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Although the Lions Lair opened in 1967, the bar didn't start hosting live music until Jux County played there in 1991. Since then, the place has brought in a steady stream of local and national acts, including some legends like Graham Parker, John Doe and Jonathan Richman. To celebrate twenty years of live music at the Lions Lair, Jux County, who has played a few reunion shows since splitting a decade ago, is teaming up again tonight with Iz opening the show, which starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $7.
Doug Kaufman, who's owned the Lions Lair for the last fifteen years, says the bar has one of the oldest liquor licenses in Denver, probably going back seven decades. Before becoming the Lions Lair, Kaufman says it was a jazz club where legends like Billie Holiday and Dexter Gordon played.
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