Denver is grieving another loss. This time, we are losing a neighborhood staple. The Bonnie Brae Tavern has been in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood, located on South University Boulevard, since 1934. Back in June of 1934, Carl and Susan Dire opened their tavern; and now 88 years later on June 25th, the Dire family will shut their doors one last time.
View this post on Instagram
Throughout its nearly nine decades, the restaurant managed to stay in the family the entire time. This has been a family affair. With so much of the family putting their all into this restaurant. They are now on their third generation of owners with the fourth generation working at the restaurant full time. So many memories have been made here by the family and by the neighborhood.
But things have been changing in Denver over the years. Especially since the pandemic hit. We have been seeing restaurants closing up for business at alarming rates. Restaurants have seen a staff shortage and quite frankly are unable to pay the number of people that they need to stay afloat. We don’t blame them. It’s tough out there.
So as we say goodbye to a longstanding neighborhood favorite, we will welcome another apartment building in its place. With sadness, we wish the Dire family well, and thank them for the 88 years of feeding our hungry mouths, with some of the best pizza in Denver!
