Hi-Dive - Denver, CO (Nov '09-Feb '10)

Hi-Dive has consistently been voted the best rock club in Denver, CO. Inspired by years spent living in New York City and the amazing talent and creativity of Denver scenesters, the hi-dive has quickly become one of the most important venues in town and the only place for hip new bands to be heard./n/nHi-Dive has consistently been voted the best rock club in Denver, CO (see for yourself here).



The space now occupied by the Hi-Dive has had a varied and illustrious history. In the 1970's, the bar was called the Ellsworth Tavern. It was only one room and was one of many small dives located along Broadway from Second Avenue to Alameda. Broadway had been on the decline and cheap drinks attracted a fairly rough crowd.



The Eighties brought no relief. After the oil bust, many small businesses were forced to sell or simply went out of business. In 1983, two brothers bought the Ellsworth Tavern, cleaned it up and changed the name. They called their new bar Seven South. Their goal was to attract a more youthful clientele and get rid of the winos and bums that frequented the old establishment. Their plan worked. Seven South became a "cool" place for Capitol Hill residents, musicians and artists to hang out. But it was still only one room. The brothers had had their eyes on the space directly to the south of them for some time, and when the business there finally folded, they got an opportunity to expand. They broke through the wall and added a stage to the new and larger room.



Bands started playing seven south and the popularity of the place grew. Denver had few small venues to cater to emerging artists, but in a matter of a few short years, Seven South became the place to play and managed to stay on the cutting edge of music for nearly twenty years.



In 2000, Seven South was sold and turned in to a jam band club called Quixote's True Blue. Again, further expansion took place. The business to the north closed up and another wall was torn out. But the new club only lasted two years. The owner sold to focus attention on a bigger venue.



The Hi-Dive opened November 19, 2003 when a young couple purchased the business. Inspired by years spent living in New York City and the amazing talent and creativity of Denver scenesters, the hi-dive has quickly become one of the most important new venues in town and the only place for hip new bands to be heard and seen. Hi-Dive is predominantly a rock club, so please submit accordingly.



Awards:

Best rock club 2008 Westword Magazine

Best rock club 2006 Westword Magazine

Best rock club 2005 Westword Magazine

Best new club 2004 Westword Magazine



Some bands that have played: Gravy Train, Apollo Sunshine, Art Brut, Liars, Louis XIV, Enon, Black Mountain, Six Parts Seven, and many more.