4 nightlife activities in Fort Collins that aren’t The Rec Room
Most CSU students know what it’s like to be dancing next to a frat bro at one o’clock in the morning at The Rec Room while he profusely sweats on you and says things like, “College. Am I right?” The Rec Room gets picked on a lot, but there’s a whole slew of other gross (although sometimes fun) college bars in Fort Collins that can often lead to the same messy blur of a night. I’m not saying this isn’t fun every once in a while, but Fort Collins has so much more to offer than bars with sticky floors and questionable choices as far as nightlife and entertainment goes. So here is my list of 4 nightlife activities you can do/see in Fort Collins that aren’t Rec Room:
1. See a show done by The Cupcake Cabaret
The Cupcake Cabaret is an up-and-coming variety show in Fort Collins that features a mix of burlesque and vaudeville combining those with their signature retro style. They claim to be Fort Collins’ only all-female (although one male has been added to the cast) burlesque company. In a review of one of The Cupcake Cabaret’s shows in Entertaining Fort Collins, Malani Bartels wrote, “If you haven’t gone to one of the Cupcake shows, you’re missing out! I’ve never seen tassel twirling like this before…it gives ‘save the tatas’ a whole new meaning.” The company puts on shows every few weeks where they almost exclusively perform at Avogrado’s Number.
2. Make your way to Pinball Jones
Are you craving some old school arcade games to go along with your night out? Media is telling us that retro-style games are gaining popularity in Colorado, so you might want to check out Fort Collins’ Pinball Jones. The business opened their doors in 2011 and has been a hot spot for students ever since. Featuring over 20 different arcade games and a huge collection of pinball machines, they have everything from Star Wars themed machines to a machine themed around Colorado’s own South Park. Pinball Jones draws in students with its late hours (open until midnight on weekends) and its awesome specials like their “Free-play Mondays.” Don’t be fooled by all the games; this place isn’t just for kids. They have a lengthy list of draft beers and ciders to keep the 21+ crowd happy!
3. Check out the drag scene in Fort Collins
Some people might think drag performance in Colorado is a relatively exclusive to Denver, but there are some new drag queens and venues in Fort Collins looking to change that. Three new regular shows have started in Fort Collins, including a show every last Saturday of the month at Scrumpy’s , a show every first Friday at The Whiskey, and a show every second Friday at Fort Collins’ premier queer bar, R Bar and Lounge, which opened its door last fall. The last show is hosted by CSU’s own big-time drag queen, Jessica L’Whor, who also heads up CSU’s student show held each semester. Drag is sure to keep growing as audiences become more aware of the art. Just be sure to bring your dollar bills!
4. Spend your night at Chipper’s Lanes
I know you might be thinking Chipper’s Lanes is just as grimy as Rec Room, and you may be right, but Chipper’s sets itself apart with the variety of activities and the amount of pure joy you can experience here. It’s like a Chuck E. Cheese for adults! Chipper’s has everything from laser tag to bowling to live music, and they even have outdoor volleyball in case you are looking to sweat in a healthier way than at The Rec Room. Chipper’s is always crawling with other college students, so it’s also a great way to meet new people and mingle friend groups. Tuesday and Thursday nights are their special nights for students, which features $8 unlimited bowling, $1 draft beers, and a live DJ.
Now you have it! The next time your friend suggests bar hopping smelly bars in Old Town, you can suggest some of these awesome options instead. Fort Collins is full of fun nightlife activities that are often overlooked, and it’s up to us to explore them.
