No Hike, No Problem: Ultimate Guys’ Day in Denver

Skip the hike—here’s how to spend a full day with the crew on the cheap (lasers, beers, and bocce included).

Author

What's Happenin' Denver
June 16, 2025

Bros, Beers & Budget Fun in Denver 🍻

Hey Denver adventurers! 🧩🎉

Not every hangout needs hiking boots and a fat wallet. Whether you’re catching up with your best bud or just dodging the Sunday scaries, we’ve got your playbook for an epic guys’ day out—no hiking, no fuss, just pure Denver fun. Think cheap drinks, arcade games, riverside floats, and a few wildcards you’ll be talking about all week. Let’s dive into the good times.

🌼 Looking for more things to do in Denver? Dive into Things to Do in Colorado, Kid-Friendly Hikes, or discover our favorite Colorado Day Trips.

🌆  Mile High Trivia Time!

Who was Francisco “Paco” Sanchez and what major contribution did he make to Denver’s community?

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👉 Tap your guess — we’ll reveal the answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

🎆🍻 Bros, Beers & Budget Fun: A Guys’ Day Out in Denver (No Hike Required)

No plans? No problem. Whether you’re dodging the usual weekend routine or just need an easy day with your best bud that doesn’t break the bank, we’ve got you covered. From arcade nostalgia to riverside chillin’, Denver (and nearby spots) offer plenty of no-hike, low-cost ways to kick back, crack up, and create a few new stories.

Here’s your no-fuss, all-fun playbook for a legendary guys’ day out:

🎮 Play & Chill

  • 1UP Arcade Bar – Cheap drinks, retro games, and enough button-mashing to relive your high school glory days.

  • Beat the Bomb – Suit up, dodge lasers, and try not to get blasted with neon paint. High stakes, zero pressure.

  • Bocce in the Park – Grab a set for under $25, head to Cheesman or City Park, and let the competitive trash talk fly.

🤣 Laugh It Off

🥏 Low-Cost Competition

🌊 Cool Off

  • Tubing in Golden or Littleton – BYO tube and float for a couple of hours. Bonus points for ending at a brewery.

  • Hot Springs Road Trip – Chill in Idaho Springs or Hot Sulphur Springs for under $30. Soak, laugh, repeat.

🍺 Brews & Bites

  • Coors Brewery Tour – Free tastings and a little history in Golden. Classic.

  • DIY Brewery Hop – Stick to Denver or venture up to Fort Collins. Sip local, snack often.

  • Wings + Games – Hit 1UP for games, then walk over to McCools for wings that don’t mess around.

🎟️ Wildcard Ideas

  • Rockies Game – Grab Rockpile tickets for under $10 and soak up the sun from the rooftop bar.

  • Axe Throwing – Great for channeling your inner lumberjack. Around $20 for a full hour of friendly competition.

There’s no wrong way to do a guys’ day—as long as it’s fun, casual, and lets you forget about grown-up stuff for a while. Whether you’re flinging discs, sipping brews, or getting pelted with paint at Beat the Bomb, one thing’s for sure: the best memories are made when the plans are simple and the company’s solid.

Here’s to good hangs, great convos, and budget-friendly bro bonding. 🫶

🌆 Mile High Happenings

Monday, June 16

🆓 Free Events

🧵 Bowlero And Cars📍 Bowlero | ⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Monday)

🧵 Family Matters📍 Shoot Indoors Central Park | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Kids) (Recurring Monday)

🧵 Smarty Party Trivia📍 Avanti F&B | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Monday)

Outdoor Movie Night – Shrek📍 Infinity Park | June 16 ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🎟️ Free | Bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and relive the magic of Shrek under the open sky in Glendale. (Donkey jokes included.)

💵 Ticketed Events

5280 Jazz Orchestra📍 Dazzle | June 16 ⏰ 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | 🎟️ $15–$20 | Experience an electrifying big band performance from Denver’s finest jazz musicians in the heart of the Arts Complex.

Lindsey Stirling with the Colorado Symphony📍 Red Rocks Amphitheatre | June 16 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $49.50+ | Violin meets epic choreography under the stars—Lindsey Stirling brings her signature sound and spectacle to Morrison with the Colorado Symphony.

Tuesday, June 17

🆓 Free Events

🧵 Trivia Night @ Spirit Hound📍 Spirit Hound Distillers – Denver | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Tuesday)

🧵 Bingo Night!📍 Waldschänke Ciders | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Tuesday)

🧵 Geeks Who Drink📍 Fuel & Iron Bar | ⏰ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Tuesday)

🍺 Trivia Night at FlyteCo – Weekly brewery trivia with prizes and beer📍 FlyteCo Brewing, 7 PM (Recurring Tuesdays)

💵 Ticketed Events

Flying Lotus & Reggie Watts📍 Mission Ballroom | June 17 ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed | Mind-bending beats meet surreal comedy in this genre-defying show from two creative powerhouses.

Broncho📍 The Bluebird Theater | June 17 ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed | Catch this alt-rock band bring gritty riffs and indie swagger to the iconic Bluebird stage.

Barenaked Ladies: Last Summer on Earth Tour📍 Red Rocks Amphitheatre | June 17 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $55+ | Classic hits, singalongs, and Red Rocks vibes—celebrate summer with one of the most fun live acts around.

Andrea Bocelli with The Colorado Symphony 📍 Ball Arena | June 17 ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed | A night of world-class vocals and timeless music—Andrea Bocelli brings his voice (and goosebumps) to Denver.

Where are you heading this week? Tag us in your adventures! 🚀

That’s a Wrap, Bro!

Whether you’re flinging frisbees in the park, beating the bomb in a paint-soaked showdown, or just sipping cold ones after a comedy show, the best hangs are always the ones that don’t try too hard. If you end up with a wild story (or just a solid memory), we call that a win. Catch you next time for more ways to make Denver awesome without spending a fortune.

🎙️ Trivia Answer: C) Francisco “Paco” Sanchez wasn’t just a magician and mariachi MC—he was a broadcasting pioneer who launched Denver’s first Latino radio station and championed community causes for decades.

🎉 Fun Fact: The park named after him, Paco Sánchez Park, isn’t just a tribute—it’s a playground paradise with a massive microphone-shaped climbing structure, skate features, and city views that hit just right. It’s one of Denver’s coolest places to hang—radio legend approved.✨

—The What’s Happenin’ Denver Team 🥃 🫶

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