Though headquartered in California, hospitality group Pouring with Heart has earned quite the local following. Many drinkers are familiar with its Denver concepts, including whiskey lounge Seven Grand in Ballpark, party-centric Bonded in RiNo, and one of the most beautiful bars on Larimer Square, Emerald Eye. And now, there’s Good Luck Club, which just opened on South Broadway.
Though each of its outposts vary, all share the core fundamentals of collaboration and camaraderie. Ben Hamilton, general manager of the group’s new bar, summarized its ethos: “It really just comes down to community, figuring out how we fit in with the neighborhood’s vibe.”
The new Y2K-themed bar blends seamlessly with the offbeat strip’s vintage racks and record stores. But unlike gritty dives nearby, Good Luck Club leans into a more playful feel and comforting nostalgia. Here’s what we saw and sipped on a recent visit.
A Celebration of Y2K Pop Culture
Spanning from the late ‘90s to the early 2000s, the glittering Y2K era was defined by the rise of dial-up internet, flip phones, pop star music videos, and peak mall culture. With nostalgic elements in every corner, Good Luck Club captures the zeitgeist of the time, yet also taps into today’s analog trend.
Board games and vintage comic books stock the shelves, and guests insert tokens into the custom photo booth. Many also sink into comfy couches surrounding the (surprisingly working) tube TV, which is connected to a Nintendo 64. The video game collection has more than a dozen classics, including Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Super Smash Bros.
Disconnect the console to pop in one of its DVDs or VHS tapes, and snack on popcorn from its old-fashioned machine while watching Legally Blonde and more favorites from the era.
Neon lava lamps and strung-up twinkle lights channel the energy of Millennials’ teenage bedrooms. This sleepover aesthetic continues into the women’s restroom, where a kaleidoscopic lounge features a chunky boombox and cache of CDs, with albums from Lillix and Avril Lavigne.
The throwback playlist at Good Luck Club spans a range of genres, with sing-along hits like “Stacy’s Mom” rolling into “Jump” and “Got Your Money.” Soon, the bar will host live DJ sets late on Friday and Saturday nights, along with Y2K trivia every Tuesday.
“We really think that right now, nostalgia is what people are yearning for,” said Hamilton, adding that Good Luck Club is a space to “have connection with people around you, instead of being attached to so much technology and screens.” There’s better things to reach for than your phone anyway, given the bar’s selection of solid craft cocktails.
Classic Cocktails with a Nostalgic Twist
Similar to the bar’s atmosphere, the menu at Good Luck Club doesn’t take itself too seriously. Playful garnishes and cheeky names make the drinks feel approachable, yet they feature the same level of craft as any Pouring with Heart concept.
“Our menu is unique in the sense that everything is rooted in a classic cocktail, but with a little nostalgic twist,” explained Hamilton. “Teddygram. for example, is our riff on a classic old fashioned. But instead of your standard whiskey and sugar, we’re doing a graham cracker-infused demerara with a little bit of allspice.”
The warmth of the ingredients aim to be reminiscent of bonfires and summer camp. This sort of nostalgia weaves through every cocktail, and in ways that resonate with multiple generations. Though not all patrons were old enough to drink in the Y2K era, some recall the notorious popularity of the appletini.
Still fluorescent green but not as sickly sweet, the version from Good Luck Club, dubbed Apple Bottom Jeans ($13), features vodka from Loveland-based Spring44, apple liqueur, cider cordial, and a bitter herb infusion. Younger guests may not recognize this drink as a throwback, but will be charmed by the barrel monkey hanging off the rim, holding onto an Apple Jacks cereal loop.
Hamilton’s personal favorite is the Burner Phone ($13), a smoky take on a paloma that blends Illegal mezcal with grapefruit-cinnamon cordial and a splash of soda. Housemade pink peppercorn Tajín and a grapefruit peel garnish complete the drink.
When visiting, be sure to ask about weekly cocktail specials, courtesy of the talented bartenders on staff. Good Luck Club also serves a curated selection of beer, wine, and zero-proof options, including the Sandy Cheeks mocktail ($8) made with Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer.
For those craving a late-night bite, a rotating selection of food trucks will be stationed on its patio on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to midnight. The line-up includes Abbiocco Italian Street Food, Chito Tex Mex, Empanadas Peru Flavors, Samos Grill, and more.
Visit Good Luck Club from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Monday through Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sunday. 1350 S. Broadway, Denver, goodluckdenver.com
