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Broadway Tiki Bar Closes, Will Reopen Under Little Man Ownership

Denver's only Polynesian-themed bar, Adrift, will be closed for a remodel and menu revamp for three weeks

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A notice on the door of Adrift, at 218 South Broadway, shares the news that the tiki bar and Polynesian restaurant will be closed while a remodel, new menu and heightened service get underway, as Westword reported on Monday. The venue, which opened in 2012, was purchased by Generator, the real estate group that owns Little Man Ice Cream. The firm has also developed iconic local restaurants, including LingerRoot DownBacon Social House.

"It's a real departure for us," says Paul Tamburello, owner of GENERATOR. He hopes to reimagine the new restaurant into a more immersive, experiential destination. Referencing Little Man's mantra that business exists to make a difference, he speaks of giving back and the ice cream shop's Scoop for Scoop program, that matches ice cream with donations of rice, beans and other essentials for international communities, from Uganda to Peru.

Describing the opening night of Adrift, Tamburello, a Denver native, describes the eatery as "kitschy," then going on to say his 28-foot milk can – the original location of Little Man – also has some "silliness and whimsy." Façade enhancements will include removing dividing walls, highlighting the bar with opaque accents and generally creating a space that encourages community.

"I've never owned a restaurant," Tamburrelo says. "I've worked with a lot of restaurant owners, but have never run a restaurant. I have a lot to learn."

Seeking to update the menu beyond the typical hamburger with pineapple on top, Tamburello mentioned traditional dishes such as huli huli chicken and lots of fish amidst community tables and conversations.

The restaurant is slated to reopen in approximately three weeks.

Also on deck for the Little Man team – two additional openings: an ice cream and handmade chocolate shop in Congress Park, set to open by November, and a location on West Colfax, that has expanded from its original design plan to a 6,000-square-foot facility. According to Tamburello, that location won't open until early 2017.

Little Man Ice Cream

2620 16th St, Denver, CO 80211 (303) 455-3811 Visit Website

Linger

2030 West 30th Avenue, , CO 80211 (303) 993-3120 Visit Website

Root Down

1600 West 33rd Avenue, , CO 80211 (303) 993-4200 Visit Website

Adrift

218 South Broadway, , CO 80209 (303) 778-8454 Visit Website

Bacon Social House

700 South 3rd Street, , MN 55415 (612) 428-7107 Visit Website