There has been little liquor license activity in the Upper Downtown recently, although with the reopening of 16th Street we are expecting to see an increase soon. However, this pause gives us an opportunity to look back at some of the highlights of our Good Neighbor Committee activity over the past three years.
The purpose of the Good Neighbor Committee (GNC), created in August 2022, is to form relationships and negotiate favorable Good Neighbor Agreements (GNA) with companies applying for, or transferring, liquor licenses in the Upper Downtown area. GNAs generally cover, among other things, operating hours, music volume, graffiti, garbage disposal and security. In exchange, UpDoNA supports the applicant in the licensing process and hearings as well as promoting the business in our newsletters and events.
Our first Good Neighbor Agreement was executed in August 2022 with 4 Play Whiskey & Tequila which planned to open two bars in the old Shag and Leela’s space on 15th St. The bars never quite took off and Reflections, who also signed a GNA, is now open in the old 99 Bottles (previously Shag) space on 15th Street. In November 2022 we signed a GNA with 801 Fish, sadly since closed, and Vanish, who wished to open a “Magic Club” under the Union Lodge #1 on Champa. Disappointedly they never opened.
In December 2022, the neighborhood icon Dazzle Jazz relocated adjacent to the DCPA and applied for a new Dance Cabaret license and signed a GNA with us. La Diabla moved into their old space, Bauer’s, and also signed a GNA. NPU Denver, LLC applied for a Dance Cabaret License in February 2023 and signed a GNA. NPU (Non-Plus Ultra) is a San Francisco based entertainment management company with several locations in San Francisco and beyond as well as three here in Denver.
Fortissimo Dueling Pianos opened in the old Sip space April 2023 and has been entertaining residents and UpDoNa members ever since. They executed a GNA and are an active biz partner. Que Rico, a license transfer, signed a GNA and is open and operating at the north end of Pavilions Mall. Bombshell’s Restaurant and Bar, a military themed establishment, signed a Good Neighbor Agreement and is doing business at 1400 Arapahoe.
JARS Cannabis, our first pot shop, entered into a GNA with UpDoNa in January 2024. They took over the operation of the previous pot shop at 16th and Tremont. Lime, a Latino themed club at the corner of 16th and Champa, is an UpDoNa Business Member and GNA signatory. XSO Nightclub moved into Lime’s old space in the Pavilions shopping mall. JKD Inc. with a GNA has opened a Vape, Beer and Wine shop at 1605 California, where the T-Mobile office used to be.
And finally, our most recent signee in April this year, two young gentlemen from Cameroon signed a GNA and are opening a very unique and ambitious operation, the Trybal African Speakeasy, at 1670 Champa Street (the old wine bar location). The Speakeasy will combine elements of African food, art, music, and cocktails.
Please support all our partners!
Thumbnail attribution: Rob Squire
