For years the Purple Martini has been a fixture on the downtown lounge scene. In its first location off 15th Street and its current spot in the Tabor Center, “Purple” has maintained a steady presence in the central nightlife district.
But since the opening of the Purple Martini DTC in 2004, owner Will Coleman has set his sights outside of downtown. Forget LoDo. He’s scouring the perimeter of the metro area to pluck the ripest locales in the ‘burbs, where his lounges cater to a young professional crowd that appreciates a stylish bar with easy access, free parking and lengthy happy hours. Purple Martini Boulder (1710 29th St.,877-4-VODKA-1.) marks the newest addition to his growing circle of martini lounges.
“A few years back if you wanted to go out in Denver, you had to go downtown,” Coleman said. “But that’s just no longer the case. Now I’m looking for mature locations where we can separate ourselves from the LoDo mentality. We have really tried to endear ourselves with the over-28, happy hour and corporate clientele.”
The Purple Martini location off Belleview in the Tech Center brings in a consistent southside crowd, and the Boulder location just opened Dec. 29 in Boulder’s 29th Street Mall. Coleman says he plans to open a new location in Broomfield along with two others, which are still too early in the planning process to disclose. While each Purple Martini has a similar style, Coleman is trying to improve the product each time.
“After seven years of doing this, I’ve learned a little more with each location,” he said. “But I want each design to be different.”
The Boulder lounge sports a second level location in the new open-air mall. Its airy layout offers a central bar surrounded by a mix of bar stools, club chairs, high-top tables, conversation pits, and private party sections.
Two walls of windows provide stellar views across the CU campus toward the Flatirons, and sliding glass garage doors open onto a large patio that will expand the winter capacity of 210 up to 325 in the summer months. Intelligent lighting illuminates large flat colored discs, bathing the bar area in swaths of rose-tinted light, while granite tables and sleek, dark furniture keep the design warm and modern.
It’s a beautiful space, but business has been a bit slow since the Dec. 29 opening. “We opened right after the second blizzard hit,” Coleman said. “And we’ve been hit with another one every Thursday since.”
This weekend marks the official grand opening bash for the Purple Martini Boulder; tonight DJ Rick spins and the regular happy hour special of half-price “beginner” martinis lasts from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, the Purple Martini calendar girls will be on hand to sell and sign the 2007 calendar, and DJ Bedz takes over the booth.
Fashionistas
So far, 2007 has brought us plenty of fresh snow, but not much in the way of fresh fashion. That should change next Thursday with the “Fresh in ’07” fashion show at the Gothic Theatre.
“We want to take up-and-coming bands and up-and-coming clothing designers and put together a showcase of what’s hot in 2007,” said event promoter Jeremy Ostermiller.
On the music side, P-Nuckle will bring their reggae-dub stylings to the stage, followed by DU funk band Kinetix. DJ Brian Howe also will perform a special set with MC and guitarist Sammy T. The fashion show is scheduled to take place during the bands’ performances, with local design house Belleview Clothing showing pieces from its Spring and Fall 2007 collections. Look for urban fashion pieces, such as vintage burnout cotton tees for men and women with Belleview’s signature pop-art vine and cityscape graphics.
“Fresh in ’07,” Thursday, January 25 at the Gothic Theatre. Tickets $15/ $10 with student ID. 8 p.m., 18+, gothictheatre.com
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-954-1568.
