Experimental Bar Greenlight Lab Has Ended Its Run in a RiNo Alley

A one-of-a-kind Denver bar closed over the weekend after its design firm operators, LIVstudio, sold to new owners. Greenlight Lab lasted just over a year in the alley behind Denver Central Market.

Owner Brandon Anderson announced Greenlight’s closure Tuesday on the bar’s Facebook page. He said his business needs to get back to designing Denver restaurants, but he hinted at a future for the small bar space.

“We are excited to have a group of friends take reins here and develop their own concept,” Anderson wrote. “We never knew if a little bar tucked away in Denver’s best alley (even without a sign) would succeed, but with your help it was an incredible success! We had a great time getting to know so many wonderful people.”

Marked only by a green light above the entryway, inside, the lab operated as a testing ground for LIV’s restaurant designs. Furniture, light fixtures, and cocktails changed throughout the bar’s lifespan, and customers were encouraged to give feedback on all of it, which Anderson and his team collected to inform their layout and offerings.

“We received feedback from thousands of you and used this information to improve service as well as our design process,” Anderson added. “We may have turned off the green light but your input has been heard and will continue to be implemented.”

Greenlight Lab secured a spot on Eater’s cocktail heatmap for its first year in business. More to come on the new owners’ plans for it.

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