What is Babes Around Denver aka BAD?
Babes Around Denver (aka “BAD”) began in the fall of 2002 when a group of lesbians were discussing their desire to get together for happy hour on a regular basis. Given the lack of women’s venues, Dede Frain, consummate networker and tireless organizer, sent a single email invitation for a “December Happy Hour”. After the second happy hour, Dede realized that the network was growing fast, and she officially started First Friday as a dance party in March 2003! First Friday has grown dramatically over the last nineteen years and, as of December, there have been almost 300,000 guest visits at First Friday with ages ranging from 21-80+ EVERY month. Everyone is welcome at First Friday and the diversity of our guests is truly amazing.
First Friday is held at Tracks/Reelworks Nightclub and Event Center, 3500 Walnut, Denver CO 80205. Tracks continues to be Denver’s premier LGBTQ club for more than 35 years and has a longstanding partnership with Babes Around Denver
Every month, First Friday has a fun theme, and many guests dress up and Tracks provides the best sound and lights to align with the theme. The format for First Friday is unique in that we have 3 rooms with 4 DJ’s every month, go-go dancers, a food truck and the best team of managers, bartenders, office, floor and security staff. Doors open at 6PM with country western music and at 8PM, we add Top 40, Retro, Latin, Hip Hop and all things dance for the rest of the evening. Although First Friday is tailored to women, we are an inclusive organization and welcome everyone to our events.
The event continues to be the largest and longest running monthly women’s party in the US and thousands of women have made new friends; many have entered new relationships, and some have even started new businesses as a result of the connections they made at First Friday.
Our other signature event is the Official Women’s Pride Party which we host every year on Pride weekend. More than 2000 guests came out for our 2021 Pride party. We are a long time PrideFest sponsor, and we have donated to many LGBTQ charities over the years. In March 2022 we will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of First Friday. Dede and Babes Around Denver continue to be thankful for the ongoing community support they have received since 2002.
Dede Frain
Founder – Babes Around Denver LLC