Bourbon Grill, the 99ers Sports Bar, and Colfax and Cream will all host the mayor over the next few months; they're the first to take him up on his offer to help stimulate business along the construction-obstructed street by doing a stint as a guest server. “Colfax is one of Denver’s most iconic streets and our local businesses up and down that corridor are the heart of our city," he says. "I couldn’t be more excited to spend some time with these entrepreneurs and encourage Denverites across the city to stop by and show them our support!”
Johnston first pitched the idea on City Cast Denver, in an announcement that came as a surprise to even his office. "I'm going to come in once a month and have events at bars and restaurants on East Colfax and just encourage all our neighbors to come,” Johnston said on the podcast. “It's easy to say, 'Oh, gosh, construction is on Colfax, let's go to 17th or go downtown or go to Wash Park.' We want to have it be the opposite. This is a time when we should all go to Colfax while it's under construction.”
Businesses ranging from Capitol Hill Books to iconic Denver dive bars have reported that BRT construction is causing a slump in business. Fencing is making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate the street, while the removal of parking meters has discouraged drivers, too.
The project’s end goal is to create a frequent, fast bus route in the middle of Colfax, where the popular 15 and 15L lines currently serve over 20,000 passengers per day. However, even bus service has been impacted by construction, with several stops changing to different locations.
Johnston believes that the possibility of seeing something novel on Colfax — even a mayor literally serving people — could help drive traffic.
Johnston initially proposed guest bartending stints, telling CityCast that he could serve beer, wine, margaritas and even Manhattans. But he'll only get the chance to pour alcohol at one of the first three stops: The 99ers, Denver’s new women’s sports bar.
At Colfax and Cream, the focus is on ice cream and other refreshing beverages; Bourbon Grill cooks up a legendary chicken dish, as well as other food options. So Johnston will have many ways to serve the public during his visits to Colfax.
Schedule for Mike Johnston’s Guest Service Visits on Colfax
April 16: Bourbon Grill, 571 East Colfax Avenue, noon to 1 p.m.April 25: The 99ers Sports Bar, 909 East Colfax Avenue, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
June 7: Colfax and Cream, 1238 East Colfax Avenue, 3 to 4 p.m.
