Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood hosts a nightclub called The Church Nightclub, or locally known as "The Church", though originally built as St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in 1865. However, since 1996, it has been repurposed as a nightclub with weekly shows that include EDM, bass, techno, house, and DNB.
The building itself is considered Victorian Gothic architecture with locally sourced stone and since the congregation had its own type of schism in the late 1980s, it meant relocating to another part of the city. And, in the trend at the time in Denver to readapt buildings for modern use, Denver treated us to The Church.
The Sound and Performers
The Church established its reputation in Denver's EDM community, and continues to make investments in its audio infrastructure.
The booking policy has historically prioritized electronic music across its sub-genres like house, techno, EDM, and DNB, which all have regularly scheduled programming at The Church. International touring DJs and producers have made The Church a consistent stop on American tours with its combination of capacity, sound quality, and atmosphere making it a booking that artists genuinely want to play. Denver's geography, as the largest city within a significant radius, gives The Church a wide net that extends across the Mountain West.
Cultural Impact on Denver's Nightlife
The Church's longevity gives it a cultural significance in Denver that newer venues cannot claim. It represents the continuity of the city's electronic music community across multiple generations of dancers and DJs. Many of Denver's current resident DJs and nightlife industry professionals had their formative clubbing experiences at The Church.
The Denver club scene has expanded dramatically since The Church opened where RiNo, LoHi, and other neighbourhoods have brought new venues that compete for the weekend crowd, but The Church has maintained its position through consistent quality, the greatness of the architecture, and a management approach that has prioritized the music consistently over the decades.
Visiting Today
- Hours: The Church operates Thursday through Sunday, with Saturday being the signature night. Doors typically open at 10PM with shows running until 4AM.
- Location: 1160 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203
- Admission: Cover charges vary by event and artist, typically $15–40 for weeknights, though higher for headlining international bookings.
- Dress code: Honestly, whatever you want, it's a nightclub. What do you think you wear to a nightclub?
- Age: 21+ with valid ID verification at the door.