Five Music Venues in Fort Collins we Cannot Wait to See a Concert at, in 2021
Fort Collins arguably has the best music scene out of any city in Colorado. As the home to many different sized venues, Fort Collins has a venue for every type of music fan; for those wanting to see their favorite touring artists, or for those wanting to stumble upon a new local favorite, Fort Collins music venues cater to all. Fort Collins may not be home to Red Rocks or Ball Arena, but it does not matter — what matters is the emphasis and dedication to growing and caring for the local music scene. Fort Collins residents and travelers have not been able to see a show in the city for over a year and are itching to get back the venues that hold such a special place in their heart. With that, these are the five venues we cannot wait to get back into, hopefully at some point in 2021:
1. The Aggie Theater:
Location: Downtown Fort Collins
The Aggie Theater is Fort Collins’ most historic venue. Having been built in 1906 and eventually turned into a music venue in 1995, the Aggie has long been a staple in the Fort Collins art and music scene. With a capacity of 650 people, the Aggie holds some of the biggest shows in Fort Collins. Although some of today’s biggest artists play at the Aggie, they remain committed to helping out the artists in the local music scene; “our heart remains committed to a focus on local artist development along the way as today’s openers are tomorrows headliners.”. The Aggie recently came under new ownership in 2019; new owners want to appeal to more demographics and turn the Aggie into one of the best venues in the state. Hopefully at some point this year we will get to enjoy a show at one of Fort Collins’ most historic venues.
2. Mishawaka Amphitheatre “The Mish”:
Location: Poudre Canyon
Located in Bellvue, Colorado, The Mish is one of Northern Colorado’s most iconic and unique venues. One of the things that makes Mishawaka Amphitheatre such a great venue is that there are two different stages to see a show! The Mish is home to a 200 person indoor venue and a 1000 person outdoor amphitheatre, offering more than ample seating for everyone to see a concert after the pandemic is over. Located 14 miles up the Poudre Canyon, The Mish is one of the most naturally immersive venues to catch a show at and they have some great “eats” to go along with your concert experience as well.
3. The Magic Rat:
Location: Downtown Fort Collins
A “fiercely local” venue, The Magic Rat is one of Fort Collins’ fastest growing venues. The Magic Rat is a very intimate setting to see local and traveling acts. Comfortable seating and a fantastic wide bar, The Magic Rat is the perfect spot to listen to some live music on your Friday night out post pandemic. Grab some beers, some food, and enjoy the Magic Rat. A part of the Elizabeth Hotel, whose mission statement is bringing the most authentic Fort Collins experience to their guests, you better believe they do the local music scene justice.
4. Washington’s
Location: Downtown Fort Collins
One of Fort Collins’ newest venues, Washington’s is going to be one of the premier locations to catch a show at, in all of Northern Colorado post-pandemic. A former sports bar, Washington’s has recently (2016) been renovated to become a concert hall. Washington’s is a 900 person capacity venue, the largest indoor venue in the downtown Fort Collins area, and will be a hot spot for local and touring artists in a post-pandemic world. While we all await the return of live music, Washington’s has done us all a favor and curated playlists for us all to enjoy on Spotify.
5. Avogadros Number
Location: just outside of Downtown Fort Collins
Avogadros Number is the best spot in Fort Collins to grab a bite to eat and enjoy some local live music. Shows at Avo’s particularly include local jazz, folk, and rock artists, offering a very diverse variety of sounds. Avo’s performances feel spontaneous; any given day you could walk in and be blown away by the incredible live music being performed right in front of you. Avogadros has both an indoor and outdoor stage. As the perfect summer lunch and dinner spot, Avogadros Number is a great place to find your next favorite local artist(s).
The Music scene in Fort Collins and around the world has drastically changed over the course of the past year due to COVID-19. Many are hopeful that in 2021 we will return to a level of normalcy that will allow live music to return. Fort Collins and its music scene has a massive impact on other businesses in the area. The sooner that things return to normal, the more the City of Fort Collins will begin to feel and be able to operate like itself again. In the meantime, check out the Save Our Stages movement and learn how to positively impact concert venues and artists in your local area. Here’s to live music in Fort Collins in the year 2021!
(For more information on the music scene in Fort Collins, Colorado, check out these resources: The Ultimate Guide to Fort Collins’ Most Popular Music Venues, Save Our Stages (bring back live music), List of Venues in Fort Collins.)
