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Westword’s annual Best of Denver issue is on newsstands now. Within it, you’ll find several hundred of our favorite things about this city, everything from best handcrafted signs to best tater tots. Go find yourself a copy to earmark and keep in your car or bicycle basket or whatever. It’s not all junk food and arts and crafts, of course. Some 50-plus of this year’s best things/places/people/events in Denver come from the world of music, covered here every day on Backbeat. For ease of perusal, we’ve spotlighted those below. Click on any of the category titles to read about this year’s winner. And let’s start some healthy debates in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter. It’s already time to start looking for next year’s best. Best Jukebox
Skylark Lounge Best Karaoke Bar
Armida’s Mexican Restaurant & Lounge We’re $2,500 away from our spring campaign goal! Best Open Mic
The Meadowlark Best Jazz Jam
The Meadowlark Best Blues Jam
Ziggies Best Blues Club
Ziggies Best Jazz Club
Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge Best Dance Club
Beta Best New Club
ViewHouse Best Dance Party of the Summer
Global Dance Festival Best Club Night
Mile High Soul Club Best Dance Party of the Year
Decadence Best Disco Revival
Denver Disco Best DJ Party
DJ Ktone’s Birthday Bash 6: Denver Got Next Best Beach Parties
Inkmonstr Pool Party Series Best Theme Parties
Crowdsurf Concerts Best DJ Set
DJ Muggs Best DJ Showcase
Electronic Tuesdays Best Hip-Hop Hangout
Cold Crush Best Hip-Hop Brunch
Table 6 Best Club Patio
Bar Standard/Milk Bar Best Club Smoking Area
Vinyl Best Cocktails at a Music Venue
The Soiled Dove Underground Best Metal Brewery
TRVE Brewing Best Metal Fest
Denver Black Sky Best Mic Stand
Lola Black Best Vending Machine
Larimer Lounge Best Bathrooms at a Music Venue
Red Rocks Visitor Center Best Experimental Mix
Watt? Amplified and Supercharged Music Expression Best Musical Mix
Colorado Symphony Orchestra Best Mix of Music and Comedy
Greater Than Social Club Best Underground Venue
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret Best New Venue
The Sidewinder Tavern Best Place to See New Bands
Seventh Circle Music Collective Best Unexpected Place to Hear Local Music
Untitled at the Denver Art Museum Best DIY Promoter
Zach Smith Best Underground Talent Promoter
The Hundred/Home Best Reunion Show
40th Day Best Album-Release Show
Chimney Choir Best Album-Cover Design
Scavenger, The Raven and the Writing Desk Best Flier Art
Ethan McCarthy Best Stage Art
FaceMan’s shark stage Best Music TV
Sounds on 29th Best Music Video
“Culture Over Currency Vol.1” Collective Culture Cypher Best Band Name Change
Wiredogs Best New Band
Inner Oceans Best Concert of the Year
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