SoBo
South Broadway Tour
By Sarah Harvey
Photos by Giles Clasen
A century ago this little stretch of Broadway was called the Miracle Mile; more recently it’s been renamed SoBo. South Broadway is home to dive bars, trendy new restaurants, and some of Denver’s most eclectic local shopping (you can find everything from vintage ball gowns to bondage gear here).
Art by Book Williams, Jr.
1. Shopping for a cause
Hope Tank is Denver’s only charitable boutique. Owner Erika Righter stocks her shelves with products from local artists as well as companies around the world that are philanthropic and environmentally responsible. A portion of each sale goes directly toward a nonprofit or charity that either Righter or the artist chooses.
Location: 64 Broadway
Hours: 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
Contact: 720-837-1565, Hopetank.org
Vendor David Gordon on SoBo: “I like that area because it’s an older area and the people seem to accept you for who you are.”
2. Indie Flicks, Landmark Bricks
The Mayan Theatre was built in 1930, during an era when movie theaters were lavishly decorated. The theater was saved from demolition in 1984, and is now part of Landmark Theatres, showing independent and foreign films. A second-floor bar allows moviegoers to enjoy adult beverages during screenings.
Location: 110 Broadway
Hours: Mon–Thurs 3:30 p.m.–midnight,
Fri–Sun 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Contact: 303-744-6799,
landmarktheatres.com/denver/mayan-theatre
As vendor Lando Allen says, “the Mayan shows more grown-up movies.” Lando can often be found vending the VOICE near the Mayan.
3. Coffee Evolution
Mutiny Information Café is more than a bookstore with a coffee counter. Partnering with Pablo’s Coffee, the store brews a great cup of joe, which visitors can sip while perusing the store’s extensive selection of used books, records, and comic books. Mutiny hosts events ranging from comedy to “folk punk.” (What’s folk punk? Find out Mon, Jun. 17.)
Location: 2 S. Broadway
Hours: Sun–Thurs 7 a.m.–midnight, Fri & Sat 7 a.m.–3 a.m.
Contact: 303-778-7579; mutinyinfocafe.com
4. Taco ‘Bout a Good Lunch
Socorro’s Street Tacos, just off of Broadway on Bayaud Ave., offers up delicious Mexican street food (think tortas, tacos) at a great price. The Route 66—slow cooked barbacoa with radishes—is excellent. Wash it down with a homemade horchata.
Location: 19 E. Bayaud Ave.
Hours: Tues–Thurs 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri & Sat 11 a.m.–11p.m., Sun noon–8 p.m.
Contact: 303-777-8226
VOICE vendor David Gordon has plenty of food recommendations for this stretch of Broadway:
“I spend a ton of time on Broadway. Famous Pizza—which is one of the oldest pizza places in Denver—it’s the best. Another place called Pie Hole, they’ve got this pineapple and chicken pizza. It’s remarkable. If you want a burger or you want good brunch: Hornet, by far. The size of the meals at the Hornet, oh my God, it’s hard for me to eat the whole thing. Metropolis Coffee—good coffee. Sweet Action Ice Cream, try their Colorado peach.