Ophelia's Electric Soapbox

Ophelia's Electric Soapbox is a multilevel restaurant and live-music venue at 1215 20th Street in Denver’s Ballpark neighbourhood. It opened in April 2015, serving eclectic American food alongside performances. The venue occupies the ground floor and basement of the Airedale Building, a three-storey Queen Anne-style landmark designed by Fredrick Carl Eberley.

Built in 1889 as Kopper’s Hotel and Saloon, the building was later renamed Airedale. Its upper floors have housed hotels, boarding rooms and a hostel; the ground floor has been used for saloons, beer bottling, an adult bookstore and an arcade. Ophelia’s has two music levels, with the stage downstairs and the restaurant above, and a stated capacity of 425. Its original sound system was designed and installed by engineer Randall Frazier. Renovations in 2022 expanded the downstairs concert area, shifted the bar and added dance-floor space, alongside sound and lighting upgrades.

Live bands and DJ sets feature local and touring performers. Artists who have played there include LTJ Bukem and Luke the Knife. The venue became a full-time music operation for its tenth anniversary. After closing during the COVID-19 shutdown, it reopened in April 2022; Eric Pirritt bought it in August 2024, and it reopened that October following sound-system work.