Don’t have time to cook dinner at home before the show? Coming straight from work? Simply running late? You could skip dinner but then you have to fear the dreaded stomach growl happening during that you-could-hear-a-pin-drop moment in the theatre. Plus, there are few restaurants that serve dinner late in the evening downtown. But a meal before the show is possible with these suggestions and tips for places to grab a bite to eat before heading to a performance.

Some couldn’t be more convenient and others are a quick walk or rideshare drive away. So, whether you drive down or take the light rail, there are delicious options you won’t want to rush through.

TOP TIP: A few recommendations below take advance ordering. But if they don’t, tell the person taking your order that you’re in a hurry and ask what items would be fast. They may have suggestions that aren’t obvious, and they might also ask the kitchen to be speedy about it.

AT DENVER UNION STATION

Denver Union Station. Photo courtesy of OGO Kitchen

OGO Kitchen is especially great for those taking public transit downtown. Get something from the grab-and-go cooler like Sushi Rolls or Nigiri with salmon, tuna or Korean BBQ meats. Or, take advantage of being able to order ahead for Korean BBQ Bento boxes or Bibimbap Bowls with grilled protein, rice or noodles and veggies. Then, it’s just a quick walk from Denver Union Station (or ride on the 16^th Street Shuttle) to DCPA.
HOURS: Open daily, 8am-8pm.
TIP: Take advantage of ordering ahead to enjoy a fun-to-eat-from bento box.

A SHORT WALK/RIDE AWAY

Denver Milk Market. Photo courtesy of Fuso Pizza & Pasta

Denver Milk Market at Dairy Block has a variety of mini-restaurant concepts offering quick-serve options. Two of the fastest are pizza from Fuso Pizza & Pasta where you can grab pizza by the slice or from Marczyk Fine Foods to get a pre-made salad or sandwich, wrapped and ready.
HOURS: Denver Milk Market is open Sun-Thu, 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-9pm.
TIP: Online ordering in advance is available too.

McGregor Square. Photo courtesy of Tora Sushi & Ramen

McGregor Square Food & Drink also has a variety of stalls in its food court. Tora Sushi & Ramen serves unique sushi sandwiches (wrapped in an edible soy sheet) or banh mi sandwiches that are speedy. Or grab something not-too-saucy at G-Que BBQ like pulled pork or jalapeno cheddar sausage.
HOURS – Food Stalls are open Mon-Wed, 11am-8pm; Thu-Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 11am-6pm with Happy Hour, 11am-6pm, Mon-Fri.
TIP: Online ordering in advance is available too.

COULDN’T GET MUCH CLOSER

Dazzle. Photo by Kelley Dawkins

Dazzle is a live (mostly jazz) music venue located on the Complex campus, at the corner of 14^th & Arapahoe. Even when a ticketed event is happening in the main performance area, the adjacent El Chapultapec Lounge (aka the ‘Pec Lounge), named after the historic, former Denver jazz club, is open to the public for food and drink. The menu includes appetizers, small plates, dinners and desserts. The bonus is getting to hear the concert in the next room or taking in entertainment right there in the Lounge.
HOURS: The Progressive Happy Hour runs 3-6pm with beer, wine, well and tini-martinis priced at $3 (3-4pm), $4 (4-5pm) and $5 (5-6pm) and closes after the late-night music is over, typically between 11:30pm-1:30am depending on the show schedule.
TIP: The Charcuterie Board is plentiful and quick. To save time, order the Dazzle Flourless Chocolate Cake when you place your meal order. You’ll thank me.

Olive and Finch. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough

Olive & Finch Denver Performing Arts Complex is located next to Dazzle. Personal favorites are the Lyon Tartine with smoked salmon, “caviar,” citrus dill, cream cheese, pickled onions, crispy capers on a potato cake and The Cali Classic Burger.
HOURS: Daily, 7am-9pm.
TIP: The Mediterranean Board and Dip Duo from the Shareables menu don’t require cooking and can be ready pretty quickly. And if you’re really running late, they have a variety of sweet and savory pastries in the counter to go that will at least tide you over through the show. Plus, pre-orders are available for pickup or delivery.

The Corner Office

The Corner Office inside The Curtis Hotel is literally across the street from the Arts Complex. They have a large variety of appetizers, salads and sandwiches as well as entrees. Sitting at the bar and ordering food from the bartenders can be fastest since you don’t have to wait for a server to come by.

HOURS: Sun, 7am-2pm (breakfast and brunch), 3-9pm (dinner); Mon-Fri, 7-11am (breakfast), 11am-2pm (lunch), 3-10pm (dinner); Sat, 7am-2pm (breakfast and brunch), 3-10pm (dinner).
TIP: If you’re going to the theater, the Hotel offers the first two hours free when you park in their garage but then standard hotel parking rates kick in and can be high. Ask your restaurant server for ticket validation. Also, because they are open for breakfast and brunch, it’s a good option for matinees.

The Nickel

The Nickel in Hotel Teatro, just across the street from the Arts Complex, has a Happy Hour in the bar and on the patio with options that come out quickly including the Nickel Salad, Nickel Burger, crab hush puppies and deviled eggs with harissa and caviar. They also have deals on draft beers and wines.
HOURS: Tue-Fri 4-6pm.
TIP: Alert your server when you order to let them know your curtain time.

“Dinner and a show” can still happen even when you’re running late to a performance at DCPA. Let these options be your guide for a satisfying meal ahead of an amazing night of entertainment.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) NewsCenter is the organization’s editorial platform for stories, announcements, interviews, and coverage of theatre and cultural programming in Colorado. We are committed to producing accurate, trustworthy, clearly sourced journalism that reflects our mission and serves our community.