The PLA 2016 Local Arrangements Subcommittee Recommends…
Tip #1: Pick up a Westword, free paper distributed on Wednesdays available on many street corners for weekly events, venues, and reviews of music, arts, and restaurants. The online version can search downtown or other neighborhoods for eateries.
Restaurants
Favorite restaurants in and near downtown within walking distance or bus/walking, in no particular order:
Marlowe’s
501 16th Street (16th/Glenarm)
Good happy hour venue in historic building. Next to the Paramount Theater, a music venue depending what’s on that week.
Larkburger
1617 California Street (California at 16th/17th)
Mountain burger chain, specializes in turkey and fresh-to-order burgers
Modmarket
900 16th Street (16th/Champa)
Made-to-order locavore chain with veggie and meat options.
Crêpes ‘n Crêpes
1512 Larimer Street (16th/Larimer)
Quick crepe place with variety of items.
Little Man Ice Cream
2620 16th Street (16th St./30th Ave.)
Best in town, based on the lines.
Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs
2148 Larimer Street (Larimer/22nd)
A local institution, ample portions, weird selections.
Mercury Cafe
2199 California Street (22nd/California)
Funky eatery, vegetarian/vegan and more. Rotating music acts, dancing. Cash only.
Music/Theater/Destinations
Bovine Metropolis Theater
1527 Champa Street (Champa at 15th/16th)
Cheap improv theater for unscripted humor.
Avenue Theater
417 E. 17th Avenue (17th Ave./Grant)
Intimate theater, rotating comedies on weekends.
The Buell Theatre & Garner Galleria Theatre
Denver Performing Arts Complex (14th/Curtis)
Rotating plays and musicals in six theaters. Check ahead for tickets.
Baur’s Bar & Listening Lounge
1512 Curtis Street (15th/Curtis)
Eatery with rotating jazz and other music acts.
Jazz @ Jack’s
500 16th Street (16th/Pavilions Mall)
Rotating music acts plus bar, food.
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
1601 Arapahoe Street (16th/Arapahoe)
Unique venue with rotating entertainment, burlesque, bar, and snacks.
LoDo
Lower downtown Denver (Larimer–Wazee/14th–22nd)
Denver’s oldest neighborhood. Multiple restaurants, shops, galleries of various prices and tastes.
Union Station
1701 Wynkoop (17th/Wynkoop)
Restored train terminal, upscale eating places, and Milkbox Ice Creamery.
Museum of Contemporary Art
1485 Delgany Street (15th/Delgany)
Rotating collection of new art works.
Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway (14th Ave./Bannock, by Denver Public Library)
Historic and modern art.
Coors Field
2001 Blake Street
Home opening weekend for Colorado Rockies baseball.