PRIDE 2016: What’re We Doin’?

LGBT-friendly spots to kick it when you’re not at the park

Bathhouses

Denver Swim Club

Denver Swim Club is three miles east of downtown Colfax — it’s easy to spot its golden arches. The club features an outdoor pool surrounded by an 8-ft. fence as well as an indoor pool and a cave! Active duty military, firefighters, and policemen receive a free eight-hour locker with the purchase of a membership. Check out their booth at Pride, where they’ll have exclusive half-price memberships for sale all weekend. Buy a membership for $15 and be entered into a drawing for $500. For more info, DenverSwimClub.com.

Midtowne Spa

Located just across I-25 on the edge of the Highlands, Midtowne Spa is only a mile away from Downtown Denver. The spa features a newly remodeled patio, a basement dungeon, and a vending machine, if you find yourself in need. Their Pride celebration includes a mask party on Friday and a Bearracuda Play Party on Saturday — both start at 9pm. You can totally catch a J/O show during Saturday’s party at midnight. A variety of rates are listed at Midtowne.com.

Dispensaries

Sweet Leaf

Sweet Leaf has five locations throughout Denver, one in Aurora, and they continue to grow. The closest location to downtown is on 26th and Walnut. (If you drive there, they offer free valet.) Recreationally, they offer a special $99 ounce ($120 after tax) and $60 ounces of shake. If you’re looking to commemorate your weed-shop visit, their apparel is abundant and pretty rad. Check out their Instagram for the latest deals. SweetLeafMarijuana.com

Native Roots

Winner of several awards from the High Times Cannabis Cup and THC Classic, Native Roots was voted the best adult-use dispensary at the CannAwards. With several locations across the city, the most convenient one is right off the 16th Street Mall on Champa. Their website (NativeRootsDispensary.com) is really well organized, and you can order ahead online and simply pick it up at the shop. Recently they made headlines seeking naming rights to Mile High Stadium.

Good Chemistry

Good Chemistry is a good dispensary to check out if you’ve never been to one before.

Here, they’ll show you strains based on if they relieve, relax, amplify, or help you sleep. It’s just up the hill from Civic Center Park, so you won’t have to go too far. CEO Matt Huron started the dispensary in 2010, after being involved in the medical marijuana industry since 1996, when his father and his father’s partner were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. GoodChem.org

Shows to See

Improvised Shakespeare Company

Make it a classier night out with some Improvised Shakespeare, where the play is created as you watch. The Improvised Shakespeare Company creates a fully improvised Shakespearean show based on suggestions from audience members. In the heart of downtown at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the Garner Galleria is a cabaret-style venue with a bar in the lobby and drink service at your seat. Tickets are available at Denver Center.org.

Evil Dead: The Musical

This is the second time Equinox Theatre has tackled Evil Dead, after selling out its run in 2014, which won the BroadwayWorld award for Best Comedic Musical. The Bug Theatre is located in the Highlands, just across downtown via 20th St. — a killer companion for Comic Con weekend. There’s a splatter zone right up front, and the Bug is a campy old theatre that’s perfectly suited for this kind of show. Tickets are available at EquinoxTheatreDenver.com.

Legally Blonde The Musical

Take the light rail a bit south, and just a block away from your stop in downtown Littleton is Town Hall Arts Center, one of the area’s most intimate professional theaters. Legally Blonde The Musical is based on the film, duh, and features a catchy score with a witty, quotable book. Former UCLA sorority girl Elle Woods follows her ex to Harvard to reclaim their romance but ends up finding a love for law. Last-minute discounted rush tickets are available starting an hour before curtain at the box office … but show up early. Tickets can also be purchased online at TownHallArtsCenter.org.

Transportation Services

Lyft

Lyft is one of the two juggernauts in Denver’s ride-share service options. Simply download the app and peep where the nearest Lyft vehicle is before hailing it to your current destination. The service is available 24/7, and there are different vehicle options if you’re traveling in a large group, or if you don’t mind sharing a ride and shaving your cost by riding with other passengers who are going your way. (The latter is mad cheaper, but will take an extra minute to get you where you wanna be.) Lyft.com

Uber

Uber works a lot like Lyft in that you find, hail, and pay for a ride all on a single app. The two ride-share services are similar in that they offer different vehicle and ride options depending on your needs and preferences, but Uber also allows you to order up a luxury vehicle if you truly want to ride and arrive in style. Juggle between the two options to find the fastest and cheapest ride. Uber.com

Car2Go

Car2Go is similar to Lyft and Uber, but the transportation service allows you to drive yourself to your destination rather than have you wait to be picked up. To use it, you simply download the app, find the Car2Go vehicle nearest you, hop in, and zip off to your destination before parking in a designated area. You can reserve a nearby car in advance. Bonus: The small, eco-friendly vehicles are easiest to park. Car2Go.com

Bars

Wrangler

Wrangler is where the hairest members of the LGBT community gather, frolic, and bust out of their shirts in true hirsute fashion. A long-standing LGBT establishment, Wrangler is most known for its busy Sunday beer busts, where the patio and interior are sure to be absolutely packed and stacked for PrideFest. The Denver Pride Glow event is where you’ll get a chance to share the dancefloor with “glow-go” dancers and DJ Barry Harris. DenverWrangler.com

Trade

Trade is Denver’s newest gay bar, one that seeks to fill in the gap left by the closing of the leather-friendly Denver Eagle. While Trade brands itself as a “Levi’s & Leather” spot, it opens its doors to everyone, no matter their sexual orientation. Be sure to swing by and check out the rustic and oh-so-very Colorado interior replete with paneling, upholstery, and a fireplace. Go for a drink, stay for the Underwear Night. Facebook.com/TradeDenver

Tracks

Tracks is one of the oldest and most popular gay night clubs in Denver. It’s here you go when you’re in the mood to work up a serious sweat, ogle the eye candy, and rub elbows with some of the most popular drag queens in Denver, and some from around the world. For Pride 2016, the venue hosts Drag Nation with special guests En Vogue and Bob the Drag Queen. Be sure to swing by Sunday to fin-a-lly see CeCe Peniston. TracksDenver.com

Hotels

Monaco Denver

Monaco Denver, on downtown’s Champa Street, is a known LGBT-friendly establishment. The luxury hotel features themed rooms such as The Miles Davis and The Grace Slick suites. Guests to the city will have no shortage of destinations to explore, all of which are easily within walking, biking, or ride-sharing distance. The award-winning Italian restaurant Panzano is found inside Monaco, where you can dine on the finest of dishes and sip on Italian wines and cocktails. Monaco-Denver.com

The Curtis Hotel

The Curtis Hotel is well-regarded for its funky and eclectic décor and ambience, including a retro-chic lobby, an art collection, and board games right in the lobby. The downtown location is right across from the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Accommodation options include “hyper-themed rooms,” one-bedroom suites, and standard rooms. You’ll also have plenty of dining and bar options during your stay, including The Corner Office Restaurant + Martini Bar and in-room dining. TheCurtis.com

Where to find threads and kicks

South Broadway

There’s always H&M and Urban Outfitters if you forgot your third tank top. For street fashion, check out South Broadway. Not only will you find unique consignment pieces at Buffalo Exchange, you can also find original prints at IndyInk and higher-end designs at Fancy Tiger. On a budget? Goodwill’s just next door. 

Scarpaletto Shoes

For shoes, Scarpaletto Shoes has one of the best boot selections in town. True Love Shoes on South Broadway also has a wide-selection of women’s shoes. For tennis shoes, try the basement of IndyInk. Scarpaletto.com

Best hiking and running spots

Denver

Denver is full of city parks for running, with or without your canine partner. The top three parks from North to South are City Park, Cheesman Park, and Washington Park. Of these three, Cheesman has historically had the most LGBT+ folks, due to its close proximity to Capitol Hill. If you’re participating in the Big Gay or PrideFest Parade starts there.

Royal Arch

For nearby hikes, check out Royal Arch in Boulder, CO — a steep but short hike. You may catch a nudist along Beaver Brook Trail near Golden. Maxwell Falls in Evergreen is short and ends at a waterfall. St. Mary’s Glacier in Idaho Springs, CO is a longer drive but a beautiful view of the mountains. If you have no car, hop on a bus to Boulder and then up to Nederland.

Getting your grub on

Sitting behind the Capitol, City O’ City will be crowded, but if you’re looking for delicious vegetarian/vegan food in a hip setting, it’s the place to go. You’ll find the best Mexican on South Federal Street. I recommend Tarasco’s for the fresh juices and molé. Take a walk around Denver Uptown on 17th for many standards: Ace Eat Serve for Asian-fusion, Vine Street Pub for beer and burgers, and St. Mark’s coffeehouse for a pastry and a latté. You’ll always find a hearty breakfast and waitress that calls you “sugar” at Hot Cakes Diner.

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Chris Arneson, O’Brian Gunn, and Paul Bindel contributed to this article.