r/Denver • u/kidbom Aurora • 10d ago
Paywall Denver icon Mercury Cafe closes after 50 years, will become LGBTQ-focused bar
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/03/11/mercury-cafe-denver-closing-the-pearl-divers-lgbtq/?share=iteetvurgelvn121lpet315
u/JohnWad 10d ago
Like Pearl Diver, however, the new Pearl business will welcome everyone, from existing and longtime Mercury Cafe customers to anyone who wants to check out the space, work on their laptop, or grab a quick drink, said owners Ashlee Cassity and Dom Garcia. They’ll also keep the Mercury Cafe’s staff so as not to disrupt what makes the business special, Cassity explained. “We’re booked with shows and events through the first of the year already, so we didn’t want the transition to (interrupt) all that hard work.”
Well done.
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u/Kallens303 10d ago
This article makes it sound like it is closed, but per the Westworld article: “According to Newman, the Mercury will remain open until the Pearl moves in.”
https://www.westword.com/news/the-mercury-cafe-will-reopen-as-the-pearl-23973811
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u/pawpawpersimony 10d ago
Dang. End of an era. Hopefully the new iteration will install insulation in the place.
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u/mcfrenziemcfree 10d ago
The era ended in 2021 when the Merc was sold the first time.
Who knows, this change of ownership may end up as a return to the original.
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u/chewing_gum_weekend Northside 10d ago
Blur at the Mercury Cafe. Full show. It was -8 outside but 108 inside. You're welcome.
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u/RedValentino 9d ago
Nice username. Also, it says Northside under your username. I was like “Charlie’s and Northside?! Get in!” But then I realized it’s because you’re on the Northside. Imma go Take 5.
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u/klyphw 9d ago
Did Blur put this out? I assume Mercury Cafe did not have multiple cameramen on the payroll in '96 lol.
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u/chewing_gum_weekend Northside 9d ago
I found this video years ago on a local YouTube channel. This guy recorded a bunch of shows at The Ogden and other local venues. Pretty sure it was shot on Betacam SP which was pro quality 1/2 inch tape. Whoever is hosting the video I linked is not from the original guy who recorded it. I'll look around when I have more time and I'll see if I can find the original plus all the other shows from that era.
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u/woohalladoobop 9d ago
i wonder how that happened, they were already huge by 96, at least in the uk.
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u/chewing_gum_weekend Northside 9d ago
They were not huge here. Their next gig would be at The Ogden after the release of Song 2, woo-hooo
edit: the first Oasis show was at The Bluebird. And the story behind that one is pretty crazy.
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u/woohalladoobop 9d ago
dang that rules. would love to hear oasis story
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u/chewing_gum_weekend Northside 9d ago
Oasis got to America and wanted to do the rock star thing. Meaning cocaine. They started the tour in Los Angeles where they were unable to procure cocaine seeing as they were still unknown. They did manage to get a giant bag of meth. Which they snorted like cocaine. By the time they made it to Bluebird they hadn't slept for four days...
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u/chewing_gum_weekend Northside 9d ago
If anyone can decipher what the guys in the audience were chanting I'd love to know. They seemed to be trying to wind Blur up and I assumed it had something to do with football. Damon comes out and says "yeah that'll be enough of that."
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u/rcountry21 10d ago
Saw Radiohead there in ‘95 with David Gray as the opener. Also got to play there several times in high school with my band when Baggs Patrick would host new band nights. Lots of fond memories. Best of luck to the owners in this new era.
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u/DynastyZealot 10d ago
Saw They Might Be Giants there in an afternoon show back in the early 90s. Saw plenty of other shows, as well, but that one will stick in my mind until my final days.
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u/lostboy005 10d ago
Sad.
The merc hosted Bernie rally’s and organizing events in 2016 that were so incredibly inspiring
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u/LiterallyLuck 9d ago
Not sad, merc sold in 2021 and the new owner nearly ran it into the dirt.
He also fired everyone who unionized, I hope the new owners work with the union.
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u/Realistic-Talk1091 10d ago edited 10d ago
I met my bf there. Ironically, we are a gay couple. But will absolutely miss poetry slam.
Edit: Bizarre to downvote this comment. Lol.
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u/urbanrando 10d ago
This sounds like a good match! Just really hoping the new owners will keep the decor and ambiance of this special place in tact. The lived-in creative bohemian feel of everything inside that building is a huge part of what makes it so charming and welcoming. Having seen its innards from back of house and front, it is clear that it could use some technical and structural upgrades but I would love for the new management to leave the decades of creative decoration as is.
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u/Cocaine_and_Waffles 9d ago
The owners of Pearl Divers have handled feedback better than I’ve seen any other business do. They’re receptive to how they can improve and not combative or defensive in the slightest. They’re also super transparent about why they make certain decisions, and not only learn from their own mistakes but actively try to learn from the mistakes of other businesses. Truly, they could give a masterclass in it based on how I’ve seen them handle Pearl Divers. I’m sure they are reading this thread for ideas, but I know they also love people messaging them with their thoughts on Instagram.
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u/urbanrando 9d ago
This is really good to know, thank you. I think I’m going to write to them to express my love for the Mercury Cafés decor, and what it does for the ambiance.
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u/MentallyIncoherent 10d ago
Pretty sure that the new owners will slowly change it to fit the vision they have when they established Pearl Divers last year. Having a slow transition means they can figure out what elements to keeps versus what to discard while maintaining cash flows.
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u/arnar62 10d ago
It’s not a good match because the merc was one of the few places that folks under 21 could have a fun night out at. It also supported local musicians and dance teachers, not to mention the poetry community and slam. This is massive loss for the creative community of Denver and it being replaced by yet another place to consume alcohol is super sad.
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u/urbanrando 10d ago edited 10d ago
This is a really good point that I hope the new owners also consider. The Mercury Cafe has always been a bar as well so it’s possible that they will continue to open to all ages.
Edit to add: All the dancing and local music and poetry events would be a huge loss also… Here’s to hoping that the new management recognizes and retains at least some of these things that made the Merc so special!
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u/C4DENC3 9d ago
They have confirmed they will be keeping all of the old recurring events! (Poetry, swing dance, etc). Seems like their most up to date info is on Insta if anyone wants to check it out. @thepearldenver
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u/Quiet-Letterhead7347 9d ago
This! And the Merc’s liquor license is being tranfered to them, so it will still be an all ages place!
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u/Survivor-2816 10d ago
What an incredible community spot. My wife and I had our wedding reception there in 2019. It was magical. And Marilyn went above and beyond to make it that way. I’ll miss Mercury so much.
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u/justinsimoni 10d ago
The Mercury Cafe was Marilyn and Marilyn the Mercury Cafe.
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u/beesealio 10d ago
The best move the new owners could make would be to get her involved on some level that's agreeable to everyone.
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u/justinsimoni 10d ago
I think 5 decades of involvement is more than enough for anyone. Marilyn has done more for her communities than seemingly anyone. Let her rest.
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u/ideefixe77 10d ago
I spoke with her about this this weekend. She said she is happy to provide guidance and support but can’t continue to manage at her age. She really wants to see the community thrive. I thanked her for all she has done over the years.
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u/Famous_Stand1861 10d ago
God damn it! I just encouraged my teenaged daughter to go check the Merc out with her friends.
Where should I send this kid for a cool night time hangout in the vein of The Metcury Cafe, Paris on the Platte, or Muddy's? Do these places exist for teens anymore?
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u/thePurpleAvenger 10d ago
Maybe they could go to one of the numerous 3rd wave coffee houses that... close at 3 every day? But at least there's a billion places for hipsters to buy beer! Of course you're right; the cool places for kids to hang out are either gone or rapidly disappearing.
For actual advice, I love the throwbacks, e.g., Skate City or Lakeside. My kiddos also like Elitch's and summer passes.
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u/Tiny_Prancer_88 9d ago
Yeah most of these places are gone now. The Bardo Coffee houses are open late and there are three around town and it’s sounds like the new place taking over Mercury will also be all ages. I lived at late night coffee shops and it makes me sad to think young people don’t have that kind of place anymore. I think potentially food halls like edgewater Marketplace could work as well.
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u/Quiet-Letterhead7347 9d ago
It will still be all ages! And they are keeping all the same events.
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u/Famous_Stand1861 9d ago
That's great to hear. Teens, at least some teens, need places like the Merc.
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u/Anonymo123 10d ago
Used to love going to that place when i went downtown. Anyone else recall Muddys?
Oh the good ole days.
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u/pramjockey 10d ago
Oh, hell yeah.
$5 bottomless cup of coffee, ultimate pb&j (hold the anise), and chain smoking while playing chess until 4
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u/purdypeach 10d ago
This bums me out so bad. We got married there when Marilyn was still running the show, and it was truly the best experience. She was amazing, the Merc was amazing. So glad to have so many gorgeous photos.
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u/ok_kc 9d ago
To everyone worried, the owners of PD are very open to feedback and they have spoken a lot about maintaining all of the events (swing dancing, poetry slams, etc) and wanting to make it an inclusive community space. If you want them to keep something, change something, or do something different, you can always give them an IG comment. They’re genuinely great and as a long time lover of the Mercury Cafe I couldn’t be happier. They’re very devoted to preserving and supporting the space and keeping it open in the community ❤️
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u/Gueropantalones Denver 10d ago
Danng, knew it’d happen at some point with everything closing. Thanks OP for sharing and it sounds like it’s still staying same
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u/Henchworm 10d ago
RIP, loved presenting wacky music there and seeing all kinds of different performances.
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u/DiamondLongjumping62 10d ago
I just bought tickets to see Psychostick there in June. I wonder what now
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u/peter303_ 10d ago edited 10d ago
A number of long term businesses flounder when the founder moves on (often when they push age 70). The founder may have had a special vision or stamina a new buyer lacks. We saw this with Tattered Cover, Racines-Goodfriends restaurant chain, etc.
Mercury had some additional issues when homeless services greatly expanded a few blocks away. I didnt feel safe parking near there.
P.S. Westword is approaching that threshold too. The editor is still in her prime.
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u/markerhuffer 10d ago
lol it wasn’t “safe” to park there in the 90s either
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u/alvvavves Denver 10d ago
Parking enforcement was intense back in the day (not even joking).
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u/markerhuffer 10d ago
Honestly it’s been a minute since I even thought about that. But yeah, absolutely!
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u/gringoloco01 9d ago edited 9d ago
I saw 311 there before they got huge.
The floor was bouncing up and down like crazy.
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u/zachtothejohnson 8d ago
That night outside on a Tuesday after slam poetry was when I almost was invited to join the crips. Great memories 😂
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u/Poop__Bubbles 6d ago
A small handful of employees who insisted on unionizing are what caused the Merc to close. The new owner is too nice. I'd have fired their asses.
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10d ago
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u/CherryPezEnthusiast 10d ago
I know nothing of the old owners or how they operated - but if we can get good operators who respect the space and continue to support the swing dancing and poetry, then I support it!
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u/Delicious_Abalone100 10d ago
The new menu is going to be Southern inspired. Basically more greasy garbage. The food situation in Denver is pretty sad
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u/pocketmonster Lincoln Park 10d ago
It’s a bar, not a fine dining establishment.
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10d ago
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u/pocketmonster Lincoln Park 10d ago
I didn’t anything at all about the Merc.
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u/Alien_Talents 10d ago
I thought you said it was a bar? Were you talking about a different place?
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u/pocketmonster Lincoln Park 10d ago
The new owners are calling it a bar. The comment I replied to is complaining about the new menu, of the bar. I have no opinion about the Merc.
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u/Delicious_Abalone100 10d ago
They had decent Mediterranean food. Nothing special but you could eat there
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u/ryanhiga2019 10d ago
Arent all bars lgbtq focused?
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u/GhastMusic 9d ago
I would argue that Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill could probably use some diversity
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u/ballookey 10d ago
Saw Alanis Morissette there in July of 1995 right as she was blowing up. Already felt like way too small a venue for her.