Check out music venues off beaten path in Northern Colorado

For those who enjoy live music, particularly in a smaller venue, the Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado have you covered. Not that there’s anything wrong with catching a show at places such as Thunder Mountain, Planet Bluegrass, the Boulder Theater or Mishawaka — each has its own unique qualities. But there are plenty of other options available, ranging from jazz to rock and country to punk, in a wide variety of more-intimate settings. Here, then, are a few of the area’s musical hidden gems:

Ace Gillett’s, 239 S. College Ave., Fort Collins — Ace Gillett’s is sometimes referred to as a “modern-day speakeasy,” a description that music director John Olson says is fairly apt. Located beneath the Armstrong Hotel (yes, from street level you head downstairs) at the south end of Old Town, the bar is one of Northern Colorado’s strictly jazz venues. They feature a house rhythm section, along with rotating soloists and local artists (and even the occasional national act) playing a wide variety of jazz styles. Music is featured Wednesday through Sunday, and there is never a cover charge. https://acegilletts.com/music/

The Boot, 4164 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland — If it’s country and western music you’re looking for, then The Boot’s Loveland location may be just the thing. The restaurant has offered live shows at no charge for about six years, mostly country acts but also some rock/classic rock, according to co-owner Mike Zapf. They also have a “New from Nashville” series in conjunction with radio station K-99 that brings in up-and-coming artists. With lots of windows and additional seating on the upstairs patio, Zapf says The Boot is uplifting and family-friendly. http://thebootgrill.com/music-events-loveland/

City Star Brewing, 321 Mountain Ave., Berthoud — Breweries are becoming magnets for live music, and City Star is no exception. The business has been turning out craft beer and featuring local artists for just more than five years. Co-owner Whitney Way says the free music “pairs well” with their product and compliments the business. Firing up every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, the music ranges from bluegrass to rockabilly, singer-songwriter, blues, and even a swing/jazz trio. Way calls City Star — in a 100-year-old building in downtown Berthoud — “comfortable and homey.” https://citystarbrewing.com/events/calendar/

Equinox Brewing, 133 Remington St., Fort Collins — General Manager Eric Smith acknowledges that Equinox is one of the smaller craft breweries in town. As an example, he points out that the firm delivers their beer only as far as they can bike it, strapped to a big tricycle and pedaled to customers within about a mile radius. With lots of exposed wood, the facility can be described with words such as “cozy,” “warm” and “low-key,” Smith said. Free music is featured every Friday and Saturday nights, mostly bluegrass but also a fair amount of jam bands, rock and roll and jazz, with more acoustic singer-songwriter sessions on the patio on Sunday afternoons. www.equinoxbrewing.com/events/index.php

High Hops Brewery, 6461 Colorado Highway 392, Windsor — High Hops has been promoting local musicians since opening its doors in 2012. Owner Pat Weakland says the brewery’s motto is “all types of beer for all types of people,” and the same can be said for the musical genres featured on the outdoor stage. That means bluegrass, classic rock, reggae, blues — what Weakland calls “family-oriented, fun music.” The tunes are free every Friday and Saturday year-round, with Sunday shows during the summer. www.highhopsbrewery.com/events.html

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery, 1535 Pearl St., Boulder — With a mix of wall tapestries and posters from local concerts, Assistant General Manager Andrew Simtich calls Mountain Sun a laid-back, local watering hole that’s “definitely got the hippie/Boulder feel.” The pub is no stranger to the live music scene, having brought acts in for more than 20 years. The Sunday night shows are free and range from bluegrass to folk to classic rock to local jam bands, drawing families, home-brew enthusiasts and locals of all ages. www.mountainsunpub.com/calendar.php

Old Colorado Brewing Company, 8121 First St., Wellington — The Neckel family has been brewing craft beer in Northern Colorado for years, but only recently opened their new brewery in Wellington. On Fridays, they offer live music, mostly country and classic rock, featuring lots of local talent and new bands. Located in a former grain elevator, Old Colorado has one of the more unique settings in the area. Co-owner Tara Neckel says it’s a perfect fit, because they wanted to keep the place homey and comfortable, where everybody could feel like they’re part of the family. http://oldcoloradobrewing.com/events

Patrick’s Irish Pub, 909 Eighth Ave., Greeley — A traditional Irish pub that features traditional Irish music every Thursday night. Greg Farnsworth describes it as an informal group of friends coming together to play songs from the Emerald Isle. No cover charge.

Pourhouse Bar & Grill, 124 E. Fourth St., Loveland — The décor in the Pourhouse in downtown Loveland should tip you off right away — with musical instruments hanging on the walls alongside pictures of area musicians, you’ll hear plenty of local talent. Owner Chris Kline says they have jazz on Tuesday nights, an “unplugged” series on Thursdays, and full bands — mostly blues and rock — Friday and Saturday, with showtimes usually starting at 9 p.m. Kline adds that there’s no cover charge, and not a bad seat in the house. http://pourhousecolorado.com/events/

The Roost, 526 Main St., Longmont — Having opened just two years ago, The Roost is a relative newcomer to the live music scene. Still, co-owner Dan Lance says they’ve been supporting local Front Range talent from the get-go, with free shows on Friday and Saturday nights. There’s no specific genre, so you can catch rock, blues, jazz, swing, folk or bluegrass, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. They’ve also recently added a singer-songwriter showcase on Tuesday nights, held on the rooftop deck, weather permitting. http://theroostlongmont.com/events/

Surfside 7, 238 Linden St., Fort Collins — When it comes to ambiance, “eclectic” doesn’t quite cover Surfside 7. With exposed brick on one wall, a 1950s-era print on another wall, leopard-skin on the bar stools and a bit of bamboo left over from a previous life as a “tiki-bar,” the place has a style all its own. Jon Snodgrass books the acts and says they are equally diverse, from rock to punk, country, bluegrass and singer-songwriters. They try to avoid the typical Friday and Saturday shows, preferring instead to hold shows Sunday through Thursday. Ticket prices vary depending on the band. www.surfsideseven.com/rock.html

Swing Station, 3311 W. Larimer County Road 54G, Laporte — In case there’s any confusion, the Swing Station’s website spells it out as plainly as possible, calling the establishment “Laporte’s finest Honkytonk.” They have live music every night, with a house band on Monday and Thursday, singer-songwriter night on Tuesday, open mic on Wednesday and full bands Friday through Sunday. Owner Heather Allshouse says they promote a fun atmosphere, making it a place where “you can come and meet someone and make friends.” Most nights, the music is free, with a cover charge on Friday and Saturday. www.swingstationlaporte.com/music-events

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