Denver · Nightlife

Concert venue cut between two sandstone fins at Morrison, about 25 km west of downtown, owned and run by the City and County of Denver. The season runs spring to autumn and includes the Film on the Rocks screening series; there is no scheduled transit to the venue, so arrange a ride, and take a warm layer because the seats are bare stone and it cools fast after dark.

River North, the old warehouse belt northeast of Union Station, holds most of Denver's newer bars, breweries and rooftop patios, painted end to end with commissioned murals. The district runs a free First Friday night of art and music each month; it is a 15-minute walk or a short ride from downtown and it is busiest Thursday to Saturday.

Basement stand-up club on Larimer Square at 1226 15th Street, running since 1981, with a second room at 5345 Landmark Place in Greenwood Village. Book direct on 303-595-3637 or through the club's own site — it states plainly that it will not accept tickets bought through resellers.

Jazz club at 1080 14th Street in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, programming around 70 shows a month, seven nights a week, plus Friday jazz lunches, a Saturday kids' matinee and a Sunday brunch. Reservations on 303-839-5100.

Multi-level live music room at 1215 20th Street on the edge of the Ballpark neighbourhood, booking national and local acts most nights. Some shows are all-ages and some are 21-plus, so check the individual listing before turning up; 303-993-8023.