Photo attribution: Rob Squire
During the past two months, the Good Neighbor Committee has been quite active, testifying at two license hearings and has been presented with several more opportunities to execute Good Neighbor Agreements (GNA) with restaurants and bars in Upper Downtown
801 Fish – Please join us in welcoming this upscale seafood restaurant, located at 999 17th Street. They applied for a Hotel and Restaurant liquor license in July of 2022 and subsequently signed a GNA with UpDoNA in November. We submitted the GNA to the Hearing officers and testified at the hearing in support of their license application. The license was approved shortly thereafter and the restaurant is now open and operating. The establishment features an expansive dining area, a central bar and several intimate dining rooms. They offer fresh seafood and an extensive wine list. Please patronize this newcomer to upper downtown.
Vanish Holdings LLC – As previously reported, Mike Huggins, who also owns the Union Lodge No.1 bar and the Arvada Tavern, applied for a Dance Cabaret license to open a “magic bar” in the old Boney’s location in the basement of 1543 Champa. Mike signed a GNA with us and also joined UpDoNA as a business member. A hearing was held Dec. 14 where UpDoNA submitted the GNA and supported the liquor application. The license was approved a few days later. Mike has done extensive research on magic bars across the country and Vanish will be partly modeled on the Chicago Magic Lounge. Vanish hopes to open within 90 days. We wish Mike the best of luck and look forward to the magic.
Dazzle Jazz Inc. – This neighborhood icon applied for a Dance Cabaret license “location transfer” from their current premises at Bauer’s, on Curtis, to 1080 14th Street, adjacent to the DCPA. Donald Rossa, owner, was not familiar with UpDoNA and was pleased to engage with us. Mr. Rossa appears positive to executing a Good Neighbor Agreement and hopefully will join our organization as a business member. If Dazzle does indeed engage in a GNA we will support them at their relocation hearing Jan.5th. Many of UpDoNA’s members are patrons of the jazz club and we encourage everyone to continue to support them.
Monaco Hotel – The hotel chain is being bought by another entity, along with the transfer of any liquor licenses they possess. While there is no action requested or required for UpDoNA in this transaction, we certainly wish the new owners continued success.
4 Play Whiskey & Tequila – Update: The plumbing and roofing issues have been resolved and the build-out is being completed. They hope to open by New Year’s Eve, but that date may be optimistic. The building owner has submitted plans for artistic painting on the exterior, but if not completed in time for the opening, the bar owners will paint the building.
