Belly Up to the Bar
Take one step inside Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers and you’ll get a whiff of fresh-cut wood and your eyes will dance from the unique setup to the shiny floors and a touch of Americana from the flags adorning the walls. Located on Bass Pro Drive next to Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, this is not your typical live concert venue, and that’s a good thing because that’s exactly what the owner, J.W. Roth, was going for when he envisioned this project.
Roth loves music, all kinds, but mostly classic rock ‘n’ roll, and he wanted to build a midsized venue that he and his wife and friends would be comfortable coming to for a concert, and that meant doing things a lot differently. "This is an intimate venue that will remind you of home," says Brock Matthews, president of Bourbon Brothers Entertainment. "We are all about trying to create a memorable experience for our guests."
The building has a seating capacity of 1,200, but the sweet spot is about 480 with seating at spacious, square high-top tables for eight and plenty of room to move around. Matthews explains that the tables were designed to promote conversation at the table and among neighboring tables but also to give each person a fair amount of space while dining. A wood dance floor flanks the large stage, and higher, gabled ceilings house high-tech equipment that promotes the best acoustics for the hall.
A 100-foot, full-service wood bar beckons you to belly up, prop a boot on the footrest, and strike up a conversation without having to wrangle an awkward bar stool. And if that’s not enough to make you feel at home, step outside to the massive patio where comfy furniture, big-screen televisions, and fire pits welcome more conversation, relaxation, and enjoying the unobstructed mountain views.
Since its opening in February 2019, the venue has hosted artists from all genres, including country, rock, blues, and comedy, special events for corporations and even a local high school prom. Matthews says they have plans for other special offerings, including an upcoming Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve party. And partnerships are still being formed with booking agents and entertainment companies, so they can reach their goal of having business at the venue four to five days per week.
"This is a very versatile facility," he says. "We have a high-definition digital wall for displaying content, a self-playing baby grand piano for background music, and we can host anything from weddings to events that require filming. When you book with us, you book the building including bar, food, AV, cameras, and digital equipment."
Still, music and high-touch service remain the focus, and Matthews says Boot Barn Hall is garnering attention from neighboring states. "We are starting to see some cross-market traffic from Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Wyoming," he says. "If folks are coming though Colorado, this is an attractive stop to take in a concert."
Although food offerings are prepared at the neighboring Bourbon Brothers restaurant, Boot Barn Hall has its own menu that can be ordered individually or family-style for the table. Barbeque is the main theme, including pulled pork, Black Angus brisket, and smoked sausage with traditional sides, such as baked beans, slaw, and potato salad. And an outdoor pizza oven, run by Walter’s Wood-Fired Pizza, serves up 11-inch personal pies in flavors including "The JW," a pepperoni, salami, and meatball pizza; "The Pitmaster," a BBQ weekly special; and classic offerings including cheese and pepperoni. Hand-crafted cocktails include an old fashioned, Rocky Mountain margarita, country cosmo, and southern sangria to name a few.
The friendly environment is also working for the talent. Matthews says it is not unusual for a performer to come out and mingle with concertgoers before the performance even though there is a well-appointed and comfortable room backstage to accommodate preconcert needs. "This is a safe and secure building for audiences of different demographics," Matthews says. "We are promoting an atmosphere where people can let loose, relax, and enjoy the evening, and the intimate setting allows the performing artist to also feel comfortable and enjoy the experience."
In addition to comedians Jeff Allen and Sam Adams, who are both scheduled to perform at Boot Barn Hall in November, Matthews says we can expect to enjoy legendary acts from traditional country to classic rock ‘n’ roll throughout 2020. And rounding out the schedule will be bands that Matthews calls diamonds in the rough. "These are bands that are gaining exposure and popularity in other parts of the country," he says. "We want to route them through our venue, too."
For the most current information on performances and tickets, visit bootbarnhall.com or sign up for their newsletter to be notified first about upcoming acts.
Boot Barn Hall by Bourbon Brothers and Box Office
13071 Bass Pro Drive / 719.401.0600 / bootbarnhall.com
