Even Denny’s is Closing. What is Denver Without Diners?
The Denny’s on Alameda and Santa Fe closed last month without warning. But that was just the latest diner casualty in a city already severely lacking in late night food options. The loss of this particular type of restaurant struck at something deeper for Suzi Q. Smith — the poet, performer, and educator grew up in Denver’s vast constellation of diners, finding a place where she could hang out as a teen with not much money, but a whole lot of time. Suzi explores these sacred places in her Denverse Magazine essay “Toast World: Where Have All the Diners Gone?” Host Bree Davies sits down with her friend to talk about what it means when a city loses its diners.
By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Denver bridges gaps and connects the dots in Denver. Become a member to support local journalism that connects.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm
What is your all-time favorite “third space” in Denver? Past or present, we want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418
If you enjoyed the interview with Ethan Hemming, the President and CEO of Warren Village, learn more here.
Learn more about other the sponsors of this December 5th episode:
- BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST
- Unit E Records
- Colfax Ave BID
- Office of Climate Action
- Coloradogives.org
- Denver Urban Garden
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Lakewood Backtracks on Housing Density, Inside the RTD Drama, and Shirtless Rockies Fans
Lakewood voters sent a big statement to the rest of Colorado this week, with the campaign to reverse the Denver suburb’s new housing dens...
Xcel Takes on Data Centers, RTD's Big Shakeup, and Former Mayor Hancock: Real Estate Mogul?
There was a huge shakeup at Denver’s transit provider RTD yesterday as CEO and GM Debra Johnson declined to renew her contract, effecti...
Why are Denver Lakes Disappearing? Plus, Blucifer on Hulu and Disneyland on Colorado Boulevard
What is happening to Huston Lake? The southwest Denver body of water has almost completely dried up, taking with it some of the park’s fl...
Polis and Boebert at the Rockies Game, Denver's Next Top Mascot, and More from the Mailbag!
Could prediction markets in politics mean more participation from voters? What if the Denver Summit FC’s mascot was a giant sun? Where’s...
Are Denver Restaurants Really in Crisis? It’s Complicated.
It feels like every week, another Denver restaurant is closing – Enzo’s End Pizzeria served its last slice on Friday, Imperial Chinese sh...
'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium
If you were one of the over 60,000 fans cheering for the Denver Summit last weekend, you may already know this, but Denver is only the se...
Alamo Drafthouse's QR Code Backlash, Election Denier Reconsidered, and What's So Funny About RTD?
Union workers at Alamo Drafthouse in Sloan’s Lake are walking out today over frustrations with the company’s move to a QR code-based food...
Prediction Markets Hit Local Politics, Axon Replaces Flock, and a Great Local Pet Store
Harbingers of dystopia or the hottest trend in tech — Kalshi, Polymarket, and other prediction market platforms have come for local polit...
Your Guide to April 2026 in Denver
Spring is springing! Flowers are blooming! Who was hoping for a a real winter this year, anyway? Denverites are up and about, and the cit...
Local Dems Playing Dirty, César Chávez Ripple Effects, and Westword's New Era
While many Denverites were protesting at No Kings, watching the Denver Summit FC kickoff, or just enjoying the sun, Democrats from all ov...