Two Decade-Old Restaurants Close Their Doors

This week, two longtime Denver restaurants add to the list of local 2018 closures. After 13 years on Blake Street, The 9th Door Downtown closed on Saturday. And after nearly a decade on South Gaylord, the Tavern Wash Park will close after its last service on Sunday, May 6.

Fans of both brands still have other locations to visit, though. Tavern Hospitality Group operates seven Tavern-branded restaurants around Denver, including a nearby Platt Park store. Last year, The 9th Door’s Capitol Hill outpost was purchased by new ownership, and there are no plans to close it, owner Brian Murphy told Eater via email. “We are very excited for what our future holds,” Murphy said about his “chef-driven Spanish tapas” spot at 925 Lincoln Street.

The Tavern owners are still looking for a tenant or buyer for their Wash Park restaurant space, according to The Know. But The 9th Door Downtown space at 1808 Blake Street is now being taken over by chef Sheamus Feeley. He’s a veteran of Hillstone and Cherry Creek Grill in Denver, as well as White House Tavern in Aspen. According to Feeley, all former 9th Door employees are receiving severance as they look for other work. An announcement of the new restaurant concept there is forthcoming.

• All Previous Coverage of The 9th Door [EDEN]
• All of Denver’s 2018 Restaurant Closures [EDEN]