Herman’s Hideaway on South Broadway, a mere five-minute drive from the University of Denver campus, is transforming into a Latin dance club, Coco Bongos. Generations of DU students and graduates drank beer and listened to emerging bands like Dave Matthews, Phish, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Jane’s Addiction, and thousands of other groups at the local dive. The cozy bar was surrounded by antique stores and boutique shops and located on a commercial strip (now referred to as The Green Mile because of the numerous pot shops that have cropped up along SoBo -South Broadway).
DU students may remember late nights listening to the local Denver group Big Head Todd & the Monsters, college jam, alternative rock bands, women’s wrestling, k-pop, ‘tribute nights’ and stand-up comedy with a low cover ($8), live entertainment and cheap drinks.
The dim lighting, small stage and musty old building gave patrons an up close and personal feeling, like listening to a house band in your basement. Unfortunately, recent upgrades to the lighting, green room upgrades, and sound systems improvements did little to lift the business’ prospects. Mike Roth, the second-generation bar proprieter and Herman’s Legacy LLC ownership group put the bar on the market earlier this year.
Hermans Hideaway operated for over 65 years between father and son operations and served generations of DU students and grads. However, changing demographics and tastes were the death knell for the format. The venue director for Herman’s told The Denver Post, “We struggled with attendance and bar sales last year. We’re proud of what we did, but in the short term it was extremely costly, and this concept was for the long term.”
Herman’s Hideaway originally was run by Roth’s grandfather in 1962 as a “beer and a shot joint” serving a number Gates Tire and Rubber workers. However, the location transformed multiple times during the years but found its footing when Allen Roth began hosting emerging bands in the 80’s.
Another chapter closes on a south Denver business and a new chapter begins.
Owner’s want money, not culture or live music!
Patrons want live music and great drink specials! I remember several Halloween and New Year Eve events that other venues couldn’t come close to! Thanks for all the great times! P-nuckle was my favorite band to watch! Godspeed Herman’s Hideaway!