Roberta's Checking Out, Little Johnny B's Checking In at Urban Cowboy

Mamas & Papas Hospitality is now getting a pizza the action at the boutique hotel.

April 11, 2025

Little Johnny B's will soon be serving in the Urban Cowboy Public House. Brandon Lopez

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$1,500

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Urban Cowboy Denver was a quick hit when the boutique hotel opened inside the historic George Schleier Mansion last September, with sixteen renovated rooms complete with cowboy-core old West bathtubs in the center, along with more modern fixtures.

But one amenity is already exiting: April 13 will be the last day for Roberta's, the Brooklyn-born restaurant (and Michelin Bib Gourmand pick) that paired with Urban Cowboy at its hotel in Nashville.

Taking Roberta's place will be Little Johnny B's Woodfired Pizza, a new concept from the Mamas & Papas Hospitality Group, the team behind Dio Mio and Redeemer Pizza. A sister concept of the upcoming Johnny Bechamel's set to open this summer in Washington Park, Little Johnny B's will debut April 21 in the Urban Cowboy Public House bar.

Chefs Alex Figura and Spencer White, along with Lulu Clair, founded Dio Mio in RiNo in 2016, then added Redeemer Pizza in 2021; they created Mamas & Papas Hospitality Group in March to operate their growing group of restaurants.

"With each new venue, we continue to refine our signature approach to hospitality and sustainability," says Clair in an announcement of the Urban Cowboy move."Growing our hospitality family is all about bringing our unique vibe to different parts of Denver. We love creating spaces where people can enjoy amazing food in a welcoming and approachable atmosphere. Little Johnny B's at Urban Cowboy is a perfect example of that vision coming to life, and we're thrilled to be working alongside such a creative team in one of Denver's coolest spots.”

Not just a cool spot, but one that was touted as a win-win by preservationists who wanted to save the circa 1880s building designed by architect Frank Edbrooke.

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

A message from Patricia Calhoun: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today