High-end Bar Food and Entertainment Coming to Cripple Creek in Late Spring

Jeff Hellner, owner of the 20 Mile Tap House in Parker, plans to open the District Kitchen & Saloon in Cripple Creek by May 1.
The District Kitchen and Saloon's Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Hellner/District Kitchen & Saloon

Jeff Hellner, who owns the 20 Mile Tap House in Parker, has been busy building out new options for the gaming town of Cripple Creek. According to the Colorado Springs Independent, Hellner first opened Gold Camp Cafe, a “cute coffee and sandwich shop” this past spring. At the end of October, Hellner also opened El Burro Loco, offering take out Mexican food from The Mercantile grocery store next door. Now, the District Kitchen & Saloon will be adding a full bar and restaurant to the action at 367 E. Bennett Ave. in late spring 2023. After 10 years in town, Hellner, along Cripple Creek’s just over 1,000 residents and visitors to the former mining town, will finally have a non-gaming locale to rest up and throw down.

Sign up now to get our Daily Breaking News Alerts

Opt out at anytime

“There’s only one restaurant in Cripple Creek that’s not a casino, so the town needed a family-friendly place to visit,” Hellener told What Now Denver. “We’re integrating into community and growing more family-friendly places to visit.”

The District Kitchen & Saloon will offer a full bar, beer, and wine list in addition to an “upscale bar menu” — homemade macaroni and cheese, juicy steaks, fresh fish, and other food sourced primarily from local purveyors. Hellner also plans for live entertainment at District.

Inside, there will be approximately 80 seats with two all-season outdoor patios for a total of 3,000 square feet. Aiming to open on May 1, construction is underway behind the front window that already boasts the restaurant’s logo.

Matthew Denis

Matthew Denis

Matthew D. Denis is a Bend, Oregon-based freelance reporter with a predilection for existential expression. Be it art, backcountry exploration, overland road rallies, or Zimbabwean beats, Matt is there to describe the culture and expression that defines our humanity. You can find his work in ArtNews, The Register-Guard, The Manual, U.S. News & World Report, and more. When Matt's not typing on keys, he'll likely be exploring books, creative writing, or endless Western wilds.
Matthew Denis

Matthew Denis

Matthew D. Denis is a Bend, Oregon-based freelance reporter with a predilection for existential expression. Be it art, backcountry exploration, overland road rallies, or Zimbabwean beats, Matt is there to describe the culture and expression that defines our humanity. You can find his work in ArtNews, The Register-Guard, The Manual, U.S. News & World Report, and more. When Matt's not typing on keys, he'll likely be exploring books, creative writing, or endless Western wilds.

Pin It on Pinterest

Search