A New Bar Rises in Five Points This Spring

A new bar enters the Denver nightlife scene when Rita’s Law debuts inside the renovated Melbourne Hostel building at 22nd and Welton in the Five Points neighborhood. Owner Rita Price says the neighborhood bar will feature repurposed and reused materials, custom-designed furniture, and a patio.

Denver native Price says the name of the bar is “inspired by Yhprum’s Law, the optimistic cousin of Murphy’s Law,” meaning everything that can go right will go right.

“I always knew I wanted to have a bar, I just didn’t know when or where,” Price says in a press statement. “When I moved back to my hometown, I remembered the rich history and culture of Five Points and decided that it was the perfect location to open a bar — I wanted a neighborhood where a 21-year-old could sit next to an 85-year-old and strike up a conversation.”

Sprung Construction handled the heavy lifting to bring historic elements and repurposed materials into the space. Design features include a custom-built bar that uses wood paneling from the historic Zang Mansion and a bar top made from trailer truck beds designed by McPhee McGinnity Lumber Co. The back bar features whiskey barrel-inspired shelves built with staves from Breckenridge Distillery barrels, while refurbished doors from the Epworth Church, light fixtures from the NATIV hotel, and a patio fence made of vintage billboard panels fill the space.

Price converted an old school bus into her kitchen in order to get a tavern license. As she explains, “Rita’s Law is situated just a little too close to Ebert Elementary School. Insert the school bus. To avoid making a mountain out of a molehill, Rita’s Law converted this student transportation vehicle into a fully-functioning kitchen.”

Aside from its own food, Olive & Finch Eatery & Bakery provides the pastries and baked goods. Price plans to use ingredients sourced from Colorado- and Denver-based businesses on her menu.

Rita’s Law plans to open in late March or early April at 2209 Welton St.

• Rita’s Law [Official Site]

• All Coming Attractions [EDEN]