Walk down South Gaylord Street today and it feels a little different. For nearly 30 years, one corner basically anchored the whole block. You know the spot. If you lived in the neighborhood or even just visited for a stroll through the park, Wash Park Grille Denver CO was the place where you’d end up for a stiff martini or a massive plate of pasta.
Honestly, it's weird to see the windows dark.
For the locals who spent their Friday nights tucked into the red booths listening to live jazz, the closure wasn't just a business failing. It was the end of an era. We’re talking about a spot that opened in 1997, back when Denver’s food scene was still finding its feet. It grew into this weird, wonderful hybrid of an Italian trattoria and a high-energy American bar.
The Drama Behind the Scenes
You might've heard rumors about why it shuttered in early 2024. It wasn't just a "down economy" thing. The reality is a lot messier. After the unexpected passing of co-owner Greg Sauber in 2022, things got legally complicated between the surviving owner, Jeff Estey, and Sauber’s estate. We're talking lawsuits, countersuits over life insurance policies, and claims of unpaid government loans.
By the time the city and state stepped in for unpaid taxes totaling over $100k, the writing was on the wall.
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It’s a bummer. Estey had been there since he was 25, starting as a waiter and eventually buying the place. He literally spent his entire adult life building that brand. But by March 2025, the property was listed for a cool $6.5 million.
What Made the Grille Special
People didn't go there for Michelin-star precision. They went for the vibe. The Wash Park Grille was famous for its Sunday Brunch Buffet, which was legendary among Denverites who liked their mimosas bottomless and their plates piled high with prime rib.
- The "Honey Pie": A weirdly addictive pizza with local honey, Calabrian chilies, and smoked gouda.
- Live Music: Every Friday and Saturday, the lounge turned into a stage. It was one of the few places where you could actually hear local bands without a massive cover charge.
- The Patio: Dog-friendly and perfect for people-watching on Gaylord.
The menu was a comfort-food fever dream. You had lobster pizzettas sitting right next to Colorado buffalo burgers. It shouldn't have worked, but in that specific neighborhood, it was exactly what people wanted. It was "fancy" enough for a date but casual enough that you could roll in with grass stains on your jeans after a volleyball game at the park.
Enter Wash Park Social: The 2026 Reset
If you’re walking past 1096 S. Gaylord St. right now, you’ll see construction crews. The building sold for $6 million to a group including oil executive Kris Johnson and investor Aaron Grant.
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The new kid on the block is Wash Park Social.
Scheduled to open in Spring 2026, this isn't just a fresh coat of paint. They’ve brought in Bart Hickey, a guy who cut his teeth at high-end spots like The Capital Grille. The plan is to pivot toward a "Colorado grill" concept. Think local, seasonal ingredients and a more modern aesthetic.
They’re also splitting the space. Part of the old Grille footprint will become Taco Garage, a dedicated spot for street tacos and agave spirits. It’s a smart move—giving the neighborhood two distinct vibes in one historic building.
Why We Still Talk About the Grille
Even with a shiny new restaurant on the way, the Wash Park Grille remains a case study in Denver's evolution. The South Gaylord corridor is coveted. It’s historic. It’s expensive. When a place like the Grille leaves, it leaves a hole in the community's "third place"—that spot between work and home where everyone knows your order.
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It’s also a reminder that the restaurant business is brutal. You can have a 27-year run and still get tripped up by taxes and partnership disputes.
For those missing the old menu, you can still find traces of that spirit nearby. Max Gill & Grill (its sister restaurant for years) is still slinging seafood and hosting happy hours. Many of the staff migrated to other spots in the neighborhood, carrying those three decades of institutional knowledge with them.
Moving Forward
If you’re looking to relive the Gaylord Street magic or see what’s coming next, keep an eye on the Spring 2026 calendar. While the original Wash Park Grille is a memory, the new ownership is keeping the liquor license and the two large patios, which were always the soul of the property anyway.
Next steps for the neighborhood:
- Check out South Gaylord’s current lineup: Spots like Devil's Food and Perdida are carrying the torch while the Social finishes construction.
- Watch for the "Wash Park Social" soft opening: Early reports suggest they’ll be hiring soon, which is usually the first sign that doors are about to open.
- Visit the Wash Park Band: The restaurant’s namesake band still plays summer concert series around the city (like at Orchard Town Center), so you can still get that specific musical fix.