Diversions

First Date

Editors' Choice

Cruise downtown on a rented B-cycle

A first date is all about possibilities, so the ho-hum dinner-and-a-movie itinerary doesn't cut it when we're trying to impress. Instead, we're loving Denver's new B-cycle program, one of the first citywide bike-sharing gigs in the nation, which allows us to be a little more spontaneous. Just under three months old, B-cycle has 400-plus bikes at more than 40 stations across the Mile High, meaning you can rent a fire-engine-red bike ($5 for a 24-hour membership, plus usage charges) from almost any happening spot and start cruising the streets as the mood dictates. Maybe a picnic on the Cherry Creek path, or a downtown ride to dinner on Larimer Street, or a cruise to get ice cream in Highland. No matter where your pedals take you, it's bound to be lighthearted and full of fun—and it'll get those endorphins going. Multiple locations, http://denver.bcycle.com

Readers' Choice

Vesta Dipping Grill

We're thinking the staff at this LoDo restaurant has seen a ton of awkward-slash-exciting moments in its time, as Vesta continually emerges as your top choice for first dates. The cozy booths, savory dipping sauces, and set-the-mood lighting are perfect for an intimate evening. Spice things up and head for the bar instead of waiting for a table; the extra-attentive bartenders will make you—and yours—feel like a VIP. 1822 Blake St., 303-296-1970, www.vestagrill.com

Movie Theater

Editors' Choice

Landmark Greenwood Village

Owned by the same company that runs the Mayan, this shiny new six-screen Cineplex opened in 2007 and offers artsy, Oscar-contender flicks like Crazy Heart and Hurt Locker in luxury surroundings. Popcorn and soft drinks are included in the ticket prices (Coke tastes better when you don't realize you're paying $7 for it), and the space is tricked out with digital sound, high-end snacks, VIP stadium-style seating, and a bar. We'll be the ones in the cushy leather chairs with the empanadas and Gold Star sausage on one side, frosty brew on the other. 5415 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village, 303-352-1992, www.landmarktheaters.com

Readers' Choice

The Mayan

You love this venerably creaky art house despite the fact that it lacks the bells and whistles of the 21st-century multiplex. The Mayan makes up for it with a consistently compelling lineup of the latest indie films. And unlike those corporate, cardboard cutout-strewn palaces at the shopping mall, the 1930s-era theater has nostalgic Art Deco decor and serves beer to wash down its snacks. 110 Broadway, 303-352-1992, www.landmarktheaters.com

Nightclub

Editors' Choice

24K

One of the entrances is in a LoDo alley—how gritty and hip—and it's worth searching for. The one-floor club is constantly bumping, and the scene is always a little bit out there (you might see lit sparklers on occasion; we've even been handed one). The DJs rock with abandon: On a recent visit, the turntables blew up with a mash-up of Miley Cyrus and Notorious B.I.G.—and we liked it! You'll throw down $8 for a drink, but the staff is exceptional; not once did we realize our glasses were empty before a server came by with a refill. 1416 Market St., 303-888-0655, www.lotusclubs.com

Readers' Choice

Beta Nightclub

Beautiful people. Four bars. And the fanciest sound system around. That's what Beta is all about—and why you, trendy readers, have pledged your loyalty to the Beta crew once again. (Or maybe it's the go-go dancers shaking their—well, everything—under the lights on the main dance floor.) Fun fact, and some kudos: Beta's designers planted recycling bins throughout the club so partygoers can enjoy their libations while doing right by the environment. 1909 Blake St., 303-383-1909, www.betanightclub.com

Coffee House

Editors' Choice

Illegal Grounds

When we're in need of a caffeine fix, we can't resist Illegal Grounds' quirks: Kitschy neon signs in the windows give way to funky, original paintings and photos in the converted two-story home (a lawyer keeps shop upstairs), and the cafe-chic sofas are inviting when we want to settle in for a chat with a long-lost friend. But it's the silky-smooth, Illy espresso coffee, a premium blend from Italy, that keeps us coming back for more. 925 E. 17th Ave., 303-351-4498, www.hola-cafe.com

Readers' Choice

Stella's

This cheerfully eclectic converted house on South Pearl is a coffee institution in Platt Park. Lined with original work (for purchase) from emerging artists, its nooks and crannies beg you to curl up with your laptop and a cup of chai and stay as long as you like. The front patio—fire pits ablaze—is especially charming in the evening. 1476 S. Pearl St., 303-777-1031, www.stellascoffee.com

Bar for Live Music

Editors' Choice

Hi-Dive

This aptly named hole in the wall is the best kind of music junkie's hangout: gritty, cramped, and proud of its varying acoustics (the bar side provides an entirely different sonic experience than does the stage side). It's all part of the charm, but on top of that Hi-Dive has Denver's most consistent lineup of scene-stealing bands from across the state, country, and beyond—Morning Benders, Paper Bird, and Hello Kavita, to name a few—invariably showcased at reasonable cover charges that leave you with enough cash for a few extra PBRs. 7 S. Broadway, 720-570-4500, www.hi-dive.com

Readers' Choice

Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge

More than just a swanky jazz club, this sultry cabaret serves dinner, lunch (Friday and Saturday), and Sunday brunch to accompany the live tunes. But Dazzle remains true to the music (even when food is on the table) and makes it the focal point of the evening, not background noise. The acoustically refined environment and strategic seating give guests the best possible vantage point from which to soak in the cool, which includes groovy acts like bluesman Otis Taylor. 930 Lincoln St., 303-839-5100, www.dazzlejazz.com

Sports Bar

Editors' Choice

Big Game Restaurant & Lounge

When the sophisticated-yet-sporty Big Game opened on a primo plot of LoDo real estate a couple of months back, we threw ourselves in the doorway to check out whether this was, indeed, the place to watch "the big game." One order of sinfully delicious fried pickles—OK, plus the gravy-smothered disco fries—and a juicy bison burger later, we were sold. This is the way to watch a game, lounging by a low-slung table near the fireplace under the ginormous screens. After awhile, we didn't know whether to kick back with another Mama's Little Yella Pils or to check out the in-house Wii. If you just want to catch a couple of innings, belly up to the marble bar top with a Shiner Bock in hand and down a savory bowl of mussels. 1631 Wazee St., 303-623-1630, http://twitter.com/biggamedenver

Readers' Choice

Sports Column

The main floor of this LoDo stronghold is a quintessential sports bar, with dozens of high-def TVs, pool tables, pennants and framed jerseys, and a long, dark-wood bar. But when summer rolls around, the Column's real claim to fame—a sun-drenched rooftop patio with a full bar and a few TVs to check the scores—draws the fans. 1930 Blake St., 303-296-1930, www.denversportscolumn.com

Dive Bar

Editors' Choice

Tavern 13

A dive in the best sense of the word: You'll find a bar full of regulars, young and old, who know how to handle their liquor and are happy to chat up the newcomers. The internet jukebox plays classics from Johnny Cash to Stevie Ray Vaughan, along with some older funk. And the suds are cheap: If you buy a few and are nice to Natalie, the inked-up bartender/owner, she'll pour you a glass of the house shot. Don't ask what's in it. Just knock it back and be thankful that you've been welcomed into the club. 1312 S. Broadway, 303-733-0119

Readers' Choice

Don's Club Tavern

Although Don's has been spruced up since it was bought five years ago by the Little Pub Company—the proprietors of more than a dozen local bars, including Wyman's No. 5 and Patrick Carroll's—its low-brow charm is still intact. Sure, the duct-taped booths have been upgraded, but the bartenders are as gruff as ever, there's still no phone (even though there's a website), and the beer is still cheap, cheap, cheap. 723 E. Sixth Ave., www.donsclubtavern.com

Brewpub

Editors' Choice

Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids

When we heard that Lyons-based Oskar Blues was opening a second location, we crossed our fingers and hoped for Denver. Instead, the offspring landed in Longmont. We were a little perplexed—until we finally hauled our butts up I-25. Building on what makes the Lyons flagship so welcoming, this joint seems bigger and louder (it, too, hosts live bands). Sink into a booth or sidle up to the bar, where you can scan 43 craft brew taps up close—there isn't a prettier vista in Longmont. 1555 S. Hover Road, Longmont, 303-485-9400, www.oskarblues.com

Readers' Choice

Wynkoop Brewing Company

The brewpub-that-started-it-all is on pace to serve 93,000 gallons of beer this year (that's 744,000 pints) and has begun canning its Rail Yard Ale for distribution. Our one gripe: We wish the bar staff would stop warning us that the London Calling IPA is cask-conditioned and poured at cellar temperature. We know. It ain't our first time at this rodeo. Nonetheless, we'll be back, again and again. 1634 18th St., 303-297-2700, www.wynkoop.com

Rainy Day Activity

Editors' Choice

Jumpstreet

What could possibly be more entertaining than a giant room lined floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall with trampolines? It's the perfect antidote to stir-crazy. You can bounce off the walls (literally), attempt crazy (yet safe) airborne acrobatics, and get a fierce bout of exercise to boot. Pay by the hour ($12, $6 for each additional) or get a $70 punch-pass for 10 one-hour visits. Visit the Littleton location to try your skills in the awesome new Vault—a timed, security-style laser maze in the pitch black. We have to admit, we originally had cooped-up kiddies in mind here. But heck—this might just be where we're headed next time the clouds roll in. 10081 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, 303-339-3030; 8225 N. Valley Highway, Thornton, 303-426-5867, www.gotjump.com

Readers' Choice

Denver Art Museum

Wherever your eye for art wanders, it'll settle on something extraordinary in this 356,000-square-foot space, from the massive King Tut exhibit that opened in June to the prestigious Stephen Hannock landscape—"Mt. Blanca with Ute Creek at Dawn"—unveiled in May. Make sure to stop by the new gift shop, which now doubles as a coffeeshop/cafe and mirrors the cool, contemporary architecture of the Hamilton Building. 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, 720-865-5000, www.denverartmuseum.org

Happy Hour Menu

Editors' Choice

Sputnik

The corn dogs at Sputnik are no joke: They're nothing gourmet—they're deep-fried hot dogs on a stick—but we make special after-work trips just for these suckers. And at only $1.25, you won't feel guilty about having two, or about getting an order of fries ($1) with one of Sputnik's fancy dipping sauces (we like the chimichurri or Sputnik especial). With PBRs for only $1.50, our weekday happy hour (3-7 p.m.) at Sputnik sometimes turns into a happy three hours. 3 S. Broadway, 720-570-4503, www.sputnikdenver.com

Readers' Choice

McCormick's Fish House & Bar

A two-dollar seafood taco? Three-dollar cheeseburgers with fries? Five bucks for a flat-bread pizza or bowl of mussels? Yes, please—we'll have one of each. We're baffled not just that McCormick's can afford to sell these eats at fast-food prices, but that the food is actually good. 1659 Wazee St., 303-825-1107, www.mccormicksfishhouse.com

Cocktails

Editors' Choice

Colt & Gray

Under head barman Kevin Burke's tutelage, this new foodie hotspot showcases some of the most inventive (a rye Manhattan with an absinthe rinse, called the New 1920s Cocktail), iconic (the Sazerac), and obscure (we once sipped a creation featuring house-made celery soda) cocktails in the Mile High City. And priced as low as $8 ($5 during happy hour), these complex and carefully developed concoctions seem like a steal. 1553 Platte St., 303-477-1447, www.coltandgray.com

Readers' Choice

The Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel

Denver might be a beer-loving town, but you'd never know it on a Saturday night when the masses crowd into this tiny, swanky bar for martinis. Styled after a lounge on the Queen Mary cruise ship and opened in 1933, this watering hole has stood the test of time—by barely changing at all. 1600 17th St., 303-825-1107, www.theoxfordhotel.com

New Bar

Editors' Choice

LoHi Steakbar

At once a restaurant (the kitchen is helmed by chef Sean Kelly, of Aubergine Cafe and Somethin' Else fame) and a neighborhood drinking destination, this year-old spot hits all the right notes. The red-lit space is often packed, but not so much that you'll never grab a seat. The front room's community table is ideal for large get-togethers, while the intimate booths in the back room are cozy enough for date night. Plus, the libation list covers everything from wintertime cider to summery martinis to house-recipe cocktails—the ginger gimlet is worth a visit, if we do say so ourselves. 3200 Tejon St., 303-927-6334, www.lohisteakbar.com

Readers' Choice

The Drink

Walk into this joint (part of a triumvirate of new nightspots along 15th Street) on a Thursday night and you'll remember why Denver earned itself the "Menver" moniker. The dimly lit room is packed with enough sharply dressed dudes to set any lady's heart aflutter. No wonder this bar is your new fave—we'll be returning for the eye candy next Thursday, too. 1318 15th St., 720-620-4376, www.thedrinkdenver.com

Cooking Class

Editors' Choice

Sticky Fingers Cooking

There are few rewards richer than teaching your children to love cooking as much as you do. But the mess that ensues when a three-year-old measures flour or chops tomatoes is enough to make any parent rethink impromptu lessons. Enter Sticky Fingers, a cooking school where children ages two to 12 can whisk, julienne, and fold to their heart's content—in someone else's kitchen. Plus, when kids get involved in their food, they're more likely to eat it—spinach and all. 216 S. Grant St., 303-648-4078, www.stickyfingerscooking.com

Readers' Choice

The Seasoned Chef Cooking School

Few home cooks couldn't benefit from a cooking class or two. And who better to give you the lowdown on sauces, seafood, or grilling than the staff at the Seasoned Chef's gleaming kitchen. Established in 1993, the school's rotating schedule of classes is always enticing and informative—and has single-handedly transformed one 5280 staffer from a take-out fanatic to a well-rounded cook who takes pride in his knife skills. 999 Jasmine St., 303-377-3222, www.theseasonedchef.com

Art Class

Editors' and Readers' Choice

Canvas and Cocktails

Signing up to take an art class can be intimidating. But with Canvas and Cocktails, one of Denver's newest art studios, you'll never have to worry: Owner Brittney Wilson has established a casual, approachable way to create art that's taken off with Denver's aspiring artists—and those who just want to play. Classes at this Cherry Creek North studio begin with an adult beverage to get the juices flowing, move into a guided lesson to create a predetermined painting (check the website calendar for paintings that range from Paris vignettes to abstract floral images), and end with happy artists toting home completed pieces for a prominent spot on the bedroom wall. 249 Clayton St., 303-333-3288, www.canvasandcocktails.com

Gay Bar

Editors' Choice

Tracks Nightclub

On our first excursion to Tracks, a Michael Jackson impersonator moonwalked across the stage and we brushed elbows with a dead ringer for Prince. Since then, our experiences have only gotten better—if that's possible. The party that rages here at all hours has everyone (men and women alike) moving with the pulsating music. Get here at 9 p.m. on Saturdays for $2 bevs. Beware of a $5 or $10 cover—but remember the value-added moonwalking potential. 3500 Walnut St., 303-863-7326, www.tracksdenver.com

Readers' Choice

JR.'s Bar & Grill

Um, shirtless bartenders on Wednesday nights. Need we go on? OK, fine: There's never a cover at this handsome two-story watering hole; the two-floor patio facing 17th Avenue is grounds for some serious after-work eye candy; and there are music videos amping up the crowd in every direction. Plus, who doesn't love a good weekday bar special? Our weakness: Drag Queen Bingo. Wednesday nights. Be there. 777 E. 17th Ave., 303-831-0459, www.myjrs.com

Theater Company

Editors' Choice

Shadow Theatre Company

Sometimes the best performances are more about the story than the show. Shadow Theatre Company's A Song for Coretta unfolded on a sparse, minimalist set, where five women stood in the open, telling their stories, and divulging the secrets behind their journeys to pay respects to the late Coretta Scott King. It was, in a word, mesmerizing—and just one example of the poignant, timely, and ultimately human tales produced by Denver's only African-American theater company. 1468 Dayton St., Aurora, 720-857-8000, www.shadowtheatre.com

Readers' Choice

Curious Theatre Company

It's no mystery why our readers keep filling the seats at Curious. The company consistently brings in top-notch, thought-provoking plays, like local playwright Terry Dodd's intrigue-filled Home by Dark. Plus, the company helps fellow drama enthusiasts reach their dreams with Curious New Voices, an award-winning young-adult playwriting program. Bravo! 1080 Acoma St., 303-623-0524, www.curioustheatre.org

Movie Festival

Editors' Choice

Telluride Film Festival

For sheer scenic value alone, this Labor Day cinema soiree, walled in by Telluride's stunning peaks, should be on your to-do list. But what we most love is its broad appeal—even for all its geographical seclusion. The affair caters to all sorts, from A-list celebs to us little folk, with premieres, seminars, and screenings of forgotten motion picture treasures (think Jacques Demy's Lola or Orson Welles' Touch of Evil). Plus, the festival showcases the crème de la crème: Past years have included breakout hits (and Oscar nominees) Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Brokeback Mountain, and Up in the Air. Telluride, 510-665-9494, www.telluridefilmfestival.org

Readers' Choice

Starz Denver Film Festival

The longtime crown jewel of Denver's arts scene is a premiere social event for local cinema-lovers. Despite recent leadership upheaval, the 2009 Starz fest managed to best its attendance and revenue records (more than a third of last year's 210 films sold out) with provocative screenings like the riveting, Oscar-nabbing Precious. We're dying to see this year's lineup (Nov. 3-14). See you on the red carpet. Multiple venues, 303-595-3456, www.denverfilm.org

Singles Hangout

Editors' Choice

Colorado Free University

OK, maybe it sounds a tad dorky. But where better to connect with like-minded individuals? It's not an actual academic university (nor is it technically free), but CFU, which bills itself as an adult continuing-education institution, lets you take all the classes you wished they offered when you were single in college, like wine and chocolate pairing, DIY home design, and gourmet camping. For a $25 annual membership fee, you get discounted class admission. At the very least, you come away with skills and confidence you can use to impress future prospects—often for less than a weekend bar tab. And who knows? You may just meet your soul mate in Photography Safari. 7653 E. First Place, 303-399-0093, www.freeu.com

Readers' Choice

Robusto Room

The 'burbs have spoken, and they're adamant that Lone Tree's Robusto Room is the place to score (a date, that is). The sultry, posh cigar lounge specializes in martinis, big-name DJs, and top-quality smokes—no Swisher Sweets here—available for purchase at the adjoining Stogies & Bogeys shop. Note to the single ladies: We see why Robusto got your vote. Last time we were there, the guy-to-girl ratio was five to one. 9535 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree, 303-790-7363, www.therobustoroom.com

Sporting Event You Can Actually Get a Ticket To

Editors' and Readers' Choice

The Rockpile, Colorado Rockies

There's just nothing better than the Rockpile on a sunny Friday afternoon when work is dragging. For $4, you get an outfield seat and the chance to walk Coors Field, one of the best ballparks in the Major Leagues. Bring a buddy, buy some brews, and wander for a few innings before settling on those warm bleachers where we're convinced time doesn't exist. www.coloradorockies.com

Art Gallery

Editors' Choice

Rule Gallery

Ask 100 people for their favorite art gallery, and you'll get 100 different answers. But if you enjoy art for its sheer simplicity, you won't be disappointed at Rule. Specializing in minimalist work, this gallery on Broadway showcases—at most—two dozen pieces of contemporary art, both local and national, every six weeks. Pieces include everything from midscale installations to photo imagery to paintings. Take a late-afternoon lunch along the SoBo corridor, follow it up with a visit to Rule, and get lost in the edgy visions of artists like Pard Morrison and Nathan Abels. It'll inspire the rest of your day. 227 N. Broadway, 303-777-9473, www.rulegallery.com

Readers' Choice

Mirada Fine Art

A 30-minute drive from Denver will get you one of the most pleasant surprises in the metro area's art scene. Inside a 90-year-old log cabin in the foothills, the two-story Mirada lacks the pretentiousness of urban galleries. But don't let its out-of-the-way location fool you. The contemporary art, mostly the handiwork of folks from Colorado and the Southwest, is fresh and energetic, with an organic, easy-going style. Come once a month for new paintings and sculptures, which are priced anywhere from $350 to $10,000. 5490 Parmalee Gulch Road, Indian Hills, 303-697-9006, www.miradafineart.com