TOWN HALL COLLABORTIVE

These pandemic years have given all of us the inescapable opportunity to evaluate our time, our connections and our collective futures. Denise (she/her) and Lauren (she/her) spent that time dreaming of a space to hold those connections, a space of possibility and because of their commitment (and a successful kickstarter campaign) Denver has a new container to do just that. After an early October opening, Town Hall Collaborative has quickly become a staple of the queer community.

With a social mission “rooted in supporting and empowering women and other underrepresented groups”, Town Hall is self described as, “a women-owned community gathering space.”

At one end you have bar manager Jaki (she/her) slinging inspired cocktails and a bar/cafe staff all smiles and songs. In the back, you’ve got local creatives showcasing their processes and if you’re lucky, selling some of their one-of-a-kind wares. A stage, a projector and a pingpong table among scattered tables and chairs make up the main space.

Grab a book from Stain’d Arts, a small used bookstore on-site, and settle into some soft seating for a cozy afternoon. Peruse the latest art installation adorning their walls, currently the works of Zaida Sever (she/her)! Looking to dance? Town Hall has welcomed hot, queer, DJs to mix Girl in Red with Salt n’ Peppa giving us all something to shake to. Check their calendar to make sure you don’t miss the next party. And with three garage doors and the high ceilings of a refurbished warehouse space the air circulation is ideal. Plus, all the things a modern queer needs, a gender inclusive bathroom, ample parking for your Subaru, outdoor seating for all your pals and the light emitted from the pompom chandeliers creates that soft glow of a social media worthy pic.

Now, I don’t know about you but I’m weary of spaces that name themselves as queer. For me, queerness is counter culture, anti-caplitalist, radical and reimagined… all among other things.

On top of that, I grew up in Denver and have returned after nearly 10 years to find it gayer than ever but not necessarily queerer. So what drew me to this space? Their palpable relationship to interdependence and resource sharing. Their celebration of ideas and welcoming of critique. The month before their opening, I met the owners and outed myself as a cultural consultant offering some suggestions around COVID precaution and neighborhood engagement. That same day, I met Jaki and Lo (she/her), one of the artist residents as we all painted the space in rich matte colors.

Denise is very open about her queer identity and both have jumped at the opportunity to host queer centered and culturally queer events in the space. Think, zines, knitting, language exchanges and open mics. Three full moons after opening, their calendar is filling fast so talk to your people and get on their roster, this space is sure to be a hot spot for years to come!