Stoney's, the Denver-born sports-and-music bar, is suiting up for a big move into downtown Colorado Springs, taking over the former Oskar Blues space on North Tejon Street. The owners have inked a long-term deal for the address and expect to be pouring beers, serving bar food, and airing live games by the first week of the NFL season, filling a prominent vacancy in the DeGraff Building.
Co-owner Chris Jesseph and partner Will Trautman signed a 10-year lease and told BusinessDen they are aiming to have the space ready in time for football season. Trautman said, "This looks exactly like a Stoney’s," while Jesseph told the outlet that their Denver locations were profitable early on as they grew the brand. The plan is a packed sports calendar layered over a familiar bar-focused menu.
Former Oskar Blues Space
The 118 N. Tejon address housed Oskar Blues Grill & Brew until it closed at the end of 2025, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. The Gazette reported that the venue occupied about 15,600 square feet after it converted the old Old Chicago space in 2017, and that managers pointed to pandemic-era pressures and nearby construction as reasons why continued operations were no longer sustainable. Building owners told the paper they were searching for partners who could re-energize the block.
A Denver Brand Moves South
Stoney's currently runs multiple Colorado locations, including its original downtown bar at 1111 Lincoln St., a Sloan's Lake spot, and an Uptown outpost, according to Stoney's Bar & Grill. The concept leans heavily on big TV walls, live music, and a bar-forward menu, a formula the owners say should carry over to the Springs. That local track record is part of why landlords saw Stoney's as a good fit for the DeGraff Building.
Lease Terms And Timeline
The partners signed a 10-year lease for roughly 15,000 square feet at 118 N. Tejon, split about evenly between two floors, BusinessDen reports. Trautman told the outlet he views Colorado Springs as a more business-friendly environment and that the build-out will stay close to Stoney's recognizable look and layout. If everything comes together on schedule, the bar expects to host its first big football watch parties by early fall.
What To Watch Next
Building owners have said the DeGraff Building remains a key downtown property and that they are exploring partners who can bring fresh concepts to the site, the Gazette reported. The arrival of a Denver operator already seasoned in running high-capacity sports bars could help steady foot traffic as Tejon Street revitalization work winds down. Expect permits, construction updates, and hiring news to surface through the summer as the build-out gets underway.
