Top 10: Nightlife in Boulder

Our Local Expert Says:

Help to preserve the annual Bike Shorts short film festival simply by attending! If the edgy films inspire a need for critical discussion, herd your friends into the neighboring Dushanbe Teahouse for some maté and movie criticism.

Description:

The Boulder Outdoor Cinema redefines going to the movies. Once a week during summer months, viewers set up lawn chairs and blankets on the green behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and prepare to make noise. Yes, moviegoers are encouraged to sing along and call out lines from the film. The Applause-O-meter and contests like "Best Film Related Costume" promote audience participation and a lot of fun. A different classic or cult favorite runs each week. Past features have included The Wizard of Oz, War of the Worlds, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure. All shows are suitable for family entertainment.

Our Local Expert Says:

Pack your own picnic for an instant dinner theater on the green, or purchase "Falstaff's Fare" in advance—check online for details. Literature and theater buffs will love the talkback discussions, held after most shows, with the director and crew. Take a free tour of Shakespeare Gardens, which grow herbs mentioned in the plays.

Description:

Considered one of the top three Shakespearean festivals in the United States, this 2-month annual event attracts more than 40,000 theatergoers between late June and late August. Held since 1958 in the University of Colorado's Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, and indoors at the University Theatre Main Stage, it offers more than a dozen performances of each of four plays. Actors, directors, designers, and everyone associated with the productions are fully schooled Shakespearean professionals. Tickets run from $7 to $54 for single performances, with series packages also available.

Our Local Expert Says:

Boulder's summer nights are one of the best things about this town, and Bands on the Brick is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the cool mountain air.

Description:

Listen to a great concert as you watch the sun dip behind the Rocky Mountains at the Bands on the Brick concert. The best of Colorado's local bands play on the County Courthouse steps at this weekly summer event. Bring your lawn chair and relax, or get up and dance. Enjoy a variety of talented performers, from the bluesy sounds of Hazel Miller to the eclectic rhythms of Freddi Henchi. Catch dinner before or after the show from one of surrounding Pearl Street Mall restaurants. Admission is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is arguably the most beautiful venue in Boulder, so be sure to check out the calendar while you're in town to find something to your liking.

Description:

Macky Auditorium is the venue of choice for many orchestras. One of the most popular groups to perform here is the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. Guided by internationally acclaimed director, Theodore Kuchar, who leads the prestigious Australian Festival of chamber music, this philharmonic has long been recognized as one of the finest in the country. Guest appearances have featured the likes of Itzhak Perlman, Mstislav Rostropovich, Yo Yo Ma and Sarah Chang. For details check the website.

Our Local Expert Says:

This theater is one of the best in town because it offers both ample seating and ample dancing room, making it an ideal venue for everyone.

Description:

This posh venue has graced downtown Boulder since 1906. Originally opened as an opera house, the historic building underwent a massive renovation in the 1980s. Located just off the Pearl Street Mall, the complex hosts nightly concerts, film screenings and other community events. National Public Radio hosts the popular weekly environmental and musical radio show E-Town here. While it remains a popular venue for local entertainers, the theater's cabaret-style seating, preserved art deco ornamentation and state-of-the art sound and lighting system attract national and international artists. Call for a schedule, or check the Web site to order tickets online.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Boulder Dinner Theater even offers something for the kids -- The Kid Kabaret.

Description:

Three levels and about 285 tables surround the thrust stage at this popular venue. The theater puts on an average of four musicals per year and wins numerous yearly awards from the Denver Drama Critics Circle. Come here for an evening of elegant food and phenomenal acting. Following traditional dinner-theater style, the actors double as the wait staff. A delicious meal is served before the show, and dessert is served during the intermission. Try the Chicken Cordon Bleu or prime rib, scrumptious desserts and after-dinner drinks.

Description:

Established in 1941, the International Film Series (IFS) was Boulder's first art-house film series. The IFS played a crucial role in building up an audience in Boulder for the works by such directors as Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, John Cassavetes, and many more. As other theaters took notice of this growing audience they also began to expand their programming and, up through the 1980's, there were many single-screen theaters in town, some of which were also dedicated to art-house cinema. While most of those screens are now defunct, the IFS remains committed to eclectic cinema that is locally programmed. The IFS screens over 100 films every year at its two venues, both located on the CU Campus.

Description:

Blues & Greens serves up locally-produced ingredients in tasty dishes including vegetarian cuisine. This restaurant, located in the Boulder Outlook Hotel, creates every dish using fresh, organic vegetables and grains. True to their name, Blues & Greens offers live music featuring many local bands as well as national performers, mostly with a blues flavor. Their menu and atmosphere create a positively enjoyable dining experience and a great place to go for some exciting nightlife.

Our Local Expert Says:

The feisty drinks pack such a kick that there is a three-margarita drink limit.

Description:

The Rio Grande is best known for its tasty and potent margaritas, which you can order on the rocks or frozen, and which come in strawberry, mango, and even pomegranate. You can also try one of their "Big Tex" margarita: tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur make a tasty and frosty beverage that's perfect for summer. These strong drinks, combined with their festive, Southwestern atmosphere draws a noisy crowd. The Rio also offers tasty -- albeit often drenched in cheese -- Tex-Mex fare and homemade tortilla chips and salsa.