Casselman's Bar & Venue has been a strong addition to the Ballpark neighborhood since it opened two years ago at 2620 Walnut Street, and got stronger with recent sound and light upgrades. Now, prompted by overwhelming demand from promoters and bands alike, Casselman's has applied for and been approved by the city for an Underage Patrons License, which means the club can book shows that cater to audiences of sixteen and over.
"It's definitely going to open up the doors of opportunity for sure," says Adam Ranes, Casselman's owner. "Some of these events and bands and artists that we've haven't had access to we now have access to. We've got the better, more preferred venue, I'm tempted to say. We can write better bills. Now we've got access to that. It's definitely a good competitive edge."
With the underage license, Ranes says, Casselman's will be able to compete with two mid-sized venues nearby. The Soda Jerk Presents-owned Marquis Theater (2009 Larimer Street) has long had the all-ages market cornered downtown, and strengthened its position when it opened Summit Music Hall (1902 Blake Street) a little over a year ago. While the Marquis and Summit bring in a number of punk and metal acts, Casselman's is a full-spectrum venue and will remain that way, Ranes insists. The only real change? ID-checking policies will vary depending on whether he's booked a 21-plus, 18-plus or 16-plus show. "Every promoter is going to want something different," he says. "It's all show-based or event-based."
Casselman's is already taking advantage of its new underage license, booking shows last weekend that made the struggle to get the license worthwhile. "The city does not just hand those out," Ranes says. "It's not easy by any means."
Club scout: Watch for Fluff Bar to open in early October at 1516 Wazee Street. Originally slated to be called Fluff Beauty Bar, the combo hair salon, cocktail lounge and champagne bar dropped "beauty" for reasons that should be obvious (if you've ever been to the fourteen-month-old Beauty Bar, at least); it plans to offer such services as blow-dries, manicures and full make-up while also acting as a lounge. Master sommelier Brett Zimmerman, who owns the Boulder Wine Merchant, is heading up the wine and cocktail program.
Atrium Bar & Grill, a decades-old spot at 554 South Broadway that was once a biker bar and has been a gay bar for the last twelve years, recently closed. Phil Villotti and Ray Rodriguez quit their day jobs, took over the place and are now in the process of cleaning it up and turning it into The Bar, which they hope to open in early October. "It's not going to be a gay bar," Villotti says. "It's not going to be a straight bar. It's everybody's bar."
Farther south on Broadway, the Dive Inn will move into the space at 1380 South Broadway that had housed BJ's Carousel, Denver's longest-running gay bar, which closed after thirty years at the end of July.
Finally, Rockbar (3015 East Colfax Avenue), which just built a huge outdoor patio and introduced a new menu from the reopened kitchen under chef Brian Laird, is celebrating its fifth anniversary from Thursday, September 15 through Sunday, September 18 with DJs, drink specials and giveaways.
