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The �鶹��’s “Goldilocks” location—nestled among several distinct neighborhoods but also close to downtown Denver—is just right for students and community members alike to explore new places and things to do. Here’s a list of great hangout spots that I’ve discovered in my three years at DU, all close by and perfect for a visit any time of year!��

Bold, homegrown coffee: The Bardo

238 S. Broadway

One of my favorite places to refuel is the funky��, located a couple miles east of campus on South Broadway. With local art all over the walls, air-roasted beans from the nearby Kaladi Coffee Roasters, and fun specialty drinks, there's lots to love about Bardo. Personally, I think the iced Grinch matcha latte, a house-made blend of matcha latte with oat milk and pistachio, is a must.��

Luckily for you night owls, Bardo is open from 6 a.m. to midnight every day and is ideal for late-night study sessions.

Music lovers rejoice: Angelo's CDs and Records

1959 S. Broadway

Heavy metal, 70s disco, classical, modern pop—Angelo’s has just about every genre and artist available in all forms of physical media and is also conveniently located on South Broadway.

Snag a punch card while you’re there: Once it’s filled up, you can pick an item up to $15 in value for free. For CD collectors, Angelo’s also has a buy-three, get-one-free deal, including mixing and matching new and used CDs. A bargain like that is hard to pass up!

Competing for the best treat in town: Voodoo Donuts and Parlor Donuts

1520 E. Colfax Ave. and 95 Lincoln St.

Everyone knows the iconic Voodoo Donuts—from their pink boxes to specialty flavors like maple bacon and Captain Crunch, this donut shop has become a popular tourist stop. But don’t miss the hidden donut gem just a couple blocks away: Parlor Donuts.

Located on the corner of Lincoln and 1st Avenue, a quick 10-minute drive from campus, Parlor features mouth-watering layered donuts with flavors such as strawberry shortcake, raspberry pistachio, and churro—and that’s just a glimpse of what they have to offer.��

A five-in-one bookstore: Mutiny

3483 S. Broadway

One of the oldest used bookstores in Denver, Mutiny is also a comic store, coffee shop, live music venue, and mini pinball machine arcade. Like Bardo, this bookstore hybrid gets its coffee beans from a local roastery.��

Walking into Mutiny’s new Englewood location, you are greeted by walls plastered with band posters, graffiti, and vintage signs. Always an inviting space, Mutiny frequently hosts events like art shows, sketch nights, and more. Take a look at the full list��, and hang around for book club if that’s your thing.

Always stellar: Stella's Coffee Haus

1476 S. Pearl St.

Stella’s Coffee Haus, a much-loved neighborhood cafe on South Pearl Street, has been serving the local community since 1991.��

Stella’s serves coffee, wine, pastries from Spruce Confections in Boulder, and delicious sandwiches. The cortado, a classic espresso drink, is a standout. As the manager, Bowie, says, “It reflects the skill of the barista and the quality of the espresso. It’s balanced, intentional, and quietly bold—everything we aim for at Stella’s.”��

But maybe the best part about Stella’s, in addition to the flavorful drinks, is the atmosphere cultivated by staff and customers alike. Bowie says, “There’s a warmth and familiarity here you can’t fake—whether it’s the friendly baristas, the cozy patio, or the mix of regulars and newcomers.”

Stella’s also hosts frequent events, such as trivia nights, chess nights, paint and sip nights, and comedy shows. A full list can be found��. Stop by for fun, food, and chatting!

Trinkets galore: Market in the Park-et

701 S. Franklin St.

Enjoy the sunny days of summer while shopping small! Market in the Park-et takes place semi-regularly at

the Boathouse in the always beautiful Washington Park, just a 15-minute walk from campus.��

Billed as “Denver’s freshest outdoor vintage clothing market,” their next event on July 27 will feature local vendors like��,, and��.

Come check out vintage fashion, upcycled clothes, handmade jewelry, gifts, food items, and much more. Admission is free. A full list of their event dates can be found��.

A taste of home: Istanbul Turkish Cafe and Bakery

2350 E. Evans Ave.

You can’t get any closer to DU than Istanbul, the Turkish cafe and bakery on Evans, just a short five-minute walk from campus.

Delicious food doesn’t even begin to describe Istanbul’s offerings, which are not only a personal favorite of mine but also my mom’s one request whenever she comes down to visit.

The ground beef borek, a phyllo dough pastry filled with seasoned ground beef, is a close contender to the Kazakh cheburek I grew up eating and always hits the spot. Washed down with their sweet cream iced coffee, the combination is unbeatable.��

Take a look at their full menu��, and visit any one of their three locations today!

Get your creative juices flowing: ReCreative

765 Santa Fe Dr.

is a community art center and reused art supply store, located within Denver’s Santa Fe Art District, a quick 15-minute drive from DU.

Just about any art supply you can think of—beads, buttons of all shapes and sizes, oil paints, yarn, woodworking tools—can be found in this vibrant space. In addition to loads of colorful treasures, ReCreative also has strong community ties,,��, and events to the public.��

��“I think it's a place where people feel comfortable being themselves, knowing that whether they're here making art, shopping, or just popping by to take a quick browse and say hello, it will always be a warm and welcoming,” says Chris Scott, co-founder and director of operations. ��

Program Director Kelly Eigenberger agrees. “We are community-driven and community-focused. I and so many others have built friendships and business partnerships in my time here.”

Check out ReCreative today, or stop by during the Santa Fe Art Walk, the�� of every month (but not this month due to the 4th of July holiday), for a chance to explore everything that this rich, expressive neighborhood has to offer. There truly is no other place like it!