Stampede — Restaurant in Aurora

My friend and I have been looking forward to checking out Ladies Night (Wednesdays) for a few weeks. There is a $5 cover, but Ladies get two drink tickets (to use on beer, wine, or wells).

When we arrived, just before 7pm, the floor was packed for the line dance tutorial (1 song was taught, and played atleast twice over the course of the night). We were really surprised and excited to see such an outstanding turn out! The dance floor is massive, and there's also a small dance floor upstairs.

We had no wait for either of our drinks, from the bars (there were atleast 3 bars open).

We ordered food and ate upstairs, overlooking the dance floor, while waiting for line dances to be played. The gentleman at the food counter was super sweet, cordial, and helpful. Perfect customer service, and a great smile! The food was.. ok. Real unprocessed chicken in the chicken fingers, but boring breading. Beef Empenadas filling had a chili-like flavoring (didn't expect them to taste authentic, but didn't expect a chili flavor either), the crust was decent. The Asada Fries were the best part, but I wish I would have asked for crisper fries, to stand up to the moisture of the toppings.

The most disappointing part was the PA system and music choices. It was incredibly difficult to understand the dance instructor and the DJ when they spoke. Not a big deal, but if we couldn't see the instructor for the tutorial, we had a hard time following along. Also, we were excited for line-dancing, but it was probably 70% two-step to 30% line dances. After the one line-dance tutorial, there was a string of two-step songs 'til about 8pm (about 10 or so songs). Occasionally about 6-8 people would do a line dance in the center of the floor, during two-step music, not counting the majority of the time that people would do the Cowboy ChaCha (probably about 10-15 times throughout the evening). We overheard a regular customer say things often pick up about 10 or 11pm... and although there was more line dancing later in the evening, they often weren't current popular country songs. To be fair, I will say that the dance floor always stayed plenty active which is the ultimate goal; but to my own credit, I have frequented 2 other country bars outside of the state, so this isn't due to inexperience, and this isn't my first rodeo.

Wishing there was a more equal ratio of line dancing to two-step. Sadly, this was a lackluster...

This is a very, very special place.

Lots of people from all walks of life, and they're pretty much all there to just kick back and have some fun. Don't sweat the reviews attacking the staff or customers. The staff are really good folks who put themselves out there to make sure the rest of us can relax, goof around, and have fun. As for the customers? Just like the world outside the Stampede, there are lots of nice folks and there are a few rude jerks (of both genders). Pick the ones you like to hang around with, ignore others, and have a good time. No big deal. Just mind your cowboy/cowgirl manners and things will be fine. There are real 'country people' and lots of regular suburbanites (like me). While you'll meet the full range from people who do hard physical work to high end professionals, It's not about status or culture wars, it's just about fun.

I can't speak for the food. I go there to dance, socialize, and play pool.

The dance lessons are terrific (esp on Fridays), and the racetrack-style dance floor is a rare and special thing that makes maintaining line of dance much easier and safer.

Lots of pretty ladies, especially on Wednesday nights. Some very fine gentlemen there as well, speaking for myself. ;-)

The crowd gets very young by about 10:30, and the music tends more towards hip-hip. This is my only complaint about this place.

The #1 fantastic thing about the Stampede, as a dance place, is that the layout is not really bar-like and definitely not restaurant-like, so it is much easier to mingle with and approach MOTOS than at any night spot I've ever been to.

If you're new to country dancing, wear sturdy shoes with leather soles, take some lessons, and get yourself out there. Cute little sandals, flip-flops and shoes with grippy soles (work boots, sneakers, etc) are all REALLY BAD ideas in terms of toe and knee safety. If I'm paying attention, I won't ask you do dance if you're not wearing sensibly safe shoes. Leather-soled western-style boots, of course, are best.

Ask around, you'll be certain to find some patient and helpful guys and ladies who are known for giving friendly informal basic lessons in the dances as well as guidance in basic etiquette. Keep at it, it's worth it.

The dance calendar and schedules are sort of two different things and don't always agree. Check them both before you come...

My girlfriend Magaly & I took a last minute trip from Minnesota to Aurora, CO to see her favorite salsa singer Oscar De Leon at Stampede Club. WOW... WHAT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE! Stamped is designed to provide maximum entertainment with its huge dance floor, amazing acoustics, great lights, multiple big screen displays and many bar accomodations throughout - along with excellent servers. Plenty of security too, which made us feel really, really safe and free to have fun without worry.

While there, we had the pleasure to meet Luis, the manager... a super cool guy who made it his business to make sure we were having the time of our lives. He made the rounds, happily chatting with his customers, stopping by our table often making us feel very welcome all night.

It was an evening we'll NEVER, EVER FORGET. Mr. De Leon (who is Magaly's all-time favorite salsa artist) put on an unbelievable show... performing all his classic hits; dancing, jumping, interacting and sharing his energy with the crowd of all ages who absolutely adore him.

At first, when we arrived; I felt a little strange... possibly being the only white person there. But right away, I felt welcomed by the warmth of the place and in no time I was (attempting) to dance salsa, cumbia, merengue with Magaly. I'm sure I looked kind of silly, but man, I really had fun!!!

THANK YOU STAMPEDE FOR AN...