For 20 years, Andy Schneidkraut, owner of Albums on the Hill, has been known by residents and students alike as the local music connoisseur in the know.
These days he is focusing on a new endeavor on the Hill. Next door to Albums in the space that used to house the popular bar and music venue Gramazios, Schneidkraut has opened up the Albums Bistro. The restaurant offers basic barbeque fare, burgers, sausages and a full bar.
The food is good and Schneidkraut says the menu will soon be expanded, but the main draw of the joint is the art and music scene happening every night of the week.
On Tuesday, there is a bluegrass pick led by Doug Baker of Mumbouli, Wednesday is open-mic poetry, Thursday is stand-up comedy, Friday and Saturday is live music, and Sunday is hip-hop night. Monday will soon be a cappella night, featuring different CU a cappella groups.
Schneidkraut says his main goal for Albums Bistro is “to provide a hospitable atmosphere for both a young and older crowd.” This means most of the events that take place every night start at 7 p.m. or earlier to accommodate both the high school crowd, which is not allowed in bars after 9 p.m., and older citizens who might not dig waiting till 10 p.m. to see live music.
This past Wednesday afternoon, the Albums Bistro hosted a happy hour with a performance by Kill Hannah before the band’s show at the Boulder Theater. Many high school kids showed up to hang out and get autographs, which might not have been possible in other venues because of age restrictions.
The interior of Albums Bistro is painted white and adorned with art portraying rock ‘n’ roll legends. On one side of the restaurant is a well-sized bar, while the other side features the small stage and dining area. The restaurant – like its music store brother – feels like a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history, and since Schneidkraut only books bands that play original music, it very well might be someday.
