RIVER
Our Story
River has never just been a restaurant or a bar. It’s a Colorado family’s story.
Founded by Colorado natives Kourisa and Gil CdeBaca with deep roots in Denver and Five Points, River started in 2021 as a little neighborhood dive on Chestnut Place. We built it ourselves, grew alongside our regulars, raised our kids around it, celebrated milestones here, struggled here, and somehow created something much bigger than we ever planned—a community.
In 2026, the property River called home was sold for redevelopment. We had a choice: close the chapter or keep fighting for something we loved.
We chose to keep going.
Just a few blocks away, River was reborn as the restaurant and bar we always knew it could become. The space may be new, but the heart of it hasn’t changed. We’re still family owned and operated, still proudly Colorado, still cooking from scratch, still supporting local artists and musicians, and still trying to create the kind of neighborhood place where everyone eventually starts to feel like a regular.
River has grown up a little—but we’ll never forget where we came from.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story. We’re pretty excited about the chapter we’re writing now.
Welcome to River.
About us
River is more than a place to eat-it's a place to settle in, raise a glass, and make the kind of memories that linger after the last bite. We believe great hospitality should feel effortless, and great food should give you a reason to come back.