Somebody People chef to open Monarch pizza shop in Denver

Justin Freeman will open his new 'pizzeria-meets-bistro' inside the Urban Cowboy hotel, replacing Little Johnny B's.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A highly stylized, abstract image composed of repeating silkscreen prints of a wood-fired pizza oven in a grid, using vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday appliance into a modern pop art piece.The bold, graphic design of Monarch's new pizza oven reflects the creative energy and culinary innovation that will define this new Denver restaurant.Denver Today

After a successful run at the vegan restaurant Somebody People, Denver chef Justin Freeman is opening his own new venture called Monarch. The 'pizzeria-meets-bistro' will move into the Urban Cowboy boutique hotel, replacing the previous tenant Little Johnny B's. Freeman and co-founder Danny Matthews plan to serve wood-fired sourdough pizzas, seasonal veggie plates, and rotating salads in the hotel bar space.

Why it matters

The opening of Monarch represents an exciting new chapter for Denver's thriving food scene, as a talented chef expands beyond his successful work at an acclaimed plant-based restaurant to open his own creative concept. The move also highlights the ongoing evolution of the Urban Cowboy hotel, which has seen a series of food and beverage tenants come and go in recent years.

The details

Freeman and Matthews will take over the Urban Cowboy hotel's bar space on May 9, after first hosting a series of pop-ups inside the space starting on April 13. The new Monarch pizzeria-bistro will replace Little Johnny B's, whose owners have decided to focus on their full-service Italian restaurant Johnny Bechamel's. Freeman plans to serve a menu of sourdough pizzas, seasonal vegetable dishes, and rotating salads, all handwritten on a menu without printed items.

  • Monarch will open inside the Urban Cowboy hotel on May 9, 2026.
  • Freeman and Matthews will host a series of Monarch pop-ups in the space starting on April 13, 2026.

The players

Justin Freeman

The chef and co-founder of the new Monarch pizzeria-bistro, who is also the chef at the acclaimed vegan restaurant Somebody People.

Danny Matthews

The co-founder of Monarch who will be working alongside Freeman to operate the new pizzeria-bistro.

Urban Cowboy

The boutique hotel in Denver that will house the new Monarch restaurant, replacing the previous tenant Little Johnny B's.

Little Johnny B's

The previous restaurant concept that occupied the Urban Cowboy hotel space, which is now being replaced by Monarch.

Mamas & Papas Hospitality Group

The restaurant group that owns Little Johnny B's and is now focusing on their full-service Italian restaurant Johnny Bechamel's.

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What they’re saying

“I've been there a bunch when it was Roberta's and Little Johnny's, and I always just thought the place was super cute.”

— Justin Freeman, Chef and co-founder of Monarch

“Little Johnny B's totally came in and saved us when Roberta's left. I'm excited by Monarch's new, fresh program.”

— Nicole Valdez, General manager of Urban Cowboy

What’s next

Freeman and Matthews will host a series of Monarch pop-ups in the Urban Cowboy hotel space starting on April 13, 2026, before the official opening of the new pizzeria-bistro on May 9.

The takeaway

The opening of Monarch represents an exciting new chapter for Denver's thriving food scene, as a talented chef expands beyond his successful work at an acclaimed plant-based restaurant to open his own creative concept focused on wood-fired pizzas and seasonal vegetable dishes.