The Mile High City knows how to dish out a delicious dinner and put on a great show, thanks to its award-winning restaurants and the country’s largest performing arts center under one roof. And — in some cases — you can enjoy both at once! Denver’s dinner-theater options range from only-in-Colorado icons like Casa Bonita to full theatrical productions at longstanding dinner-theater venues, interactive murder mystery playhouses and live music paired with a meal at intimate concert venues. Perfect for date nights, team building and group outings alike, these dinner-theater picks will fit the (play)bill.
Casa Bonita
Where can you watch cliff divers plunge past an indoor waterfall, a jovial puppet show, a masked magician and a band of roving mariachi musicians — all while noshing on cheesy nachos and knocking back a margarita? Casa Bonita takes your typical night out for Tex-Mex to the next level with a constant stream of live entertainment, as well as an arcade, shooting gallery, wishing well and Black Bart’s Cave — a maze of tunnels leading to the nefarious pirate’s hidden treasure. The beloved Mexican restaurant was immortalized in an episode of the TV show "South Park" in 2003 and was purchased by the show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, in 2021. After a reported $50 million renovation, Casa Bonita reopened in 2023 and has been serving up family fun (and their famous honey-drizzled sopapillas) ever since.
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: Lakewood
- Reservations are required; reservations include a meal and access to all live entertainment; adult beverages are available for purchase
- All ages; guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Adams Mystery Playhouse
Fancy your meal with a side of murder? Spend an evening at the Adams Mystery Playhouse. From cutthroat pirates and Prohibition-era bootleggers to ghostly hauntings and holiday-themed hijinks, each interactive show includes a full dinner and a murder mystery that you get to help solve. These comedic crime tales are all rated PG, making them perfect for families, friends and company team-building events. The historic mansion was built in the late 1800s and has some seriously spooky street cred. Its first recorded owner, William Simpson, disappeared without a trace in the 1920s. After that, the building was home to not one but three mortuaries over the years before becoming a playhouse.
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: Highland
- Each ticket includes a meal and a performance; adult beverages are available for purchase (cash bar)
- All ages
Nocturne
Travel back to an era of Art Deco elegance at Nocturne — a modern jazz and supper club featuring live music, carefully curated wine, beer and cocktail offerings and a seasonal three-course menu. Nocturne is the only venue in Colorado that features jazz exclusively, ranging from hard bop and cool jazz to avant-garde, bebop and vintage jazz, depending on the artist. Pair the music (and your meal) with the club’s "Jazz History Flight" — four handcrafted cocktails inspired by different eras in jazz history — for a “spirited” journey through the genre’s evolution.
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: River North Art District (RiNo)
- Each reservation includes a meal and a performance; adult beverages are available for purchase
- 21-plus on Friday and Saturday; 18-plus on Sunday and weeknights (Children 12-plus must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)
Dazzle
Dazzle is a prolific venue for live music, with more than 70 shows a month, seven days a week. In addition to jazz, Dazzle regularly features blues, R&B and Latin music, showcasing a mix of local, national and international artists. Food and drink service — spanning spicy tostadas and mojitos to and saucy prime-rib sandwiches and IPAs — is available before and during shows, or check out the club’s all-inclusive Sunday Jazz Brunch for a morning of music and mimosas. Part of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Dazzle is also a perfect spot to grab a pre- or post-show drink or bite in the bar or the El Chapultepec (‘Pec) Lounge — no tickets required!
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Each reservation includes a performance; minimum two-item food or beverage purchase at all performances (one item for people under 19)
- All ages until 11 p.m.; 21-plus after 11 p.m.
Dazzle
The Dinner Detective
True crime aficionados, this one’s for you. The Dinner Detective is an interactive murder mystery show where you might solve the case or find yourself the prime suspect. Each performance is based on a real cold-case homicide and set in the present day. There’s no stage and no costumes; performers are hidden in plain sight among the audience, meaning anyone around you could be part of the cast, including the killer! Just don’t let your detective work distract you from your multi-course dinner — now that would be a real crime. After you’ve solved the case, head upstairs to bed at Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center. The hotel offers a special room rate for The Dinner Detective guests.
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Each ticket includes a meal, wait staff gratuity and a performance; adult beverages are available for purchase
- Ages 15-plus
RISE Comedy
Did you know that laughing burns calories? Work up an appetite at RISE Comedy, Denver’s largest comedy club featuring improv, stand-up, sketch comedy, open mics and more. Unlike most comedy clubs, there’s no drink minimum, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking advantage of the full bar serving draft and bottled beer, wine and cocktails. Hungry? Order from The Pizza Bar (located in the same building) at the theater and enjoy your meal during the show. RISE Comedy is home to Denver’s longest-running improv comedy show, "Hit and Run: Musical Improv®." This fully improvised Broadway-style musical is based on suggestions from the audience, meaning you can see a brand-new musical every week!
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: Five Points
- Each ticket includes a performance; food and beverages purchased separately
- All ages until 10 p.m.; 21-plus after 10 p.m.
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Located about 50 miles north of Denver, the small town of Johnstown is home to the largest and most popular professional dinner theater in Colorado! The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse produces year-round Broadway-style musical productions — like "Les Misérables," "Disney’s Frozen" and festive fare like Irving "Berlin’s Holiday Inn" — combined with themed cuisine that complements each show.
Know Before You Go
- Location: Johnstown, Colorado
- Each ticket includes a meal and a performance; upgraded entrees, appetizers, desserts, adult beverages and soft drinks are available for purchase
- Due to the length of most productions, it is recommended that children be 5 years of age or older
Champagne Tiger
Pair French-American fare like omelets, oysters and quiche with a side of showmanship every Sunday at Champagne Tiger, home to Denver’s most luxurious drag brunch. This high-energy hang features legendary local drag performers like Anita Goodman, Anastasia Krystals, Coco Bardot, Chase Bottoms and Felony Misdemeanor, along with new and visiting talent. On Wednesdays, Chef Josh serves up Pasta & Piano Night. From 7 to 9 p.m., enjoy fresh, seasonal handmade pasta and piano music, often accompanied by vocals or violin.
Know Before You Go
- Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
- Each reservation includes a performance; food and beverages purchased separately
- Drag Brunch shows contain adult themes and may not be suitable for all ages
Jester’s Dinner Theater
There’s plenty to explore during a day trip to Longmont (just 40 miles north of Denver), from museums and craft breweries to hiking trails and farmers’ markets. And for theater lovers, the best way to round out your time there is with dinner and a show at Jester’s Dinner Theater. This family-run playhouse has been a staple of Longmont’s performing arts scene since 1987 and offers opportunities for local thespians to take part in productions, from fan-favorite musicals like "The Producers" to heartwarming holiday classics like "Scrooge."
Know Before You Go
- Location: Longmont, Colorado
- Each ticket includes a meal and a performance; appetizers, desserts and adult beverages are available for purchase
- All ages