You’d think everyone would be hibernating in anticipation of next weekend’s kickoff of the Denver Beer Fest, the big run-up to the Great American Beer Festival. That is not the case.
Instead, it almost seems like Denver’s just getting warmed up. There’s plenty to do, and a lot of it has to do with beer. Hooray!
Vine Street Pub (1700 Vine St.) is hosting a community- appreciation day of sorts with a block party on Saturday.
The Pub will shut down Vine Street between 17th and 18th avenues for a full afternoon of frolic — from live bluegrass and comedy to barbecue and a beer garden.
The big highlight of the event is the first-ever Brewer’s Olympics, a friendly battle between local breweries. Teams from brewers such as Wynkoop, Upslope, Great Divide, Twisted Pine and Oskar Blues will compete for gold in contests like grain stacking, yeast-filled balloon tossing, a handcart obstacle course and, naturally, a tricycle relay race.
Each participating brewery will contribute two kegs of beer to the party’s beer garden, which benefits Cancer Support Community of Colorado. The Olympics begin at 1 p.m., followed by the kickoff of the block party. Oh, by the way: Admission is free.
Tonight also marks the start of Oktoberfest on Larimer Street between 21st and 22nd streets, a two-weekend celebration of the German love for beer and good food. The serious partying runs until 2 a.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. Sunday day-drinking is encouraged as well, although the fest ends at 6 p.m. to encourage Monday-morning productivity.
Can’t make it this weekend? Oktoberfest continues Sept. 23-25, the first weekend of the Denver Beer Fest. See a full schedule of events at oktober .
Mezcal (3230 E. Colfax Ave.) hosts a cultural feast of its own tonight at an El Grito Street Fair. El Grito commemorates the day in 1810 that a Mexican priest made the first impassioned cry for independence from Spain. Mezcal marks the occasion with live music, Mexican barbecue and drink specials. Tacos are only $1.50, and oysters are $2. Join the party from 5 to 10 p.m. today. Admission is free.
Finally, there’s one more shindig to speak of: Rockbar‘s fifth-anniversary blowout, running all weekend long.
Rockbar (3015 E. Colfax Ave.) reopened its kitchen on Monday, serving up classic comfort foods like hamburgers, fried chicken, nachos and other sinful delights. A full weekend of crazy drink specials and dancing will complete the celebration.
Tonight, DJs El Brian and Deftron present “Turbo Friday,” with $1 well drinks for ladies from 6 to 11 p.m., plus $2 PBRs and $3 Sailor Jerry rum drinks and wells for everyone.
The deals get repeated on Saturday, when DJ Gatsby brings “The Saturday Shakedown.” On Sunday, Rockbar hosts a Broncos-watching party starting at 2:15, followed by “Ashes II Ashes” with DJ Quid. The same drink specials apply, but minus the cheap drinks for the gals.
Looks for giveaways all weekend, including a surfboard, snowboard and kitschy hula-girl lamps. Get more info at rockbardenver.
Do you want the funk? Do you need the funk? George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will give us the funk tonight at City Hall (1144 Broadway).
The spaced-out funk legends had to reschedule a date from earlier in the summer; this is the rescheduled show. Behold — the mothership lands at 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 online in advance or $40 at the door. Visit for more information.
Bassic Fridays at Beta (1909 Blake St.) welcomes Kill the Noise, Sureshot and Fury. Saturday brings a set of glittery house from French DJ and producer Norman Doray. Advance tickets for both shows are $10 each at .
