It’s been a busy year for Oskar Blues Fooderies, the multi-concept restaurant group spawned from Oskar Blues Brewery’s original Grill & Brew in the small town of Lyons. Dale Katechis created that first location in 1997 as an eclectic homage to craft brews, Southern food, and live music. It’s since exploded into a Colorado restaurant empire including four Oskar Blues Grill & Brew locations, two Chuburger fast-casual eateries, the Cyclhops Bike Cantina in Longmont, and a Hotbox Roasters craft coffee and doughnuts concept in RiNo.

Oskar Blues
Photo courtesy of Bobbie Turner Photography

On January 12, the restaurant group will celebrate a weekend-long grand opening of its newest Oskar Blues Grill & Brew and the Black Buzzard music venue, found at 1624 Market Street, a 130-year-old building in the heart of downtown Denver. The two-story space—formerly home to Brendan’s Pub and Croc’s Mexican Grill—features a spacious bar and sprawling dining room on the ground floor and an intimate music venue on the lower level. Continuing the tradition of Grill & Brew’s fun, funky decor, the restaurant’s main dining area is an ode to rock legends of the past. Check out the mesmerizing art installation on the ceiling constructed from 6,550 drumsticks.

On the menu, diners will find the sorts of Southern-dishes-with-a-twist that Oskar Blues Fooderies are known for, executed by chef/culinary director/partner Jason Rogers. Wood-grilled oysters with garlic butter and parmesan; a seafood jambalaya named for Tom Waits; and Royal Red Gulf Coast shrimp in a white wine bath are all on deck. Save room for the banana and vanilla bean pudding, made with Nilla wafers, bruléed bananas, and a caramel sauce made with Oskar Blues Brewery’s Mama’s Little Yella Pilsner. Of course, there will also be plenty of craft brews to choose from—the bar features 48 rotating taps with Oskar Blues’ iconic brews as well as beloved and hard-to-come by craft beer from across the country.

Black Buzzard
The Black Buzzard music venue. Photo courtesy of Bobbie Turner Photography

Downstairs in the Black Buzzard, music-goers can dine from a shortened menu and drink from a selection of the 48 taps. The venue will be open for dinner every night and offer specials during concerts. With an occupancy of roughly 300, it’s an intimate room to catch concerts by both local and nationally-touring artists.

Grand opening celebrations kick off on Friday, January 12 with a performance by A Shadow of Jaguar ($10 cover), followed by People’s Blues of Richmond with special guests Interstate Stash Express ($12 cover) on Saturday, January 13. Doors open at 8 p.m. Oskar Blues Grill & Brew will open for regular lunch and dinner service starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13.

1624 Market Street, Denver, 720-502-3535