So Long, Johnny's

@teamfreak16 (43451)
Denver, Colorado
March 8, 2017 11:06am CST
It's a sad day indeed here in the Colorado Springs area. I just read an article by Rich Laden in the Colorado Springs Gazette that has me bummed this morning. My favorite Downtown Colorado Springs bar, Southside Johnny's, is shutting down after 15 years in business. According to Laden, the building that houses Johnny's has been sold, and owner Johnny Nolan is unable to cover a 30% rent hike. I love this bar. I have spent many an hour in Johnny's, drinking, eating, watching sports, watching live music, doing homework, and just generally hanging out. The food was outstanding. The bar's motto was right there on the mirror: "It's better to eat at a great bar than to drink at a great restaurant." The beer was affordable and cold, and the service was outstanding. Nolan is close to opening a new, firefighter-themed bar on the westside of Colorado Springs. The majority of employees will make the move with him. Meanwhile, I'll be making my way downtown for one last beer. So long, Johnny's. I'll miss you. (Photo by me)
11 people like this
11 responses
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Mar 17
But no biker colors allowed! It's always rent hikes that do in small businesses.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
A lot of bikers hang out there. It's a very diverse crowd, and everyone gets along. Great place. I will miss it.
2 people like this
• Prairieville, Louisiana
9 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 I live in Baton Rouge and had never heard of the place until your post.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
8 Mar 17
You know, that is all part of life really. And lately I have noticed that many real old landmark names have been going away as well. Like here in NYC, the Waldorf Astoria hotel has been sold to a Chinese investor and they will be turning the Waldorf into Condos. So no more Waldorf. And that has been in NYC for a very long time. So, these things do happen. And yes, rent always place in issue for the smaller businesses.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
9 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 Yes it is a landmark. But big business don't care about landmarks. It is all about the money. I don't know anyone who could afford to live in Manhattan anymore. The cheapest rents there are like 3000 for a studio. And that is considered cheap now.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
No more Waldorf? Wow. What a shame. I'm drawing a blank, but if the one that Sid allegedly killed Nancy in goes, that would be sad. That place is a landmark.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Mar 17
@inertia4 - And they get it. Scary.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
8 Mar 17
One for you and your baby.So long Johnny's you will be miss.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
8 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 gotcha .do you have another one there to go?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
Thank you. From all of us.
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
@amadeo - Well, we still have the Royal Tavern here in Manitou.
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Mar 17
It is sad when a local establishment closes due to a sale and big rent increase. Have one for me too. A longtime local used book store with great space is faced with this problem here. It has hosted many great poetry and fiction readings, sells books by local authors and has lots of musical events as well.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
Oh wow, it would be a shame to lose that.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 They are taking pledges and doing fundraisers. I will do what I can.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
@JamesHxstatic - Good fighting spirit! Hope they make it.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115620)
• United States
8 Mar 17
That is a shame. We'd be crushed if our regular hangout closed.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115620)
• United States
8 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 People still talk about the bars that my dad used to run and they've been closed for 20+ years
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
@NJChicaa - Legendary bars are the best. And few and far between.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
It's the end of an era. Such a cool place. This guy really knows how to run a bar.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17795)
• London, England
8 Mar 17
We've lost two pubs here since the New Year. The last one only closed a few weeks ago and is already a big hole in the ground - more flats, no doubt
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
Two of them already? Such a shame.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17795)
• London, England
9 Mar 17
@teamfreak16 Yes and it looks like the UK is not the only place where this is happening
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323673)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 17
What a shame your favourite bar is closing. We lost a very nice coffee shop in town when the rent was increased by a substantial amount. Now it's empty and the owner is getting nothing for it. Sounds like karma to me.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Mar 17
Yep, he deserves it.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
8 Mar 17
I have seen this happen so many times, this awesome Greek place closed due to the same thing.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Mar 17
Yeah, I hate greed. It was such a part of the neighborhood.
• Prairieville, Louisiana
9 Mar 17
Baton Rouge has a Johhnys but not a bar Johnny's pizza.
• Prairieville, Louisiana
9 Mar 17
I know how you feel my clothing store fashion bug closed.
• Prairieville, Louisiana
9 Mar 17
I think the menu was way to small for dinner but lunch was a big menu with a lot of good options on the menu.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Mar 17
If you're talking about Johnny's, you're right. I still thought the food was great, either menu.