Need a break from the Broncos? Bored with baseball? Go on hiatus from American sports mania at Three Lions Pub (2239 E. Colfax Ave.).
The latest venture from the Little Pub Co., the Three Lions offers an English pub atmosphere, an international take on bar food and a phalanx of televisions, all tuned to soccer and rugby. Though guests are welcome to request any game on TV, the ambience is all about football — but don’t expect any framed Broncos jerseys here.
Three Lions is almost unrecognizable from its former life as The Bank, a straightforward Capitol Hill sports bar and drinking emporium. The Bank was no-frills, a place to get tipsy, scarf a burger and stumble home. Three Lions is a full-on concept.
The layout is much the same as in the Bank days but gussied up to resemble a wood-paneled London pub. Antique-looking chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Cozy banquettes and booths make up the majority of the seating. The old bar seems polished- up and snazzy, reflecting the warm glow of the lights overhead.
The walls are festooned with soccer scarves, mostly from the British Isles: Manchester City, Swansea, West Ham, the English national team and other football clubs get representation throughout the bar. Somebody’s a fan of Arsenal, too, since they seem to have a few more trinkets scattered about. Naturally, the Colorado Rapids are paid homage. The bar’s upstairs area is largely devoted to Rapids memorabilia, with some exceptions (more Arsenal stuff). There’s also a separate, smaller bar upstairs for guests who want to perch above the main floor.
They may want to do so after getting a blast from the jukebox. On a recent visit, the modestly sized Internet jukebox was roaring for some reason — and it didn’t seem to be playing any requests. Instead, it was spewing a strange mix of blues, middle-of-the- road dude-rock and New Orleans jazz at high volume. Creating a convivial atmosphere is important, of course, but this was a little much for a rainy weeknight.
It’s an easy fix, though, and there are enough good things about the Three Lions to make up for a loud jukebox. The food, for example, is a fun mix of nibbles from soccer-loving nations around the globe. Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom all get their due, plus plenty of American bar faves. In a nice twist, the Three Lions takes a cue from its sister pub, The British Bulldog, and offers a few South Asian choices, as well.
Finally, there are the self-serve tables. Yes, it’s true: two large tables at Three Lions have taps installed right at the table. Beer drinkers simply leave their credit card with the bartender, who activates the taps, and it’s time to drink away. This seems really fun — and totally dangerous, to both pocketbook and liver.
At the moment, Three Lions is poised to become a neighborhood fixture. In the coming months it’ll be a cozy place to take shelter from the cold, and trade one style of football for another.
Upcoming shows: On Saturday, City Hall (1144 Broadway) hosts a mostly free show, “Got Bass?” starring L.A.-based DJ the Gaslamp Killer. Other acts on the bill include the Foodchain, Fresh2Death and Fury. Entry to the show is free until 11 p.m.; after 11 it’s $5 for bassheads age 21 and older and $10 for 18-and-up.
Beta’s (1909 Blake St.) week ahead includes sets by Chicago househead Steve Smooth on Saturday and producer, DJ and remixer Wolfgang Gartner on Thursday. Tickets are $10 for Smooth and $20 for Gartner; buy them at .
