The disappearance of old Denver is a narrative that has shaken the city to its core in recent years as decades-old, family-owned businesses have shuttered due to rising rents and changing tastes.
But the loss of Armida’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar, the Capitol Hill anchor known for its raucous and welcoming karaoke nights, is hitting people harder than most.
On Tuesday, messages began appearing on Facebook that the eatery and bar at 840 Lincoln St. was shutting down, leading to remembrances and mourning.
An employee at the restaurant confirmed Tuesday morning via phone that the space would be changing its name to La Milpa. The new restaurant will have the same ownership, but owners are jettisoning the karaoke.
“I know not everyone ‘got’ it, how much the space meant to people,” former Armida’s karaoke-jockey Kyria Lydia Abrahams said. “Friendships were formed there. Lives were saved there. People found their life purpose was to sing. I encouraged everyone who walked through that door.”
Armida’s had been offering karaoke to both the everyday Joe and karaoke addicts at least since the early 1990s, according to its website, with Tuesday through Saturday sessions that started at 4 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.
Source: Read Full Article