Dancing at the Grizzly Rose
By: Kaela Guerra
Tags: Dance, Line Dancing, Family Night Event, Grizzly Rose

If you like dancing solo or aren’t great at dancing with a partner, then line dancing is for you. There are many different types of line dancing, some easier and some more complex. At the Grizzly Rose many experienced and beginner dancers go creating for a diverse environment of dancing. The Grizzly Rose is great at creating a fun environment for people to bond over their love for dancing and country music. They have intervals of live bands with recordings which create a livelier atmosphere.

I first went to the Grizzly Rose about five or six years ago. My family and I went with some family friends on a hot summer night. I didn’t know what to expect, we had never been to a club before, much less a country club. We wore our only country clothes and entered the building under the well lit “Grizzly Rose” sign. After getting in they made enormous sharpie x’s on each hand, a sign I would come to be very familiar with as years went by. When I saw people the next day with the same marks as mine we would smile at each other, as if it was a secret only us knew.

The secret wasn’t much of a secret though. It was more of a place to destress through dancing. The Grizzly Rose was where I went not only to meet up with friends but to meet other people. I made many lasting relationships with people I met there and strengthened the ones I already had when we visited. One rule I would tell whomever I went with was that they had to come with me to the middle of the dance floor. The reason being was that learning to dance was a lot easier once in the middle. All the experienced dancers would meet up and dance there, collectively teaching the dancers of other levels. From the middle, I could turn any way and be led by someone who knew the line dances. Song after song I did my best attempting to learn how to dance different line dances. I would then teach my friends or whomever was around me. It was like a ripple effect. People would slowly learn how to line dance from the center outwards. The more frequently I went the more I got to know the regulars. The Grizzly Rose has many regulars who go every Sunday, especially during holidays. Even if you never speak a word to anyone there you still feel connected as you move as a group to the rhythm of the music.

The atmosphere of the place has a lively atmosphere which is perfect for making a newcomer or a regular feel at home from the moment they enter. When I first went inside I noticed how full it was on the dance floor and the loud music. While this doesn’t necessarily sound appealing, the atmosphere allowed for someone to join the dance floor without feeling awkward or pressured like one would in a coffee shop. Coffee shops are usually very quiet and have a system that regulars seem to know. At the Grizzly Rose, the routine is to have as much fun as you can that night, similar to how one would for a concert. Now onto the actual specifics of visiting the Grizzly Rose.

Once you pay the $5 fee at the entrance you can either go dance or for some additional payment you may go get food, ride a mechanical bull, or play games such as pool. If you enjoy country music, then the Grizzly Rose is for you. There are dance nights or lessons offered there which allow for everyone to participate. Family night is from 6–11 pm on Sundays. After that only adults are allowed. However, during those five hours your children and teens can enjoy live country music while they line dance. There are many dance clubs around the Denver Metro Area that have dance nights and lessons. While most dance clubs only allow 18 or 21 and over to attend, the Grizzly Rose offers one night for younger people to enjoy a night out dancing. So when you visit the Grizzly Rose be prepared for a night of lots of dancing and fun!