New Lesbian Bar Wild Tulips Opens in Denver

The Cap Hill establishment soft-opened as a sober space while awaiting its final liquor license.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Gouache-painted illustration of two plush velvet lounge chairs in a warm, dimly lit room, evocative of a cozy neighborhood social space. — Sabina Palermo launched Wild Tulips, a new sober social space in Denver’s Capitol Hill, aiming to serve the local sapphic community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust new local businesses to be more stable than the ones they replace?

Owner Sabina Palermo launched Wild Tulips in a 3,700 square foot space at 13th Avenue and Clarkson Street. The bar currently operates as a sober establishment while the ownership team secures a liquor license.

Why it matters

The venue aims to fill a void in Denver’s social scene for a dedicated sapphic space following recent closures of similar community hubs like The Pearl. The initiative was supported by volunteer renovations and a $150,000 loan from an anonymous angel investor.

Wild Tulips operates a 3,700 square foot facility and currently employs approximately 20 people. The startup was launched with a $150,000 loan from an anonymous investor.

The players

Sabina Palermo

She is the owner and founder of Wild Tulips who led the renovation and opening efforts.

The details

The new business has already brought on eight former staff members from The Pearl, which was seized by the city in mid-April 2026 for over $56,000 in unpaid taxes. Volunteers assisted with necessary repairs and renovations to ensure the space could open to the public.

2024: The lesbian bar Blush and Blu ceased operations.
Early 2026: Petals & Pages closed its doors.
Mid-April 2026: The city seized The Pearl for unpaid taxes.
October 28, 2026: Wild Tulips held its first sober soft opening.

Market Landscape

The launch of Wild Tulips follows a series of venue closures in Denver, including Blush and Blu and The Pearl. This opening attempts to stabilize the local market for dedicated sapphic nightlife spaces by rehiring displaced staff and securing new capital.

Patrons can currently visit the venue for a sober social experience until the liquor license is finalized. The bar serves as a new hub for the local community that provides employment opportunities for staff from previously closed venues.

The takeaway

Supporting new local venues can provide community stability after long-standing neighborhood spots are forced to close. Residents looking for social spaces in Cap Hill now have a new option that incorporates a model built on volunteer support and community staffing.