Downtown Colorado Springs welcomed a new sports bar this week when a Denver-based chain established its first foothold in the city, choosing a prominent address along the main downtown corridor.
Stoney's Bar & Grill began serving customers Tuesday morning at 118 N. Tejon St., occupying space within the historic DeGraff building. The brand moved into square footage that had gone dark after Oskar Blues Grill & Brew shuttered abruptly on the last day of December. The Downtown Partnership merchant group announced that a ribbon-cutting event is set for 10 a.m. on Friday.
Owner Stoney Jesseph and co-founder Will Trautman signed a 10-year lease covering 15,000 square feet across the DeGraff building's ground floor and lower level. Jesseph said in a statement that "we're incredibly excited to bring the tried-and-true Stoney's experience to Downtown Colorado Springs," describing the space as having "a great history as a place where people come together" and expressing eagerness to welcome "fans, neighbors, workers, and visitors" through the doors.
The launch coincides with the start of football season, and the co-owners had previously noted that an upgraded audiovisual system was installed to support the immersive atmosphere the concept is known for. Every Stoney's location features dozens of high-definition screens and access to all sports packages. The company also intends to establish the Colorado Springs bar as the official downtown watch party destination for certain college programs and NFL fan groups, with specifics still to come.
The North Tejon address represents the chain's fifth location, with three others operating in Denver and one in Winter Park. It enters a downtown market that already includes several sports-focused establishments, and it follows another Denver-originated concept, The Sportsbook Bar & Grill, which began operating at the Springhill Suites by Marriott on the southern stretch of Tejon Street in June.
The food menu combines familiar bar offerings — tenders, wings, fries, nachos, and burgers — with less expected items such as a birria grilled cheese, a Korean chicken sandwich, a honey sriracha salmon bowl, and vegan and vegetarian selections. Beyond sports, the venue plans to stage live entertainment, trivia nights, rotating daily specials, and seasonal events, including a pumpkin-carving gathering already on the fall calendar.
Downtown Partnership CEO Chelsea Gondeck called Stoney's "a natural fit for downtown and for this location," saying it represents more than somewhere to have a drink or catch a game, and that the bar aligns with what makes Tejon Street work — bringing people together to socialize, enjoy music, and watch sports — especially as football season takes hold.
The specific college programs and NFL supporter groups that will use Stoney's as their official Colorado Springs watch party venue have not yet been announced.