Seeing live music under 21

Saint Motel performs at the Ogden Theatre.
Photo: Samantha Camp • The Sentry

Denver’s best venues with shows for all ages

Denver has plenty of options to offer for any kind of music lover in the live music department. While some of those options may not be available to those under the age of 21, there’s still plenty of venues to catch any kind of artist at, well known or not, for those underage. Here are some of those venues:
1. Fillmore Auditorium
The Fillmore is a great place to see a show for medium level artists of any genre. Previous performers at this venue include: 5 Seconds of Summer, Rex Orange County, Snoop Dogg, and Thievery Corporation. With a 3,900 person capacity, most shows are at least ages 16 and over regardless of the artist making it the perfect venue to see bigger name artists in a more intimate setting than that of a larger venue like the Pepsi Center.
2. Ogden Theatre
Appearances aren’t always as they seem, and that’s exactly the case with the Ogden. Stepping inside the 1,600 person venue, the space is much smaller that audience members would expect from the outside of the venue. But that doesn’t stop it from putting on a good show. The Ogden typically hosts lesser known artists like previous performers Saint Motel and The Neighbourhood.
3. Lost Lake
Another one of Colfax’s many hidden gems, Lost Lake is a great place to vibe with friends to a local artists’ set or smaller out of town artists like Dayglow. Lost Lake is the perfect venue for anyone that’s into dives and grungier venues that still know how to host a great show.
4. Dazzle
For the jazz and food lovers out there, Dazzle is within walking distance of the campus and hosts some of Denver’s finest jazz performers (and some student musicians on occasion). The small jazz club just off 16th street is a great place to grab a nice bite to eat and enjoy a show in the meantime; the best part is that they allow all ages into the venue until 10:30 P.M. but most shows begin and end much earlier.
5. Pepsi Center
Denver’s biggest venue is not only a great place to catch a Nuggets or Avalanche game, it’s a great place for those once in a lifetime shows that have been saved up for. Previous and future performers include the likes of Elton John, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and more. While ticket prices most certainly exceed that of a normal college students’ budget, some shows are definitely worth saving up for and shows are usually all ages to 16 and over.
6. Red Rocks
Denver’s crème de la crème venue, and perhaps one of the most well known venues in the world is the perfect place for music and outdoor lovers alike. Much like the Pepsi Center, tickets at this venue are a bit more than a typical college student can chew in the price department, but the experience of seeing a favorite artist at the famed Red Rocks is a can’t miss, as are the impeccable acoustics that have made Red Rocks so popular.
Any underage college student has plenty of venues in Denver at their fingertips to see a show, expensive or not. No fake ID necessary.