Thursday, December 31, 2020
Colfax Avenue Historical Society
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
History of the Lion's Lair
![]() |
The Playboy Lounge (photo courtesy Save the Signs) |
The CBGB's of Denver, the Lion's Lair at 2022 E. Colfax Avenue, has a storied history. Upon further research through old Denver phone books and public records, this timeline emerged:
1926: Jno B Jr. Nellegar Autos (earliest available record)
1927-1928: Capital Motor Co.
1929: Capitol Motor Co.
1930: Vacant
1931: De Berry Garment Co.
1933: GF Johnson Women's Wear
1934: Alvin T. Johnson Women’s Wear
1935-1936: Chas Gibboney took over the building as a restaurateur; later operated by Frank Banta (business name unknown)
1937-1938: The Salad Bowl (restaurant)
1939: The Skol Inn
1940-1955: Aladdin Tavern
1956-1962: Playboy Lounge
1963-1967: The Playroom
1968-1971: Aladdin Lounge
1972-1973: Lyon’s Lair, after the new owner John Lyons.
1974: The Lion’s Lair
In the interest of historical accuracy, please send any additions or corrections to thecolfaxmuseum@gmail.com.
Friday, December 25, 2020
Christmas Capitol of the World
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Top Star Motel Sign Restoration
Monday, December 14, 2020
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Cafe York
Axum
Ethiopian Cuisine on Colfax Ave. used to be Cafe York which was one of
the premier listening rooms in America in the 1970's. Jimmy Buffett played
his 1st shows in Denver here.
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Jesse Owens visits Emerson Street East Restaurant on Colfax
This 1972 Original Photo by DENVER POST PHOTOGRAPHER BARRY STAVER shows Jesse Owens, winner of 4 gold medals in 1936 at the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, finding his photo amid the collection of all-star athletes gracing the walls of the Emerson Street East Restaurant at 900 East Colfax Avenue operated by William Parella. Owens visited sports-oriented dining spa during Denver, Colorado visit promoting "Great Olympic Moments," limited edition silver medals offered until September 10 on public sale by Coca-Coca Bottling Company to raise funds to help send America's 1972 Olympic athletes to Munich. |
|
Friday, December 11, 2020
History Colorado
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Quixote's True Blue Cafe
Back when Quixote's used to be on East Colfax Avenue in the Riviera Motel Bar. It originally opened in 1996, the year following the death of Jerry Garcia.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Marlon D. Green
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Don Cheadle at East High School
Don Cheadle: the East High School years. Yes, Mr. Cheadle was once an East High Angel.....here he is singing with Neil Bridge’s Citywide Jazz Combo. That’s Neil to the side conducting.
Monday, December 7, 2020
Populus coming to West Colfax Avenue
This is what's planned for the old Denver Hospitality Center site at 225 W Colfax. I'm still not happy that the old building is being demolished, but I really like this new one (at least from what I can tell by the rendering). - Colfax Jack
Urban Villages, a Denver-based real estate firm that focuses on long-term value creation, in partnership with world-renowned architecture practice Studio Gang, revealed the design of a new 145,000-gross-square-foot, 13-story mixed-use building – known as “Populus” – located at 14th Street and Colfax Avenue, immediately adjacent to Civic Center Park.
Here's what it's replacing:
Sunday, December 6, 2020
13th Amendment
On this day (Dec. 6th) 155 years ago, our country founded on ideals of freedom and universal equality finally ended the legal institution of slavery when Congress ratified the 13th Amendment. Colfax Avenue namesake Schuyler Colfax was the Speaker of the House at the time, and considered it the pinnacle of his political career.
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Friday, December 4, 2020
Thursday, December 3, 2020
China Place Restaurant
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Tap Inn
Tap Inn, 4888 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, 1980s (photo by Reed Weimer)
This bar is now known as The Viking and the sign is still there, although it's been painted over. The vintage Arby's building next door is still there as well, although it's now a used car lot.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Eugene Field House
Did you know that Margaret Brown was one of Denver's early preservationists? In 1927 she worked to preserve the home of Denver poet, Eugene Field, from its threatened location near the Denver Mint on Colfax Avenue to Washington Park. The home served as a library branch for 40 years. Today it is used by the park, and a nearby statue of Wynken, Blynken and Nod commemorates one of Field's most famous poems.
Monday, November 30, 2020
Molly Brown House Museum
![]() |
Margaret and J.J. Brown moved into this house in 1894. |
Historic Denver was founded as part of an effort to purchase the Molly Brown House and save it from the wrecking ball that had felled so many of its neighbors in Capitol Hill. The owner at the time, Art Leisinring, put out the alert that he needed to sell the structure, and Denver history lovers and preservationists worked together to save the decrepit mansion. The museum devoted to telling the story of Margaret Brown, Denver philanthropist and suffragist, has been open to the public since March 1971, and has welcomed well over two million people.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Friday, November 27, 2020
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Satire Lounge Sign
Monday, November 23, 2020
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020
New Yorker Lounge Sign Has A New Home
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Solf Building, 1976
![]() |
Photo by Ira Gay Sealy |
Friday, November 13, 2020
Grammy Award winner Clark Hagan

Thursday, November 12, 2020
John Elliott, R.I.P.
Rest in Power, John Elliott. He was a great friend of the music scene and had been fighting cancer with all his might, but in the end lost the battle to COVID. Keep fighting in his name, and wear your masks!
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Happy Veterans Day
![]() | |
William Colfax |
Happy Veterans Day and thank you to all the heroes who have served our country! Speaking of veterans, Colfax Avenue namesake Schuyler Colfax's grandfather William was the Captain of General George Washington's personal guard. He fought in every major battle of the Revolutionary War and lived to tell the tale. He was even present at Yorktown when Gen. Corwallis surrendered, ending the war.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
The Sound Track
The Sound Track, located at Colfax and Gaylord St., was a short lived club, but hosted some legendary music while it lasted! King Crimson & Energy played there in 1972.
Monday, November 9, 2020
Sunday, November 8, 2020
U2 at McNichols Arena, 1987
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Aristocrat Motor Hotel
Don't see too many aristocrats on West Colfax these days, with the exception of this very cool old sign...