Look Inside Oskar Blues’ LoDo Restaurant, Bar, and Music Venue

The two-story space underwent a massive, rock-themed renovation

by Josie Sexton@josiebsexton Dec 20, 2017, 1:37pm MST

Music touches abound at the new LoDo Oskar Blues Grill & Brew at Market and 16th Streets

Downtown Denver’s first Oskar Blues location is preparing for its grand opening in January after a $2.5 million renovation on a 130-year-old building at Market and 16th Streets.

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew is a restaurant, full bar, and music venue in-one. It spans two floors and more than 10,000 square feet at 1624 Market Street. Previously occupied by Croc’s and Brendan’s Pub, the once separate spaces have joined together to create a sprawling 300-person main floor restaurant and bar, as well as a 350-capacity basement venue. Food, largely consistent across three Grill & Brew locations, ranges from seafood gumbo, to smoked brisket, and fresh-shucked oysters. Both the upstairs restaurant and downstairs venue serve a food menu and stock full bars with 48 beer taps.

Eater took a tour with co-owner and chef Jason Rogers, who partners with Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis on all of the beer company’s “fooderies.” The Denver project is especially close to Rogers, a music lover who had the vision which Bray Architecture and designer Sara Blette brought to life. Fun design features include a drum-stick (music not food) chandelier, a guitar pick-covered bar, and a hologram-ish likeness of Hendrix (try to spot it in the pictures below).

Eater photographer Jonathan Phillips captured the space, which is in a soft-opening phase leading up to the grand celebrations on Saturday, January 13. Check out the restaurant’s Facebook page as well as the music venue’s page for event details, hours, and updates.