But is that enough in a town with a booming restaurant scene?
Not according to Kyle, who says:
This city goes to sleep wayyy to early. There is a late-night economy in most cities, which Denver is lacking. From Walmart to Taco Bell, this city closes early.Responds Ben:
I’m sorry to hear that. I hear Los Angeles and New York don’t have those deficiencies. Perhaps you’d enjoy them.Counters Eric:
So true. After a Gothic show on Friday I made it all the way to Pete's Kitchen before we found good food.Adds Michael:
I didn't realize this until recently. Got off work at 11 p.m. and nothing but Taco Bell, Del Taco or McDonald's open.Suggests Aaron:
McCoy's diner at I-70 and Federal is 24 hours and better than any Denny's or IHOP.Notes Mike:
It's always been this way. This place dies after 10 pm. It really sucks if you are a shift worker.But Colin replies:
I've always thought that Denver has a decent amount of places open after hours. I had a harder time trying to find places to eat in the Bay area late at night than I do here. You just have to know where to look.Responds Matt:
Grandma city. I've said it since I was sixteen.Adds Cody:
It does feel like outside of diners and fast food, there’s not a lot of options. Last night had dinner at Izakaya Ronin on Brighton Boulevard and the cocktails were phenomenal, food was fantastic, too!Notes John:
Business always adapts to demand. I know of a number of places that serve until 11 p.m. or later. My Brother's Bar comes to mind.But Evan responds:
It's super-frustrating. I remember coming home from the bar in Milwaukee and there was at least a half dozen options that were still open for delivery. Jimmy John's was the only chain that I remember open past 2 a.m., but I think it's super uncommon for Chinese restaurants to not be open. Why do they close at 9 p.m. in Denver? Same with most non-chain pizzerias. Not only are they not open "late," they close at 9 p.m. when the some people aren't even leaving home for the bars yet. It's really odd. You would think they a lot of those businesses are leaving hundreds of dollars on the table by closing so early. It's criminal.And finally, there's this from Scott, whose comment started this latest round:
Westword, appreciate you addressing my comment! Do continue to cover and encourage late-night eats!What else made our original list? Fat Sully's/Atomic Cowboy on East Colfax and Broadway; Ian's Pizza, Cherry Cricket and Biker Jim's in the Ballpark neighborhood; Voodoo Doughnut on East Colfax; Fat Shack in the University of Denver neighborhood; Pie Hole on Broadway.
At Izakaya Ronin at 3053 Brighton Boulevard, one of the spots name-checked by a reader, chef/partner Corey Baker set out to fill a void in the dining scene with a Japanese-style pub that wouldn't even start serving food until 10 p.m. While the sushi bar upstairs keeps more standard hours, the subterranean bar, located in what was once a boiler room, was supposed to stay open until 2 a.m. But those hours have already been moved up and cut back.
On this long weekend, where will you go for late-night eats? What other spots are real finds? Post a comment, or mail your ideas to [email protected].