Pete’s Satire Lounge has one of the best, most-famous, Googie-style
signs in Denver! The snaking arrow and the martini glass are a joy to
look at, day or night.

Pete Contos is well-known for his great Denver restaurants, most featuring
delicious Greek food. My personal favorite is Pete’s Gyro’s Place.

Pete’s Satire Lounge opened in 1962, but I think it opened as The Satire as far back as 1959. Bob Dylan played here prior to his move to New York in early 1961 and signing with Columbia Records.

The Satire was part of Denver’s burgeoning folk scene along with The Exodus (now gone), as both clubs were booked by Walt Conley. Aside from Bob Dylan, he booked early folk talent like local singer Judy Collins, Pat Paulsen & Bob Gibson.

The Smothers Brothers were discovered clowning around here at The Satire
by Mercury Records, who then shipped them out to play The Purple Onion in San Francisco. In fact, Dylan’s performances at The Satire were as an opening act
for the Smothers Brothers!

Bob Dylan then left Denver after getting in trouble for stealing a bunch of Walt Conley’s record albums!