In November, Dean Ween revealed his plans to open the world’s first cannabis-friendly concert venue in Denver. Dubbed “Dean Ween’s Honeypot Lounge,” the concert space is set to open with an exclusive members-only event on Friday, April 5, followed by a general public opening the following day on Saturday, April 6.
Dean Ween’s Honeypot Lounge is placed on Denver’s famous “Green Mile,” a stretch of marijuana dispensaries in the southern part of the city. Officially titled Dean Ween’s Honeypot Lounge @ V&P, the venue will take over the Vape & Play on 1753 S. Broadway, which was granted an active cannabis social-use license from the Denver Department of Excise and License. As noted in initial reports, the Honeypot Lounge will allow patrons to bring in and consume their own legally purchased or homegrown cannabis. However, the venue will not sell marijuana or alcohol, though non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.
The space will be open seven days a week to guests over the age of 21, with nightly programming including live music, stand-up comedy and film screenings. Ongoing event series include Stoner Cinema, “Deaner’s Denver Jam,” The Devil’s Lettuce Comedy Show and The Saturday Morning Cartoons & Cannabis Jam. The lounge also has plans for additional one-off events, including the Mother’s Day Mad Tea Party and those built around TV and film themes.
The venue’s namesake, Mickey “Dean Ween” Melchiondo, helped curate the Honeypot Lounge’s music, decor and overall vibe. He is expected to make special appearances and book shows featuring old friends and touring partners spanning the constraints of genre. The venue also noted in a press release that Deaner “is committed to supporting and encouraging the area’s music and performing arts scenes by showcasing local talent.”
In a statement, Deaner elaborated on his goals for the new space:
Having traveled (and basically resided) in clubs, bars, and lounges for the past 30 years, I’ve always wanted to start my own club — a place that specifically caters to my personal tastes and a public hangout space designed in my model. … The HPL will be a geographic extension of my living room, my studio, and my man-cave. Being a man of impeccable tastes, I feel positive that it will serve your entertainment needs as well and make for a great hang. My mission statement and overall goal for the HPL is to re-create my personal happy place — rooms where there is something compelling available to touch, smell, stare at, or listen to at all times.
Daily passes to Dean Ween’s Honeypot Lounge cost $10, allowing entrance into the intimate lounge area featuring a “bong/rig library” and free video games. Weekly passes are available for $50, while monthly memberships cost $150 and also grant access to members-only events and early-bird and discounted tickets to premium and off-site events, in addition to receiving an exclusive t-shirt. Monthly memberships go on sale on Friday, March 22, and daily and weekly passes going on sale on April 1, will all passes available at a first-come-first-serve basis. Those holding monthly memberships will be guaranteed entrance to the venue’s grand opening celebration on April 5, as well as a VIP pre-party for the annual 4/20 Puff Ball.
