Denver’s dining scene just lost another gem. The Pub on Pearl, a beloved dive bar, has shuttered its doors after 35 years, joining a growing list of independent businesses falling to economic pressures in Colorado.
According to the Daily Mail, the closure of this iconic spot, announced with heartfelt emotion on social media, marks yet another casualty in a wave of restaurant and bar shutdowns sweeping through Denver and beyond.
The Pub on Pearl served its last drink on a recent Sunday, ending a 35-year run as a community staple. Known for cheap drinks and its famous Thursday night wing specials—like the $5-for-four-wings deal with a drink purchase—it carved out a special place in the hearts of locals. The bar’s staff expressed deep sadness over the decision but did not specify reasons for closing.
“The Pub would not have been as special without all of you and our wonderful staff!” the team shared on Facebook. “To our loyal regulars, we're going to miss you extra!” Patrons echoed the sentiment online, sharing personal memories tied to the bar. “Met my husband there!” wrote Christine Clark Gillen, capturing the bar’s role as a social hub.
Tommy Bauer added, “West Wash Park will not be the same without this place.” Such comments highlight how much more than a bar The Pub on Pearl was—it was a cornerstone of connection.
Denver, framed by the stunning Rocky Mountains, is losing many long-standing eateries that once defined its neighborhoods. The Pub on Pearl isn’t alone in its fate. Two other local spots, Cap City Tavern and Denver Sweet, served their final customers on July 27, 2025.
Owners of these establishments pointed to a brutal mix of economic hurdles as the cause. Inflation, soaring food costs, higher minimum wages, and hefty local taxes were cited as reasons for their closures. It’s a pattern that’s hard to ignore.
Across Colorado, the story repeats. In 2025, 23 states, including Colorado, raised minimum wages, with Colorado’s base rate climbing from $14.42 to $14.81. For labor-intensive industries like hospitality, even small hikes can sting.
Retail expert Neil Saunders of Global Data warned of the ripple effects. “Minimum wage increases add to a cocktail of cost increases faced by retailers,” he told the Daily Mail. “Many will have to raise prices, even marginally.”
Saunders further noted the broader consequences. “In a labor-intensive industry, even small increases can bite,” he said. Lower profits or cost-cutting often follow, hitting small businesses hardest.
Denver bears the brunt of Colorado’s restaurant closures, accounting for 82 percent of the state’s shutdowns last year. But the pain isn’t confined to the Mile High City. Colorado Springs is also seeing declines, with closures like Mountain Shadows Restaurant in Old Colorado City and Cy’s Drive-in on the west side.
Cy’s Drive-in shut down in October after the landlord requested the owner to vacate by year’s end. Meanwhile, small business owners across Colorado Springs feel the squeeze. “Small businesses are struggling all over,” said Chuck Thomas, whose wife owns Munchies 719.
For investors and wealth-builders, this trend signals caution in Colorado’s hospitality sector. Rising costs and regulatory burdens—like minimum wage hikes and local fees—could continue to erode margins for independent operators. Consider diversifying away from local retail or restaurant investments until clearer policies emerge.
While The Pub on Pearl’s sister location, the Pub on Penn, remains open with Wednesday wing deals, the broader outlook for Denver’s independents is grim. As Cap City Tavern lamented on social media, “We are not alone, as the community of independently owned restaurants in Denver is literally going extinct.” Let’s hope market-friendly reforms can stem this tide before more cherished spots vanish.