[2] The venue is named after the influential 1990s-era group Slowdown Virginia, who had a strong influence on the "Omaha Sound".

Jason Kulbel and Robb Nansel started with the idea to renovate a space somewhere in the downtown area and give Omaha the permanent music venue they felt it was lacking.

As it became apparent that the perfect space for renovation was just not out there, Robb and Jason spent most of their time working on the expansion of Saddle Creek Records.

A few different options were considered, and the one that seemed to make the most sense was on a plot of land the city offered just south of Omaha's Near North Side and a few blocks west of the Qwest Center.

Slowdown is surrounded by a Zipline Brewing Co., Saddle Creek Records, Film Streams, Rally Coffee Co., and apartments along with some other local businesses.