Denver celebrates final weekend with the Eagle

For 10 years, the Denver Eagle has offered a place for Denver queers to come and be 100 percent authentically themselves. Sadly, this decade long legacy is coming to an end on Saturday, when it will close its doors for the final time.

Walking up to the gigantic warehouse nestled on the corner of Blake and 36th Avenue on Thursday, the final Underwear Night for the bar, the music and bustling crowd can be heard from across the parking lot. A gaggle of men, somewhat drunkenly, rushed to the door ready for what was bound to be a good night. But they noticed something was missing before they entered the building. The giant penis door handle was no longer attached to the industrial door.

Although their disappointment was apparent, it was short lived. Upon walking into the giant warehouse, the group of men was greeted with a bar packed full of people, some fully clothed and some wearing barely anything. Correction: most wearing barely anything.

It was an Underwear Night unlike any other. Queers were packed from wall to wall with a majority flooding to the bar, like sperm trying to penetrate an egg. Walking through the bar without getting something spilled on you, or groped, was impossible. The noise level was so high that friends standing inches away from each other had to slightly yell to hear each other. Getting a drink was similar to breaking the line in Red Rover.

But, no one cared. People were dancing, mingling, laughing, and having a good time. It was a celebration.

“For 10 years we have been a bar that people, no matter who they are or what they are into, can come and have a good time,” Jim Ventrello, owner of the Denver Eagle, said. “It’s why we opened the bar, and that mentality has stuck throughout the years.”

Back in 2006, Jim noticed a lack in the Denver gay bars. He felt there wasn’t a bar that would welcome all people with open arms and make anyone feel included. So, he did something about it.

With a lot of major cities having an eagle, none of which are connected to each other in a financial relationship, Jim set out to open one here in Denver. When he found a giant, vacant warehouse he knew he found the right place.

He signed a lease, and started renovating the warehouse into a bar complete with plumbing, electrical work, installing an HVAC, and setting up an aesthetically pleasing bar that would draw customers.

“In the beginning it was a struggle,” Jim said. “A lot of people complained it was so far from downtown, but they eventually came around. I guess they realized that if you want to go to a nice place, you have to travel a bit.”

And so began the legacy of the Denver Eagle. Throughout the years, many have come and gone, and some have come and stayed. Jim built a family that continually grew.

Unfortunately, the legacy he built is coming to an end as his lease does and the walls that hold many, many secrets and good times will be demolished. There are currently no plans to re-open the bar at a different location.

“I just want everyone to know how grateful and honored I am that we became what we did,” Jim said. “It’s sad to say goodbye to this place that holds so many great memories. It would have never been possible without all of you.”

There are still two more nights to visit the Eagle before it shuts its doors permanently. Tonight is Furry Fueled Friday, and Saturday, the final night, will be a Red Dungeon party where the Eagle goes back to its seedy roots.

Get out and show support!