Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood welcomes a new lesbian‑focused bar, Wild Tulips, which opened its doors for a sober soft launch on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The venue is the brainchild of former Pearl manager Sabina Palermo, who aims to learn from the Pearl’s difficulties and provide a sustainable, community‑oriented space.
Transparent finances and lower rent
Palermo emphasized that Wild Tulips operates on a realistic financial plan. “Our rent is exponentially lower compared to The Pearl,” she said, noting the move from an 8,000‑square‑foot location to a 3,700‑square‑foot space at 1209 E 13th Ave. An unnamed angel investor, motivated by a desire to support queer spaces, loaned $150,000 at a low interest rate to cover lease costs, renovations and early operating expenses.
Learning from past challenges
The Pearl was seized by the city in April after more than $56,000 in unpaid taxes, and a failed GoFundMe campaign highlighted internal mistrust. Palermo and other former staff members refused the raised funds, citing concerns about ownership mismanagement. “I think communication with staff and the community is huge,” Palermo explained, adding that she will be present in the bar at least five days a week to maintain visibility and accessibility.
Community‑driven programming
Wild Tulips plans a diverse lineup of events, including academic lectures, figure‑drawing sessions, clothing swaps, drag residencies, dance parties, vendor markets, karaoke nights and socials. The space also features a vintage Photomatica booth inherited from The Pearl, black‑and‑white tiles, red walls, gold ornate details, a leopard‑print pool table and disco balls, creating a 1970s maximalist vibe.
Staff and support
The bar employs roughly 20 people, with about eight former Pearl employees joining the team. Palermo, who is running a business for the first time, described the experience as a “quite the learning curve” but praised her quick ability to adapt. She credited mentors—including her mother, a Chicago bakery owner, and the proprietor of a gay bar in Portland—for guidance.
Opening hours and future outlook
While the liquor license is still pending, Wild Tulips will operate from 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday‑Thursday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Palermo attributes the rapid opening to volunteer help that cleaned and renovated the space, saying, “If we’ve got a building that’s ready to go, we might as well open it up for the public, even if we don’t have liquor yet.”
Broader context
The opening comes amid a national decline in traditional lesbian bars, with Denver’s own Blush and Blu closing in 2024 and the queer bookstore Petals & Pages shutting earlier this year. Palermo hopes Wild Tulips will fill the gap by offering transparent management, affordable rent and a welcoming environment for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
