Did you know? ABQ has more theaters per capita than NYC. Add in a thriving local music scene and hip walkable neighborhoods and your post-Balloon Glow nights are set! Check out venues like Launchpad and El Rey Downtown, the Lobo Theatre and patio bands in Nob Hill and mariachis and traditional Spanish music in Old Town. There are also a variety of wineries, cocktail bars and craft breweries to visit for a night — or day — on the town.
Nob Hill is home to over 300 businesses and is a mix of restaurants, bars and retail shops. The Smoky Note is a modern cocktail lounge, nestled in the heart of Nob Hill that features live jazz music every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. The new Mission Winery tasting room is right on Central Avenue next to the original Flying Star (The “Double Rainbow” if you are OG) where you can score the biggest creme puffs and after dinner sweets in town.
How about dinner and a movie? The Guild Theatre in Nob Hill is a classic Route 66-era independent theater with multiple daytime and night showings. Walk over to M’tucci’s for the best patio and Italian favorites or head a block east to Frenchish (if you can get reservations!) for, well, French-ish by James Beard-nominated chef Jennifer James. Nearby is the Beard-nominated Ihatov Bakery and one of the university-area’s most popular breweries, Bosque Brewing on Girard and Central.
Albuquerque Little Theatre (ALT) is one of the oldest operating live theaters in Albuquerque. Built in the 1930s, the historic theater has hosted legends such as I Love Lucy’s Vivian Vance. Get tickets to the upcoming production of Dracula Oct. 11-27 at albuquerquelittletheatre.org.
Albuquerque is known as North America’s flamenco capital. Tablao Flamenco produces live performances every weekend at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. Experience the passion with dinner and a show at tablaoflamenco.org.
Need more to do?! The Paper.’s events calendar (abq.news) has more than 1,000 local events each week.
