Throughout her life, Christina Alonzo has had a love for blues music.
One of her first favorite artists was Buddy Guy, an exponent of Chicago blues music who went on to influence other artists like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, and others. She has also admired other blues artists including Beth Hart and Janis Joplin. And after wrapping up work on the 2020 U.S. Census, Alonzo was ready to combine the music she grew up loving with tequila. So, on May 5, she opened Tequila Blues in Denver.
Located at 3701 W. 32nd Ave., Tequila Blues is a blues music tequila themed bar. Tequila Blues shares a space with Shawn Manzanares Highland Cork and Café. The café stays open during the day, but in the afternoon, Tequila Blues operates in the space.
“All of our drinks are named after blues musicians. The idea is to satisfy your palate and love of blues music one drink and song at a time”, said Alonzo.
When Alonzo began preparing her tequila menu, she researched famous blues musicians’ favorite drinks. For example, Guy’s favorite drink was Hennessee. But rather than serving Hennessee, Alonzo created the “Buddy Guy” or Tequila Blues’ house margarita. Other drinks named after blues musicians on her menu include “The Harplin,” a drink named after Beth Hart and Janis Joplin that comes with a shot of Southern Comfort or made with tequila. She also has a margarita named after her mother called the ”Prescilla Azul.”
Tequila Blues carries Lunazul Tequila and Tequila Ocho. Lunazul’ batches are distilled and aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels while Tequila Ocho is described as an exploration of the concept of terroir, according to the bar’s website.
“I was not going to sell tequilas that were owned by any of the celebrity spokespeople that don’t know a lot about tequila and just having enough to buy their own brand. I wanted to focus on indigenous owners and make sure the tequila I sold focused on helping people in areas that are the real experts in tequila making,” said Alonzo.
Tequila Blues has a patio space and is planning to regularly offer live music throughout the summer. And of course, the bar is constantly playing classic blues tunes.
“This is a new concept that has not been tried much across the country or in Colorado. It’s a concept that we hope will make it easier for small business owners to partner up,” said Alonzo.
“It’s two women trying to help each other be successful,” Alonzo explained. “This idea is something that I kind of toyed with and developed and was lucky enough to find someone who was interested in me being her partner in the evening.”
Tequila Blues is open Tuesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Information about the bar can be found at tequila-blues.com or by calling 720-675-1484.
