Great American Beer Festival is here, which means there are approximately 6,325 beer-related events going on around Denver for the next four days. For the sake of our sanity and yours, we've narrowed down your options a bit — somewhat thoughtfully and somewhat randomly.
And, of course, there are dozens and dozens of non-GABF things you could do, too.
Thursday
No GABF pass? No problem
Click through for details and tickets.
GABF Crooked Stave Artisan Brands Night. Goed Zuur, 2801 Welton St. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Star Bar After Party. Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St. 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cheat Code, DDH Rare Trait & Lightways can release. Cerebral Brewing Co., 1477 Monroe St. 2-11 p.m.
Bristol Brewing GABF Party. Cheba Hut Denver, 1531 Champa St. 4-5 p.m.
GABF with Ballast Point. Cheba Hut Denver, 1531 Champa St. 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
GABF: Stone Brewing at Monkey Barrel, 4401 Tejon St. 9 p.m.-midnight.
GABF Thursday Night After Party w/ BBB & Kind Dub. Mellow Mushroom (Denver), 1201 16th St. 9 p.m.
2nd Annual F@#*ing CTA Catalina Wine Mixer. Call to Arms Brewing Co., 4526 Tennyson St. Noon-10 p.m.
Blue Moon Festival of Friends. Blue Moon RiNo, 3750 Chestnut Place. Noon-5 p.m.
Late Night Happy Hour with Ratio Beerworks for GABF. Avanti F&B, 3200 Pecos St. 9 p.m.-midnight.
TRVE x RiNo Yacht Club: Metal Marina. RiNo Yacht Club, 3350 Brighton Blvd. 9 p.m.-midnight.
Illinois Craft Brewers Tap Takeover. Hamburger Mary's, 1336 E. 17th Ave. 8 p.m.-midnight.
Beer Release: Rye Knot Pretzel. Strange Craft Brewing Co., 1330 Zuni St., Unit M. 2-9 p.m.
Barrel Aged Golden Sour Ale w/ Muscat Grapes Bottle Release. Mockery Brewing, 3501 Delgany St. Noon-11 p.m.
Shelton Brothers & Friends. Finn's Manor, 2927 Larimer St. 7:30 p.m.-midnight.
Entertainment
Best bet: Palehound. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $10-12.
Best bet: Santa Fe Brewing Beer Fest After Party hosted by Meow Wolf. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $10.
“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $30-36.
“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $29-39.
The Shins. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 7 p.m. $49.95-55.
Toadies. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $25-27.
Ra Ra Riot. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 pm. Free.
Tennyson. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 8 p.m. $14-16.
TRVE Brewing's GABF Kickoff Show featuring Glacial Tomb and more. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.
People's Blues of Richmond. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $5-15.
Danielle Nicole. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 9:15 p.m. $20.
The Expanders. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $15.
Loefah. The Black Box, 314 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. $15-25.
Bitter Suns. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $6.
Bluegrass Thursday featuring Jay Roemer and Miles Perry. Stem Ciders, 2811 Walnut St., Unit 150. 7-9:30 p.m.
Ron Funches. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 8 p.m. $20.
Queen City Companion. An all-false storytelling show hosted by Christie Buchele. Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 8 p.m.
XicanIndie Halloween Special: "Drácula." Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive. 6:30 p.m. $5.
Art
Still, for Solo Piano. Performance of a piece inspired by Clyfford Still’s paintings and the museum, followed by a talk with the composer and pianist. Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
For families
“The Snowy Day.” Play inspired by Ezra Jack Keats’ acclaimed children’s books. Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10.
Mid-Autumn Festival. A short movie about the Chinese Moon holiday, Chinese poetry reading, singing, arts, calligraphy, free dinner with Chinese moon cake and tea. St. Cajetans, Auraria Campus, 1200 Ninth St. 6-9 p.m.
For your brain
Best bet: Dinos! After Dark. Elephant passage demonstration, animal meet-and-greet, elephant house keeper talks, a dinosaur sex talk, beer garden and pumpkin carving. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. 6:30-9:30 p.m. 21+. $15-25.
For a cause
Hurricane Relief Benefit. Price of admission gets you three drink tickets and access to an auction and raffle. Live music from Moonlight Beam. Infinite Monkey Theorem, 3200 Larimer St. 6 p.m. $30.
Boarding for Breast Cancer gallery opening and auction, with music by The Kinky Fingers and drinks from New Belgium Brewing and PBR. evo Denver, 860 Broadway. 6-9 p.m.
Libations for Literacy. Food from local restaurants and vendors, drinks, live music from Ugly Rumor, silent auction, complimentary admission to the 2017 Mile High Holiday Mart. Bring a gently used children's book to donate. Space Gallery, 400 Santa Fe Drive. 6-9 p.m. $45 or two for $80.
Sports
Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers, 5 p.m.
Friday
No GABF pass? No problem
Click through for details and tickets.
RiNo Seven-Course Beer Dinner. To The Wind Bistro, 3333 E. Colfax Ave. 5-9:15 p.m.
GABF Release Week: All Things Sour. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St., Suite 100. Noon-10 p.m.
GABF Outer Range + Wiley Roots Specialty Beer Tap Takeover. The Crafty Fox, 3901 Fox St. 3-11 p.m.
The Curiosity Ball. Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St. 7 p.m.-midnight.
GABF Week: Casey Brewing & Blending. Hops & Pie, 3920 Tennyson St. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Great BookBar Beer Festival. BookBar, 4280 Tennyson St. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Beer Games with Left Handing Brewing and Odell Brewing Co. BarFly at Alamo Drafthouse, 4255 W. Colfax Ave. 6-8 p.m.
GABF Aspen Extreme Party. Meier Skis, 970 Yuma St. 4-10 p.m.
Pints in the Park. Skyline Beer Garden, 1601 Arapahoe St. 5-8 p.m.
B.A. Porter Special Release Dance Party. Factotum Brewhouse, 845 Lipan St. 6-9 p.m.
Enter The House of Flying Barrels. 1235 Delaware St. 9 p.m.-midnight.
Collaboration Celebration 2017. Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte St. 2-9 p.m.
Fed Bar and Renegade Brewing Happy Hour. Federal Bar & Grill, 2544 Federal Blvd. 5-7 p.m.
Adroit Theory Tap Takeover & Collab Release. Mockery Brewing, 3501 Delgany St. 2-11 p.m.
Sour Tapping featuring Extra Gold. Illegal Pete's Colfax, 2001 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Midwest Brewery Showcase. Highland Tap & Burger, 2219 W. 32nd Ave. 6-9 p.m.
Brandy Barrel Aged Redolent. FERMÆNTRA, 1715 E. Evans Ave. Noon.
Odell Brewers Brunch. Highland Tap & Burger, 2219 W. 32nd Ave. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Silent Disco Garden. Black Shirt Brewing Co., 3719 Walnut St. 8-11 p.m. $15.
Entertainment
Best bet: Ghost Tapes album release with Fed Rez and Sur Ellz. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.
Best bet: Ned Garthe Explosion. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8.
“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $30-36.
"The Garbologists" reading. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 3 p.m. Free, RSVP required.
“Macbeth.” A re-imagining of the Shakespeare tragedy in the DCPA’s in-the-round theater. Space Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 7:30 p.m. $30-65.
“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $29-39.
"Night of the Living Dead Live." Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 8 p.m.
Snails and NGHTMRE. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 5 p.m. $39-45.
Milky Chance. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 8 p.m.
Bleachers. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $26.99-31.
Moon Hooch. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $15-17.
Snails afterparty. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. Midnight. $29.75.
The Swindlin' Hearts. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8:30 p.m. $8-10.
Dræmings. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-10.
Morsel and Woodhouse. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $5-10.
Start Making Senses (Talking Heads tribute). Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $15-20.
Wick-it the Instigator. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $15-20.
Pears. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $12-15.
Arrested Development. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 9 p.m. $25.
Heavy Traffic Recordings launch party with Matty G. The Black Box, 314 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. $15-25.
Sinatra by the Robert Johnson Band. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 7 p.m. $15.
Evening of Persian Culture Music and Dance. Mercury Café, 2199 California St. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $10-30.
Guilty Pleasures dance party. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $5.
Ron Funches. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $26.
"Rogue Elements" ski movie premiere. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. $7-15.
Feral First Friday Film Series: "Samuel in the Clouds." Bring your own food, drink, blankets and chairs. Dog and family friendly. Feral Mountain Co., 4320 Tennyson St. 8-10 p.m.
Midnight Madness: Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.
Art
Best bet: First Friday Art Walk. The galleries and studios in Denver’s art districts will leave their doors open after-hours to welcome the curious with wine, beer, special exhibits, demonstrations and music. Your options:
Santa Fe Art District, along Santa Fe drive from Alameda to 12th Avenue.
River North Art District. This one is more spread out. Here’s a gallery list.
Tennyson Street Cultural District, along Tennyson Street from 39th to 45th Avenue. Here’s a map.
IFAF 2017 Art Opening: "Not Your Indian" by Gregg Deal. Reception at artist talk. Sturm Hall at DU, 2000 E. Asbury Ave. 5-7 p.m.
For families
Best bet: Dinos! After Dark. Fire performances, a glow show, an otter keeper talk, meet the owls, pumpkin carving and more. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $10-15.
Family Movie Night. Learn about Westwood Food Cooperative and watch a movie with free popcorn. Plus: raffles, kids' activities and pupusas and tacos for sale. Westwood Food Cooperative, 3738 Morrison Road. 5:30-10:30 p.m.
“The Snowy Day.” Play inspired by Ezra Jack Keats’ acclaimed children’s books. Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St. 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. $10.
Art Studio Takeover with author Kathryn Otoshi. Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Childrens Museum Drive. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
For a cause
The Prelude. Benefit for the victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria with a funk DJ set, food from Ethiopian Food Truck and Friendly & Co. and a raffle. Cash or supply donations will be accepted at the door. Fort Greene Bar, 321 E. 45th Ave. 5-9 p.m.
Denver Writes Fundraiser: Edgar Allen Poe Spooky Stories. BookBar, 4280 Tennyson St. 5-7 p.m.
Saturday
No GABF pass? No problem
Click through for details and tickets.
GABF Hangover Brunch. Renegade Brewing Co., 918 W. First Ave. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
GABF Brewers Breakfast: Burritos & Barleywines. Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte St. 9:30 a.m.-noon.
GABF Release Week: Coconut Snowed In. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St., Suite 100. Noon-10 p.m.
Valor, Stubborn Monkey & Blackcurrant Quad special tappings. Bruz Beers, 1675 W. 67th Ave. Noon-10 p.m.
Tonal Language Bottle Release. Cerebral Brewing Co., 1477 Monroe St. Noon-11 p.m.
GABF Medal Winners and Tivoli. Cheba Hut Denver, 1531 Champa St. 3-5 p.m.
GABF Midwest Night. Goed Zuur, 2801 Welton St. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
East Meets West with Dogfish Head and Stone. Euclid Hall, 1317 14th St. 4-6 p.m.
Great American Beer Fest After Party. Prost Brewing Co., 2540 19th St. 6-10 p.m.
Brewers & Blues. Crazy Mountain Brewing Co., 471 Klamath St. 5-8 p.m.
GABF Awards Watch Party. Comrade Brewing Co., 7667 E. Illif Ave. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oskar Blues Beer Can Chicken Cookout. Highland Tap & Burger, 2219 W. 32nd Ave. Noon-5 p.m.
Pretty In Pink Costume Contest. Epic Brewing Co., 3001 Walnut St. 4-10 p.m.
The Final Party at Falling Rock, 1919 Blake St. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
GABF After-Party at Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St. 10 p.m.
Entertainment
Best bet: Sheer Mag. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $13-15.
Best bet: Ty Segall. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $20-25.
“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $30-36.
“Macbeth.” A re-imagining of the Shakespeare tragedy in the DCPA’s in-the-round theater. Space Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $30-65.
“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $29-39.
"Night of the Living Dead Live." Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 8 p.m.
The Aquabats. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. $23-25.
Ice Balloons. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $10-12.
Leyla McCalla. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $15-17.
Elliott Brood. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $11-13.
Zoogma. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $12-15.
MiMOSA. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $18-22.
"Rogue Elements" ski movie premiere. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. $7-15.
Dreadnought. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
Arrested Development. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 9 p.m. $25.
Two Tone Wolf Pack. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9:30 p.m. $8.
Ron Funches. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $26.
3MCS with Abby Rosenquist. Stand-up, sketch and live bits from three hosts, this week featuring a secret special guest. Blackbird Denver, 305 S. Downing St. 9-10:30 p.m.
Designated Drunkard: A Comedy Drinking Game. The audience and hosts take a drink each time a comic returns to a familiar tic or premise. Comedy RoomRoom, 2104 Larimer St. 7-10 p.m. $5.
Midnight Madness: Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.
Mile High Soul Club dance party. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $5.
Art
Cherry Creek Art Feast. Self-guided walking tour of Cherry Creek North featuring the area’s galleries and select bites from restaurants. 2nd Avenue and Fillmore Plaza. 3-7 p.m.
Penny admission for Colorado residents at Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For families
Best bet: Dinos! After Dark. Fire performances, a glow show, an otter keeper talk, meet the owls, pumpkin carving and more. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $10-15.
CiderGrass. Live music, cider and kids' activities. Stem Ciders, 2811 Walnut St. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $15.
“The Snowy Day.” Play inspired by Ezra Jack Keats’ acclaimed children’s books. Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St. 3:30 p.m. $10.
Art Studio Takeover with author Kathryn Otoshi. Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Childrens Museum Drive. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Otter Weekend. Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$25.50.
"Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites." Exhibit opening with story time, crafts and activities. University of Colorado Denver, 1201 Larimer St. 4:30-7 p.m.
For a cause
Puerto Rico hurricane benefit show and supply drive. 3 Kings Tavern, 60 S. Broadway. 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Sports
Colorado Avalanche at New Jersey Devils, noon
Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Food & drink
Best bet: Oktoberfest. Live music, dachshund races, games, beer and German food. Prost Brewing Co., 2540 19th St. 1-5 p.m.
Vesper Lounge Pig Roast. Live music, a plate of pork and two sides for $10. Vesper Lounge 233 E. Seventh Ave. 4-8 p.m.
GABF Hangover Brunch with Guyz Fuzion, DJ Bingo at noon with Something Vinyl Club and beer cocktails. Diebolt Brewing Company, 3855 Mariposa St. 11 a.m.
Work From Home GABF Recovery Brunch. Adobo Food Truck serving up delicious pancakes, French toast, bacon and more to go with an imperial breakfast porter. Cerebral Brewing Co., 1477 Monroe St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
GABF Hangover Brunch with Morgan Handmade Rations. Mockery Brewing, 3501 Delgany St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Entertainment
Best bet: Indigenous Film Festival presents "Ixcanul." Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 6 p.m. Free.
“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 2 p.m. $30-36.
“Macbeth.” A re-imagining of the Shakespeare tragedy in the DCPA’s in-the-round theater. Space Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 1:30 p.m. $30-65.
“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. $29-39.
Network Launch Showcase. Celebrate the launch of a new voice in Denver! Meet, mingle, and be part of a live recording with the shows of the Denver Podcast Network. Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 6-8 p.m.
Noah Gundersen. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $17-20.
The Caveat. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $8-10.
Mimicking Birds. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 8:30 p.m. $10-12.
AAA Girls. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 5 p.m.
Motionless in White. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 6 p.m. $23-25.
Immortal Sync CD release. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $8-10.
Colorado Symphony Chamber Music Series. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 6 p.m. $20.
George Winston. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 7 p.m. $32.
Sunday Peepshow: Creepshow edition. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 8 p.m. $17.
Art
Foul-Mouthed Cross-Stitch Sundays. Get crafty and do some cross-stitching. All materials provided with purchase. Grandma’s House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-9 p.m.
For families
Otter Weekend. Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$25.50.
For a cause
Run the Rocks. 5K and 10 K run/walk to benefit the American Lung Association in Colorado. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 9:30 a.m. $20-40.
Didn't find what you're looking for? Here's a link to Meetups near Denver. Or you might try MileHighOnTheCheap.com's calendar.
