The 80s. An era when our American kingdom consisted of a King of Pop that made boys show off dance moves that consisted of genital grasping, and a Queen of Pop, that made girls unashamed of singing about their virginity near their parents.
When having children meant that your only choice of denim was appropriately named Mom Jeans, and you didn’t tie your hair, you actually “scrunched” it!
Listening to music meant carrying around a weird device that played tunes from a thing called a cassette, and talking on your mobile device was equivalent to carrying a large brick.
We know you’ve missed those MTV years, so jump in our payphone time machine (along with Bill & Ted of course), and transport back to the 80s at these Denver places!
88th Drive In Theatre
Photograph courtesy of ©88th Drive In Theatre
Bring back memories of watching a film in your car at the 88th Drive In Theatre! This family owned theater has been around since 1976 and features old-time movies as well as newly released movies in the nostalgic environment and décor of the past!
View films on a giant screen that features state of the art digital projection system and 35mm film capabilities. Sound from the films comes to you through your FM car radio and they have a snack bar with food items such as popcorn, nachos, hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, funnel cakes, and more.
Admission is $8 per person for three back-to-back films and kids ages 12 and under are free.
88th Drive In Theatre is located at 8780 Rosemary St, Commerce City, CO 80022.
Fifty-Two 80’s – A Totally Awesome Shop
Photographs courtesy of ©Fifty-Two 80’s – A Totally Awesome Shop
Fifty-Two 80’s – A Totally Awesome Shop is basically your one-stop-shop for everything 80s related in Denver! The store sells 80s memorabilia such as toys, collectables, and pop-culture items, that will resurface your inner Goonie.
Replace those boring Barbie & Ken dolls with Kelly Kapowski & Zack Morris, Saved By the Bell dolls; Make trick-or-treaters REALLY scared next year with a Pee-Wee Herman doll; Teach your kids the social skills they need for adulthood from a true role model, Mr. T; and give them the ULTIMATE birthday gift… the Talking Mother Goose!
All these items and so many more await you at Fifty-Two 80’s – A Totally Awesome Shop, located at 1874 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210.
Mor Zucker in the 80s with the Talking Mother Goose. Photograph courtesy of ©Mor Zucker
Psst… The Denver Ear Founder, Mor Zucker, also owned the Talking Mother Goose as a child!
Hyperspace Arcade
Photograph courtesy of ©Hyperspace Arcade
Hyperspace Arcade is an authentic 1980s-themed arcade that features over 100 arcade and pinball games. Their lineup of games includes the likes of Asteroids, Gravitar, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Golden Axe, Mortal Kombat II, Pac-Man, and many more!
Step back in time to a world of quarter games, Tab soda, and Journey on the jukebox. It will cost you $10 for the entire day and you get to enjoy an, ‘all you can play’ arcade experience.
Hyperspace Arcade is located at 1601 Reed St #100, Lakewood, CO 80214
Regal Vintage
Photograph courtesy of ©Regal Vintage
Regal Vintage specializes in vintage clothing for women, men, and children along with matching accessories. At this cool store you can expect to find 80s t-shirts, “Mom Jeans”, neon-colored attire, leg warmers, and so much more!
Regal Vintage is located at 1866 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210.
ROLL
Photograph courtesy of ©ROLL
Lace up your favorite roller skates and enjoy a night out with your friends, just like you did 30 years ago!
ROLL is monthly themed roller skate party in the EXDO Event Center, complete with skate rental, mind-blowing sound and lights, and sippy cup drinks.
This skate-dancing experience will bring you back to your childhood with 80s themed light show and tunes. Can’t find those good ole’ rolls you once has? Don’t fret, ROLL offers over 700 pairs of roller skates for rental, that you can use for reverse skate, open skate, old school hip-hop and more.
ROLL is located at 1399 35th St, Denver, CO 80205.
The Shag Lounge
Photograph courtesy of ©The Shag Lounge
The Shag Lounge is a retro-style lounge and dance bar that offers speciality nights with DJ’s spinning tunes from the 80s! This hip, laid-back lounge features a large mural of Biggie Smalls, and is loved by many Denver locals, who all appreciate its inexpensive drink prices and atmosphere.
The Shag Lounge is located at 830 15th St, Denver, CO 80202.