If We Had Black Restaurant Week in Denver-Where Would We Go and What Would We Do?
In the spring of 2023, I remember randomly coming across a post about Black Restaurant Week happening in Denver. It was so frustrating because I found out about it the week of the event. Similar (new) events in town like this usually need AT LEAST 3 months of advertising so that people are even aware that it’s happening.
This is the type of cultural culinary experience that I want to see people rally behind but I have some thoughts about how we can build momentum behind the event with the idea of creating a long-term impact for the food concepts participating in the event.
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Cowtown Denver
Challenges to Expanding this Event to Denver
When you expand a concept such as Black Restaurant Week to Denver or towns similar to it such as (Seattle, Sacramento or Phoenix) there just has to be a slightly different approach-especially if the team is unfamiliar with those cities and considering all of the changes that have happened post COVID. By the way, if you’re wondering about Black Restaurant Weeks hosted across the United States-there are several. Make sure to support the one happening in your region.
Tip #1 Create a Newsletter for Black Restaurant Week in Denver
I’m a huge fan of email lists and newsletters as a way to capture leads for businesses, events, etc. This newsletter could be hosted on Substack/Ghost or Beehiiv and could be a great place to highlight the individual restaurants and other food focused concepts that would be involved in the week. Every successful event in Denver does this and I say that as a person who is on A LOT of lists that keep me in the loop for upcoming events.
Tip #2-Connect with the Colorado Association for Black Journalists
There is a surprisingly large Colorado chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists here in Colorado. Let these folks know that you would love to talk about this event and are looking for local coverage of it as well. Here are some topics that could be covered:
- How gentrification has spread Black businesses across the state.
- The cost of running a food business in Denver
- Denver and Colorado’s food culture and how it influences Black restaurant concepts.
- What are the challenges and opportunities running a Black restaurant in a town without a significant Black neighborhood (gentrification conversation)
Tip #3-Tell Local Content Creators about Black Restaurant Week and MAKE THE ASK
Get creators in different content spaces to shout them out! This is free marketing for small businesses that might not have the time, energy or marketing spend needed to get people to their spaces. Leave the heavy lifting to the folks who live here and are already enjoying these wonderful restaurants.
Tip #4-Connect with Local Podcasters
There are so many podcasters in and around town. There’s also the fantastic City Cast Denver crew as well. My point? There’s a lot of media being created about so many events in town-why not Black Restaurant Week?
Tip #5-Put together an Ambassador Team
This could be a team of 2 people putting in up to 10 hours each a month who would collaborate with the Black Restaurant Week team. These are your on the ground folks who are deeply invested in the mission behind the week and are familiar with Denver. Then, I would have at least 5-10 restaurant owners be a part of the team.
Tip #6-Black Restaurant Week has to Include the Entire Denver Metro area
Because the Black population in Denver is spread out across the Metro area-it will mean that the greater Denver metro area and beyond should be included in the week’s festivities. The more the merrier! (I’m looking at you Aurora and Colorado Springs)
Tip #7-Include a Fusion Night
One of my favorite food and culture experiences during the summer of 2023 was an Asian/Latino fusion night at Hecho en Westwood called “Saigon Azteca” night market. This could be a bonus night event held in Five Points that is a collaborative affair. This is not uncommon in town and I think people would love it. So, if Black Restaurant Week is normally 5 nights the 6th night is the bonus event.
Bonus Tip: Connect with the Black in Denver Facebook Group
This wonderful group shares up to date and in the moment happenings throughout the Denver metro region and across the state. This group is comprised of newly arrived folks, people who’ve grown up here, Colorado curious members and people who are looking to visit Denver or other parts of the state.
Coming to Denver During Black Restaurant Week
If you were making plans to visit Denver and we had a Black restaurant week here it’s important to thinking about how the time of year impacts what you can do. The initial campaign in 2023 was held in March and this is a great time of year to host the event. There are a ton of events happening in Denver at that time of year. There are a ton of things for Black people to do in Denver (just in case you’re wondering).
Here are some additional ideas…
- Check what events are happening in town by checking out Eventbrite and Facebook Events for things to do in town.
- Attend an NBA Basketball game-Watch the 2023 NBA Championship Winners the Denver Nuggets play against whichever team is in town.
- Attend a concert-2023 had so many artists come through town. It was literally the “Blackest Year” in Denver and I say that unironically.
- Head up to the mountains for a ski day with BIPOC Mountain Collective. They are heading to the slopes almost on a weekly basis.
- Check out why I think Breckenridge is the best mountain town for Black visitors.
- Catch a Colorado Avalanche game-hockey season is heading into the playoffs at that time of year.
I actually think that June would be the best month for Black Restaurant Week in Denver. It could coincide with the massive Juneteenth event that we have each year.
Book Your Flight (Booking)
It’s time to book your flight. Having grown up in Denver and having flown out of Denver airports since I was a small child I have some tips.
If you’re here for just a quick 72 hours to check out Denver, use the following personal bag if you plan on flying Frontier (DO NOT overstuff it and use the personal bag sizer when you get to the airport) I don’t want you having to pay $100 at the gate in order to board the plane because you overstuffed it.
Take the train from the airport to Denver’s Union Station (the last stop) in order to get to your hotel. I’ve suggested some places to stay below. By the way, the train is $10.50 and there are kiosks where you can purchase your ticket via card or cash. You could download the RTD Denver app and purchase the ticket online, but that might be too much for a quick trip. Your tickets may or may not be checked during the train ride.
Book Your Mountain Tour
If you’re wanting to visit the mountains but aren’t sure how to go about doing it and don’t want to deal with the logistics-book a tour. I’ve included a few tours below that I think you would enjoy. No visit to Denver is complete without adding a mountain experience.
- Cannabis Tour (for those who indulge)
Where to Stay
Here is a nice range of hotels and hostel concepts that are are located primarily in the downtown Denver corridor with the exception of the properties in Cherry Creek. I picked accommodation ranging from inexpensive to higher ticket and little bit in-between price wise.
How to Get Around Town Denver
If you’re near Denver’s city center or in Cherry Creek North it’s going to be relatively easy to use public transit around town, bike, walk, ride shares or scooters.
But, if you’re traveling with several people, have mobility concerns or just aren’t excited about using public transit you may end up renting a car for your trip.
- Walk-if you’re downtown Denver is very easy to walk around.
- Public transit-I’m a huge fan of public transit and take it almost daily. Use the light rail or bus to get where you need to go.
- Bustang-This service takes you around the state.
- Pro tip-sign up for the alerts.
- Rent a mobility device-I’m thinking Lyft bikes, scooters-they are everywhere.
- Ride share-Lyft has a slightly larger footprint in the city than Uber. But both are available to use.
- Pedicabs-these are fun for exploring town.
- Tuktuks-These tiny little vehicles are usually available during the warmer months.
Where to Enjoy Coffee and Breakfast/Brunch
- Smith and Cannon Coffee and Ice Cream
- Located in Colorado Mills Mall-you can get some outlet shopping done while you’re there.
- Kabod Coffee
- Denver International Airport Location
Where to Eat Lunch
- Welton Street Cafe
- Jessie’s Smokin’ Nola
- Cora Faye’s
- The Blazin Kitchen Shack II
- Genna Raye’s
- Cuba Bakery and Cafe
- Konjo Ethiopian Food
- DJ’s Watering Hole
Spots to Enjoy Happy Hour and Beyond
Dinner Concepts Across Town
- African Grill and Bar
- Q’s Cuisine
- Le French
- Akwaba
- Mississippi Boy Catfish and Ribs
- Fixins (2024)
Don’t Forget the Food Trucks
Visiting Denver at a Different Time
Make sure to support these restaurants and food concepts while you’re here. Create your own “Black Restaurant” food experience while you’re visiting Denver. Welcome to Denver and we hope you have a great time.