Update, 12 p.m. 7/10/13: The final celebrations slated for this weekend have been canceled because the buyers of the business received their liquor license earlier than anticipated and will take possession of the business tomorrow, July 11. Rick's Tavern is now officially closed.
After more than two decades of being one of Denver's main spots for Tex-Mex and New Mexican music, Rick's Tavern at 67th and Lowell is closing. The Rick Garcia Band, led by owner Rick Garcia, will play two final shows to close things out on Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14. Cecilia Hernandez, the band's manager and bartender at Rick's, said a new couple is taking over the business and might continue the same format, but they may try some other genres as well.
See also: - Rick's Tavern is up for sale - Cold Crush now open at 2700 Larimer - Oak Tavern and 24K both closed
Over the last four decades, the 62-year-old Garcia, who's originally from Texas, has played around Colorado in addition to owning five clubs. Rick's Tavern, however, will be his last one, Hernandez says.
"It's very sad because about eight years ago, there were about six, seven or eight clubs, and slowly, they just all closed down," she says. "So this has been the only one that does this every single weekend for probably the last two or three years. So this is going to be it for Tex-Mex music for the most part."
Hernandez says that people have been following Garcia since he first came to Denver and that the clientele at Rick's Tavern have aged with him, adding that the regulars, whose ages range from the forties through the nineties, dance like crazy.
"People never believe this, but when you come, there it's a whole different world because these people, they dress up," Hernandez notes. "The women are usually in dresses, and the men are in suits, dress slacks and ties."
Although Garcia won't be playing at his home base any more, Hernandez says he'll still be playing around town, including the Our Lady of Visitation Bazaar (2531 West 65th Place) on Sunday, July 21, and at the Mile High Flea Market on Saturday, August 3.
The Rick Garcia Band plays the final weekend of Rick's Tavern from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, and from 6:15 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, following food and dessert from 4 to 6 p.m.
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