Founders Billy and Christy Wynne opened Awake in November of 2020. The start was slow as the pandemic put a brick wall in front of almost everyone’s plans, but the duo managed to make their concept come alive, COVID notwithstanding. Then in May of 2021, the establishment was officially launched.
Awake wasn’t born of Billy or Christy’s rock bottom. However, it was an idea conceived with proper experience and perspective. While neither Christy nor Billy considers themselves to have a drinking problem, there did come a time when they both noticed that alcohol was becoming a burden. Between not feeling too great and finding that their mental space was being inundated with thoughts of booze or lack thereof, the husband and wife decided it was time to call it quits.
“It was interfering with how I felt,” Christy told Denverite. “You don’t have to say you have a drinking problem for drinking to be a problem.” Billy expounded on the idea, explaining “even if I wasn’t drinking or drinking a lot, I was thinking about drinking. I’d be thinking about how I was avoiding it or thinking about what would be on the menu that night. It was taking up a lot of mental energy to participate in alcohol.”
It was with these notions in mind that Billy and Christy launched Awake — the first sober bar in Denver. Unfortunately, on August 21, Billy and Christy — both of whom had no industry experience prior to opening Awake — will temporarily close down their operation.
“We’re excited to press pause and figure out a new approach that’ll be best for Awake in the long run…We have a lot of new ideas…and we just need a bigger space, bigger team, and honestly more capital to really build out these new opportunities.”
Some Awake menu items include:
- Golden Spiral: Kentucky 74, Three Spirits Nightcap, chamomille honey, Grüvi Sour Weisse
- Desert Rose: Kin High Rhode, Gruvi Sparkling Rosé, lemon, burnt honey, black cardamom
- Heat of the Night: Three Spirits Night Cap, Wilfred’s Aperitif, Hella Bitters Ginger Turmeric, lemon
- The restaurant also serves coffee and an assortment of small plates.
A What Now Denver interview with Co-Founder Billy Wynne regarding their reopening plans is forthcoming.
The article has been updated to include a What Now Denver interview with Co-Owner Billy Wynne:
WND: Why exactly did Awake close?
BW: There were a variety of factors, but the key was it became apparent we could not make the business work in the current space. As a destination, with people coming from all over the state and beyond to visit us, we needed more parking. We also needed more kitchen and storage space and would like to host larger events, including live music.
Beyond that, my limitations from not having bar/restaurant experience while also having additional professional and personal obligations were becoming more and more apparent. We needed new energy and expertise to optimize our food and drink programs, staffing, etc. We also needed more capital to give the new iteration more runway to thrive.
WND: If/when Awake reopens, where are you hoping to debut the relaunched location? When are you hoping to be able to re-open?
BW: We can’t commit to any location or timeline yet because that will be decided in collaboration with the new partners who come forward. I expect it will be in Denver and I would very much like Awake to be back for Dry January.
WND: Will the relaunched location consist of any menu or aesthetic changes?
BW: I’m sure there will be changes but, again, these are secondary questions that will be answered after our new partners come to the table. We have a lot of ideas to bring to that planning but it won’t be just up to us.
WND: What are some things you’re doing to make the relaunch as successful as possible?
BW: Right now, the right thing to do is take a pause and fully reassess what was working and what wasn’t while also being open to reimagining how we can best meet the needs of the community.
Any bar/restaurant owner knows this is a very challenging business and doing it without alcohol does make it harder. We need to learn from our mistakes and, first and foremost, bring more expertise and experience to the team to maximize our chances for success. We know we’re at the very fore of a rapidly growing alcohol-free market and radical cultural shift. How do you create the most inclusive community hub for that movement? That’s the question we need to answer.
WND: What are you most excited about when it comes to relaunching Awake?
BW: I’m most excited to have the community back. Our supporters and guests are amazing people — open and energetic and wholly themselves. Their love and support have meant everything to us and we’ll look forward to hosting them again soon.
