There’s a brand new spot on Colfax hoping you’ll stop by for a fancy cocktail and to take in an old school lounge act. But Champagne Tiger’s glossy booths are going to feel familiar. Sitting pretty at 601 East Colfax, the newest iteration of this well-known 1967 Googie-style structure is simultaneously vintage, modern, and timeless. The lunch counter and terrazzo floors are still intact for those who loved the old diner vibes of the place. But warm wood finishes, subtle lighting, and a plethora of living greenery has made the longtime locale feel like something entirely new.
A Storied History
Throughout the decades, the Louis L. Armét-designed property has been home to many restaurants, including Tom’s Diner, Sun Cafe, Colorado Cafe, and once upon a time, the beloved Denver chain The White Spot. And while The White Spot is perhaps the most notable (and also the original) tenant, former owner Tom Messina and his regulars held court within the space-age building’s soaring plate-glass windows for more than 20 years.
A look inside the building as it stands today in its Champagne Tiger era. (Bree Davies / City Cast Denver)
Tom’s Era
From 1999 to 2019, Tom’s Diner did what classic diners do best — bring all walks of life together for a hot, greasy, delicious meal, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When Messina looked to retire and sell the building in 2018, things got a little contentious as developers sniffed around the property and preservation-minded Denverites pushed for a historic landmark designation to defend it. The battle eventually led to a compromise and the restaurant’s rebirth as Tom’s Starlight, which opened in the fall of 2022 … and closed just 14 months later, leaving the future of the historic structure once again in limbo.
A Dazzling New Chapter
When Messina reopened his restaurant as Starlight, he unveiled massive changes, adding a patio and taking the restaurant from weathered Colfaxian diner to campy, sparkling Palm Springs-inspired lounge. So when Champagne Tiger moved in earlier this year, the new owners retained — and built on — the glitzy, glamorous slice of nightlife, resulting in a welcome addition to Colfax’s bar and restaurant scene.
Special thanks to History Colorado for additional information on The White Spot’s backstory.
