The Upcoming Restaurant Openings You Should Know About

Hangar 101 Bar & Grill will bring back the tiki vibes at 7575 West Jewell Avenue in Lakewood, Westword reported. Brainchild of Ami Benari of Zanzibar Billiards Club in Ballpark, the upcoming venture is set to open this fall. The giant space, some 15,000 square feet formerly housing a bank, will be transformed to bring back vibes of “tiki lounges, ramshackle tin huts, and airplanes painted with pinup girls.” A custom-built bar will feature 101 beers (not Dalmatians), with 51 of those on tap. If you like to shoot billiards, there will be twelve pool tables and six bowling lanes to provide extra reasons to visit.

AUGUST 4

After success in the midwest, Whit’s Frozen Custard, a family-owned sweet treat operation will open in the Tennyson Art District in the coming weeks. Serving frozen custard – an ice cream-like dessert made of cream, eggs, and sugar that is thicker, smoother, creamier and kept at a higher temperature – the old-fashioned diner-style franchise was originally launched in Ohio in 2003 by a former McDonald’s owner. With locations now in Florida and North Carolina, this – 3926 Tennyson Street – is the first Colorado location for Whit’s.

Bringing Mother Nature inside for an ice cold beer, Woods Boss Brewing will open in grand fashion with a full weekend bonanza, August 11, 12, and 13 at 2210 California Street. Conceived of by Jordan Fink and Chad Moore, the 5,400-square-foot Five Points space, built in the 1900s, has 20-foot high ceilings and room for 160. Hunks of redwood dominate the space serving as two separate sprawling bars, along with a 40-person back patio. The 15-barrel will craft a wide variety of brews, including a Belgian blonde, single malt pale ale and an imperial IPA collaboration. Situated inside a space totaling 17,000-square-feet – the former warehouse will also house retail, restaurants and offices looking ahead.

Olde Town Arvada will get a whimsical new cafe called The Cereal Box, playfully pawing at your childhood memories of the bowls full of sweet sustenance. The project is currently working through a Kickstarter campaign to prepare the space for opening. Once it debuts, the eatery will offer a variety of American classics, limited throwback editions and cereal imports from around the world. Additional menu selections will range from the milk, to toppings, toaster pastries and an assortment of a.m. beverages.

AUGUST 3

The Sunnyside space that for housed Paxia until last summer will become Lot 14 Bistro later this month. Located at 4001 Tejon Street, the coming attraction will feature a seasonal menu paired with a full bar including beer, wine, and cocktails. The patio is a highlight for the eatery that will serve dinner seven days a week and brunch on both weekend days.

JULY 31

The California-based Dog Haus, which recently announced an aggressive plan to bring its signature hot dogs, sausages, and burgers to more than 300 new markets across the country, is getting ready to open its third Colorado location later this year at the Northfield Stapleton mall. Jason Bell, who opened the first Colorado Dog Haus in Centennial in 2015, is behind the new effort, along with a new business partner, Brett Johnson of KEJ Ventures.

According to Brian Rockwell, the Centennial location’s general manager, the new Stapleton outpost is going to look a little different. The company is calling the new concept a Dog Haus Biergarten, and it will feature a full bar, 20-30 beers on tap and a number of televisions. Rockwell says they are in the process of converting all Dog Haus locations to the Biergarten style, so changes to the Centennial and Colorado Springs locations are likely in the offing.

The Biergarten-style locations will still serve the standard Dog Haus menu, including the chain’s new fried chicken sandwich.

July 6

Family-owned and operated Cub’s Q Barbecue – the popular trailer serving Kansas City-style ribs, sloppy but satisfying pulled pork, sausage and tender brisket – will take over the space formerly belonging to Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ at 6955 South York Street, according to Westword. The carnivorous new operation within the Streets at Southglenn could be up and running as soon as this month. Before signing the new lease, Cub’s had moved from its semi-permanent home in the parking lot at South Broadway and Dakota Avenue – now morphing into a Natural Grocers. When construction began on the new market, founders Greg and Linda McCubbin along with their son Michael McCubbin and a fourth business partner, Ashley Scott hit the pavement and made their way around the south metro Denver area, parking at brew pubs, catering for corporate affairs and other events.

The new brick and mortar won’t bring dramatic change to the menu, though burgers, salads and a full bar will be offered. The space will undergo slight renovations and the McCubbin’s smoker will be moved into the kitchen, cooking meats low and slow for a tender final product. Guests can still expect the Papa Bear with strands of pork shoulder, soft strips of brisket and a slice of smoked provolone inside a brioche bun. The original Cub’s Q Barbecue trailer will continue to roam through town, while a second truck is expected to hit the road and serve K.C. barbecue in the Rocky Mountains of Summit County.

July 5

The line that forms at the iconic walk-up window under a bright red awning at 1618 E. Colfax has vanished as Bourbon Grill prepares to move to 571 E. Colfax Avenue, reports Westword. Set to reopen in three weeks, an oversized sign has emerged at the corner of Colfax and Pearl streets. The cheap eats, including char-grilled chicken platters with bourbon glaze or barbecue sauce, Cajun chicken sandwiches and sides such as deep fried egg rolls and mac ‘n cheese will be served in the space that was once home to Pizza Fusion. The new Bourbon Grill will also feature indoor seating for the first time.

July 3

The views will be unbeatable at 54thirty, a new bar/restaurant sitting atop the luxury Le Méridien Denver Downtown hotel, opening this summer. Located at 1475 California Street, the 20th story space is expected to be the Mile High City’s highest open-air rooftop, featuring French-inspired decor and a mid-century modern design. Le Méridien will also include a full-service restaurant, Corinne, serving elevated comfort food with European culinary influence from a Michelin-starred restaurant group. At the helm of the kitchen, chef Tobias Burkhalter, who most recently worked as executive sour-chef at Westin Denver Downton, will thread global inspiration throughout the menus of both eateries. Though specific details have yet-to-be unveiled, Corinne will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, while 54thirty will present shared bites. Burkhalter says his menus will be inspired by his culinary experience in international destinations, including Paris and Barcelona.

June 28

When one barbecue door closes (as three did with Southern Hospitality pulled out of Colorado), another one opens. Smokin Yard’s, a barbecue joint that got its start in Idaho Springs, will open at the corner of West First Avenue and Santa Fe Drive, BusinessDen reported. A 4,000 square feet space will open in September, bringing along an indoor smoker and a restaurant that will include a garage door opening to a small covered patio.

June 12

High Point Creamery is growing with a third retail location at 3955 Tennyson Street in the buzzy Tennyson Street area. Owner Erika Thomas shared that she signed a lease for the 1200 square foot space that will allow her to bring her sweet treats to this part of town. Thomas anticipates a late fall opening and is excited to have room for a café-type set up inside. The ice cream shop currently operates its original location on Holly Street, an outpost inside the Denver Central Market, and a bright roaming fuchsia-colored truck.

Atomic Cowboy will open its fourth outpost at 528 South Tejon Street downtown in Colorado Springs in the iconic old Trolley Building. A combo of Denver Biscuit Company and Fat Sully’s Pizza, both under one roof, Atomic Cowboy will bring southern-style Mile High biscuits, giant New York Style pizza, plus specialty cocktails and wide selection of beer to the Springs. The Trolley Building had previously been home to another restaurant and before that, housed the Trolley’s that ran through Colorado Springs. Atomic Cowboy owner Drew Shader and local developer Joe Niebur have purchased the roughly nine thousand square foot building and plan to add on an additional 2,500 sf with a rooftop deck for drinking, eating and live music. The spring of 2018 is targeted for the opening.

North Denver sandwich staple Curtis Park Deli is growing with a second location at 6th and Detroit, Westword reported. The space formerly housed Dragon Cafe, a Chinese restaurant that closed last winter. When it opens in the fall, the new venture will bring a menu similar to that of the Curtis Park original, plus some unique neighborhood-friendly options, a parking lot and an expanded outdoor seating area. Fans of the six year old sandwich shop go there for items like the Curtis, made with shaved corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, drenched in the house Thousand Island dressing.

Sapor, a new coffee shop, is moving into 2785 Speer, a residential and retail development at 2785 Speer, BusinessDen reported. Husband and wife team Caleb and Jeannie Sprengerare behind the concept that will occupy the 2,000-square-foot space. Come winter, the duo will bring espresso drinks, pour-over and batch-brewed coffee plus other drinks and pastries.