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City Cast Denver

City Cast Denver staff

🌀 Looking for a previous Hey Denver quiz? Find it here:

Two Truths and a Lie: Denver Mayor Edition

Michelle Polizzi

Sure, the vision has evolved over the past two decades — but the community built around the queer-supporting hangout is still very much intact. When the original Hamburger Mary’s restaurant chose not to renew their franchise license in 2015, then renamed as M’s Uptown, the beloved Hamburger Mary’s name and legacy went up for grabs.

Christopher Maluck, who had worked at the original Hamburger Mary’s Denver since it opened, got to talking with his friends about the fact that the Mile High city still needed a queer-oriented space owned by the local community.

“We felt that Denver wasn’t possibly done with Mary's, and what if we just bought the franchise and kept it going?” Maluck says.

Maluck and his friends brought the modern Mary’s to life in 2016 inside of a cozy home-turned-venue now lovingly called “the little purple house.” Since Maluck became co-owner of Hamburger Mary’s Denver that year, he’s focused on creating a community-driven establishment.

“We've really started to see how the magic of drag blended with the intimate event space that we created,” Maluck says.

Today, Hamburger Mary’s Denver hosts events every night of the week (except Mondays, when they are closed), including trivia Tuesdays with Brittany Blaze, drag bingo on Wednesdays, and Saturday 

In short? Hamburger Mary’s the perfect place to celebrate Denver’s Drag scene because there’s simply something for everyone.

Douglas Ambrose, who stepped into his current role as General Manager at Hamburger Mary’s last year, says that maintaining a welcoming queer space is exactly what brought him back to Denver for the job after living in Chicago.

Ambrose always feels a sense of authenticity at Hamburger Mary’s, but it's especially palpable on karaoke nights. “The amount of people that come through and just sing their hearts out, and there's just a space for them to just be themselves,” he says.

The Hamburger Mary’s RuPaul’s Drag Race screening is sold out for tomorrow night, but now is a great time to book brunch or bingo at the little purple house, where you’re likely to feel the spirit of Mary herself.

“The current space feels like somebody's house, like maybe it's Hamburger Mary’s house,” Maluck says. “She travels to the other franchises and does her thing, and then she comes home to Denver.”

How Hamburger Mary's became the destination for drag shows in Denver.

Inside Hamburger Marys: The Bar Drag Queens Have Called Home Since 2006

Inside the Bar Drag Queens Have Called Home Since 2006

Keep It Local

The success of Denver queens on the big stage goes to show that drag is alive and thriving in the Mile High. In a world where gender identity and LGBTQ rights are in jeopardy, showing up for a local drag show is a great way to support Denver’s queer community (plus, it’s really dang fun).

As Denver eagerly awaits the results of Friday’s Drag Race finale, be sure to bookmark these places to see Denver’s drag on full display.

🐅 Champagne Tiger (North Capitol Hill)

Located in a historic former diner on Colfax Avenue built in 1967, 

 blends retro architecture with modern French-American cuisine in the heart of Denver. Every Sunday, indulge in Massachusetts-sourced oysters, ricotta waffles, and coffee-infused Campari cocktails while enjoying what Champagne Tiger calls "Denver's Most Luxurious Drag Show.” There are three shows daily, starting at 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 3 p.m.

 may be known for showcasing stand-up comedy at its Northwest Denver theater, but they’ve got high-quality drag events, too. On Sunday, May 17, Colorado drag queen 

 will host a Disney Villains-themed drag brunch. Expect appearances by Maleficent, Ursula, and all the classic baddies you love to hate. Tickets start at $31.

There’s a minimum two-item purchase policy at Denver Improv, and photo/video is prohibited

Dismantling shame around sexuality begins with talking about it, and that’s exactly what Denver’s sex education museum, Sexplatorium, aims to do. Opened in 2024, 

 is an inclusive space that shatters taboos with sex history exhibits, weekly classes, and community events. On Friday, check out their 

 to their Gen Z for Change fundraiser on Saturday.

It’s the only educational sex museum in the world, right here at home in Denver!

 is an American-style breakfast eatery where the beignets are just as delish as the huevos rancheros. If you’re looking for a fun way to ring in the 4/20 holiday weekend, ​prepare for an afternoon of bingo, breakfast, and drag debauchery at Syrup’s upcoming Drag Queen Bingo Brunch on Sunday, 4/19. Bingo starts at 2 p.m. and prizes will be awarded!

There are multiple Syrup locations, so double-check the address beforehand

The success of Denver queens on the big stage goes to show that drag is alive and thriving in the Mile High. This is where you can go enjoy drag shows around Denver.

The Best Drag Shows in Denver

Denver’s Best Drag Shows

Paul Karolyi

The Super Bowl 50 winner and Hall of Fame Broncos quarterback is partnering with 

 — the restaurant group behind Park Burger and Homegrown Tap & Dough — on a “mixed-use commercial and community project” on five vacant acres at Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue in Littleton. The project is being called “1st Street Farms," according to documents the developers submitted to the Littleton City Council 

The plan for 1st Street Farms includes a 15,000-square-foot full-service restaurant, a 13,000-square-foot event venue, a community football field, and more. Gastamo Group is set to operate the business, but it is 

inspired by “the impact and legacy that Peyton Manning has had on the Colorado community

, specifically in the Denver metro area.”

Manning is set to serve primarily as a promoter, though he is also 

 in the project, which will use his name, image, and likeness. “The restaurant is intended to serve as both a dining destination and a regional draw, with an emphasis on accessibility, family-friendly atmosphere, and high-quality hospitality,” according to the Littleton City Council’s agenda.

City Cast Denver reached out to Gastamo Group about the project for more details, but we have not heard back.

Littleton City Council is set to discuss the project, including the developers’ proposed community benefits and requested tax breaks, for the first time Tuesday evening. 

The venture would be Manning’s second foray into the Denver metro’s restaurant market. He previously owned 31 Papa John’s franchises and served as a commercial spokesman for the company. He 

 in 2018 after reports that Papa John’s founder John Schnatter used a racial slur in a conference call.

 in a $5 million, 16,000-square-foot mansion in nearby Cherry Hills Village.

 for Littleton City Council, which includes a few design renderings of the proposed project.

Massive New Peyton Manning-Inspired Restaurant Destination Proposed in Littleton

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Denver. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Denver Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Morris Munene

If you've been Googling "Colorado online casinos" hoping to find a legal way to play slots or table games from your couch, here's the short answer: yes, you can — just not through a state-licensed real-money casino. 

Colorado hasn't legalized traditional iGaming yet

, but that doesn't mean you're out of options.

Sweepstakes casinos fill that gap perfectly. They're fully legal, offer hundreds of casino-style games, and let you redeem winnings for real cash prizes. Our top pick for most Colorado players is 

! Whether you're a seasoned casino player or just looking to spin some slots on a Friday night, this guide breaks down exactly what's available, what's legal, and which platforms are worth your time.

Ready to play? Jump straight to our top picks below.

Top Colorado Online Casinos — The Ranked List

 — Best Real Money Online Casino in Colorado for RTG Slots

 — Best Colorado Online Casino for Sweepstakes Gameplay

 — Top Online Casino in Colorado for Crypto Players

 — Best Online Sweepstakes Casino in Colorado for Coin Rewards

 — Top Colorado Online Gambling Site for Live Dealer Games

 — Best Legal Online Casino Colorado for Online Slots

 — Best Colorado Online Casino for Progressive Jackpots

 — Top Legal Colorado Online Gambling Site for Unique Games

 - Best Real Money Online Casino in Colorado for RTG Slots

 is a real-money online casino that caters primarily to offshore players. It runs exclusively on RealTime Gaming (RTG) software, which means a solid catalog of consistent, well-performing titles. New players get a 250% match bonus on their first deposit, plus 50 free spins on specific games like "Mighty Drums", a healthy head start for anyone serious about slots.

One thing worth knowing upfront: crypto users will hit a 40x wagering requirement vs. 10x for card deposits. That's a significant gap, so factor it into your decision if you're planning to deposit in Bitcoin. Payouts via wire transfer can take 5–10 business days, though Bitcoin withdrawals are processed near-instantly after approval. Weekly withdrawal cap sits at $2,500.

250% welcome bonus stretches your starting bankroll considerably

Instant Bitcoin withdrawals once internally approved

200+ RTG titles with consistent game quality

Wire transfer withdrawals take 5–10 business days

Crypto deposits carry a steep 40x wagering requirement

Weekly $2,500 withdrawal limit restricts high-volume players

 - Best Colorado Online Casino for Sweepstakes Gameplay

 takes a slightly different approach to sweepstakes casinos by splitting gameplay into two distinct modes: Tournament Mode (pure entertainment) and Promotional Mode (redeemable prizes). It's a clever structure that lets you casually warm up before switching into prize-eligible play.

Owned by A1 Development LLC in Wyoming, Funrize starts you off with 75,000 Tournament Coins the moment you sign up — no purchase needed. Verify your phone and email and you'll pocket an extra 50,000 coins. The daily Funrize Wheel offers up to 220,000 Tournament Coins and 400 Promotional Entries, which keeps the daily login habit genuinely rewarding. Games are powered by NetGame Entertainment, giving it a different feel from most sweeps sites. Note: 100 Promotional Entries = $1.00 USD, and you'll need at least $25 worth to redeem for gift cards.

Dual-mode structure separates fun play from prize-eligible play clearly

75,000 Tournament Coins on sign-up, no purchase required

Daily Funrize Wheel with generous coin rewards

Available on iOS, Android, and web browser

$25 minimum balance required for gift card redemptions

Not available in Washington, Idaho, or Wyoming

 - Top Online Casino in Colorado for Crypto Players

 launched in 2024 under Kinetix Ventures LLC in Delaware, making it one of the newer sweepstakes platforms on the market, but it's already showing serious promise. New players receive 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins at registration, plus up to 5,000 Gold Coins and 0.3 Sweeps Coins with each daily login.

The game library already clears 300 titles with BGaming and Booming Games in the mix, and the platform notably supports crypto payments including Bitcoin and Solana for Gold Coin purchases. That makes it a strong fit for players who prefer decentralized payment options. Minimum age to sign up is 21. For cash redemption, you'll need at least 100 Sweeps Coins, so it's better suited for players willing to build up their balance before cashing out.

100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins on registration

Bitcoin and Solana accepted for Gold Coin purchases

300+ games from BGaming and Booming Games

100 Sweeps Coin minimum for cash redemptions is higher than most competitors

Not available in Michigan, Nevada, or Idaho

 - Best Online Sweepstakes Casino in Colorado for Coin Rewards

 shares the same parent company as Funrize (A1 Development LLC), and that consistency is reflected in its tight operations, clear terms, and a reliable daily rewards system. New sign-ups receive 125,000 Fun Coins right away, and completing email verification adds another 10,000. Daily logins unlock the Mystery Box, dropping free Fun Coins and the occasional City Coins (the sweepstakes currency here).

The game catalog leans into slots and fish games, and the City Life VIP program bumps your daily rewards as you climb tiers. One key note for free-to-play fans: winnings from sign-up bonuses alone are capped at $100. The minimum City Coin redemption is 2,500 coins ($25 value), and there's a $2,000 daily redemption cap for most players.

125,000 Fun Coins welcome bonus — one of the larger sign-up packages

VIP City Life program rewards loyalty with escalating daily bonuses

First purchase deal: 750,000 FC + 3,500 free CC for $24.99

Live chat and email support for registered users

Free sign-up bonus winnings capped at $100

Not available in Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, or Michigan

2,500 City Coin ($25) minimum threshold for redemptions

 - Top Colorado Online Gambling Site for Live Dealer Games

 stands out from the sweepstakes crowd with one feature most competitors simply don't have: live dealer games. You can sit down at a real blackjack or roulette table, which is a genuine differentiator in this space. The overall library tops 700 titles from major providers like Pragmatic Play, Playson, and Evoplay.

New players get 25,000 Gold Coins and 2.5 Spree Coins without spending a dime, and the daily login streak rewards stack up nicely over time. Spree Coins convert 1:1 with the USD, and gift card redemptions start at just 10 Spree Coins — an accessible floor compared to most other platforms. Cash redemptions via bank transfer require 75 Spree Coins minimum.

Live dealer blackjack and roulette — rare in sweepstakes casinos

700+ game library from Pragmatic Play, Evoplay, and Playson

Gift card redemptions start at just 10 Spree Coins

Bank transfer cash redemptions require 75 Spree Coins minimum

Not available in New York, Kentucky, Michigan, or Nevada

 - Best Legal Online Casino Colorado for Online Slots

 delivers. The platform boasts over 1,000 slot titles powered by NetGame, BGaming, and Betsoft. That's the biggest library on this list by a significant margin. The welcome package gives new players 125,000 Gold Coins and 1 Sweeps Coin, with an extra 25,000 Gold Coins for verifying your phone number.

The Daily Catch bonus keeps things interesting, building up to free spins on day seven of consecutive logins. The PlayBack feature is a nice touch — it returns a percentage of losses as bonus coins, effectively acting as a built-in cashback program. Heads up: some user reviews indicate you'll need to make at least one Gold Coin purchase before Sweeps Coin redemption is unlocked.

Looking for online casinos in Colorado? Here are the top legal options available to CO players in 2025, plus exclusive bonuses.

Best Colorado Online Casinos: Legal Sites, Top Picks & Bonuses

Why Denverites Love Esters Pub

Why Denverites Love Esters

It can be hard to find the right social space for people with kids — and their adult friends without kids — to meet up and hang out. But not to worry! These local eateries are delicious, Denver-made, and guaranteed to get the whole gang back together.

 is an inclusive coffee shop, casual eatery, bar, and community space owned by The Table Urban Farm, a nonprofit that donates organic, locally grown produce to nearby communities. Table Public House has an indoor, bee-themed play area for kids, and the building is right next to Grant Frontier Park’s large playground.

🍕 Homegrown Tap and Dough (West Wash Park)

 is known for their hand-tossed pizzas, local beer selection, and outdoor space. Their kid’s menu is top-notch, but even better is the $59.50 family meal bundle that includes cheesy garlic bread, two full-sized caesar salads, and two pizzas. The OG location opened on South Gaylord in 2011, but they’ve since expanded to Parker, Westminster, Littleton, Arvada, and Castle Rock.

They don’t take reservations, so go early to avoid a wait.

Ping pong, Peking duck, and patio fun collide at 

, a restaurant designed for large groups and hours of good old-fashioned fun. Book a high-top table, which comes with a dedicated server and access to a private ping pong table, to keep older kids and teens entertained while adults enjoy lychee vodka cocktails.

There’s a dedicated gluten-free menu and a solid mocktail list.

 has the same outrageously delicious, mac-and-cheese-topped burgers and spicy bacon queso you know and love from the original joint, albeit with a more family-friendly vibe. This includes an expansive patio with Adirondack chairs around fire pits, plus their legendary fish tank that captures little imaginations.

 before heading over to ensure a space for your party.

Stem Ciders is the Colorado company behind 

. This cidery is like a brewery, but with an elevated menu, mountain views, and space for the whole gang. Kids love the sprawling campus here, which has ladder ball sets, corn hole, and an entire playground. Should anyone get the post-dinner zoomies, there’s plenty of space to run around.

 Plan on saving room for dessert — the cider donuts are a must.

The Best Kid-Friendly Spots in Denver That Adults Love

Kid-Friendly Denver Spots for a Beer and a Bite

Bad dog breath, to be exact — and the pup-friendly mints that Denverites Deb Dempsey and Tonya Payne created to solve this all-too-common problem more than two decades ago.

The mints, called Mouthfuls, were such a hit with local dog owners that Dempsey and Payne soon expanded into a 

 focused on natural, healthy foods for dogs. That storefront opened on Tennyson Street in 2005, and they’ve been selling high-quality canine essentials ever since.

Today, the shop is owned by Kaiti Asmussen, who honors the original owners’ mission while also finding new products to include in the store’s lineup. The most noteworthy offering has to be the shop's body part bar, an assortment of dried animal oddities that includes hairy pig ears, bison knuckles, and other livestock byproducts, many of which come from Colorado and Wyoming farms that process meat for human consumption.

“Everything is very well-raised, hormone free, that kind of thing,” Asmussen says. “So we try to source things that are very high quality and healthy, and not loaded with chemicals or medicines.”

While the body part bar may seem gruesome at first glance, Asmussen says that featuring unusual animal parts is meant to make pet-care more sustainable for the planet. “We have the opportunity to get those [parts] and keep them out of the landfill, which reduces greenhouse gases,” Asmussen says. “It's kind of nice to use that stuff that would normally get thrown away and contribute to the environmental problems that we're very obviously suffering here in Colorado.”

These dehydrated, baked, and freeze-dried animal parts are beneficial for dogs’ health because they support digestion, clean their teeth, and stick to simple ingredients that dogs would naturally have in the wild.

“It's also activating different parts of their brain, so it also wears them out, it calms them down, it gives them a sense of security because there's something to do with their mouth, which releases feel-good hormones as they're chewing and licking,” Asmussen says.

The original mints are no longer in production, but the shop itself has become a Denver staple. Asmussen credits Mouthfuls’ success to its neighborhood involvement.

“We focus on making sure that pets in need have what they want, we do a ton of donations every year, and we try really hard to get ourselves involved in community activities,” Asmussen says.

That includes the annual pet fashion contest that takes place in early summer, which they plan to announce soon. They also make pet owners’ lives easier through a free delivery program, available for anyone within 5 miles if they call ahead, and a punch card program that makes it easy to earn rewards.

Asmussen is always finding new ways to cater to customers. For instance, Mouthfuls recently expanded to create a new room just for feline food, treats, and toys — a renovation approved by Asmussen's own two cats, Minnie and Ziggy. She also has three dogs – Tulsi, Cosmo, and Cash – and while they each have their own favorites from the body part bar, they all agree on ears.

“Any ear goes down like butter,” Asmussen says. “They just love it.”

Why Denverites Love Mouthfuls Pet Supply

While I don’t have a dog (cat mom over here 🐈‍⬛), most of my friends have a pup in the family, and each of them feels like another friend to me. For instance, Beatrix is my hiking buddy, Enzo and Frida are there for movie night snuggles, and Millie is my all-around bestie. If you’ve got a fur baby you know and love, check out these local pet stores in Denver — and try some of the unexpected products they offer.

 was started by a mother-daughter duo who ditched corporate life for something more fur-filling. Now run by mom Stacey and her husband Eddie Bennett, this store sells safe, nutritious dog food brands made in Colorado, such as 

 treats. A curated selection + friendly service = everything you’d want (and expect) from a chic dog boutique in Cherry Creek

The health-conscious dog who loves to eat local

 has a gourmet doggie treat buffet — an impressive spread of more than 25 kinds of bones and chews, all of them rawhide-free. They’re also home to a natural pets supplement section, which has everything from calming kits for cats to joint health chews for dogs. Plus, their full-service dog grooming salon offers haircuts, luxury baths, and more.

 sells pretty much everything you need for a dog or cat. Think specialty diet dog food, sustainable kitty litter, travel carriers, a vast food puzzle selection, and Colorado-made pet CBD products. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you toward the perfect gift or solution for your furry friend, often with niche recommendations you haven’t heard of.

 is easy: Specify your pet’s favorite flavors, choose a size, and add a custom message for the special day. This locally owned and operated franchise location is the only Three Dog Bakery in Colorado and specializes in using all-natural ingredients like apple sauce and peanut butter instead of sugar and preservatives.

 signing up for their newsletter to make sure you know about their special “holiday dinners.”

 has been carefully designed to make your pup clean and comfortable, with complimentary shampoo, conditioner, ear cleaner, fluffy towels, and a dryer. After they freshen up, bring your dog through the store to browse the selection of toys and party supplies — and don’t forget to pick up a bag of bison cubes from 

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