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Denverites may have a reputation for their prowess in the great outdoors, but they know a thing or two about getting down on the dance floor, too—which makes sense, given the dozens of spots to cut a rug on any given week night around town.
Avoiding the rowdy crowds and washed-up club tunes, however, is an art in and of itself. To help you navigate, we put on our dancing shoes and rounded up our favorite places to get down in Denver.
Milk Bar
Golden Triangle
It’s as easy to get lost in the music as it is the maze of rooms at this South Broadway nightclub—but in the best way possible. Venture into the underground bass haven located below Bar Standard in the historic Jonas Furs Building through its back-alley entrance, and boogy your way through several rooms, each blasting different genres of music. So whether you’re into the Red Room’s house, techno, or trap, or feeling the indie mix spinning in the monochromatic, retro-themed Milk Room, you’re guaranteed a taste of eclectic, chest-thudding beats to keep you moving all night. (The venue also features darkwave electro, synth pop, goth, and industrial sounds on Wednesdays.) 1037 Broadway; Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
Read More: The 23 Best Bars in Denver
La Rumba
Golden Triangle
Grab a partner and spice up any weeknight at Denver’s mainstay Latin dance club. Dancers of all levels are welcome for the fiery, fast-paced salsa or suavemente Bachata-style dance nights. Arrive as the club opens for a lesson on basic steps, spins, and cross-body turns. Just be sure to don a fit that matches the choreography’s flair, as this club enforces a nightly dress code. 99 W. 9th Ave; Lessons every day of the week 7–9 p.m.; Club nights Thursdays 8 p.m.–1:30 a.m.; Fridays through Sundays 7 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Find information on class schedule, special events, cover charges, and more online
Disco Pig
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Downtown
Larimer Square’s Disco Pig delivers DJs, disco balls, and boozy drinks for a night of retro revelry. Its alleyway entrance gives the spot a speakeasy feel, while the light-up dance floor, arcade games, and Instagrammable neon signs will leave you feeling nostalgic for the ’70s. Opened in 2022 by Ruckus Hospitality, a group behind many of Denver’s holiday pop-up bars, the Disco Pig will leave you and your crew dancing all night long. 1414 Larimer St., Friday and Saturday 9 p.m.—2 a.m.
The Grizzly Rose
North Denver
For a quintessential country night of line dancing, mechanical bulls, and billiards, this 40,000-square-foot venue is one of Denver’s last remaining honky-tonks. Swing by every Wednesday night for free dance lessons at 7 p.m., although more advanced line dancers can check the calendar for classes covering everything from country swing tricks to two-step patterns. Fridays are reserved for concerts, like Chris Cagle on February 28. On Sundays, bring your tots in their tiny boots for family night, when kids 10 and under get in for free. 5450 Lincoln St.; Wednesdays and Sundays 6 p.m.–midnight; Thursday through Saturday 6 p.m.–2 a.m.
Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
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Downtown
Just three blocks from Coors Field, this gastropub and music venue is the ostentatious needle in a sports-bar-laden haystack. The multilevel venue is located inside a historic 19th-century Victorian brownstone that once housed a brothel and peep shows, but today is known for its delicious dinners and brunches, intimate live music performances, and unmatched dance nights (Think: Disco get-downs, ’80s/’90s/early-aughts throwback themes, Beyoncé versus Rihanna battles.) After its renovations in early 2022, Denverites have even more room to get down on the expanded dance floor at events like Afroman on February 26. 1215 20th St.; hours vary; find lineups and more information online
Lip Gloss
Downtown
Whether you’re a music snob or are simply tired of hearing the same overplayed hits, this indie dance party from local DJ Michael Trundle is for you. Born on South Broadway and now hosted once a month at Ophelia’s, the dance utopia for Mile High music nerds is still going strong after 24 years. Trundle—aka Boyhollow—carefully curates a weekly alternative tracklist of guilty pleasures and lesser-known gems, so you can blissfully bop your head to faves otherwise underplayed in Denver’s clubs, like Crystal Castles, Toro y Moi, and more. 1215 20th Street; Times and ticket prices vary
The Stampede
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Aurora
Hit the hardwood at this 30-year-old staple, where every Wednesday is dedicated to bootscootin’ fun for Western ladies’ night, and cowgirls drink for free until 11 p.m.. Join instructor Laurie Burkhardt at 6:30 p.m. for one-hour line dancing lessons on the Two-Step, Cowboy Cha Cha, and other classic combinations you can bust out when the music (and drinks) start flowing. If country isn’t your thing, Monday nights are reserved for modern swing. Plus, the venue hosts other one-off events like Latin American cumbia on February 14, where bands will play Mexican and Cuban beats. 2430 S. Havana St., Aurora; Hours and cover charges vary; Find more information online
Beacon
Five Points
If a sticky dive bar isn’t your vibe, you might prefer the Beacon, which brings a bit of class to Denver’s dancing scene. A team of more than 20 visual artists worked to create this RiNo bar’s interior, which consists of seven different themed spaces. Grab your drink and watch the music pulse through LED orbs inside the Portal or cozy up with your cutie in the warm glow of the beehive-inspired Hive Mind room. When you’re ready to bust a move, make your way to the dance floor, which is set beneath a moving ceiling that mimics a cloud. 2854 Larimer St., Hours vary
X Bar
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North Capitol Hill
This lively, LGBTQ+ friendly hangout has marked itself as one of Denver’s most welcoming watering holes. Bring your best performance skills on Thursday nights for a weekly lip sync contest hosted by local drag queens Bethany and Tiffany, where the best faux singer wins a $100 cash prize—plus, a slew of adoring fans. And keep an eye on the event calendar for ticketed affairs like the occasional couples body painting class or stamp-making sesh. 629 E. Colfax Ave.; 3 p.m.—2 a.m.
Mercury Cafe
Downtown
Since the Mercury Cafe opened on California Street in 1990, it’s been an iconic Denver staple for food, concerts, and offbeat events. But what we appreciate the most about the Merc is its commitment to dance: Take Charleston lessons on Sundays, Brazilian dance classes on Mondays, and swing dance lessons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays followed by social dancing. If a boozy night out isn’t your thing, catch the AM Frequencies morning dance party at 11 a.m. on February 8. Even babies can boogie at the rave designed specifically for tots on February 1, which should tucker out your tykes enough to bless you with a lengthy naptime. 2199 California St., Hours vary