The Denver Eagle to Close April 2 After Sendoff Party

Crown Social on South Broadway just closed over the weekend, and the Barker Lounge went dark on Santa Fe in January. Now Denver's gay community is losing another favorite establishment. The Denver Eagle announced on its Facebook page that Saturday, April 2, will be the last night of business for the popular nightclub, which opened at 36th and Blake streets in RiNo nearly ten years ago.

The Eagle is losing its lease, and the building will be torn down to make way for redevelopment. Here's what owner Jim Ventrello posted on March 20 on Facebook:

Most of you already know that the Denver Eagle property was recently sold and the Eagle has lost its lease. The building will be demolished and the property redeveloped. Unfortunately, that time has come. Our last day of business will be Saturday, April 2nd. Please stop in over the next two weeks for one last beer or cocktail, to say goodbye and thank my amazing staff. You won’t want to miss our final weekend. Thursday, March 31st will be the last ever infamous Underwear Party and Saturday, April 2nd will be our latest hit party, The Red Dungeon Party. Thank you for ten wonderful years of your patronage. 

Peace and love

General manager Jim Craig, who has overseen the club since 2012, adds:

I have heard, seen, answered THOUSANDS of questions the past few months since the public announcement that the land had sold where the Denver Eagle sits. I do believe it is the intention to relocate. I can tell you that saying that is easier than actually relocating. Finding affordable space, and a building that has our “atmosphere,” is very difficult at best. We have been looking for quite some time now. I can only hope that if/when that time comes that the Denver Eagle re-opens, all of you will come join us and continue the party!

Again, I really want to thank the staff and all the loyal patrons! As I have said, and I think others have as well, we are a bunch of misfits that feel welcome, loved, and can be ourselves at the Denver Eagle! It is what makes this place so special!

Please come help me and the Denver Eagle staff celebrate our final days at our current location! It’s going to be a freaking blast!!!

Love y’all!!!

The atmosphere to which Craig refers was distinctive enough to win a Best of Denver award for Best Leather Bar That Should be Featured in Architectural Digest in 2007, when the Eagle nearly went out of business. While the long-term future remains uncertain for the club, Saturday night at least promises to be an epic sendoff.