Denver's The Pearl Faces Closure, Launches Fundraiser to Stay Open

The lesbian bar took over the historic Mercury Cafe space but is now struggling with high rent and other financial challenges.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:26pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting the dimly lit, cozy interior of a bar, with people gathered around tables and the bar itself, all in soft, warm pools of color and light, conveying a sense of community and inclusivity.As Denver's LGBTQ+ community rallies to save a beloved queer bar, the soft, dreamlike atmosphere of The Pearl reflects the importance of preserving these vital community spaces.Denver Today

The Pearl, a lesbian bar in Denver that took over the space of the legendary Mercury Cafe, is facing imminent closure due to financial troubles. The owners have launched a GoFundMe campaign to try to raise $80,000 to stay open, having already raised $27,000. The bar is behind on rent, property taxes, and staff salaries, and is hoping to make it to Pride weekend in late June to survive.

Why it matters

The closure of The Pearl would mark the end of yet another LGBTQ+ space in Denver, following the recent shuttering of the city's last lesbian bar, Blush & Blu, in 2024. The loss of these community hubs is concerning, as queer spaces play a vital role in providing safe, inclusive environments for marginalized groups.

The details

The Pearl opened in March 2025, taking over the space from The Mercury Cafe, a legendary bar, restaurant, and venue. However, The Pearl is now experiencing many of the same financial challenges that led to the Merc's closure, including a steep monthly rent of $20,000 that has caused them to fall behind. The owners have had to cut staff hours and are hoping to avoid layoffs, while also looking at options like raising prices and bringing in a third party to run the kitchen.

  • The Pearl opened in March 2025, taking over the space from The Mercury Cafe.
  • Petals & Pages, a queer bookstore on Santa Fe Drive, will close this month due to high rent and low revenue.
  • Blush & Blu, the last bona fide lesbian bar in Denver, closed on Colfax in 2024.

The players

The Pearl

A lesbian bar in Denver that took over the historic space of The Mercury Cafe.

The Mercury Cafe

A legendary bar, restaurant, and venue in Denver that closed due to financial troubles.

Danny Newman

The owner of the building that housed The Mercury Cafe, who closed the longstanding venue despite ongoing negotiations with a worker-owned cooperative.

Dom Garcia

The co-owner of The Pearl, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to try to raise $80,000 to keep the bar open.

Austin Gayer

The co-owner of the building that houses The Pearl, who has been flexible and understanding with the bar's financial challenges.

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What they’re saying

“We can't lose another space. We're one of maybe 30 [lesbian bars] left in the country, the only one in the state of Colorado and probably the neighboring states, and the community wants us to keep going.”

— Dom Garcia, Co-owner of The Pearl

“Creative community, special spaces like this are extremely hard to maintain financially. It's a big building in a little bit of a difficult neighborhood.”

— Danny Newman

What’s next

If The Pearl can make it to Pride weekend in late June, the owners believe they can survive. They are also hoping to find a rich investor or angel investor who is willing to help keep the space open.

The takeaway

The potential closure of The Pearl highlights the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ spaces in Denver, as the city has seen the shuttering of several queer-friendly businesses and venues in recent years. The community's support for The Pearl's fundraising efforts underscores the importance of preserving these vital community hubs.