“Newgrass” bar taking over for Sancho’s Broken Arrow on Colfax

As the founder of a local billiards league, Patrick McNally has spent innumerable hours in bars shooting pool and drinking beer. So much so, that he noticed a niche of consumers that could use a space dedicated to their interests – namely, fans of newgrass music.

“We go out to these places and these jukeboxes just don’t have our music on there. You know, we like to listen to Billy Strings, we like to listen to Kitchen Dwellers, Fruition, Old Crow Medicine Show, and even some of the local bands like Tenth Mountain Division, Clay Street Unit,” McNally said. “Denver really needed to have a place for people who like that kind of music to gather.”

McNally, along with seven partners, is now on a mission to build that place. Yonder Bar, coming to 741 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, is expected to open in early 2024, and when it does newgrass fans will find an endless supply of ear candy thanks to a CD-powered jukebox featuring albums from the genre’s best national and local artists.

For the uninitiated, co-owner Josh Kravette describes newgrass as bluegrass music with modern influences from jazz, funk, jam, electronic music and other genres.

With an area for bands to perform, Yonder Bar’s owners hope to be a welcome addition to Colfax Avenue’s already thriving music scene. The 2,500-square-foot venue can hold about 130 people.

“We’re right next to The Fillmore, down the street from The Ogden, all these places for music. We definitely want to be a stop for people on their way there or on their way back,” Kravette said.