1up Arcade Bar has closed its original location on Blake Street in Denver's Lower Downtown district to move to a new venue.

The closure marks the end of an era for a business that helped pioneer the arcade bar concept in the region. As a landmark of the LoDo entertainment scene, the venue's relocation reflects shifting commercial dynamics within the city's urban core.

The owners said that the business is relocating to continue operations in a new space. The company plans to open a new location in the Belmar shopping district later this year [1], [2].

This move comes after the establishment spent 15 years [3] at the Blake Street site. When it first opened, the arcade bar was the first of its kind in Colorado [3]. The venue became known for blending classic gaming with a social bar atmosphere, drawing crowds to the Lower Downtown area for over a decade.

While the original doors have shut, the transition to the Belmar district represents a strategic shift in geography. The Belmar area offers a different demographic and shopping environment compared to the dense, urban layout of LoDo. The owners said they intend to maintain the brand's identity while adapting to the new surroundings of the shopping district [1], [4].

Details regarding the exact opening date for the Belmar location have not been specified beyond the general timeframe of later this year [1], [2]. The business has not released further details regarding the specific layout or game selection for the upcoming site.

“1up Arcade Bar has closed its original location on Blake Street”

The relocation of a pioneer business from LoDo to the Belmar shopping district suggests a migration of entertainment hubs away from the traditional downtown center toward mixed-use retail environments. This move may reflect broader trends in Denver's commercial real estate, where businesses seek areas with different accessibility or foot-traffic patterns to sustain long-term growth.