Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
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May 17, 2023
Calling all queer and lesbian Denver dwellers and visitors! The Colorado capital has a vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and many lesbian bars and nightclubs to show for it, along with events for your next sapphic date.
Some of these establishments cater specifically to the lesbian community, and others welcome all LGBTQIA+ folks. If you know where to look, you’ll find your community in no time.
So, download the HER app and start swiping, because there are definitely spaces for you among these bars, clubs & events that we’ve put together for you.
This is your ultimate Lesbian Denver Guide.
Disclaimer: Safety always comes first, and while we hope for a more inclusive and safe environment for lesbians and queer women out there, there are still way too many occurrences of misogyny and disrespect, even in gay bars. We’ve purposefully vetted our recommendations and chosen the ones with the highest review and least amount of complaints of discrimination. Keep this in mind, but please never let it stop you from having a grand gay time!
Source: Blush & Blu
There are only 27 lesbian bars left in the United States, down from 200 in the 1980s. And one of these 27 is the Blush & Blu bar located in Capitol Hill.
Since Blush & Blu is the only official bar in Denver that caters mostly to lesbians and queer women, it’s an easy winner for the best place to meet lesbians in Denver.
Established in 2012, Blush & Blu was founded by Jody Bouffard after years of saving up tips as a service industry worker to open up her own queer bar. She’s clearly dedicated to the lesbian and queer community of Denver, having opened other lesbian-centric businesses like the now-closed tHERe Coffee Bar and Lounge. Her dedication shows that Denver lesbians will always find a home to have fun and find love, friends, and family.
“This is so much more than just a bar in Denver — this is where LGBTQ folx can find a home,” says Kendall P. on Yelp.
With daily happy hours and a coffee menu too, this is the queer spot for all types of occasions. Bring your entourage for improv, comedy, karaoke, poetry, and open mic, at Blush & Blu.
Open 7 days a week, from 12 pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 am on Sundays, and 6 pm on Mondays, this iconic lesbian-owned bar accepts credit cards and has traditional cocktails, White Claws, and beers. Non-drinker? No problem. They’ve got mocktails too.
Lesbians can bring the party anywhere and you don’t need to go to a lesbian bar to find them. That’s why we’re not stopping with Blush & Blu. While we anticipate and hope for another lesbian bar renaissance in the US, you can still be a patron of other LGBT and queer bars in the same area. We’ve put together other queer bars in the area that you can meet and bring your next date to!
Source: Yelp
Alt-text: “A view from the front door looking into the wonderland of what this new bar in Denver has to offer for all types, meaning inclusion,” says Jason J. on Yelp.
Head to the City Park neighborhood for a game of darts at this dive bar. It’s the latest addition to the roster of lesbian-friendly bars in Denver and patrons are loving it.
“Love this space. Owners have put a lot into making the bar open and welcoming. A great addition to the community,” says John H.
A standout part of their business: their mocktail list boasts 15 non-alcoholic drinks! And you won’t be bored while you’re there: according to their website, they have “darts, arcade and board games, and weekly events like Trivia and Karaoke.”
Stop by this new bar in town from Monday through Friday between 2 pm and 2 am and on the weekends from noon to 2 am. And if you want some of their yummy snacks, their kitchen is open from 2 pm to 10 pm every day.
Tracks Nightclub is a staple in Denver’s LGBT nightlife, and it’s been around for over 40 years, having opened in 1980. It’s got several floors of different music on most nights and many different themes from night to night — no wonder queer folks still come out in droves to this popular club found in the River North (or RiNo) neighborhood.
What makes Tracks stand out as one of the many queer bars in Denver is that the first Friday of every month is the BAD (Babes Around Denver) party when the majority of the crowd is lesbian or queer women.
“Everyone was friendly, the music was great, and the staff was friendly. It’s an absolute must for any queer women visiting on the first Friday of the month!” says Cedar C.
If you’re looking to drown the stress out of the workday with EDM, hip-hop, and Latin music, Tracks is for you. It’s the best place for dancing and has a DJ most nights.
There are so many events, from roller skating to drag nights, there’s likely a themed night for your kind of vibe. Check it out from Wednesday to Saturday from 8 pm to 2 am.
Source: X Bar
The place to go 7 days a week anywhere between 3 pm and 2 am is X Bar: with a dance floor, an outdoor patio, and karaoke on Tuesdays, what’s not to love?
Josie A. says, “No matter your sexual preference or what you identify as everyone is welcome. The environment is safe and friendly. I never have to worry about being groped or touched here.”
It’s sad that women and femme folks have to worry about such a thing, but it’s helpful to know what to expect regarding safety!
This bar is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood nearby Blush & Blu and is known for its inclusive atmosphere that caters to a diverse LGBTQ+ crowd.
Source: Denver Film Festival
Maybe cinema is more your speed, in which case, Denver’s CinemaQ film festival is the perfect place to explore the latest films that highlight LGBTQIA+ life. As part of Denver’s larger film festival that’s been running since 1978, you’ll find more queer art in the form of cinema.
We’d be remiss not to mention the yearly PrideFest that takes place every June in Denver. Like other Pride festivals around the world, you’ll find dozens of events here, from drag performances to musical artists showing their stuff. Why not bring your queer friend group and put yourself out there!
Lesbian dating in Denver doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re a city slicker or just passing through, you have a few options for a weekend out on the town.
While lesbian bars are on the decline, lesbians and queer women as a community are not going anywhere, so our patronage now is more important than ever.
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
