The Denver Italian food staple has been around since 1994.
Carmine’s on Penn has been a staple of the Denver Italian food scene since 1994, with a brand so strong that, in 2021, the Ballpark District welcomed the first expansion of the popular family-style concept“After five wonderful years, it is time for us to say goodbye to McGregor Square and thank our friends, neighbors, and guests in LoDo for the incredible memories we’ve shared,” reads a post on the company’s website.
“McGregor Square has truly been a special place to call home. ”While the downtown chapter is closing, the company assures fans the original location at 92 S. Pennsylvania St. remains open.
“The tradition continues at our original location in West Wash Park,” reads the statement. “We look forward to welcoming you at Carmine’s on Penn and continuing the traditions that have brought people together for so many years.
” Carmine’s on Penn was founded in 1994 by restaurateur Larry Herz, who is now known for running the restaurant promotionBrad Ritter, a general manager for nine years, became a minority owner in 2008 and then bought the restaurant outright from partners Steve and Shannon Bangert in 2015. He opened Little Carmine’s in 2013 in a space directly next to the flagship location, which remains open, before expanding further to McGregor Square in 2021.
“For years, so many people would say, ‘You need to open a Carmine’s in my neighborhood,'” Ritter told Westword at the time. He had considered other locations before developers approached him about joining the new McGregor Square project, but added, “How could you say no to this opportunity? ” McGregor Square was a highly publicized project that transformed a former parking lot across from Coors Field into a dining and entertainment destination.
Carmine’s closure removes, which includes The Original, The Rally Bar, Tom’s Watch Bar and Milepost Zero , all of which are still open. Since then, Call Me Pearl and La Loma have also entered the space. We’ve reached out to Ritter to learn more about the closure and the status of the Carmine’s expansion strategy.
Carmine’s on Penn is located at 92 S Pennsylvania St. and is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday, and 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visitNo paywall. Always accessible. We’re always watching out for you and our community — but we need your help to keep us going strong.
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‘s Food & Drink editor since April 2026. Before joining the staff full-time, he wrote the Eat Up Havana series, visiting every restaurant on Havana Street in Aurora. A graduate of the Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, he strives to help others level up their cooking skills and food knowledge. Bruno was previously a senior writer at
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