How Five Points Got its Name

Five Points was the name of a streetcar stop named after the 5-way intersection at the heart of the neighborhood.

Noteworthy Mention of the Five Points Neighborhood

Five Points is a vibrant northern Denver neighborhood with over 150 years of rich, evolving culture. It has passed it’s “up and coming” phase and is truly one of Denver’s shining, revitalized successes.

Five Points residents live in a variety of homes; from 19th and 20th-century Victorian homes, cozy bungalows, lofts, and other multi-family housing developments. This neighborhood is about one mile northeast of downtown Denver, within the perimeters of Park Ave., Downing St., Stout St., and Tremont Place.

History of Five Points

This fresh, energetic scene combined with century-old dynamic African-American and jazz influences make this neighborhood an exciting place to call home. Locals enjoy the close proximity to downtown Denver and all of its amenities. Five Points is home to one of Denver’s original light rail sections, making commuting to Denver and the outlying areas very convenient. The Five Points Business District has a major role in the past, present, and future development and preservation projects of this great neighborhood.

Five Points was considered the “Harlem of the West,” from the 1920s into the 1950s. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver, it was one of the few where African Americans did not face housing discrimination. As a result, it became a haven for blacks and other minorities with bustling service industries, small businesses, restaurants, and retail stores. It established itself as a hub for jazz musicians, and some of the most renown performers including Billie Holliday, Duke Ellington, and Miles Davis played at venues in Five Points. The jazz influence is alive and well today as the Five Points Jazz Festival is slated every May, and live music can be heard five nights a week at the Nocturne Lounge, the only venue in Colorado that features jazz-only artists.

This area also features some of the most delectable cuisines in the city, from Italian to comfort food.

Highlights Include:

• British Bulldog | In need of a bit of the Union Jack? Check out this lively English pub that offers daily specials on food as well as drinks! Lunch and dinner fare ranges from shepherd’s pie to chicken masala to fish and chips.