Chef/Owner Justin Cucci has announced the reopening of downtown Denver’s acclaimed restaurant, bar, and music venue, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox. Two years laying in wait, Ophelia’s can once again provide a unique dining and entertainment experience while adhering to ongoing health and safety recommendations. Restaurant, bar service, and live performances are scheduled to resume late spring. After two years of imposed live music celibacy, O’s is ready to rock hard and DTF !! (Down To Funk).
“Ophelia’s is one of Denver’s great gathering places. Its dynamic spirit—with friends enjoying great food, drink, and live music amid its boudoir-style decor—has been sorely missed. We’re excited to open our doors again for exceptional evenings out.” -Chef/owner Justin Cucci
Like the other five restaurants in Cucci’s acclaimed Edible Beats family, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox honors the historical use of its space. Its 1890s-era Victorian brownstone, the Airedale Building, once housed a brothel and peep show; Ophelia’s flaunts its sultry origins in a playful style that also celebrates sexuality. The design aesthetic for Ophelia’s interior is inspired by vintage finds collected by Cucci over time, from the stage’s sex show booths and a backdrop festooned with 500 transistor radios, to the bars’ classic pinball machine tops and 400 Jager bottles. The décor pays homage to the building’s history and evokes an atmosphere of indulgence.
The ‘gastrobrothel’ offers fresh, interesting new takes on shared plates, flatbreads, skillets, and other pub fare, and reflects Cucci’s commitment to vegetable-forward healthful dishes, global flavors, and sustainability practices. The bar features bright handcrafted cocktails with local ingredients, bottles from around the world, and a 24-tap draft line of all-Colorado beers.
Ophelia’s sunken performance stage (the “Electric Soapbox”) hosts live groove-centric music, comedy sets, and DJ-led dance parties in a swanky Moroccan speakeasy décor. Shows can be enjoyed from all areas of the 8000-square-foot venue.There have been an array of notable performers in the past including Parliament-Funkadelic, Black Crows, and De La Soul, and more. Notably, Aron Magner from the Disco Biscuits is set to make his solo debut on tomorrow, April 7th at Ophelia’s.
