South Broadway Y2K-Themed Bar Opening Soon

Are partygoers yearning for simpler times? There seems to be a growing theme among Denver watering holes curating a sense of ‘the good old days.’ New vinyl bars like the Peach Crease Club and Malinche Audiobar have gone analog, spinning records instead of Spotify playlists. Now, Good Luck Club on South Broadway – which is slated to open late January or early February – is tapping into nostalgia with its early-2000s theme, complete with a Nintendo 64 setup that bar-goers can play on the big box TV, thrifted furniture, a bright pink façade, and an overall ‘90s grandma’s living room vibe.

“South Broadway already has this naturally funky, throwback energy – vintage shops, thrift stores, tattoo parlors – and this concept really aligns with that,” says general manager Ben Hamilton. “We wanted to go big and bold with the decorations and coloring, so the place really stands out on the block. The pink and black blocking has this kind of Tetris effect, and it plays into the whole Y2K, throwback nostalgia we’re going for.”

The concept comes from Pouring with Heart, a hospitality company with a portfolio that spans California, Texas, and Colorado. It helms popular spots like American Bonded in RiNo, Emerald Eye in Larimer Square, and Seven Grand downtown. Good Luck Club represents the company’s continued investment in Denver.

A ‘90s Grandma Living Room

Good Luck Club’s home at 1350 South Broadway is a space that’s already had several lives. Originally a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, the building later became Piante Pizzeria before sitting in limbo after COVID derailed earlier plans to open. 

The space was completely bare bones when the team took over, just concrete and drywall. One original feature remains at the heart of the room: a U-shaped bar that’s been restored. “That bar is kind of the heart and soul of the place,” Hamilton shares. “We touched it up, gave it a paint job, and put our special spin on it.”

Curved seating, repurposed leather couches, and cozy tables are arranged to feel lived-in rather than precious. Much of the furniture was upcycled from Pouring with Heart’s other concepts or thrifted. 

Immediately inside, guests are greeted by an old-school TV console that the team thrifted for only $2, complete with a working Nintendo 64 and a rotating lineup of VHS tapes and DVDs. Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Super Smash Bros., Tony Hawk, and more are all part of the mix. Behind the bar will also be a “dart board alley.”

“It’s really designed to be a flashback to another era,” Hamilton said. “We want this to be a neighborhood cocktail bar where there are unique things to do, like board games, movie nights, tournaments, without it feeling like a gimmick.”

Out front, the patio creates one of the larger outdoor footprints on its stretch of Broadway. While winter weather may delay full use, Hamilton envisions picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and loungy seating filling the space come spring.

“I think it’s one of the more unique patio setups on the block,” he continues. 

Childhood Snacks As Grown-Up Cocktails

On the menu, the focus is firmly on cocktails. Drinks will generally range from $12 to $14, emphasizing efficiency and a playfulness that leans into the bar’s nostalgic theme. Names will draw inspiration from Nintendo games, childhood snacks, and early-2000s pop culture. For instance, the Teddy Graham riffs on an Old Fashioned with graham-cracker notes and an allspice rim. The team is also experimenting with syrups and garnishes inspired by childhood treats, think Pop-Tarts and lunchbox snacks, reimagined in cocktail form.

“The emphasis is going to be on really well thought-out and cost-effective cocktails that are efficiently made,” Hamilton explains. “We want to make sure if we get really busy in here, all the cocktails are going to be coming out consistently in a reasonable amount of time.”

While there’s no kitchen on site, the team is planning to partner with rotating food trucks that will pull up alongside the patio. There’s also an old-fashioned popcorn machine if patrons want to munch on something. Beer will skew local, with rotating taps highlighting nearby producers like Monolith Brewing, while the spirits list nods to neighbors such as Laws Whiskey House across the street. A concise wine list and non-alcoholic options round out the offerings.

Good Luck Club will also feature a mascot, Mr. B, an ode to the millennial classic “Mr. Brightside,” which Hamilton says will likely become the bar’s nightly closing anthem.

For now, Hamilton is focused on getting the doors open and establishing the bar’s rhythm. With a small opening team, he plans to work behind the bar himself a couple of nights a week during the first few months.

“At the end of the day, we want this to feel like a true neighborhood hangout. Somewhere you can just lounge, chill, and feel comfortable coming back again and again,” he concludes.

Good Luck Club is located at 1350 South Broadway and will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, from noon to 2 a.m. Saturday, and from noon to midnight Sunday. An exact opening date has not been announced yet. Follow @goodluckdenver on Instagram for updates.