Bunzy’s & Booze Bi-Weekly Open Mic | Fridays

Mad Indie Media sat down with Mario Ortivez, purveyor of the bi-weekly open mic at Bunzy’s & Booze in Colorado Springs, CO. Since in October 2023 this open mic has featured music & comedy every other Friday. 

What began as a 2019 news year resolution to learn guitar turned into a journey in learning and connecting with a community. Learning guitar while teaching abroad in Spain, Mario borrowed his roommates guitar, under the stipulation that he would record and document his learning process and began teaching himself guitar. Mario vows to never again re-watch his first open mic performance. 

Along with learning the instrument came a thriving community of artists, Ortivez recalls attending open mics at venues such as Arena and Craft Bar which felt like a safe haven for performers. Unfortunately the pandemic and Spain’s strict reactions during that time would bring about the end of Mario’s tenure in Spain.

Not wanting to live in what sounds like total lock down with police patrolling the streets, Mario returned to Colorado Springs. With fond memories of the Barcelona open mic days began seeking out events in the area. Stumbling upon the Wednesday night open mic at Jive’s Coffee Lounge hosted by Poet North Star, Ortivez thrived on the sense of community involved in these events. 

“An Open mic is a chill environment, it’s like practice…this is the place to mess up, people are still going to hype you up, people are still going to love it”

Said Ortivez. The next occurrence of this open mic takes place on Friday, March 22nd with sign up beginning at 5:30 PM and the show starting at 6:00. In addition to hosting open mics, Bunzy & Booze also hosts a variety of musical acts. 

Upcoming shows at Bunzy & Booze:

March 15th: Front Range Hwy (6:00 pm – 9:00 pm) 

March 16th: Sebie and Tracey, (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm)

March 22nd: Open mic (sign ups – 5:30 pm, | show 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

March 23rd: Ukelady, (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm)

Bunzy’s and Booze offers a variety of drinks including locally made seltzers from Mash Mechanix Brewing Co. A bunzy is similar to bierocks or pasty. B&B’s offers a breakfast line of bunzy’s, typically covered with green chili, pork green chili or vegan chili. Bunzy’s & Booze also offers 4 vegan bunzy options as well as pizzas.  Owner, Nicole Martinez will be celebrating 3 years of B&Bs April 1st 2024.

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