Oskar Blues Grill & Brew Closed Downtown Denver Location

The restaurant and its basement music venue have ceased operations after nearly nine years on Market Street.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Dining Out

Bold vector editorial illustration of a darkened brick storefront and empty street lamp, representing the closure of a local business. — Oskar Blues Grill & Brew has closed its Market Street restaurant and The Black Buzzard venue, ending a nine-year tenure in downtown Denver. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Oskar Blues Grill & Brew has officially shuttered its restaurant located at 1624 Market St. in downtown Denver. The closure also includes The Black Buzzard, a music and comedy venue that operated on the bottom floor of the building.

Why it matters

The closure removes a notable dining and entertainment anchor from the 16th Street Mall area. The loss of both the restaurant and its performance space marks a significant change for the downtown corridor's local business landscape.

The restaurant occupied a 10,000-square-foot space at 1624 Market St., while The Black Buzzard venue utilized 5,500 square feet below. The site had been in operation for nearly nine years following its December 2017 opening.

The players

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

This established restaurant brand known for its craft beer and casual dining served as the primary tenant of the 1624 Market St. location.

The Black Buzzard

Operating on the building's bottom floor, this venue hosted various music and comedy performances for local audiences.

The details

Staff at the establishment confirmed the end of operations by posting a sign on the door of the building. The move marks the end of the location's tenure after originally committing to a 10-year lease agreement for the downtown site.

December 2017: The restaurant opened its doors at 1624 Market St.
Oct. 1, 2026: The establishment served its final customers before closing.

Culture Shift

This closure reflects broader shifts in urban commercial viability as downtown corridors adapt to changing consumer habits and occupancy trends. The departure of high-profile entertainment and dining destinations highlights a continuing evolution in how city centers attract evening foot traffic.

Patrons and regular visitors to the 16th Street Mall area will need to find alternative venues for dining and live entertainment. The closure of these adjacent businesses may also alter the nighttime atmosphere for others living or working in the immediate downtown neighborhood.

The takeaway

The departure of this multi-level restaurant and performance space emphasizes the volatility of high-rent downtown districts. Frequent visitors to the area should keep an eye on upcoming commercial vacancy reports to see which new businesses may eventually occupy the large vacant building.