Sir, New Downtown Denver LGBTQ Bar, Closes Permanently

After celebrating its grand opening in mid-January, the newest LGBTQ bar in Denver, Sir, announced Monday that it will be closing its doors for good.

“It is with great sadness in which we announced that we are closing permanently,” Sir announced on its Instagram page. “We would like extend thank yous to those who supported us and to our wonderful staff who became family.”

The bar opened at 1822 Blake St., the former location of Vesta Dipping Grill for more than 20 years before it permanently closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bar was opened by Trey Stewart and his father, Tyler, who are also business partners at their Dallas bar, Mr. Misster. Trey chatted with OFM last year about visiting Denver and feeling immediately at home with the city’s LGBTQ community. He later approached his father about a new concept for a queer bar in the Mile High City, which eventually became Sir.

Trey said he wanted Sir to offer something that didn’t yet exist in Denver. He and his father built the space strategically to highlight their full kitchen and food menu, though with Sunday Drag Brunch and cocktail fare, they also hoped Sir could support a more casual, daytime atmosphere alongside an evening, bar-club feel.

“We quickly realized that the needs of the Denver community were different from what we knew about the Dallas community, so with that being said, we decided it was best to pack up Sir and take it back to where it all started for us, the Lone Star State,” Trey says in an email statement to OFM.”We listened to the feedback that we got in Denver, learned a lot along the way and hope to make a comeback in the future with a better understanding of what Denver needs.”

He adds, “Being a part of the LGBTQ community myself, I am always seeking to make a greater impact on the community that I call my own.”

Trey also says that the space is back on the market and expressed his hopes that another entrepreneur “with a vision for LoDo comes in and enjoys it just as much as we have!”

“It is a wonderful spot for a restaurant/bar, so we are confident that whatever comes in next will be absolutely great!” Trey says. “If anyone is interested in the space, they can reach out to Mark Valente with Sanborn and Company at (720) 353-7260.”

Sir became a topic of discussion back in February, when Dallas and Denver community members expressed concern over claims of racial insensitivity from a Dallas drag performer, Jenni P, who was set to host Sir’s first Sunday Drag Brunch. After multiple performers spoke out, Sir posted a statement affirming its commitment to being a “safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQIA+ community to enjoy crafty cocktails, delicious food, and great experiences.”

Photo courtesy of Hunter Munnerlyn