Best of queer Denver
Denver is known for being a very queer-inclusive city and for good reason - we have a large LGBTQ+ population, a well-established nightlife scene, and many queer-friendly businesses. Below I offer some of the best of LGBTQ+ Denver living, based on my experience as a queer cis(ish) femme in her early 40’s. I welcome feedback and hearing from you about your favorite queer spaces in the Mile High City!
First off, one of my go-to resources is Everywhere is Queer, an awesome app that connects you with queer businesses worldwide. And if you're new to Denver like I once was, consider joining my LGBTQ+ New to Denver Meetup! We schedule a variety of activities each month and it’s a friendly landing-spot to meet new people and check out local sites and activities.
There are several other LGBTQ+ social groups to highlight as well, including the Denver Black Queer Collective, Mile High Queer Club, the Queer Umbrella, and the Colorado Queer Alliance just to name a few. These groups offer several activities and events, so be sure to check them out as well!
Other great resources for finding the pulse on queer life in Denver is Gay Denver and Out Front Magazine, our local queer magazine and essential read for local LGBTQ+ news and culture.
For those looking to give back while meeting new friends, volunteering with Gay for Good has been a very rewarding experience for me. It's amazing how much you can do for the community while having a great time and it’s been a great source for meeting new friends!
Shop at Petals and Pages, a super charming queer-owned and super gay bookstore. They offer a variety of events and book clubs every month (my favorite is the queer horror book club).
Some of my favorite spots in town to grab a queer beer are Goldspot Brewing and Lady Justice Brewing and for cocktails and chill bar scene my faves are Town Hall Collaborative (also a coffee shop by day and a queer mercantile featuring incredible wares from local businesses 1-8pm every day…Town Hall is by far my favorite place in Denver!!), Fort Greene Bar and Honey Elixir Bar. Some classic nightlife spots are Tracks Nightclub, X Bar, Charlie’s, Hamburger Mary’s, Lil Devil’s. Honestly the queer bar list goes on and on (the gays here know how to party) and there are so many more to explore!
For coffee lovers, hit up Quince Coffee House, Grounds for Dismissal, Queen City Collective, Under the Umbrella, or Hooked on Colfax, and get those iced coffees that I know you need.
For the sporty gays, we have unlimited options. For organized sports there is Out Loud Sports or GDASA - the Denver Picksies Pickleball league is particularly fun and happens on Sundays at various courts around town. Or try out Queer Skate Denver or the Fems & Thems, Out Spokin, or Gravel Bike Adventures biking groups. There’s also a ton of queer outdoorsy Meetup groups to join, such as Hiking with Pride or Fly with Pride Birding. Also I have to give a little shout out to my gym that I love so much: Vibe Fitness, which is for womxn and genderqueer people only. If CrossFit is more your thing, then Crossfit Park Hill is queer-owned and a great spot to get you yoked.
If you are looking for LGBTQ+ specific support services, we have wonderful community resources such as The Center, Transgender Center of the Rockies and Queer Asterisk - they're invaluable resources for support and community.
For entertainment, including drag, check out Rainbow Cult, MissFitts Entertainment or Champagne Tiger Productions or visit the Clocktower Cabaret.
Lastly, for my dear queers with a sweet tooth, we even have gay treats in Denver! Indulge in The Cake Bar, a vegan, Black and queer-owned bakery that is to die for. Or check out Moon Raccoon Baking Co. a from-scratch micro-bakery at farmers markets around town. And do yourself a major favor and order a pint of the best ice cream you’ve EVER had from the drool-worthy Sadboy Creamery.
Whether you're exploring Denver for the first time or have been here for years, I hope you find these insights into our LGBTQ+ community helpful! As I explore new places that I love, I’ll be sure to add them here - and let me know your thoughts!