Cultures blend in historic Five Points, one of Denver's oldest and most diverse neighborhoods. The district was known as the "Harlem of the West" because it was a frequent stop for jazz greats including Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, who played clubs like the Rossonian and the Rainbow Room. The neighborhood was also mentioned repeatedly in Jack Kerouac's "On the Road."

Today, historic Five Points' creativity and vibrancy live on in a fascinating fusion of old and new. Visitors can stop in at innovative coffeehouses and craft breweries, visit museums telling stories from the past, experience live music from all genres at independent music venues or eat at beloved soul food and barbecue institutions.

See the neighborhood map below to start exploring.

Explore Five Points

Museums

Dedicated to sharing resources and services about African American history, Western history, genealogy and the conservation movement in the Rocky Mountain West, the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library was named after Denver residents Omar Blair and Elvin Caldwell for the major impact they made in the community. Visit and explore the third-floor exhibit on African Americans' accomplishments and contributions to music history.

Located in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first Black female doctor in Denver, the Black American West Museum museum is one of the only in the country that focuses on the story of African Americans in the Western United States.

Arts & Culture

Catch a performance of this iconic arts organization, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, that leverages the universal language of dance to honor African American heritage, explores the human condition and offers a transformative experience through physical movement. Tap into the local art scene at the RedLine Contemporary Art Center. The main exhibition hall features 12-15 curated exhibitions per year and a library with a collection of 8,000 books on art and art history.

Craft Beer

Drink up this district's obsession with numerous breweries and taprooms, such as Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, brewing up a wide variety of hand-crafted ales, lagers and seltzers; and Woods Boss Brewing Company with its sun-drenched patio and rustic tasting room.

For those who take wellness just as seriously as beer, Oakwell Beer Spa combines a day spa with a craft beer bar. Have a soak in a bubbly beer bath infused with hops, barley and seasonal herbs.

Music

Nocturne is a modern jazz and supper club that transports you to another realm as soon as you walk through the door. Have a glass of wine or a cocktail and listen to some of the top jazz musicians in the country. Or have an intimate date by trying the seasonal three-course menu.

Nocturne jazz supper club in Denver, Colorado

Locals Know

Restaurants in this neighborhood serve up some of the best Caribbean, soul food, catfish and barbecue you'll find anywhere. And, in case you were wondering, the area gets its name from the five-point intersection at Washington Street, 27th Street, 26th Avenue and Welton Street. This was too much to fit on the sign marking this busy streetcar stop, so it was shortened to Five Points in 1881.

Explore the historic heart of Denver's African-American community on the Welton Street Cultural District's Walking Tour. Follow the footsteps during this self-guided walking tour that leads you to a series of historic markers. The illustrated signs tell stories about people, places and ideas that helped shape African American culture and history in Denver.

Look beyond the Victorian facades and discover Five Points' hidden past using your cell phone and an interactive, self-guided tour called the Denver Story Trek with stops at attractions and landmarks throughout the neighborhood.

Woods Boss Brewing

Annual Events

Five Points Jazz Festival

Every May, the neighborhood celebrates the area's musical heritage with more than 100 performers, great food and family-friendly activities.

Juneteenth Music Festival

A celebration of African American culture with a parade, concerts, pageant, car show, food and more.

Mo' Betta Greens Marketplace

Stop by the pop-up each Saturday (mid-June to mid-October) for some homegrown produce, artisan foods and fresh DJ beats, too.

Five Points Map

Start your neighborhood adventure at this suggested spot! This is a centrally located position that you can input into your GPS to get started exploring.