Photo attribution: Rob Squire
The Denver Department of Excise and Licensing alerts the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association each time an applicant applies for a liquor license within our boundaries. UpDoNA receives an application packet containing details about the applicant and the proposed business. We are afforded an opportunity to contact and assess the applicant, execute a Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA), attend the licensing hearing where we may speak on behalf of, or in opposition to, the license award.
NPU Denver, LLC applied for a Dance Cabaret License in February this year. NPU (Non Plus Ultra) is a San Francisco based entertainment management company. They have several locations in San Francisco and beyond as well as three here in Denver. Their often iconic venues host parties, conventions, weddings, etc. as well as live entertainment and immersive experiences. Their Denver venues include The Brighton in RiNo, The Sports Castle on Broadway (in the old Sports Authority building) and The Broadway. NPU’s most recent application is for an operation in the Pavilions Mall on 16th Street.
I met with their General Manager, Carlo Stuart and we executed a GNA shortly thereafter. NPU also joined UpDoNA as a business partner. Sal Tripodi and I attended the March 28th hearing and spoke in favor of their application. The hearing officer indicated he would approve the license and try to fast-track it for an April opening. Their first offering is planned to be an Alice in Wonderland themed experience to which the public is invited.
Fortissimo Dueling Pianos has opened in the old Sip space and is pounding the ivories Monday through Saturday, 3PM till closing. They held a well attended and much enjoyed opening celebration April 14th, serving champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The show was outstanding and well attended by Spire residents and UpDoNA members.
Fortissimo is currently operating on the Sip liquor license but plan to get a new Dance Cabaret license in their own name. After applying, a hearing will be scheduled and the GNC will attend. We feel like they will be excellent neighbors. The owner, Sharon Scheminske, has indicated they will sign a GNA.
4 Play Whiskey and Tequila and the adjacent bar, 99 Bottles (820 15th Street), are still waiting on two additional inspections and associated permits. Their latest opening target is mid-May and have signed a GNA.
Vanish, the magic bar opening in the old Boney’s BBQ site is still going through HVAC renovations and is also waiting on final inspections and permits. Vanish has signed a GNA.
801 Fish is open and operating under a signed GNA. Several of our members have dined there and given the restaurant high marks. They held a well attended opening happy hour, serving oysters, crab cakes and excellent wine.
DazzleJazz, which applied for a license transfer from their current location at Baur’s to 1080 14th Street, adjacent to the DCPA, has not yet made the move, but they did sign a GNA.
