More than a bar, an interior crowning affair

Sure, you can easily go to the 415,000-square-foot IKEA store that just opened in Centennial, but what’s the fun in having something that everyone else has?

There’s a new queen on South Broadway, and that’s the Black Crown Lounge. The snazzy piano bar opened in May, featuring classic ambiance with gorgeous and over-the-top decor (most of which is for sale), coupled with strong signature drinks, live entertainment and cozy vignettes that beg for intimate conversation. So, if you’re in the market for having a great night out while also finding one-of-a-kind treasures, then this is the place to be.

With nearly 5,000 square feet of space, including two large patios, a bar area, a “living room” with baby grand piano, and an upstairs game gallery and VSP (very special people) lounge, the Black Crown Lounge offers plenty of room to mix and mingle while also showcasing unique decor. The lounge, which is co-owned by Mark Cameron (general manager), Brian Grace (retail and ambiance manager), Scott Pouland (bar manager) and Wil Stafford (finance manager), has been in the development stages since Cameron closed the doors to Ruins Etc. six years ago. Some of the items for sale at the Black Crown Lounge even came from Ruins.

“Brian always wanted to have something where you have a great chandelier or a great piece of furniture, and you put a price tag on it, which married really well with my background in retail,” Cameron said. “It helps us to keep things fresh. If you sell something, you have to replace it. The place is always changing. There’s also something neat about sitting there with a cocktail and saying, ‘I really like that chandelier or that mirror or whatever, and I can take that home!’”

Most of the objects found at the Black Crown Lounge are traditional and eclectic. In fact, the owners love to reinvent uses for found items. That’s what makes the items so unique. So when you find yourself on a shopping spree after a few drinks, you’ll be happy to discover objects that will add contrast to the more contemporary (IKEA-ish) pieces in your home.

For example, an ornate mirror or a glimmering decorative lamp can really add a special touch to your home. “You don’t want things to be too matchy-matchy like it all came from [the same place],” Cameron said. “Instead, you want your home to look like you actually picked some of the pieces elsewhere. I think people should pick things that they like, and they shouldn’t worry about what other people might think. If it’s things you enjoy living with, that’s what’s going to make you happy. You want your personality to show through.”
Because of the retail element at the Black Crown Lounge, the owners found the former Café Cero space on Antique Row to be the perfect setting for their new concept. “We looked at a lot of spaces around town, and we originally tried to stay in Capitol Hill,” Cameron said. “When we walked in here, we realized this was it. The streets have all been redone along this section of South Broadway, and it’s just beautiful here now. It’s perfect for us because a lot of the businesses here close at 5:30, so there are no parking issues in the evenings.”

The Black Crown Lounge is located at 1446 S. Broadway. On the Web at http://blackcrownlounge.com or call 720-353-4701.