Gaetano's: Denver's Infamous Mob Hangout and Haunted Hotspot

The storied history of a Colorado restaurant where organized crime and ghost lore collide

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gaetano's, a classic Italian restaurant in Denver, has a notorious past as a former hangout for the Smaldone crime family. The restaurant's basement was allegedly used for mob activities like bootlegging and even executions, and is now said to be haunted by the spirits of those who met their demise there. Despite its dark history, Gaetano's remains an iconic Denver institution.

Why it matters

Gaetano's provides a window into Denver's organized crime history and the lingering impact it has had on the city's culture and identity. The restaurant's ghost stories also reflect a broader fascination with the paranormal and the macabre that often surrounds places with checkered pasts.

The details

Gaetano's has operated on Tejon Street in North Denver since 1947, when it was owned by the Smaldone crime family. The restaurant's basement was allegedly used for mob activities like bootlegging and even executions. Stories persist of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. playing cards in the basement, as well as reports of paranormal activity, with mediums claiming to have encountered the spirit of an "old angry woman" in the liquor room.

  • Gaetano's has operated on Tejon Street in North Denver since 1947.
  • By the 1950s and 1960s, Gaetano's had become the Smaldone family's headquarters.
  • In the 1980s, the mob presence at Gaetano's had slowed, but the ghost stories continued.

The players

Clyde and "Checkers" Smaldone

The owners of Gaetano's in the mid-20th century, who were part of one of Denver's most powerful crime families.

Ron Robinson

The current owner of Gaetano's, who has spent years studying the restaurant's infamous history and mob ties.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They would bring a lot to the neighborhood, you know. But they would also kill people, too.”

— Ron Robinson, Owner, Gaetano's

“Back in the day, a lot of people were not allowed to come in here because they heard there was some weird stuff going on in here.”

— Ron Robinson, Owner, Gaetano's

“Several people had gotten executed in this boiler room.”

— Ron Robinson, Owner, Gaetano's

What’s next

Gaetano's continues to operate as a popular Italian restaurant in Denver, drawing in both locals and tourists curious about its notorious past. The restaurant's ghost stories and mob ties remain a source of fascination, with owner Ron Robinson continuing to share the restaurant's history with patrons.

The takeaway

Gaetano's stands as a testament to Denver's complex history, where the city's vibrant food culture intersected with the shadowy world of organized crime. The restaurant's enduring popularity and haunting lore reflect a broader public fascination with the darker corners of a city's past.