So Many Roads Brewery, a popular music venue and brewery in Denver, Colorado, has closed permanently after co-founder Jay Bianchi was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The closure comes in the wake of recent allegations, including an assault that reportedly took place at the brewery earlier this month.
Owned by Tyler Bishop, who severed ties with Bianchi, So Many Roads Brewery had been the subject of police stings and assault allegations in the past. The establishment, which also served as a Grateful Dead memorabilia museum and arcade, had faced multiple closures and settlements due to incidents involving underage alcohol and cocaine sales.
Despite a brief shutdown mandated by the Department of Excise and Licenses, Bianchi continued to promote concerts at the bar on his Facebook page, even though he claimed to have stepped away from day-to-day operations. The bar had been on probation since December 2022 following a police sting that uncovered underage alcohol sales and cocaine dealing at both So Many Roads Brewery and the now-closed Sancho’s Broken Arrow, another Grateful Dead-themed bar formerly co-owned by Bianchi and Bishop.
Bishop confirmed the closure of So Many Roads Brewery but did not provide further details. In a statement posted on Facebook, the bar distanced itself from Bianchi, stating that his ownership had dissolved some time ago and that he was no longer associated with the venue. The bar emphasized that the allegations against Bianchi were personal and unrelated to So Many Roads.
The closure of So Many Roads Brewery marks the end of a troubled history, with numerous allegations of druggings and assault made by women who frequented the establishment and Sancho’s Broken Arrow. Musicians, including members of the Colorado Musicians Union, have also accused Bianchi of assault, non-payment, and other infractions at his various bars.
Bianchi’s arrest on suspicion of sexual assault stems from incidents in 2020 and 2024, with the latter occurring after a Halloween party at So Many Roads Brewery and Sancho’s Broken Arrow. The Denver Police Department has classified the allegations as “victim helpless,” “overcome will,” “victim incapable,” and “no consent.” However, specific details regarding the allegations have not been released due to state laws protecting sexual assault victims.
The Denver Police Department has not disclosed what prompted Bianchi’s arrest this month, only stating that investigators gathered enough information to request an arrest warrant. The arrest affidavit has not been made available to the public.
So Many Roads Brewery’s closure has been met with mixed reactions, with the establishment’s Facebook account quoting lyrics from the Grateful Dead’s “Brokedown Palace” to bid farewell to its patrons. The closure serves as a reminder of the numerous allegations and controversies surrounding the bar, which had previously faced picketing from the Colorado Musicians Union.
