Steamboat Springs — Emphasizing creativity, music, books and more, Off the Beaten Path will feature a new series of events for the next six weeks.

“Books & Brews” will feature a themed happy hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday at the bookstore on Ninth Street in downtown Steamboat Springs. The event includes buy-one, get-one free drafts of Butcherknife Brewing Co. beer.

“One of the main functions of an independent bookstore is to provide events for the community,” said Emily Katzman, who helped plan the series and also works at Off the Beaten Path. “We wanted to have a happy hour that offers something different.”

Monarch MTN and Ryan Schlichtman will be the featured entertainment for Thursday’s live music theme.

“Each happy hour will be a different event with its own vibe, and each time it will offer a whole new experience when you walk through the door,” said Logan Farmer, who also helped organize the event and was featured at the bookstore a few months ago with his band, Monarch MTN.

In the upcoming weeks, the community can expect a game night, a presentation with author Nancy Sindelar on Hemingway, a creatives’ happy hour, a poetry slam competition and an open mic night.

Not only does the event offer a new happy hour option but it also promotes community engagement. For the poetry slam and open mic night, Off the Beaten Path encourages people to sign up for either event to share their talents and skill sets.

“It seems like more of a big city thing for an independent bookstore to have happy hour events like this,” Farmer said. “But we wanted to give it a shot to offer a new experience for people and to open the door for us to do events like this in the future.”

Although the event does feature beer specials, Katzman said it is a family-friendly event and the cafe will also be available for drinks such as hot cocoa or baked goods.

For the poetry slam, the staff asks interested participants to send en email to ekatz@steamboatbooks.com with a sample poem and background information. Those interested in participating in the open mic night can email ekatz@steamboatbooks.com or call the bookstore in advance.

Books & Brews Event Series:

Thursday, March 5: Live music with Monarch MTN and Ryan Schlichtman.

Thursday, March 12: Game night.

Thursday, March 19: Presentation with author Nancy Sindelar on Ernest Hemingway and her book “People and Places That Shaped His Life and Work: Influencing Hemingway.”

Thursday, March 26: Creatives’ happy hour.

Thursday, April 2: Poetry slam.

Thursday, April 9: Open mic night.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1