We reported just over 100 bar and restaurant closures in 2024, a number that includes the sad loss of longtime favorites such as Sushi Sasa, Señor Burritos in Baker, Café Brazil and Benny Blanco's in Capitol Hill. Some places, such as Harvey Park Grille, Lava, Rolling Pin Pizza and Pancho & Jane in Golden, opened in 2024 only to shut down months later.
But while it can sometimes seem like every restaurant is on the brink of closure, the numbers look hopeful. In 2023, we tracked around 130 closures, which was about average for the past six years — including 2020, when we reported 123 — so the 2024 closure count was actually on the low side.
The number of openings we've tracked has averaged around 250 per year since 2019, jumping to nearly 300 in 2023. The 2024 total, including a handful of additions at Denver International Airport, came in at around 270.
Though the stats on new spots to eat and drink appear average, the types of places joining the scene and where they're opening is shifting. We're continuing to see out-of-state brands choose Denver for expansion, while many local operators are setting their sights on the suburbs, where it's cheaper to operate because of the lower state minimum wage and easier to get permitting.
A Neapolitan pizza from Italian chain Rosso Pomodoro, which chose Denver for its first standalone location in the U.S.
Molly Martin
But 2025 is sure to bring more notable losses. We already know that chef Alex Seidel is shuttering his first restaurant, the eighteen-year-old Fruition, on January 12. Fifteen-year-old J's Noodles & New Thai will serve its last meal at the end of January. "The economy is bad, and we are not able to renew the lease," owner Judy Teawdeswan told Westword. "We have been doing this for a long time. COVID was very hard. And it's too expensive to find and move to another place."
While the industry is certainly still struggling, it's exciting to see how up-and-comers are finding new ways to serve hungry diners in Denver — and new things to put on those plates. Local spots are getting more national attention than ever, and that should translate to an even stronger dining scene.
Here's the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed in 2024:
Bedlam is one of several new bars that opened in 2024.
Courtesy of Bedlam
Openings
5 on Lawrence, 2020 Lawrence StreetThe 49th, 5350 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
The 99ers Sports Bar, 909 East Colfax Avenue
AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q Steakhouse, 81 South Pennsylvania Street
Ajax Downtown, 1899 16th Street
Alameda Cafe, 1512 West Alameda Avenue
Aloha Cones, 601 Broadway
Ambler, 1801 Wewatta Street
Asuka Ramen Poke, 6156 Simms Street, Arvada
Babe's Tea Room, 1027 Washington Avenue, Golden
Balmer Peak Distillery, 275 South Sheridan Boulevard, Lakewood
Banh Mi Zone, 2424 South Federal Boulevard
BBQ Daddy's at Crazy Mountain Brewery, 1505 Ogden Street
Beau Jo's, 2110 South University Boulevard
Bedlam, 1516 Wazee Street
Big Apple Bodega, 2231 South Broadway
Bison American Cuisine, 205 South Abilene Street, Aurora
Blackbelly Market, 4334 West 41st Avenue
Blue Sparrow, 1576 Sherman Street
BoHeo Pho Kitchen, 2553 South Colorado Boulevard
Boychik, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
BrewDog Denver, 3950 Wynkoop Street
Brooklyn's Finest Pizza, 176 South Broadway
The Brunch House, 10081 Wadsworth Parkway, Westminster
Caddy Shack Cantina, 9535 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree
Cairo Food & Pizza, 2700 East Colfax Avenue
Call Your Mother Lil' Deli - Platt Park, 567 East Louisiana Avenue
Capri Seafood, 3901 Fox Street
Carbon Coffee, 12230 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
There's a martini cart at Dana Rodriguez's new restaurant, Carne.
Molly Martin
Cerebral Brewing, 9990 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Champagne Tiger, 601 East Colfax Avenue
Change Please Coffee, 2115 North Scranton Street, Aurora
Cheba Hut, 5098 South Federal Boulevard, Englewood; 7795 East Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village; 1346 Pearl Street, Boulder
Chicken Salad Chick, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
Chili Shack, 4990 East Colfax Avenue
Chinese Palace Dim Sum, 11970 Washington Street, Northglenn
Chivis Tacos, 2101 East Colfax Avenue
ChoLon, 1691 Raleigh Street
Chop Shop, 799 U.S. 287, Broomfield
Chopstix Fusion, 2020 South Parker Road, Aurora
Chubby Fish Sushi, 10048 Grant Street, Thornton
Chuey Fu's, 2205 East Colfax Avenue
Church and Union, 1433 17th Street
Cocks on Colfax, 1526 East Colfax Avenue
Coffeegraph, 3800 Julian Street
Colfax and Cream, 1238 East Colfax Avenue
The Colorado Club, 1043 Pearl Street, Boulder
Colorado Hots, 3890 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge
Corsica Wine Bar, 2801 Walnut Street
Cozobi Fonda Fina, 909 Walnut Street, Boulder
Cul-de-Sac, 3501 Delgany Street
Culichi Town, 205 South Abilene Street, Aurora
Curry & Grill 2 Indian Nepali Cuisine, 1320 East 17th Avenue
The spicy lemongrass pork from the clay pot section of Dân Dã's menu.
Molly Martin
The Delorean, 1753 South Broadway
Desi Bites, 5422 South Parker Road, Aurora
Dewey Beer, 3501 Delgany Street
Dillon’s Dumpling House, 3571 South Tower Road, Aurora
Done Deal, 370 17th Street
Downhill Brewing, 9672 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Dozens, 323 14th Street
DTC Slice Pizzeria, 8000 East Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village
Duets Tap and Grill, 2403 Champa Street
Dumplin', 3609 West 32nd Avenue
Dumpling Kitchen, 5979 East Colfax Avenue
The Dumpling Spot at Edgewater Public Market, 5505 West 20th Avenue, Edgewater
EatYa Pizza, 1530 16th Street
Eggs Inc, 1750 Wewatta Street
Embers Lodge Bar and The Fortunate Prospector at Gaylord Rockies, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora
Empanada Espresso, 11461 Washington Street, Northglenn
Encanto Cocina & Cantina, 2124 Larimer Street
Epic Pickleball Club, 1980 East County Line Road, Littleton
EQ Crepe & Burger Bar, 1517 Wynkoop Street
Flora, 370 West 12th Avenue
Fortune Nong Jia Le, 500 East Alameda Avenue
The Funky Buddha Bar & Restaurant, 3945 Tennyson Street
Gangnam GT Lounge & Karaoke, 1930 South Havana Street, Aurora
Gayle's Texas BBQ at Milepost Zero, 1601 19th Street
Georgie's, 1416 Market Street
Ghost Saloon, 1422 Larimer Street
Golden Outpost,17695 South Golden Road, Golden
The Goldfinch, 1842 South Broadway
Goudy’s Deli & Market, 1207 East Alameda Avenue
Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse, 9878 Schwab Way, Lone Tree; 7260 West Alaska Drive, Lakewood
Green Bus Cafe, 1426 East 22nd Avenue
The Green Collective, 1058 South Gaylord Street
Gusto, 1691 Raleigh Street
The Hampton Social, 2501 16th Street
Hangar Club, 7600 East First Place
Heartbreak Kid, 5126 East Colfax Avenue
Hearth, 1300 East 17th Avenue
High Country, 1117 Pearl Street, Boulder
High Point Creamery, 7473 East 29th Place
High Society Pizza, 2229 Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Highlands Ranch
Homegrown Tap & Dough, 1257 West 120th Avenue, Westminster
Honey Basil Express, 9555 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Hong Kong Station 2Go, 6460 East Yale Avenue
Hot Shot Coffee, 3358 York Street
Huckleberry Roasters, 1406 Larimer Street
Il Forno Di Tutti, 1627 South Havana Street, Aurora
Illegal Pete's, 10009 West 26th Avenue, Wheat Ridge; 657 South Broadway, Boulder
In-N-Out, 7494 West 52nd Avenue, Arvada, and 9558 Twenty Mile Road, Parker
Incantation Brewing, 415 South Cherokee Street; 4233 South Buckley Road, Aurora
J&T’s Family Kitchen, 1560 Broadway
Jack N Grill 2 at Boombox Brew Bar, 5686 Pecos Street
Jaime's Mexican Restaurant, 608 Garrison Street, Lakewood
The Jerk Pit Smokehouse, 3210 Wyandot Street
Jessie's Smokin' NOLA, 11061 South Parker Road, Parker
Jet’s Pizza, 8031 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada
Joe Willy's, 1310 South Broadway
Kaki Bing, 3401 South Broadway, Englewood
Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, 1164 Sergeant Jon Stiles Drive, Highlands Ranch
King of Wings Tap + Tequila, 1100 Arapahoe Street, Golden
Kkoki Korean BBQ, 2100 16th Street Mall
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, 14180 East Ellsworth Avenue, Aurora
La Forêt, 38 South Broadway
La Hotpot and BBQ, 4775 Kipling Sreet, Wheat Ridge
La Marketa Restaurant & Carniceria, 7677 West 88th Avenue, Westminster
La Plaza, 15200 East Colfax, Aurora
La Reyna Azteca, 1100 South Santa Fe Drive
Lady Justice Brewing, 3242 South Acoma Street, Englewood
Lan's Noodles and Dumplings, 1000 South Colorado Boulevard, Glendale
Le Clare’s Patisserie, 2260 East Colfax Avenue
Le Colonial, 255 Fillmore Street
Legacy Pie, 300 East Alameda Avenue
Lilac Coffee Express, 4736 East Colfax Avenue
Lincoln's Denver, 1801 Wynkoop Street
Little Arthur's, 205 East Seventh Avenue
Little Brazil, 7333 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
Little Man Ice Cream, 2449 Main Street, Littleton; 4940 South Yosemite Street, Greenwood Village
Living the Dream, 9150 Commerce Center Circle, Highlands Ranch
LOB, 1755 Blake Street
Los Dos Potrillos, 6370 Promenade Parkway, Castle Rock
Los Socios Birrieria, 3910 West Colfax Avenue
Lot 46 Music Bar at the Edgewater Inn, 5302 West 25th Avenue, Edgewater
Lotus Moon Vegan Pho, 2770 Pearl Street, Boulder
Luchador Taco & More, 2030 East 28th Avenue
Lucy Coffee House, 14048 East Mississippi Avenue, Aurora
Magna Kainan skewers include eggplant, pork, chicken, diver scallops and Colorado lamb leg.
Connor Stehr
Mario's Speakeasy Pizza, 1410 Market Street
Mariscos el Malecón, 2970 West Barberry Place
Mason's Dumpling Shop, 6981 West Alaska Drive, Lakewood
MDE Lounge, 30 South Broadway
Mecha Noodle Bar, 2801 Walnut Street
Mezcaleria Alma, 2550 15th Street
Migas Coffee, 2590 Walnut Street
Mila's Cantina, 730 East Sixth Avenue
Mile Hi Pickleball, 3700 Havana Street
Milieu Fermentation, 2101 Ursula Street, Aurora
Miya Moon, 2055 West 136th Avenue, Broomfield; 9400 Heritage Hills Circle, Lone Tree
Mochinut, 7530 S University Blvd, Littleton
Mockingbird, 2737 Larimer Street
The Molecule Effect, 2215 South Broadway
Moonga Sushi & Bar, 9231 Lincoln Avenue, Lone Tree
MoonRise Garden Bar & Food Truck Park, 6875 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
The Moose, 3330 Brighton Boulevard
Ms. Marji's, 1640 Logan Street
Mystical Blends, 2936 East Colfax Avenue
Na Favola Trattoria & Pizzeria, 5909 South University Boulevard, Greenwood Village
NADC Burger, 1441 Larimer Street
Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings, 2495 South Havana Street, Aurora
Nopal by Taco Block, 6551 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
Nopalitos, 1805 29th Street, Boulder
Pastrami lox from one of Denver's new bagel joints, Odell's.
Jeff Fierberg
Oh Dumpling, 9555 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
The Olive Tiger, 1701 Platte Street
Ollie & Parks, 1210 East 17th Avenue
Organic Squeeze, 180 Steele Street
Original by Greeks, 2300 South Broadway
Orion Hot Pot, 9604 Ralston Road, Arvada
Osteria Alberico, 3455 South University Boulevard, Englewood
Other Dog at Town Hall Collaborative, 525 Santa Fe Drive
Pancho Poncho, 400 East Seventh Avenue
Paris Banh Mi Cafe Bakery, 475 Sable Boulevard, Aurora
Parkway Food Hall, 700 Ken Pratt Boulevard, Longmont
The Parlour Bar at Clayton Hotel & Members Club, 233 Clayton Street
Pasque and Stellar Jay at the Populus Hotel, 240 14th Street
Pearl Divers Tiki Bar, 608 East 13th Avenue
Peckish Pizza, 4920 South Newport Street
Peko Peko at Avanti Boulder, 1401 Pearl Street, Boulder
Perdida, 1257 West 120th Avenue, Westminster
Pita Central, 1575 Central Street
Pizza Cucina, 2934 East Colfax Avenue
The Pizza Stone of Golden, 710 Golden Ridge Road, Golden
Play Ball Sports Bar & Grill, 2121 South Sheridan Boulevard
Pomodoro Pizza and Pasta, 962 South Monaco Parkway
Procession Coffee, 1075 Park Avenue
Purple Door Coffee, 1640 Sherman Street
Queen City Collective Coffee, 525 Santa Fe Drive; 1675 Larimer Street; 4999 West 44th Avenue
Real Thai Mile High, 12201 East Mississippi Avenue, Aurora
The Red Llama, 8331 Willow Street, Lone Tree
Renegade Brewing, 925 West Ninth Avenue
Rhapsody, 24 Broadway
Rich Spirit Bagels, 10081 West 26th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
RiNo Grill and Pizza, 3500 Delgany Street
Riot House, 1920 Market Street
Roast Coffee Bar, 1085 South Pearl Street
Rolling Pin Pizza, 1514 York Street
Rolling Smoke BBQ, 7100 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
Rosso Pomodoro, 7505 East 29th Place
Rush Bowls, 3325 28th Street, Boulder
Ruzo Coffee, 3980 Broadway, Boulder
Saltwater Social, 201 Columbine Street
The Salty Donut, 3985 Tennyson Street
Santo Remedio, 3900 Tennyson Street
Sarahi's Kitchen, 8135 East Colfax Avenue
Saverina and Halo, 6985 East Chenango Avenue
Sawa, 1737 East Evans Avenue
Scoops, 2247 Kearney Street
The Secret Garden, 1290 Williams Street
The Seoul Bowl and Cafe, 2337 East Evans Avenue
Sizzling Hibachi, 709 West Eighth Avenue
Skiptown, 3833 Steele Street
Snooze, 1701 Wynkoop Street
Som Dee Thai Kitchen, 1598 East 17th Avenue
Sorry Gorgeous, 1350 40th Street
Sorry Umma, 5028 West 92nd Avenue, Westminster
Spice Room, 7355 Ralston Road, Arvada
SportyPickle, 8640 South Peoria Street, Englewood
Stay Tuned Brewery, 5127 West 64th Avenue, Arvada
Supreme Chicken, 5410 East Colfax Avenue
Sushi by Scratch, 1441 Larimer Street
Sweet NOLA Snoballs, 916 Jersey Street
Sweetgreen, 3985 Tennyson Street
Tacos El Belicon at Parkside Eatery, 14515 East Alameda Avenue, Aurora
Tacos La Tapatia, 4880 North Havana Way
TAG Burger Bar, 10155 East 29th Drive
Tapville Social, 1010 Park Avenue West
Thick's Gelato and Chocolates, 3339 Downing Street
Tikka and Grill, 2796 South Broadway, Englewood
Trompeau Bakery, 934 16th Street
Trophy Pizza, 1501 East Colfax Avenue
Tua Mama's/Mora's Pizza, 616 East 13th Avenue
Two Hands, 3985 Tennyson Street
Two Moons Music Hall, 2944 Larimer Street
Ukiyo, 1317 14th Street
Urban Cafe & Restaurant, 601 Broadway
Urban Cowboy Public House, 1665 Grant Street
Vanishing West Ciders, 9735 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Velvet Banjo, 741 East Colfax Avenue
Via 313 at Park Meadows Mall, 9595 East County Line Road, Centennial; 5826 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Littleton
Vinnameals, 1500 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton
Viva! Mexi Coffee Shop, 4900 East Colfax Avenue
The W, 5001 East Colfax Avenue
Wanderment Brewing, 800 East 64th Avenue
Wapos Cantina, 5777 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada
Welton Street Cafe, 2883 Welton Street
The Werks, 2625 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge
Whit's End, 1736 East 31st Avenue
Wok Spicy, 3021 South Broadway, Englewood
Wonderyard, 2200 Larimer Street
World Juice Bar, 4874 Chambers Road
Wreck Room Underground, 9975 Wadsworth Parkway, Westminster
Yampa Sandwich Co., 10445 Town Center Drive, Westminster
Yole J Filipino & Thai Restaurant, 830 South Buckley Road, Aurora
YumCha, 10195 East 29th Drive
Zymos Brewing, 5180 South Lowell Boulevard, Littleton
New at Denver International Airport:
- Aviano Coffee, Concourse C
- Bar Dough, Concourse C
- ChoLon Modern Asian, Concourse C
- Elway’s Taproom & Grill, Concourse A
- Marczyk Fine Foods, Concourse C
- Mister Oso, Concourse C
- Peet’s Coffee, Concourse A
- Tacos Tequila Whiskey, Concourse A
The OG Benny Blanco's is out in Cap Hill but is still serving pies at its new Arvada location.
Benny Blanco's
Closures
1930 Blake (formerly Sports Column), 1930 Blake StreetAJ's Pit Bar-B-Q Steakhouse, 81 South Pennsylvania Street
Alpine Dog, 1308 East 17th Avenue
Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri, 6770 South Yosemite Street, Centennial, and 918 16th Street Mall
Avelina, 1550 17th Street
Baba & Pop's Pierogi, 9945 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Benny Blanco's, 616 East 13th Avenue
Bistro LeRoux, 1510 16th Street Mall
The Blue Fish Denver, 1607 Wewatta Street
Blush & Blu, 1526 East Colfax Avenue
Cafe Brazil, 4408 Lowell Boulevard
Cafe Prague, 209 Bear Creek Avenue, Morrison
Cantina Loca, 2890 Zuni Street
Carm & Gia Metropolitan, 9598 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora
Cheba Hut, 1531 Champa Street
Cherry Creek Food Hall, 6575 East Arapahoe, Greenwood Village
Chez Roc and Cretans, 233 Clayton Street
Chicken Rebel, 10448 Town Center Drive, Westminster
China Wok, 4243 East 136th Avenue, Thornton
ChoLon, 10195 East 29th Drive (replaced by YumCha)
Chop Shop, 4990 East Colfax Avenue
Chuey Fu's, 2205 East Colfax Avenue
Churreria de Madrid at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
Citizen Rail, 1899 16th Street Mall
Clairette, 81 South Pennsylvania Street
Cochino Taco, 5495 West 20th Avenue, Edgewater
Comida, 3350 Brighton Boulevard, Aurora
Crêpes’n Crêpes, 1222 Madison Street
Culture at Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer Street
D Bar, 494 East 19th Avenue
Damascus, 1399 West Littleton Boulevard, Littleton
Denny's, 900 West Alameda Avenue
El Mercado, 1432 Market Street
Elway's, 2500 East First Avenue
Enzo's End, 3424 East Colfax Avenue
Fiction Beer Company, 7101 East Colfax Avenue
Finkle & Garf, 5455 Spine Road, Boulder
Finley's Pub, 375 South Pearl Street
We miss brunching at Fox Run Cafe.
Molly Martin
Funky Flame, 4994 Lowell Boulevard
Goombas Pizza Grinder, 2934 East Colfax Avenue
Guapo Taco at Colorado Mills, 14500 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood
Hacienda, 4100 East Mexico Avenue
Harvey Park Grille, 2133 South Sheridan Boulevard
Ian's Pizza, 2210 Blake Street
Il Porcellino, 4324 West 41st Avenue
Il Posto, 2601 Larimer Street
Infinite Monkey Theorem, 3200 Larimer Street
Ironton Distillery, 3636 Chestnut Place
Jade Mountain Brewing, 4233 South Buckley Road, Aurora
Just Be Kitchen, 5370 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village
Kini's, 249 Clayton Street
Kodiac Brewery Bar and Grill, 7685 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial
Koko Ni, 1441 26th Street
Lava, 2200 Market Street
Logan Street Restaurant, 400 East Seventh Avenue
Madras Cafe, 5422 South Parker Road, Aurora
Mama Lolita's, 8181 Arista Place, Broomfield
Manila Bay, 13800 East Mississippi Avenue, Aurora
The Mansion on Colfax, 1509 North Marion Street
Monaco Inn, 962 South Monaco Parkway
New Saigon, 630 South Federal Avenue
Novo Coffee, 3617 West 32nd Avenue
Pancho & Jane, 16500 South Golden Road, Golden
Park Burger RiNo, 2615 Walnut Street
Pork Chop King, 1074 South Ironton Street, Aurora
Pour House, 1410 Market Street
The Post Chicken & Beer, 1575 Boulder Street
Providence at 5280, 5280 West 20th Avenue, Edgewater
Provolino, 3563 South Monaco Parkway
The PZA, 1501 East Colfax Avenue
Red Lobster, 8268 East Northfield Boulevard; 810 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood; 4455 Wadsworth Boulevard, Wheat Ridge; 9067 East Westview Road, Lone Tree
Renegade Brewing, 925 West Ninth Avenue
Roaming Buffalo BBQ, 17121 South Golden Road, Golden
Rolling Pin Pizza only lasted five months after replacing the original Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey near City Park.
Molly Martin
Rooted Craft American Kitchen, 3490 West 32nd Avenue
Rossi's Italian Eatery, 5800 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
Salt & Grinder, 3609 West 32nd Avenue
Señor Burritos,12 East First Avenue
SkinnyFATS, 7795 East Belleview Avenue
So Many Roads, 918 West First Avenue
Spinelli's, 2100 Ursula Street, Aurora
Stay Tuned, 2162 Larimer Street
Steve's Snappin' Dogs, 3525 East Colfax Avenue
Stoic & Genuine, 1701 Wynkoop Street
Sunnyside Supper Club, 2915 West 44th Avenue
Sushi Sasa, 2401 15th Street
Sushi-Rama, 4960 South Newport Street; 10012 Commons Street, Lone Tree; 8181 Arista Place, Broomfield; 13650 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Table at New Image Brewing, 5622 Yukon Street, Arvada
Taco Choi at Parkside Eatery, 14515 East Alameda Avenue
Taco House, 581 South Federal Boulevard
Tacos Tequila Whiskey, 1514 York Street
Tavern Lowry, 7401 East First Avenue
Tavern Littleton, 2589 Main Street, Littleton
TGI Friday's, 8104 Northfield Boulevard and 125 Ken Pratt Boulevard, Longmont
Three Little Griddles, 10111 Inverness Main Street, Englewood
Three Saints Revival, 1801 Wewatta Street
Thuy by PKR, 2878 Fairfax Street
Tres Chiles, 3900 Tennyson Street
Turtle Boat, 2231 South Broadway
Under the Sun Pub & Pizza, 627 South Broadway, Boulder
West End Tap House, 3945 Tennyson Street
Wide Right, 2100 Curtis Street
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2907 Huron Street
What did we miss? Email [email protected].
