The Pearl Rises Again: New Beginnings and Bold Plans at the Former Mercury Cafe

After a challenging departure from their previous venue inside Colorado bar Your Mom’s House, The Pearl, a beloved queer space formerly known as Pearl Divers, is embarking on an exciting new chapter at the historic Mercury Cafe in Denver. This move represents not only a change of location but also a renewed sense of hope and the opportunity to cultivate a space that fully aligns with their vision of inclusivity, community, and growth.

The decision to relocate to the Mercury Cafe was born out of necessity and a desire for a more stable and supportive environment for founders dom Garcia and Ashlee Cassity. Following the issues and eventual departure from Your Mom’s House, The Pearl began actively searching for a new home. Their search led them to the iconic Mercury Cafe, a venue with a rich history and a strong community presence.

The Pearl’s founders were drawn to the Mercury Cafe’s unique character and their desire to preserve its legacy. Ashlee explains, “I remember the mercury Cafe selling, and I thought, ‘Let me reach out to the realtor to see if they’ll be interested in leasing it. We didn’t want it to go to developers. We wanted to bring it back to life, so we ended up leasing it with the option to buy.”

This commitment to the space and its history is a clear indication of The Pearl’s dedication to creating a lasting presence in the Denver community.

The move to the Mercury Cafe marks more than just a change of address; it signifies an expansion of The Pearl’s vision. They are not only bringing their popular events to the new location but also have ambitious plans for the future, including the addition of food service. And they’ll be keeping all the events that already took place at The Mercury, including dancing lessons and the poetry slams that have been happening there for years. This expansion aims to create a more comprehensive and welcoming experience for their patrons.

“We’re just wanting to have a safe space that people can have fun, something that we’ve been dreaming of giving and finally getting our own permanent space, and now we’re adding food to that mix,” Dom shares, highlighting their excitement for this new phase and their desire for a successful venture.

The transition to the Mercury Cafe has also allowed The Pearl to implement enhanced security measures. Recognizing the importance of creating a truly safe and comfortable environment, they are installing cameras throughout the building. This proactive step underscores their commitment to the well-being of their community.

The move to the Mercury Cafe also provides The Pearl with an opportunity to further solidify its identity as a welcoming and inclusive space for the queer community. The historic venue offers a unique backdrop for their events and allows them to cultivate an atmosphere that aligns with their values.

“It’s always been, like, a really cool, underground spot and also a chill place to go,” Dom notes about The Mercury. “We definitely want to keep that energy going.”

There are many unhoused neighbors who share space with The Pearl, the owners are taking steps to work with those neighbors, offering them light work, food, and water, instead of seeing them as a threat to business. 

“My mom struggled with addiction when I was younger, and I watched how people treated her as less than a person,” Dom reveals. “It’s never OK for anyone to be treated like that. They’re our neighbors, and this is their home too. We want to make sure they feel included here.”  

While the previous experience presented significant challenges, The Pearl is looking towards the future with enthusiasm. Their move to the Mercury Cafe represents a fresh start and a chance to build a permanent home for their community, filled with positive energy, exciting events, and now, delicious food. The Denver community can look forward to a revitalized and thriving Pearl at its new, historic location.

Photos by Addison Herron-Wheeler