3401 E Colfax

Colfax is about to welcome a new era where The Low Beam is set to take over the former Middleman space.

Middleman, which closed earlier this year after seven years, was a neighborhood favorite known for its craft cocktails, canned beer and shot specials, and the James Beard–nominated Misfit Snack Bar tucked inside. Its closure became a flashpoint in the conversation around Colfax’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, with co-owners citing major accessibility issues and declining sales during the prolonged construction.

At the time, a Westword article noted that new owners would keep the name and concept intact. But we’ve since learned the spot will reopen as The Low Beam, operated by The Make Regulars Group, the collective behind Horseshoe Lounge, Pairadice, Dew Drop Inn, Embassy Tavern, and Crow Bar.

Much of the original staff is expected to return, offering continuity for regulars while ushering in a refreshed chapter.

It’s a full-circle Colfax story. Middleman closed its doors after citing decreased sales tied to ongoing BRT construction, and now The Low Beam is stepping in while construction continues to impact foot traffic and test the patience of neighbors and business owners alike.

The space sits within the same building as Q House, which announced it will close this month due to rising costs and fewer visitors. Rather than a surge of new retail, this feels like a carefully timed reset: one venture closing as another takes its place, reflecting the constant push and pull of change along Colfax.

As Colfax transforms with long-term investment in transit and housing, the success of spots like The Low Beam will help determine whether the street’s character of scrappy resilience and creative nightlife endures.

*The Low Beam exterior signage photo is AI generated*