We are in the old Funky Buddha space, which was a pretty predominant, straight nightclub 10 to 15 years ago. So, we are really offering a multi-use space here, but our biggest highlight is, we have one of the nicest rooftop bars here in Denver. We have poker nights, trivia nights, drag shows, and we added a pool table.
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We also have a full dance floor, so we have the capability to bring in DJs. “We are kind of a video bar with various themes. “Down in our main bar, we do a lot of music videos,” Maglasang says. When Maglasang and Minten were in the beginning stage of constructing Denver Sweet, they envisioned a bar and nightclub offering two floors of entertainment. “We are many things, and our guiding principle here is to serve the bear community and be all-inclusive to everyone.”ĭenver Sweet was immediately embraced by the community.
“Anybody we bring in here to work has to understand that our culture is inclusive,” Minten adds. We offer a very friendly and welcoming environment. That is our new mantra, and since we have opened, we have really broken that stigma. One that is with the community and stands forward with that and works together. “Especially being DJs, we work with a lot of people in the community as entertainers, so we really wanted to change that dynamic and set a new precedent for the bear bar. “We knew this, but that is not mine or Randy’s culture,” Maglasang says. Maglasang and Minten’s goal is to be the complete opposite. In the past, Denver bear bars have been known to be sexist, transphobic, and unpleasant. We wanted to be the bear bar that is involved with the community, gets involved with different cultures, and provides a very friendly and welcoming place for all.” We felt that there were a lot of good takeaways with the Wrangler for many years, so we really wanted to capture some of those good elements and make it even better. “The owner let us take it, and we gave the logo and branding a total uplift. “We really loved the branding around Sweet, so we asked the former owner of the Wrangler if we could take Sweet and make it our own and make it even better to be an actual bar,” Maglasang explains. They would have various themes with the honey paw logo. Sweet was a signature dance party that the Wrangler used to do monthly. Randy and I at the time were resident DJs over at the Wrangler, so that kind of gave us a push to pursue opening Denver Sweet.” The Denver Wrangler was the predominant bear bar for 21 years, and when they closed, it left a big void here in the Denver nightclub scene. “Randy and I wanted to open a bear bar back into the Denver community. “We are a bear-inspired, LGBTQ-friendly bar that is always welcoming,” Maglasang says. According to a Facebook post, reopening was a success.ĭenver Sweet was first introduced last year during Memorial Day weekend. Owners Ken Maglasang and Randy Minten were excited to welcome patrons back to Denver’s only bear bar over Pride weekend.