In Da Club

LoDo has lost its Lucky Star. The twinkling testament to the '80s was recently snuffed out, becoming a part of the past -- the Do Me Generation -- that it celebrated so slavishly. What happened? The club's lease expired, and the property's owners decided against renewing it. Rumors are streaking through the club universe about what will open in Star's stead, but according to Joseph Vostrejs, general manager of the Larimer Square Group, which controls the site, his company is being very particular about the next occupant. "This is the first time in over twenty years this space has been available," he explains. "There's a lot of interest."

One reason is the most-mod overhaul under way in Larimer Square. Vostrejs calls it "upscaling" and points to newcomer club Hush as an example of "the perfect fit." Denver has "a long history of having low-budget clubs," he says, adding that "clubs recently seem a little better executed" and the Larimer Group wants to continue that trend by bringing in "someone to really do it right." That means spending more money and energy to create an exciting new place, then marketing it nationally as well as locally.

While Vostrejs and company search for the right concept to fill the black hole left by Lucky Star, other clubs are already committed to Larimer Square. Slated to open about four months from now in the old Soapy Smith's space on 14th Street is Martini Ranch, a concept out of Phoenix that will take advantage of the building's three floors to create a bar/nightclub trifecta, including a special section known as the "Shaker Room." Josephina's is changing, too, reconfiguring its space to better separate the bar and live music from the dining area, and also to accommodate a second restaurant, Cava.

A few blocks from Larimer Square, what had been the Black Widow Club at 1456 Champa Street is now Club Syn, with no time lost in translation. The new venture is backed by a collective of experienced entertainment people, including Donovan Cline, who says he's "seen every success and every mistake that's been made." No novice behind the decks himself, Cline owns Chain Reaction Productions, which provides high-end speakers for venues and events around town, and he didn't skimp on the Syn sound system, either: The powerful audio setup has an over-30,000-watt capacity. Although renovations continue, Syn's doors are open, with local talent spinning seven nights a week and high-profile nationals scheduled for future dates. Club Syn is the only place in town "by DJs, for DJs," Cline says. We'll drink, and dance, to that.