Real World Denver - Update 2

"Real World" exposure

With Denver the backdrop of the reality-TV show this fall, businesses hope to capitalize on the spotlight

With "The Real World" set to start shooting this month in Denver's Lower Downtown, local businesses and tourism boosters are scrambling to get their piece of the reality-TV pie.

Owners of the building that will house the cast and crew have sold it, and other neighboring businesses are plying the show's production company with a wide variety of offers - from a complimentary wine tasting at Table 6 to free team-building classes at Cook Street School of Fine Cooking.

"We've received an enormous amount of interest from local businesses who want to participate in the show," said MTV production spokesman George Cabico.

He declined to say which will be featured when the 24-episode reality series airs this fall.

The show films the daily lives of a houseful of young strangers who live together for the show's duration.

"Real World" representatives have met with several LoDo bars - including LoDo's Bar & Grill and The Tavern Downtown - to discuss shooting scenes there.

Participating bars must agree to limit their crowds on certain nights to ensure space for the seven-member cast and camera, sound and security crews. Two managers said they have been told that could total more than 40 people.

"That's one of the challenges - is it going to boost sales, or is it going to make it more difficult for us to do the same volume with all the cameras in people's faces?" asked George Mannion, managing partner of the LoDo Restaurant Group. "We're certainly going to do our best to accentuate the positive."