What’s our story? Simple. We’re Lodo’s and we’re Denver to the core.
1946 Market … Where it all started back in 1994.
Back in the mid-80’s, Lodo’s founder Chris Myers was a student at the University of Denver where he covered tuition by working a variety of restaurant and bar jobs. After graduating in 1987, Myers continued to work in the restaurant industry with a dream to one day run his own establishment.
“My dream was to create a home-away- from-home atmosphere for guests and to celebrate the outdoor Colorado lifestyle that everyone knows and loves,” says Chris.
So, in ’94 the aspiring restauranteur took a huge gamble and purchased an old, dilapidated warehouse at 20th and Market in lower downtown Denver.
“We were looking around and noticed all of these leaks and holes in the roof of the warehouse, and that’s when we came up with the concept of Denver’s first rooftop bar.” So, why the rooftop bar?
“We wanted to celebrate what makes Denver so unique and what better way to showcase that than with panoramic mountain and city views and serving up some of the best craft beer and spirits made right in our neighborhood!”
The rooftop bar quickly became a hit and, with Coors Field opening just around the corner, Lodo’s rapidly grew a huge fanbase. So much so that in ‘98 Myers purchased the historic Mattie Silks building next door and began renovating the former brothel into Lodo’s private event space. As the business continued to grow, Meyers expanded his concept to Highlands Ranch in 2004 and Westminster in 2007. “I wanted to bring the energy of Lodo’s original Denver location and share it with other communities.”
As Lodo’s nears a quarter of a century in Denver, Myers’ vision appears to be holding true to his original vision.
“I like to say that we’re not fancy, but we’re the place to come hang out with friends, toss back a few, have some great wings, watch the game and feel like you belong. It’s important to us that you feel welcome here… from day one that’s what this has been all about.”
