5 Hidden Music Venues in Fort Collins (In 3 Minutes)
Looking to enjoy Fort Collins music in its rawest form? Tired of busy/expensive concerts? Keep reading!
Often times, visitors of Fort Collins attend concerts that are full of people and can be costly depending on the venue. The five venues below offer more authentic music, smaller crowds, and a greater sense of what Fort Collins has to offer artistically.
The Magic Rat is one of the best places to enjoy Rock n’ roll, Alternative, and Jazz music. “The Rat” is located in the Elizabeth Hotel, 111 Chestnut Street, Fort Collins, lying in the heart of the downtown music scene. The Magic Rat is also a bar, so for those who want to enjoy the night life even more, there’s options. Because of this, the venue requires a minimum age of 21 for entry, however, it doesn’t cost anything at the doors. The Magic Rat is open Tuesday-Saturday, 4-Midnight.
The Sunset Lounge is a 1920's style, speak-easy Jazz lounge that is also located in the Elizabeth Hotel (111 Chestnut Street). The reason why Sunset Lounge makes it in this list is because of its “secret” elevator. It is hosted by Mark Sloniker, a brilliant piano and saxophone player, who brings in special guests to jam alongside him. Sunset Lounge is also a bar that’s home to amazing cocktails, for those interested in drinks, and a “boujee” atmosphere, so don’t be afraid to dress up for the night. They are also open Tuesday-Saturday, 4-Midnight, and require an age of 21+ for entry.
The Mishawaka or “The Mish” is a venue located about 30 minutes into the Poudre Canyon, adjacent to the Poudre River. It’s a beautiful spot to attend a cheap/free concert as the river and mountains completely encompass the venue. Parking is limited, as spots along the side of the road fill up quickly, but good thing there’s a shuttle that will bring you right from the CSU Transit Center to the front gates. The Mish has concerts very regularly, so click here to get your tickets!
Another great spot to enjoy Fort Collins music is directly in Old Town Square. As an outdoor “venue”, the square sings loud with activity, music, and food/beer. Most of the concerts here are free, as they’re for anyone passing by and are put on by anyone from homeless people to big name bands. The square makes in on this list because it’s so obvious that it becomes easily missed.
5. Thursday Night Live by Bohemian Nights
The Thursday Night Live events put on by Bohemian Nights is the final recommendation I have for the most authentic music in Fort Collins. This concert series happens only during the summer (June 4 to Aug. 6), but brings in many artists, especially those for New West Fest. New West Fest is one of the biggest events in Fort Collins, as it’s a three day festival full of music, beer, and food.
