and Carrera’s Tacos (7939 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village) nearby to fuel up before a show.
And in a burgeoning sector of Colorado Springs, three music venues exist within a mile of each other: The Black Sheep, Vultures and the stage at What’s Left Records. Grab a po’ boy at Po’ Brothers (2101 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs), a Cuban tamal at Arelita Authentic Cuban Food (2306 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs) or traditional German food at Uwe’s German Restaurant (31 Iowa Ave., Colorado Springs).