Denver wine bar Noble Riot closes

Noble Riot Wine Bar Closes Its Doors Permanently in RiNo

After being closed since late May, Noble Riot, the popular wine bar in Denver’s River North Art District, has made the difficult decision not to reopen. Owner Troy Bowen opened the spot in 2019, offering small-batch wines and delicious fried chicken buckets.

According to Bowen, a maintenance issue led to the initial closure, which he hoped would be temporary. However, after facing increasing labor and food costs, he realized it was best to shut down Noble Riot for good. Sales had decreased by 26% from 2023 to 2024.

Bowen mentioned that the rising minimum wage in the city had also impacted the culture within his staff. As more restaurants implemented pay hikes, he noticed a shift in dynamics among his employees. Additionally, the departure of several long-time staff members earlier in the year added to his challenges in managing the business.

Gratuity patterns at Noble Riot also underwent changes over the years, with the restaurant initially not accepting tips but including a service charge on bills. Eventually, the service charge increased, and tips were allowed, reaching a total of 23% by the end.

Despite the closure, Bowen hopes to keep the spirit of Noble Riot alive through teaching classes and hosting pop-up events in different locations. While he has no concrete plans for the future, he remains optimistic about the possibility of resurrecting Noble Riot in some form.

Reflecting on the Denver business landscape, Bowen expressed his concerns about the city’s favoritism towards national brands over local entrepreneurs like himself. He believes that the city should support small businesses to create more job opportunities and foster a thriving local economy.

With Noble Riot joining First Draft Taproom & Kitchen in recent closures, the RiNo neighborhood faces another loss in its vibrant dining scene. Despite the challenges, Bowen remains hopeful for the future and continues to advocate for the interests of local businesses in Denver.