It's Jazz Appreciation Month! These Are the Best Jazz and Blues Clubs in Denver

It's April now, and that means it's Jazz Appreciation Month. Of course, our minds turn to El Chapultepec, the jazz venue that welcomed one and all for nine decades. That spot closed in 2020, but fellow Denver jazz stalwart Dazzle is keeping its spirit alive in partnership with the El Chapultepec Legacy Project, which was founded by the daughters of the venue's former owner. When Dazzle reopened in its new location in the Denver Performing Arts Complex last August, it included the El Chapultepec Piano Lounge, which hosts late-night free sets on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. And other jazz and blues devotees remain across the city.

Here are our picks for the best jazz and blues clubs in the area:
Bar 404
404 Broadway
While jazz clubs are known for their quiet listening rooms, Bar 404's free jazz night on Wednesdays is more casual. "It's a listening room, but it's not one of those ones where we tell everybody to be quiet," as Ron LeGault told Westword in a 2022 interview. LeGault, a jazz pianist, started the program in March that year, in an effort to make jazz more accessible to Denverites. The intimate vibe and excellent talent won Bar 404 a 2023 Best of Denver award for Best Free Jazz Night, and as the bar expanded its genres, it earned Best Music Program at a Bar this year. With a rotating cast of musicians, often including LeGault, visitors can see many of the same musicians who play such venues as Dazzle or Nocturne, but for free (it's also well worth it to indulge in the spot's delicious chicken fingers). Find the schedule on the Bar 404 website.
Dazzle
1080 14th Street
Since opening in 1997, Dazzle has brought in many a world-renowned jazz legend, including Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath and Carla Bley, while also booking top-notch local talent. After two decades at its Golden Triangle location, Dazzle, voted by Downbeat magazine as one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world, moved to much bigger digs at the downtown Baur’s building in 2017. Last August, it moved again, to the Performing Arts Complex. The venue isn't only honoring El Chapultepec in the new location, but the Chicano and Hispanic roots of Denver's jazz scene as well, with portraits by local artist Shay Guerrero of such figures as KUVO's Carlos Lando; there's also a mural of jazz icon Charles Burrell by Brett Matarazzo. Herb’s
2057 Larimer Street
Located a block east of Coors Field, Herb’s has long been a hot spot for jazz (it’s owned by jazz saxophonist Laura Newman, who leads Alive on Arrival) and other genres such as rock, blues and funk; it was also a hangout spot for Jack Kerouac. In May 2023, Herb's celebrated its ninetieth anniversary.

There are several regular shows: Jazz pianist and organist Vlad Girshevich holds court on Mondays, trumpeter Gabe Mervine plays on Tuesdays for the B3 Jazz Jam, Diana Castro leads a funk jam on Wednesdays, bassist Dave Randon takes over on Thursdays, and a mix of acts fill the weekend slots. There is usually no cover charge.
Lincoln’s Roadhouse
1201 South Pearl Street
Lincoln’s Roadhouse is known for its Cajun grub, but on the weekends, live bands play in a small space next to the front door. Lincoln’s is big on the blues (Westword has named it Best Blues Club several times), and it brings in some of the area’s finest blues acts, such as Johnny O and Michael Hornbuckle, along with the occasional national act and local rock and rockabilly bands. There’s no cover charge.
The Muse Performance Space
200 East South Boulder Road, Lafayette
Pete Lewis and his wife, Clare Church, who have a long history of playing jazz and classical music, opened the Muse in 2018, knowing that music and art create community — and they wanted to keep the arts alive. While the venue brings in primarily jazz acts most Wednesdays through Sundays and hosts occasional jam sessions, the Muse also books singer-songwriter acts.
Nocturne
1330 27th Street
Scott and Nicole Mattson wanted to have a place that would make jazz more accessible to a broader audience with a unique hospitality experience, so they opened Nocturne in RiNo in 2015. The venue and restaurant features an Art Deco-style bar, classic cocktails and a stage-side dining room. Nocturne hosts live music five nights a week with some of the best in local jazz talent, who sometimes play monthly residencies; nationally known jazz musicians like Jeff Hamilton play there occasionally, as well. For Jazz Appreciation Month, the venue has artist residencies with Dart Echo exploring the music of Ornette Coleman on Wednesdays, the Dave Hanson Trio celebrating Herbie Hancock on Thursdays, the Derek Banach Quintet paying homage to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers on Saturdays, and more.

This list was originally published in December 2021 and has been updated.