During the day, it’s pretty quiet on the dusty expanses north of LoDo.
There are still warehouses and industrial sites, reminders of the area’s working-class past. But now, tasteful architecture firms and chic furniture galleries are invading, albeit in an unassuming, unobjectionable way.
Still, it’s often eerily deserted. The area’s few residents are at work, the businesses clicking along. It’s only after dark that signs of life start emerging. The lights go on at places like the Walnut Room and the Larimer Lounge, and people are suddenly on the streets. Casselman’s Bar and Venue (2620 Walnut St.) is lighting up. too. It’s been open since April, and the Casselman’s crew has been spreading the word about its presence. On Oct. 16, the space finally held a sparkly VIP grand-opening party.
From the street, Casselman’s looks like a typical LoDo bar: neon beer signs, patio umbrellas, people playing pool. Behind the bar facade, though, there’s a fairly massive performance space. In all, Casselman’s has 8,000 square feet to fill.
Samantha Hanson, Casselman’s talent buyer, signed on to the team in August after “falling in love” with the giant room. Since then, she’s been working hard to stack the venue’s performance schedule.
“We’re trying to make it an open space for everyone to use,” says Hanson of the bands and events she’s booking. “We’re pretty friendly.”
The room does have an all-purpose feel to it. It’s not grimy and small like a punk rock club, nor cavernous and impersonal like a large venue.
The domed, wooden ceiling is lit softly, the floor is carpeted. It seems like it’s waiting for something — like maybe a Broncos game projected on the giant screen behind the stage (as it was on a recent Monday night).
“The biggest draw we’ve had is the space itself,” says Hanson. “The versatility of the space — to be as quiet and tame as something like a seminar, to a full-on, produced rock show.”
Kind of like the neighborhood Casselman’s calls home: It can go from sedate and reserved to busy and a little loud. Indeed, Hanson says the locale is part of Casselman’s appeal. They’re even pushing “NoDo” (North Downtown) as a name for the neighborhood.
“We look at this area as the next up-and- coming entertainment district,” she says. “We want to embrace this — with the Larimer, the Meadowlark, the Walnut Room — as an entertainment destination.”
It’s going well so far. With the music venues combining with bars, River North art galleries and other cool hangouts, the neighborhood is becoming its own little scene.
And even when there isn’t a show at Casselman’s, the bar provides its own entertainment — beer-drinking. Plus flat-screen TVs, food and friendly conversation. The lights will be on.
Tonight, Casselman’s hosts local rock bands the Best Response, My Orange Crush and At the Forefront. Tickets are $7, available online at .
On Thursday, it’s an early Halloween party and a night of tribute bands. Wear a costume and rock to music from Fierce Bad Rabbits (doing Modest Mouse), The Dirt Boys (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and The Piggies (Prince). The show is for ages 18 and up; tickets are $6.
Heads up, residents of the southern suburbs:
Once a month, downtown Denver is coming to you. There’s no need to take the light rail for the new “subURBAN” parties at The Robusto Room (9535 Park Meadows Drive).
The fourth Saturday of every month, Denver DJs Boyhollow and Mada make the trek south. They’re creating a little “urban grime in the cul-de-sac,” as the event’s flier says.
Besides the fun drink specials and dancing, this month’s party, on Saturday, features giveaways from Smith Optics. There’s no cover, so no excuse to skip it.
