As the Colorado sports scene transitions into its offseason, bars like DNVR and Lady Justice Brewing in Denver are doubling down on a new trend: reality TV watch parties, particularly for popular dating shows like “Love is Blind.”
The growing popularity of these events is appealing to a diverse clientele, boosting sales at a time when traditional sports viewership may wane.
Lyndsey Spano, owner of DNVR, began hosting watch parties over the summer amidst the explosion of interest in shows like “Love Island USA.”
“‘Love Island’ was going on this summer, and we hosted the finale for that and the reunion, and those packed the place,” Spano shared.
The concept took off, especially as patrons began to inquire about “Love is Blind” following the announcement of the show’s Denver season.
Spano noted that hosting these events has broadened DNVR’s clientele, attracting people who may not typically frequent a sports bar.
“More and more people are finding out that DNVR is woman-owned, and they really want to support that,” she said.
With over 30 TVs available, DNVR offers an extensive lineup of programming, accommodating requests from guests including women’s sports, further diversifying their audience.
This strategy is particularly valuable for bars like DNVR that face challenges during summer months when Coloradoans prefer outdoor activities over indoor entertainment.
“Notoriously, bars and the restaurant biz in Denver are tough, because for us, we only have Rockies going on (over the summer), and that was a rough go this year,” Spano explained.
Married couple Stephanie Tran and Ryan Webster frequent DNVR and are enthusiastic supporters of the reality watch parties.
Tran expressed excitement over the increased female presence at the bar, saying, “I’ve never seen more girls here.”
Webster, who came primarily for the Avalanche preseason game, admitted he was also invested in “Love is Blind,” demonstrating how these events bridge different interests.
Tran recounted her experience, stating, “I’ve never been to a watch party that’s not sports-related before.”
At Lady Justice Brewing, the integration of reality TV watch parties coincides with the brewery’s introduction of sports viewership options for the first time.
Betsy Lay, co-founder and owner of Lady Justice, noted the shift as their brewery expanded into a larger space in Englewood earlier this year.
Initially focused on women’s sports—especially during a year highlighted by athletes like Caitlin Clark—Lady Justice was ready to explore new entertainment avenues after receiving enthusiastic feedback from patrons.
The brewery recently hosted a watch party for “Love is Blind,” which attracted a crowd that exceeded Lay’s expectations: “I didn’t recognize over half the crowd,” she said.
This new interest captures the attention of locals intrigued by the reality show and Denver’s representation on a national scale, making it a unique conversation starter for many attendees.
“There was excitement that Denver was on the map in a silly reality TV sort of way,” Lay observed.
The next viewing opportunities for “Love is Blind” season nine, which began airing on Netflix earlier in October, look to draw even larger crowds.
Lady Justice will host its free watch parties complete with bingo and brackets every Thursday at 6 p.m. through the month, while DNVR offers free Wednesday watch parties starting at 7 p.m.
Number 38, another Denver venue, is joining in the trend by hosting a free watch party this Wednesday at 6 p.m., which will feature cast member appearances.
These watch parties are not only about showcasing popular reality TV but also redefining the social landscape of traditional bar experiences in Denver, making room for diverse audience interactions across various interests, all while supporting local businesses.
As engagement in these events rises, they offer new avenues for patrons to connect, interact, and enjoy both reality TV and sports in a lively, communal atmosphere.
image source from：denverite
