Popular Denver Brewery’s Patio Cut in Half by Parking Ordinance

"They paved paradise / And put up a parking lot," goes one of Joni Mitchell's great songs. In the case of Cerebral Brewery at 1477 Monroe Street, though, that paradise is a patio — and now half of it is going to be a hangout for cars rather than customers.

As reported by Denverite, the popular Congress Park taproom is being forced by the City of Denver to surrender half of its hopping neighborhood patio to make way for more parking. Automobiles have never been known as the best drinking buddies, but patrons who live for Cerebral's out-of-doors imbibement vibe are nonetheless going to have to share their space.

Cerebral, which has plans to expand with a West Highland taproom this spring, opened its patio during COVID as a strategy for survival throughout ever-changing quarantine and social-distancing requirements. That was codified in 2023 when Denver approved the Outdoor Places Program, which officially allowed businesses like Cerebral to maintain their ad hoc patios, post-pandemic.

Now, though, the enforcement of zoning laws and parking minimums is slashing Cerebral's patio in half. Part of the consideration is the fact that Cerebral shares its building and parking lot with two other businesses. Mayor Mike Johnston has proposed the abolishment of parking minimums in Denver, which Denver City Council is currently considering, but in the meantime, parking takes precedence over patio.

Considering Denver's recent cold snap, Cerebral's patio reduction probably won't have much of an immediate impact. But warmer days are just around the corner, and that could mean a drop in Cerebral's outdoor drinking base. Until spring arrives, though, may we humbly suggest Cerebral's Cryptic Message dark lager for the perfect indoor session? After all, there's now a space to park your big, yellow taxi.