Classic Denver Venue Welcomes Its First Live Performance in 50 Years
Denver’s Federal Theatre is stepping back into the spotlight after sitting closed for nearly half a century. Built in the 1920s as a movie house, the Federal has lived many lives — from screening films alongside other Denver icons like the Ogden and the Bluebird, to serving as a church and even housing those in need. By the mid-1980s, its doors had closed, leaving the building in limbo until a new set of owners decided it was time for a revival.
The space has been cleaned out, remodeled, and given new purpose while still holding onto its quirky history — including a statue of Mother Mary tucked inside an old drinking fountain mount. Some staff even say the venue may be haunted, with unexplained sounds echoing from the lobby and bathrooms.
Now, the Federal Theatre is being reintroduced to Denver as a music venue modeled after its sister spot, the Oriental Theater. Though it doesn’t have the ornate ceilings of the Paramount, the Federal carries a raw, historic charm that speaks to its past.
To mark its rebirth, the venue will host two nights of free, all-ages shows. On September 19, local favorites iZCALLi and Los Mocochetes take the stage, followed on September 20 by Cobranoid, The Pitch Invasion, Clusterfux, and Vitrify. Located at 3830 Federal Boulevard near W. 38th Avenue, the theatre hopes to become a cultural hub once again, welcoming ghosts, ghouls, and music lovers alike.
