Every Opening and Closing This Week: Two New Rooftop Bars and More

There were already plenty of ways to get high in Denver, and now there are two more with the debut of two new rooftop bars.

The Populus Hotel (the one we’ve been referring to as the “eyeball building,” though the eye-catching design is actually supposed to mimic aspen bark) includes Stellar Jay, a restaurant with an open-air deck on the thirteenth floor. We checked out the views, which are impressive, and the food, which left a lot to be desired – though the team certainly has the talent to make some adjustments. The hotel also includes a Little Owl coffee counter in the lobby and another restaurant on the ground floor, Pasque, which we’ve yet to visit.

Sorry Gorgeous is the latest project from the Culinary Creative Group. It sits on the twelfth floor of the Novel RiNo building; the group will soon open Filipino restaurant Magna Kainan from Portland chef Carlo Lamagna at the same address.

The metro area doesn’t have a lot of options for Filipino food, but for a decade, ChowSun in Aurora served up options like pancit behon and sinigang. It recently got a refresh and a new name, Yole J Filipino & Thai Restaurant, though it’s still under the same ownership.

Also debuting a refresh is Colorado Plus in Wheat Ridge, which had been closed for eight months for a remodel; it has an updated menu, as well. “You’ll find some old favorites and some new inspirations, your favorite burgers, beverages, and hand cut fries and chips are back,” notes an Instagram post.

Misfit Snack Bar is back as well. After closing in May to search for a standalone location, chef/owner Bo Porytko decided to return to the kitchen at Middleman – and we’ll be there soon for a burger to celebrate.

There’s a new spot for Korean hot pot in Westminster, with the addition of Sorry Umma in the H Mart shopping center.

Closures include downtown sports bar 1930 Blake, which was formerly the Sports Column and had gotten some upgrades in 2024. No reason was given for the move.

Cafe Prague, which had been open in Morrison for two decades, shut its doors without explanation, too. According to the Canyon Courier: “Restaurant owner Dennis Cionetti declined to comment on Cafe Prague’s closing, but two patrons said the decision stemmed from a rent increase. Building owner Jeff Bradley said the lease expired and Cionetti did not want to renew.”

In Littleton, Middle Eastern eatery Damascus Grill has closed, though a sign on the building says that a second location of Gyros Town is set to take over the space – which is good news, as the Gyros Town on Colorado Boulevard serves an expansive selection of Middle Eastern favorites that we love, including our favorite, the off-the-menu Syrian shawarma. 

Finally, Saturday, October 19, marks the last day for two spots: Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs on East Colfax, which has been a go-to for two decades; and the twelve-year-old Finley’s Pub in Wash Park.

In other openings-and-closings news:

• Reminder: Fox Run Cafe’s last day is Monday, October 21
• Call Your Mother is set to bring its bagels to Denver Central Market later this year.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

Yole J Filipino & Thai Restaurant, 830 South Buckley Road, Aurora
Pasque and Stellar Jay at the Populus Hotel, 240 14th Street
Sorry Umma, 5028 West 92nd Avenue, Westminster
Sorry Gorgeous, 1350 40th Street

Reopening

Colorado Plus Brew Pub and Taphouse, 6995 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
Misfit Snack Bar at Middleman, 3401 East Colfax Avenue

Closures

1930 Blake (formerly Sports Column), 1930 Blake Street
Cafe Prague, 209 Bear Creek Avenue, Morrison
Damascus, 1399 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton
Finley’s Pub, 375 South Pearl Street
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, 3525 East Colfax Avenue

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

Know of something we missed? Email cafe@westword.com.