Downtown Colorado Springs speakeasy, distillery closes
A popular speakeasy in downtown Colorado Springs has closed its doors permanently.
Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street, a Prohibition-era themed bar at 110 E. Boulder St., closed over the weekend, according to a statement from co-owners Nick and Ian Lee. The bar served as a tasting room for Lee Spirits Co., a local craft distillery also owned by cousins Nick and Ian. The distillery is closing, too, according to the statement.
“We’ve poured our passion into crafting premium gin, vodka, and liqueurs, aiming to elevate your gatherings and celebrations,” the statement reads. “We want to extend our deepest gratitude to you, our loyal customers, our dedicated employees and the entire Colorado community.”
Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street opened in 2016. It wasn’t just hidden like other speakeasies around town, but actually disguised itself as a men’s clothing store. Even the bar’s website was designed to fool visitors: “Our haberdashery is for those who value style above all else. Whether you need a custom suit or that perfect accessory to complete your look, you’ll find it all at Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street,” the site read.
The bar was highlighted by the Travel Channel as one of the best speakeasies in the country.
“To our exceptional employees, your hard work and dedication have been the driving force behind our successes. We cannot thank you enough for your unwavering commitment to excellence,” the statement reads.
“While we bid farewell to a decade of cherished memories, we do so with incredible gratitude. The legacy of Lee Spirits Company will endure, and we hope to continue sharing our passion for craft spirits with you in new ways in the future.”
Ultimately, though, lasting impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and industry challenges led to the bar’s closure, according to the statement.
“Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street, once a beacon of Colorado Springs’ cocktail scene, stood as a testament to our commitment to creating memorable experiences. However, despite our best efforts, the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-changing industry landscape presented challenges we simply couldn’t overcome,” the statement reads.
Lee Spirits, which operated its distillery in Monument, announced in 2021 plans for expansion, according to previous Gazette reporting. The company was looking to grow distribution of its gin, vodka, liqueurs and canned cocktails from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma to more Midwestern and Southwestern states and nationwide and globally by the end of 2023, co-founder Ian Lee said at the time.
What happened with that deal and aspirations? The Gazette reached out to Nick and Ian Lee but did not hear back by the time of publication Wednesday.
Regan Capozzella makes a tea-infused cocktail called the Red Flag Fleet at Brooklyn’s on Boulder Street in Colorado Springs.
Bartender Regan Capozzella pours a “Final Word” while serving drinks at Lee Spirit Co.’s speakeasy-style tasting room, Brooklyn’s on Boulder in Colorado Springs.
Lee Spirits gin aged in whiskey barrels is one of the many varieties of gin made at Brooklyn’s on Boulder.