DENVER – This fall, one of Colorado’s most beloved and wildly popular breweries, Oskar Blues, will debut their third Grill and Brew location in the old Croc’s space in LODO. Slated for a late November debut, the Grill & Brew will house a Southern-inspired menu, 48 taps on rotation, and an Americana music line-up that meets South by Southwest talent standards. The storied landmark will bring 120 jobs to the market along with giving downtown dwellers and tourists a place for lunch & dinner service, along with live entertainment.
In its new lower downtown digs on Market and 16th Street, the Grill and Brew will be housed in the historic space at 1630 Market Street. The 10,636-square-foot, 2-story structure will once again marry its ambience and offerings with the neighborhood it serves giving office workers, downtown dwellers, tourists, and urban sophisticates something to sing about with their traditional restaurant and bar service upstairs, serving lunch & dinner daily. And downstairs, the Black Buzzard music venue occupies 5,500 square feet, boasts a stage, professional sound system, grab-and-go food kiosk, and full-service bar – accommodating up to 330 guests. In addition, patrons can expect an impressive lineup of local and national Americana; bluegrass, rock, blues, reggae, and folk musicians with scheduled performances for the evenings and weekends.
“We see the location’s history as being an asset to Grill and Brew’s theme,” explained Oskar Blues Grill and Brew’s Restaurant Director & Partner, Jason Rogers. “Crocs provided a great mix of dancing, food and fun, while its predecessor Brenden’s Pub was known for being one of the city’s best spots for live jazz. We’re hoping to bring the spot back to life with our own version of food and Americana music. Denver is currently home to many international brands and people. We feel Oskar Blues Grill and Brew will be a unique offering to market that currently doesn’t exist and will be an asset in a vast portfolio of eateries and bars.”
In signing a 10-year lease with City Street Investors, construction is well underway and the concept will bring 120 jobs to residents; 90 of those positions allocated for the front of the house and 30 for back of the house. Rogers will lead the construction team and oversee the initial buildout, which calls for a complete renovation of the space while preserving key elements of the original framework.
Plans call for the timing of the grand opening of the restaurant and venue slated for late November with the Grill and Brew’s programming in the works and will feature seasonal cocktails, 48 rotating American craft beers on tap, and Colorado distilled spirits.
“We’ve been working diligently over the past 20 years to evolve and perfect our concept – and now we’re ready to bring the Grill and Brew’s signature blend of Southern-inspired Creole & Cajun dishes and entertainment to Denver,” said Rogers. “It mirrors the Lyons and Colorado Springs locations, while adding a signature Denver flair. We want to deliver something special that LoDo could call its own. We’re excited to become a small part of such a great community and district.”
Image courtesy of Oskar Blues Fooderies