| Howdy Everyone, First – The Negative I’m really not sure how to say this but we here at the Falling Rock have made the difficult decision to close. I know this may come as a shock to those of you out there, but this last year has just been the icing on the cake of the last 5 years. A year-long construction project that caused a 30% drop in sales, changes in the neighborhood that have impacted our business negatively (like crazy late-night crowds and decreased office usage), continued increasing competition from our suppliers, challenges in finding kitchen staff plus rapidly increasing costs all have added up to a financially unsustainable situation. After consultations with our landlords (who have bent over backwards during COVID to help us and have been amazing for the last 24 years to work with) we have all decided that us closing will allow both parties to move on without causing financial harm to either one. Second – The Nitty-Gritty The Falling Rock will close on Sunday June 27th in the evening (not sure of what time, we’re going to play it by ear). We will be closed on Monday June 21st & Tuesday June 22nd in order to sort through items and get ready for a whirlwind 5 days of selling off the beer, booze, and the stuff on the walls (Note: all of the Neons and current Taphandles are going back to the Breweries/Distributors that own them, I will be at the bar after 1pm on Wednesday-Friday for this purpose). Tentatively the hours on Wednesday and Thursday will be 5-10pm, Friday 5-10pm, Saturday Noon-10pm, and Sunday Noon-? The Beer Cellar (most of which can be checked out on fallingrock.com/products ), lots of remaining T-shirts, Signage, old Tap Handles that the breweries no longer use will all be sold off. COME AND GET IT. If anybody has ideas of what to do with the bottle collection, I’m all ears, I’d really hate to just recycle them. Finally – The Positives We can’t possibly thank all of you enough for the last 24 years of the Falling Rock. To the amazing Falling Rock staff (some of whom have been here since day 1 or very nearly so) that truly have been our family here in Denver, Thank You for everything you did to make our vision of what a beer bar could be. We changed the Denver Beer Scene and completely changed GABF Week. When we opened the Falling Rock in 1997, bars/restaurants participation surrounding the GABF was almost exclusively hanging a banner out front welcoming the GABF crowd and selling buckets of Sam Adams for a discounted price. Falling Rock was not having ANY of that. We called up some breweries and had some special kegs sent in. In 1998 we started having a schedule of special Tappings and by 1999 we decided to expand the week by having a Kick-off Tapping on Monday. To ALL of the breweries that supplied us with amazing beers for the last 24 years, we were so honored that you would consider us worthy of pouring your most prized beers, Thank You. To all of the local brewers that supplied us with amazing beers to serve, hung out after your shifts and became such good friends at the same time, Thank You. Special thanks to Crooked Stave Artisanal Distributing for all the organization and supply of interesting, amazing, small Breweries from all over to choose from. Another Big Special Thanks goes out to the Elite Brands crew for keeping me in beer for all these years. This last year has been horrific and Falling Rock would not have made it through without the support of Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing keeping us supplied in Blind Pig and Pliny the Elder kegs. I know it took a lot of extra effort to keep the kegs rolling to us, but it helped keep us alive, Thank You. To All of you that bought beer from the Cellar Sale and donated to the Gofundme fund. You got us through the winter and gave us a shot at surviving, I’m sorry that we didn’t ultimately succeed but you have our undying gratitude, Thank You. Love & Eternal Thanks Chris, Steve, & Al Black Plus all the Falling Rock Staff |
(303)293-8338 info@frth.com
Sadness does not even begin to describe what I am feeling and of course what y’all are feeling. Even though I only visited a few times, I LOVED Falling Rock. I always felt at home. Sending Chris, Steve, Al & the staff all my love.
Terribly sad news and just another unfortunate business not to survive. BUT think of the good times we had. Always found Russian River on tap and was thankful for anything else special. Best of luck.
I met my best friend here at fallingrock; this was our place. As time passed and responsibilities grew with work and family, we just hadn’t had the time to come back in a really long time. Reading the news of your closure made my heart drop. I called up my best friend and for the first time in a long time we talked over the phone for hours about all our great times at fallingrock. I feel so emotional. Thank you for the great times. Thank you for connecting me with my friend. I’m going to miss you all. I feel like I’m losing a family member right now, I never realized how much I loved this place.
You provided me with the opportunity to sample many of my bucket-list beers. Sad to here that you are closing. Thank you!!!
There are no words… mine & Daves hearts are sad & broken for you & your family & all staff… 😭😢😱
I can’t believe this.
Surely – this must be delusional. Can a “go fund me” save this institution?
Can Chris start afresh in a more easily accessible spot?
As my knees have deteriorated over the years – ( too much praying) – Fallin9 Rock has become inaccessible for me but it was a comfort to know that The Falling Rock – that it was there and I feel great sadness.
Your place was one of the reasons I started my place (Ben’s Bottle Shop) and worked so damn hard at it… I am so sorry to see this. GABF week and so many more Denver moments won’t ever be the same.
Fuck! FUCK! This hurts my heart. This was our GO TO for years! Didn’t matter where I was working at the time, we always ended up here. The staff of the Grizzly spent many wonderfully late nights enjoying the hospitality provided. Pre game before every show downtown. This bar, and especially the owners, are true Denver legends.
My heart is filled withsaddness. So many wonderful memories, so much great beer and so much education. Long live falling rock!
Thank you for everything. You were there since the beginning for me when. I was drinking Mojo from Boulder to what it brought me to today. This taproom has always been a place to drink some of the best from Colorado.
Thank you!!!
Such sad news. Flying in today to drink a few final pints. Can’t thank Fush and Chris enough.
This is unbelievable – physical problems don’t allow me access to places without close parking but knowing that The Rock was there provided comfort. A haven of beer knowledge – of beer sanity.
Chris – lets do a Go Fund Me and you create a fresh pub at a site with parking – close to Arvada.
An institution such as Falling Rock can’t become yet another statistic .
So many permanently etched memories of great days and nights, of regular times, special days, GABFs, amazing beers. and the FR staff. You will all be missed, never forgotten, and your name will be spoken with much love and reverence. Every time I taste a new beer I’m going to send out a Cheers to Falling Rock.
This one’s the final blow to an institution we thought would endure the ages. Thanks to Chris and team of talented beer professionals who made the FR the sanctuary it was.
Agree. But here to compliment you on your handle!
I feel like I just lost a loved family member. This place was special and I loved sharing it with friends who had never been. What a legendary temple of beer. You will be sorely missed and I hope and pray that somehow the Falling Rock will live on. It deserves to.
I’m not sure if I’ll make it through the years to come without those amazing fried mushrooms! Anyway you could sell the recipe for them and the dipping sauces? I’d gladly buy it as I’m sure others would as well.
Best to you all! Cheers!
This is such a huge bummer. I met my wife there during GABF 2011 dancing on the coffee table on a Tuesday.
Will always have fond memories of The Rock.
If the coffee table is for sale, I’ll buy it.
I am devastated. Thank you Chris and staff for all you have done for beer in this area. For hosting homebrew competitions.
Damn.
I’ll shed a tear and pour one (well, some) out.
Thanks for all you did to foster an amazing few decades of comradery and beer drinking in Denver.
What the f$$king f$$ck. This is the worst news ever. Chris, we look forward to your next thing. Keep us posted. Thanks for everything. You are the best. Andygator
“I felt a great disturbance in the Force…as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.”
This is the only way to describe it.
No! This is the craft institution for CO and around the world! We need to help save this place!! Thank you Chris and staff for all you have done for this amazing craft beer industry!! Words can’t describe how much this place will be missed. This place was the MECA of craft beer and where beer lovers from all of the world gathered to enjoy a beer together.
Thank you Falling Rock for the great times and helping me meet my amazing wife! ❤️
I don’t even have the words!!!! Love this place so much!
All my love and gratitude to you guys for all the love and great beers you gave all of us over the years. Legends, each of you. Of course Denver will never be the same without you, but the rest of the world won’t either. Best Beerliner stop, ever. See you down the road, and the next beer is on me.
The best Tap House west off the Mississippi is closing. We only have ourselves to blame.
I spent 5 days in your city a few years back on vacation from Brisbane Australia. Visiting Falling Rock was a bucket list item and I drank quality beers at your awesome bar every day I was there. Very sad news, and best of luck to you and your amazing team.
From knocking out the chalk board every night during my 22 years of attending the GABF! Sharing a beer with Don Younger from the Horse Brass Pub, sharing a 3L of Stone Arrogant Bastard while listening to a local band jamming to driving 8 hours just to share a few pints of Pliny with friends….I will miss Falling Rock! I always looked forward to seeing Paul Vismara and sharing bottles off the cellar list! Chris Black and family….thank you for all the craft beer memories! Denver is losing an icon that helped support the growth of craft beer in America. Chris..Everyone else can still get to the back of the f*#king line!
Cheers to you, the team, and the almighty Falling Rock. We, the beer drinkers, are forever in your debt (and your Publican National Committee cohorts)! 🍻 Visits to Denver will never be the same.
Wow this one stings. The falling rock was my spot for multiple years. I’m at a loss for words. Much love
Well, falling rock was the only reason to go to lodo. The only positive from this is reduced exposure trust fund douchebags. The right thing to do would have been to jettison the douchecanoes and keep the falling rock, too bad that wasn’t an option. A very sad day for Denver for reasons beyond just losing access to great people and great beer. We’ll miss you terribly Falling Rock, so many amazing experiences inside those walls.
I’m coming up for a show in Aug and was so hoping to make it by there again! Had many great times during GABF and tossed a few Saint Arnold back as well as many local beers! Best of luck to you guys-maybe a Ginger Man in DEN since they are all gone! 🙁
Tremendous sadness. The Falling Rock helped BUILD LoDo as it was a trek in the early days but always worth it.
*The crowds during GABF week
* Pliny tapings
* Getting a beer after a game
* Getting a beer before a game
* Catching up with old friends
* The sledge hammer
* The jukebox
* Chris’ special queso
* All the bar staff!
…and many, many more memories
I’ll miss the place but better it should close than to fall into corporate hands.
Falling Rock was one of the last standing vanguards of a bygone era of craft beer. A Mecca for religious beer geeks. An exclusive club that has no membership and welcomes all. As Blake street morphed around you, I always feared you would lose the truly appreciative beer lover. Yet spurning the great American frat parties seemed only to strengthen your following. An oasis of beer in a city quickly forgetting what beer is. Thank you for everything. Godspeed.
So sorry to hear this sad news! I always look forward to a stop at the Falling Rock when we get back to Denver.
Love and Good Wishes to all of the crew at the Rock!
The Kemp Family
Thanks Chris. We’ll miss all of you terribly. Best of luck, have fun and be well. Cheers to 24 years!
Soooo bummed to hear this. I lived in Denver for 10 years and Falling Rock was consistently an awesome place- friendly staff, fantastic beer, some great food (the buffalo chicken salad… MMM!), and none of the Trendy LoDo BS that surrounded it. I no longer live in Denver but loved to visit Falling Rock every time I came back for work. I’ve got many fond memories. I’m sad it’s coming to an end, but congratulations on a fantastic run and thanks for being such an awesome part of Denver!
I loved this place from day 1. As a GABF beer judge for many years – this would be my “sneak a full pint in” between morning and afternoon sessions place. So many good beers and so many good times! Best of luck to the owners and staff in whatever they pursue. Cheers!
We are already missing our Chicken Philly and A beer fridays
Chris, it has been awesome working with you and drinking at Falling Rock. Best luck on whatever is next for you. Let’s stay in touch and please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help. So sorry for you and your team. Best of luck!
Shit.
So sad to hear this. Came into Denver for business three times in the last three years and every time Falling Rock put a smile on my face after the weariness of travel. Great beer, great food. So tough and so sorry for all involved.
RIP, thanks for the memories! You’ll be remembered for a looooooong time; brewers from all over the country made the pilgrimage to FR. Glad I got my chance, good luck moving forward!
Where do rocks land after they’ve had their fall? There they sit in the valley, great boulders changing the flow of streams of burbling, refreshing liquid. People new and old gather round and sit atop their sun soaked sides.
I too say Arvada would be a fine landing spot. Wherever it would be we will journey there, whether it’s you or you hand off the name and legend to new blood. We hope for and look forward to an eventual rebirth.
Sure will miss everything and all. You’ve been my first and last stop in Denver for the last 20 years, longer than I’ve been writing about beer. You were there, Chris, with Pliny the Younger for our toast when I finally won Beerdrinker of the Year. Hope you’ll take a good rest and come up with something entirely new to wow us for another quarter century. Love from Warren, the BeerSensei and from Holly in London (and all our pals at the Blind Tiger and the late Ale Street News).
I travel the country for work and am an avid beer collector and enjoyer. Falling Rock was the best beer house in the country. This really breaks my heart. I get to Denver a lot and never did a trip not include a visit to Falling Rock with one , two or twenty members of my team
You will be missed. Thanks for providing an amazing place for so many years.
Thank you Chris and the Falling Rock crew for serving up the best craft beers the world has to offer for so many years!!
What can I say…. From my first visit a couple of weeks or so after you opened 24 years ago, joy was the only emotion I ever left there with. Whether it was with visiting beer writers and brewers, “Belgian New Years Celebrations”, GABF everything, pre and post Rockies game beers, meeting with friends, homebrew club events, and many, many, many more, a good time was had by all. Nothing in beer anywhere in the US will EVER be the same. You care. About the beer, the people visiting, your suppliers, about the industry as a whole. It was never JUST about the money. Without you, the Colorado beer scene has lost its soul and its conscience. As others have said here, Godspeed my friends and thank you for everything! See you on the back side!!
Seems like just yesterday when my newborn daughter watched the happenings at the Rock from her car seat perch on top of the table as her parents happily enjoyed something interesting from the 69+ taps – and now she’s a college senior! Many family evenings, visits to the “club house” with the boys, celebrations, and work lunches since. One-of-a-kind in a sea of cookie cutter places (with plenty of crap on tap). You will be missed. Thanks.
What terrible news – FR will always be the king. I can’t even imagine a trip to Denver without a stop or two; always great stuff, great staff, great company. GABF will never be the same! Thanks for all you’ve done for thousands upon thousands.