The last time I visited Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, it was a restaurant that also hosted live music. Lisa Loeb was at the mic, and it was one of those nights when the past and present fold into each other. Hearing her sing “Stay” in an intimate setting was like a time machine to my teenage years, reminding me of the special magic venues like Ophelia’s bring to Denver. This isn’t just a city of fans; it’s a city of music lovers who value these live, unfiltered experiences.
This December, Ophelia’s enters a new chapter under the ownership of Eric Pirritt, founder of ENDIT Presents and a longtime fixture in Denver’s live music scene. A devoted fan himself, Pirritt has been attending shows here since the venue first opened in 2015. Now, after years as a Live Nation partner with the venue, he’s taking over from Justin Cucci and Edible Beats, who transformed the old adult bookstore into the boudoir-chic music haven we know today. It’s a club that he’s loved since day one—the nicest, best place to play a show, he says—and he’s excited to call it his own.
Keeping the spirit of Ophelia’s intact is key, and Pirritt has tapped Randall Frazier to oversee the booking and sound design. Frazier isn’t new to the space; he installed the original sound system and has engineered sound for venues from Levitt Pavilion to the Mercury Cafe. His philosophy: a wide-open booking approach where no genre is left behind. From indie rock to new wave, Frazier’s plan is simple—let the music, in all its forms, speak for itself.
The new era officially kicked off in October, and December’s lineup promises a memorable holiday season. Local favorite Wes Watkins, who originally played with Nathaniel Rateliff’s The Night Sweats, will lead an EP release party on December 6. Meanwhile, DeVotch-Ka’s early show on New Year’s Eve marks the 20th anniversary of their album How It Ends, an album that bridged punk, folk, and cinematic soundscapes and landed them on the soundtrack of Little Miss Sunshine. For longtime fans, this concert promises to be nothing short of a homecoming.
Throughout the month, Ophelia’s will host jazz and holiday brunches, proving once again why it’s a key player in Denver’s vibrant scene. Under Pirritt’s vision, the venue is set to hit new highs as it heads into 2025, amplifying the eclectic energy that keeps Denver’s music scene alive. In a city with no shortage of world-class music venues, Ophelia’s stands out as the place where you feel the music—not just in your ears but in the air itself.
