We’ve all needed a little liquid courage at one time or another — now downtown has a whole bar dedicated to it. Liquid Courage, a new karaoke bar, recently opened in the former Bell Brothers Brewing space, turning the spot into a stage for anyone bold enough to belt out Bon Jovi after a cocktail or two.
Liquid Courage is the latest in local restaurateur Joe Campana’s portfolio, which includes The Rabbit Hole, Bonny & Read, Cork & Cask, Shame & Regret, Shrunken Head Tiki Bar and Crooked Cue. The new bar pairs karaoke with the sense of community that has become a hallmark of his businesses.
At the front of the house is General Manager Lena Gaxiola who worked her way up through the Campana family of concepts. She began at Stir Coffee & Cocktails as a barista and bartender, later took on shifts at Nova West in Old Colorado City, and eventually stepped into leadership with Liquid Courage.
Her own trajectory, she says, speaks to why Campana’s restaurants have become anchors in Colorado Springs nightlife. “Joe is a great leader. He oversees operations but also isn’t afraid to jump in and help out,” she explains. “Our community of employees is not only friendly but experienced, and there are real opportunities for growth. If you work hard, you get rewarded.”
Inside Liquid Courage, karaoke takes center stage every night from 7 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. The focus is less about perfect pitch and more about connection. “Being downtown allows us to welcome diverse communities from all over the Springs,” Gaxiola says. “This is a place where people don’t just have fun — they connect. Plus, we have hotdogs.”
Those hotdogs aren’t an afterthought. Each night ends with “Glizzy Power Hour,” a tongue-in-cheek special that offers hot dogs for $1 apiece. Gaxiola laughs when describing it, but the late-night tradition has quickly become part of the bar’s personality.
The drink menu leans into the playful vibe as well, with cocktails that double as conversation starters. One standout is A Little Less Conversation, a refreshing mix of vodka, triple sec, lime juice and soda water with a blackberry float and a dash of orange bitters. Like many of Campana’s cocktail lists across his concepts, the titles range from witty to a little risqué — with names that can make you blush, giggle or both.
Alongside karaoke and glizzies, the team is rolling out themed nights and new drink specials shaped by community feedback. “Since we’re still new, we’re listening to what people want and building on that,” Gaxiola says.
114 N. Tejon St
@liquidcouragecos
