Entertainment & Culture

OPEN MIC THE ATTIC BAR & BISTRO

949 Walnut St., Suite 200, Boulder, 303-415-1300

Silver: Oskar Blues

Bronze: Bootstrap Brewing Company

Few traditions are as important to a college town as a good open mic night, and Boulder Weekly readers think you’ll find the best one at The Attic Bar & Bistro. Offering a warm and welcoming environment for local artists, traveling bands, DJs and more, this weekly downtown throw down is a great place to catch the next big thing, or step into the spotlight yourself.

Place To Dance Avalon Ballroom

6185 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 303-440-8303

Silver: Boulder Theater

Bronze: Nissi’s

When it comes to first-rate rugcutting, our readers will tell you there’s no better spot than Avalon Ballroom. From swing to salsa and points in between, this footloose hot spot features nightly dancing and lessons on all manners of movement. And you don’t need experience or a partner to get down at this East Boulder dance hall.

PLACE TO WI-FI OZO COFFEE CO.

Multiple Locations

Silver: Boulder Public Library

Bronze: Trident Booksellers and Cafe

Write-in: The Read Queen Bookstore and Cafe

OZO is a giant in the BoCo coffee game for a reason: exceptional roasts, perfectly poured espresso drinks and sparkling refreshers, to name just a few. But one thing our readers especially love about the local staple is its laid-back atmosphere for getting stuff done. If you’re looking for a steady connection and good jolt, this is the place for you.

Best Private School Dawson School

10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, 303-665-6679

Silver: Friends School

Bronze: Boulder Valley Waldorf

For more than 50 years, this private co-ed day school has served Boulder County by “preparing students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem solvers who bring their best to the world.”

Originally founded in 1970 as the Colorado Junior Republic, today Dawson School serves grades K-12.

Public School

(K-8)

Bear Creek Elementary

2500 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder, 720-561-3500

Silver: Peak to Peak Charter School Bronze: Horizons

Write-in: Community Montessori

You’ll find our readers’ pick for best public school in the shadow of Bear Mountain, where this National Blue Ribbon School offers top-notch education and breathtaking views. Bear Creek Elementary takes home top honors again this year in part for its interdisciplinary focus on the connections between math, art and science.

Public School

(9-12)

Boulder High School

1604 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 720-561-2200

Silver: Fairview High School

Bronze: Niwot High School

High school is where we begin to become the adults we’ll go on to be, and Boulder High School is the big local favorite among Boulder Weekly readers. Since its founding in 1875 as the city’s first high school, BHS has set out to be “a place for everyone” by providing a rigorous education in a welcoming environment, right next door to CU Boulder.

Sports Bar World Famous Dark Horse

2922 Baseline Road, Boulder, 303-442-8162

Silver: Mudrock’s Tap & Tavern

Bronze: Lazy Dog

When it comes to the perfect game-day vibe, there’s one place that rises above the rest for Boulder Weekly readers. Dark Horse has been a Boulder landmark since 1975, in part because it’s the perfect place to catch the big game while enjoying all your favorite bar food staples like wings, burgers and beer.

Summer Camp Colorado Mountain Ranch

10063 Gold Hill Road, Boulder, 303-442-4557

Silver: Avid4 Adventure Bronze: CU Science Discovery

Looking to get the kids out of the house and into the great outdoors this summer? Colorado Mountain Ranch offers a bevy of summer day camp options, including programs in horseback riding, mountaineering and more. It’s also a great spot for your next corporate retreat, company picnic or team-building getaway.

Acupuncture Clinic Boulder Community Acupuncture

3405 Penrose Place, Suite 202, Boulder, 303-443-3034

Silver: Acupuncture Clinic of Boulder

Bronze: Boulder Bodyworks

Jennifer Wyler, Stephanie Wilson and Jennifer Kralowetz join together to offer individualized acupuncture care through Boulder Community Acupuncture. The company’s sliding pay scale both lets you decide what you can afford and increases the accessibility of care. After a session here, you’ll walk away with more energy and less stress.

BARBER SHOP FLOYD’S 99

Multiple Locations

Silver: Voodoo Hair Lounge

Bronze: Rollin’s Barbershop

Write-in: Boulder Hair Collective

Floyd’s 99 is it — fresh trims, new styles and excellent service keep our readers’ hair glistening and luscious. Since it was founded by a pair of brothers 20 years ago in Denver, it now boasts over 125 locations nationwide that offer cuts, fades, color and shaves.

Chiropractor Apex Chiropractor

183 S. Taylor Ave., #162, Louisville, 720-328-1790

Silver: Boulder Sports Chiro

Bronze: The Joint

Shane Kurth founded APEX Chiropractor to help people thrive in life, not suffer through it. With nearly 20 services treating conditions from asthma and ADHD to neck pain and headaches, this company is a onestop-shop for community members to feel better in their bodies.

CLIMBING/PARKOUR GYM THE SPOT

3240 Prairie Ave., Boulder, 303-379-8806

1754 Dogwood St., Louisville, 303-317-3770

Silver: Boulder Rock Club

Bronze: Movement Climbing + Fitness

When the climbers of Boulder aren’t scaling slabs in Boulder Canyon or trad climbing in Eldo, many head to gyms scattered around the county. With stellar gyms in both Boulder and Louisville, our readers choose to send it at The Spot. Members of the “Spot Fam” get unlimited climbing, exclusive gear discounts, and free guest passes and fitness classes.

Dance Studio Alchemy Of Movement

2436 30th St., Boulder, 303-449-4410

Silver: Avalon Ballroom

Bronze: Boulder Ballet

Write-in: Studio Shira

Reconnect with the joy of movement at Alchemy of Movement, a studio that prides itself on community as much as dance and fitness. “Hyped AF,” “Party Hip-Hop,” and “BOLD Booty Blast” are just a few samples of Alchemy’s classes designed to be fun and high energy. New members are always welcome, and first timers can get a $30 for 30 days deal.

Day Spa St Julien Hotel And Spa

900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-406-9696

Silver: The Dragontree

Bronze: jlounge

Write-in: Woodhouse Day Spa

Unwind. Relax. Put cucumbers on your eyes. And you don’t have to do it alone — professional stylists and therapists are available for services like facials, massages and keratin smoothing treatments. All that and more is available at the St Julien in downtown Boulder, the winner of our Best Day Spa category. If you work up an appetite along the way, Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro inside the St Julien offers breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Dentist Boulder Smiles

1636 16th St., Boulder, 303-443-4417

Silver: North Boulder

Dental Group

Bronze: Comfort Dental

Write-in: Niles Family Dentistry

Boulderites are no exception to the national craze for perfect teeth. But it’s not all aesthetics at our readers’