Nightlife in Highlands Ranch

Five times a week, Impulse Theater's cast of comedy players fields spontaneous audience suggestions and molds them into 10–12 original scenes that make up 90 minutes of improvised comedy. Though the fast-paced, interactive shows split sides with a mostly family-friendly brand of hilarity absent of profanity, some scenes may deal with situations or themes more appropriate for an audience suited to view a PG-13 movie or a no-holds-barred political ad. Inside the intimate theater, guests file into seats with unfettered views of the stage, where they can order their one-drink minimum, which includes nonalcoholic beverages.

Belly up to the bar or kick back in marshmallow-like sofas and prep your palate with a specialty sip. MiniBar's inventive cocktail menu includes everything from mouth-watering martinis (try the miniBar'tini with Grey Goose L'Orange vodka, citrange, white cranberry, and a spritz of lime, $8) or a bubbly miniBar bellini (Lunetta prosecco, white-peach puree, and peach schnapps, $6). Small plates such as the spiced nuts (coated with kicky Cajun spices) or bacon-wrapped medjool dates are prime for sharing (served 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., start at $5 for one item). MiniBar also features a well-edited selection of salads, dips, and cheese plates to satisfy more intense cravings. Try the caprese salad ($9), flatbread and dips ($8), or the barbecue baby back ribs ($11).

At Legends of Aurora, philly cheesesteak could mean a traditional sandwich, a pizza, or a 24-inch sub food challenge. For more than 20 years, Legends of Aurora‘s hand-tossed pizza dough has formed the foundation for this and other pies, including the supreme and the White pizza, a sauceless number with cheese and tomato slices. And though their patrons order enough pizzas each year to pave a route from Peoria to Buckley, they somehow find time to nosh on pepperoni pizza rolls, Rocky Mountain oysters, calzones, chimichangas, salad, and wings as well.