Phil’s Place, RiNo mainstay for half a century, has been sold and will close

Phil’s Place, a Mexican restaurant and bar that has been in RiNo since before it was, well, RiNo, is changing hands. 

On Oct. 6, Phil’s will host a $30 all-you-can-drink special, giving patrons one last chance to say goodbye to the popular neighborhood hangout before it closes on Oct. 10, said owner Gary Garcia.

The location has been sold to Robert Nieman, Garcia said. But he didn’t know what Nieman’s plans were for the location, although he hopes Phil’s legacy will live on. He has even offered to share Phil’s beloved recipes. 

The property, at 3463 Larimer St., has been in Garcia’s family for almost 50 years. Garcia’s grandfather originally bought it for his uncle Dave in the early 1970s, calling it Dave’s Lounge for a decade. Then it was leased to another group, who named the neighborhood bar Our Place. In 2002, Gary’s son, Phil Garcia, leased the spot from his grandparents, naming it Phil’s Place. 

Gary and his wife, June, bought their son out in 2006, two years after it instituted a full-service kitchen. June Garcia (formerly of Bamboo Hut) worked in the kitchen, turning out dishes such as her award-winning green chile.

After putting their heart and soul into Phil’s place and calling it their 24/7 job, Gary and June Garcia are passing on the establishment in order to do the things they couldn’t before such as travel and take care of their grandchildren.

Garcia said he is appreciative of the ongoing support from guests over the years. He has seen over four  generations step through the doors and enjoyed the many new faces which have come with RiNo’s evolving scene.

Phil’s Place, 3463 Larimer St., Denver, 303-298-1559; kitchen open Wed.-Sun. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; bar open Mon.-Tues. 3 p.m.-2 a.m., Wed.-Sun. 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. 

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