Tavern Downtown

The Tavern Hospitality Group is a Denver-based family-owned operation, comprised of Tavern Uptown, Tavern Downtown, Tavern Lowry, Tavern Tech Center, Tavern Wash Park, Tavern Littleton, Cowboy Lounge, and The Soiled Dove Underground. The company was the brainchild of Frank Schultz and his mother Terry Papay. Their first venture was The Soiled Dove in 1997, forged from an historic LoDo warehouse on the corner of 20th and Market. Originally opened as a dueling piano bar, the Dove featured bands on an occasional basis. Soon, this concept became more popular than the pianos so the location was transformed into a live music format in 2000. The venue’s reputation in the music industry flourished.

The company’s growth and development is based on its Tavern concept. Each Tavern uniquely takes on the flavor and personality of the neighborhood in which it resides. Amenities weaving a common thread through all locations include spacious yet cozy lounges, fireplaces, outdoor patios, numerous HD TVs and high-end architectural features. Vital to the success of the brand are the high standards upheld for the fresh food and friendly service provided to guests.

Tavern Uptown was the first to make a mark on the city. During their quest for “an upscale neighborhood bar with great food”, the owners realized there was a market for such a place in Denver. They answered with Tavern Uptown at 17th and Pearl in 2002. It quickly became a favorite neighborhood gathering spot offering more than just food and drink. Locals flocked, hungry for a place they could call home after a long day’s work. A cozy fireplace, outdoor patio, pool room, miniature bowling alley, televised sports and trivia are popular attractions. Among other awards, Uptown has been voted “Top Singles Hangout” (Readers’ Choice) – 5280’s 2009 Top of the Town; “Best Outdoor Bar” by Citysearch and Westword; “Top Fireside Haunts” by The Denver Post; and “Best Bowling Alley in a Bar” by Westword.

Following Uptown’s success, Schultz and Papay continued the concept in 2006 by transforming The Soiled Dove into Tavern Downtown. By then, The Soiled Dove had outgrown its space and was encountering parking challenges and timeframe limitations during which concerts could be offered. The solution was to remodel the location into another tavern and eventually relocate the Dove. Catering to the young hip crowd and the post-sports event fans, Tavern Downtown offers a beautiful bar, huge fireplace and lounge area with HD TVs, game room, dining room and dance floor on its main level. More recently, Tavern Downtown received a facelift of its rooftop patio. The rooftop tripled in size from 3,500 to 11,000 square feet. It features two oversized bars, an indoor/outdoor patio space, 27 HD TVs, two HD projection screens and an outdoor fireplace. Recognized as one of “America’s 10 Best Rooftop Bars” – Wild Blue Yonder, 2010 ; “Top 10 Best Rooftops in America” by Playboy, “Top 10 Rooftops in the West” by Sunset and “Best Late Night Happy Hour” by Metromix, 2010, the rooftop patio overlooking Coors Field is a favorite for Denver residents and visitors.

Schultz responded to community requests in 2006 when choosing the new location for The Soiled Dove as well as the company’s next Tavern. In the heart of the new Lowry Landmark Urban Community, Tavern Lowry opened with The Soiled Dove Underground beneath it. Named “Best Bar in a Bar” – 5280’s 2007 Top of the Town, Tavern Lowry is a perfect place to meet friends or watch a game. Guests can unwind outside on the beautiful patio featuring a soothing waterfall or make themselves at home in the bar and lounge. Traditional and unique tavern fare is featured at this warm neighborhood spot.

The Soiled Dove Underground is a unique concert venue with a premium state-of-the-art custom sound system. With each seat no more than 45 feet from the stage, the Dove is Denver’s intimate concert experience. Long heralded as one of Denver’s premier locations to see a concert, The Soiled Dove Underground has won numerous awards, including “Top Bar for Live Music” (Readers’ Choice) – 5280’s 2009 Top of the Town; and Westword’s “Best Club Move”, “Best Intimate Concert Hall” and “Best Small Venue”. The Dove has a reputation for bringing quality acts to Denver including Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, John Mayer and the Indigo Girls. In addition to live music performances, the Dove is also known as a unique space for large private events.

In the summer of 2007, the owners purchased Cowboy Lounge which is adjacent to Tavern Downtown. With Denver’s rich history in cowboy lore, the Cowboy Lounge is a natural piece of LoDo’s character, bringing guests a mixture of both country and rock music. The atmosphere captures the true Wild West with its Western cowboy flare. Guests enjoy a DJ, spacious dance floor, three bars and numerous TVs. Cowboy Lounge was awarded “2008 Best Dance Club” – ABC Channel 7’s A-List, 2008.

Shortly thereafter, in the spring of 2008, Schultz and Papay built Tavern Tech Center in the heart of the Denver Tech Center. Accented with warm, rich interiors, fireplaces, cozy over-sized booths and several patios, this stunning space is a welcoming destination for both locals and visitors. The large rooftop patio, a first in the Denver Tech Center, has an amazing view and space for acoustic entertainment. Features include a game room with Thunderbowl mini lanes, shuffleboard and a pool table along with a dance floor and DJ on the weekends. Numerous 42” HD TVs make for a great place to watch sports. The eclectic American cuisine is infused with Asian, Mediterranean and Latin influences.

Tavern Wash Park opened in the fall of 2008 and is located in the historic Old South Gaylord district of Washington Park. It is unique to the other taverns in the Tavern Hospitality Group in that it is much smaller and more intimate. The interior is designed with high-end architectural features that highlight Tavern Hospitality Group’s Tavern brand. A warm mahogany bar accessible from all four sides is the centerpiece of Tavern Wash Park. Lending themselves to the cozy environment are an inviting fireplace and booth seating throughout the dining room. Numerous HD TVs abound to entice Denver’s sports fans. Guests can enjoy two patios, both of which can be enclosed during inclement weather. Tavern Wash Park was named “Top New Bar” (Readers’ Choice) – 5280’s 2009 Top of the Town.

Next in line was the renovation and expansion of the rooftop patio at Tavern Downtown. From the get-go, it was always apparent that the primary draw of Tavern Downtown was its rooftop. The purpose of their 2007 purchase of Cowboy Lounge was to ultimately extend the Tavern’s rooftop patio over the adjacent Cowboy Lounge. The project came to fruition as the remodeled patio was revealed the week before Rockies Opening Day in April 2010. The renovated rooftop patio tripled in size from 3,500 square feet to 11,000 square feet. The additional space vastly increased the amount of seating which is especially helpful on Rockies game days. The rooftop features two oversized bars accommodating over 20 bartenders, an indoor/outdoor patio space and an outdoor fireplace. Numerous HD TVs keep sports fans happy in addition to two 8’ projection screens on the rooftop patio.

In 2010, Schultz and the Papays purchased a building and adjacent vacant lot on the corner of Main Street and Curtice in the heart of quaint Historic Downtown Littleton. The location features an indoor/outdoor rooftop patio, a feature quickly becoming a signature component of THG’s Tavern brand. Tavern Littleton opened in May 2011.

THG’s Tavern concept is the heart and soul of the company. Each tavern uniquely takes on the flavor and personality of the neighborhood in which it resides. Amenities weaving a common thread through all locations include spacious yet cozy lounges, fireplaces, outdoor patios, and HD TVs. Several also include rooftop patios and game rooms with pool, shuffleboard and the ever-popular mini bowling lanes. A lot of thought is put into the design and details of each location, which is evident in the high-end architectural features. All locations have space available for private parties. With comfortable and unique settings, the private areas are perfect for social, corporate and charitable events. The Taverns have earned a reputation for high standards of fresh food, service and ambiance.

Frank Schultz and Terry Papay have found their niche in the Denver community. The Tavern Hospitality Group has become a vital piece of Denver’s personality.