JR's is locally well-known for its weekly bingo events.
The majority of Denver's gay bars are located downtown and within walking distance of one another, which helps if patrons want to visit several bars in one night. The scene in Denver is diverse, with bars welcoming guests of any sexual orientation. Some, like the Denver Wrangler, traditionally only have male patrons, while others are mixed gender but may have a certain night of the week devoted to just guys or females. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Tracks Nightclub
Tracks is a GLBT nightclub with decades of history. It opened in 1980 and was originally an after-hours hang-out spot that served no alcohol. Now located on Walnut Street, Tracks hosts events several nights of the week and strives to create an atmosphere of inclusion for guests of all sexualities and ethnicity. On the first Friday of each month, Tracks holds the city's biggest and longest-running women's dance party, with over 1,500 typically in attendance. Nina Flowers, season one runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race, hosts Drama Drag on the last Friday of the month. Cover charges are free or discounted between certain hours and according to the night's schedule.
The Denver Wrangler
In the heart of downtown Denver is a bar that caters specifically to "bears," or rugged, often heartier gay men. The Denver Wrangler started as a Western-style gay bar and has evolved into a hang-out spot for Denver's "bear" community. As a more laid-back bar, the Wrangler doesn't usually hold the kind of weekly shows or events found at other gay bars around town. A typical weeknight will generally entail a drink special, while weekends are devoted to different music genres and the occasional live DJ.
Mozart Lounge
The Mozart Lounge, refurbished in 2009, considers itself a gay-friendly bar as opposed to a gay-only bar. Its location in East Denver's Mayfair neighborhood sets it apart from other gay bars that are close to each other in the downtown area. The atmosphere is more akin to a dive bar and nights are usually chill with a DJ spinning live music, though the once weekly Trivia Night gets the place energized. Dinner is served Monday through Thursday with a prix-fixe brunch on Sundays.
JR's Bar and Grill
JR's Bar and Grill is a place that never shuts down, not even for holidays. Open seven days a week, JR's welcomes everyone aged 21 or older at its downtown Denver location. Events are usually held five times a week, with karaoke at least twice. One intriguing and unique thing about JR's is that it was voted "Denver's Best Bingo" by an area magazine. Wednesday nights are Drag Queen Bingo, where patrons compete to win $500 in prizes. JR's other weekly events include half-price Thursdays and Fetish Fridays.
Tags: Denver Wrangler, downtown Denver, hang-out spot, Mozart Lounge, other bars