wordplay by Shauna Hannon
images by Chancy Keller

 The main descriptions that characterize downtown Denver’s The Loft are as follows: big city lounge, 2 distinctive environments, and neighborhood vibe.  During a recent visit to Denver’s newest night life oasis, it appears these descriptors are accurate. 

Big City Lounge: The Loft’s space (formerly the location of Club Evolution) is undergoing a major makeover.  Despite the fact that The Loft is more on the upscale end of the Denver socialite spectrum, it also strives to provide a comfortable, friendly haven for its clientele.  The dark, dingy black tile is now ripped up to reveal a more sophisticated hardwood floor in its wake.  Brick walls and custom-made furniture will be added to both levels of The Loft.  To top that off, the lounge’s windows face out toward the lights of downtown’s sky scrapers, allowing The Loft’s attendees one of the most exquisite views ever seen from a Denver bar or lounge.

Do not expect The Loft to ever be idle, as it is fully functional every day of the week.  Along with weekly drink specials (2 for 1’s on Mondays, and $3 you-call-its on Wednesdays), there is live music on Tuesdays and rotating guest DJs Thursdays through Saturdays.  Events that The Loft will be hosting, which aren’t typical of most Denver clubs and bars, include Martini Manicure Mondays (during which time you can sip a Cosmo while getting your nails buffed and polished) and Classic Cinema Sundays, when you can kick back and be entertained with cult favorites like Pulp Fiction and Super Troopers showing on high-definition, plasma screen TV’s.

2 Distinct Environments: The Loft creates unique climates for both of its levels.  The downstairs area is symbolic of the night life, club-esque, and industrial feeling.  The upstairs has a more relaxed, chill-out atmosphere, with chic décor consisting of a concrete bar top and tables with glass legs.  Spacious, outdoor patios are in the works for both levels; the upstairs deck is scheduled to be completed this spring.  There is also talk of construction of a rooftop patio, which should be a permanent mainstay of The Loft by next summer.  Even the elevator is being re-vamped, with The Loft’s logo and electric blue lighting.

Neighborhood Vibe: Jamie Uhlir (who has experience running bars and lounges in Chicago and was most recently the GM of Club Vinyl) wants to establish a family-oriented mood within The Loft’s posh surroundings.  Uhlir, along with fellow partners Shane Hudson and Sir Ryuji Brumley will be meeting and greeting The Loft’s customers in order to make them feel at ease. They hope to extend the lounge’s influence beyond SoCo and LoDo by reaching out towards Denver’s new arrivals, who are soon to inhabit the new lofts that are sprouting up around the Park Avenue area, and to the cruisers and coquettes that will be attracted to Denver’s young swinging singles scene like moths to a flame.  The partners of The Loft also want to collaborate with other local night time hot spots (DC10, Grenade) in order to strengthen the bond of entertainment entrepreneurs by working together, rather than competing with each other.

Opulent with a laid-back attitude, unique weekly events and with a brand new, stylish and fresh look, The Loft will have a little bit of something for everyone.

821 22nd Street

(303) 296.4604

myspace.com/TheLoftDenver