Palace Arms restaurant closing in historic Brown Palace after 74 years

After 74 years, the historic Brown Palace hotel is closing its Palace Arms restaurant.

The regal restaurant tucked in the lobby of the downtown Denver hotel will hold its last dinner service on Saturday, May 4, and be closed until further notice, according to Brown Palace general manager Jana Smith.

Smith said this is not a permanent decision, but one “based on business needs.”

“Fine dining is more of a luxury than a necessity right now, and we’re not seeing the turnout we’d prefer to have to make a profit,” she added. In the meantime, the Palace Arms space will be used for private and special events, rather than its usual Thursday through Saturday dinner service. 

Smith said the hotel, located at 321 17th St., is considering expanding the Brown Palace’s Churchill cigar bar into the Palace Arms space as a possibility. “We’re the last cigar bar in the city, so there’s a demand for it, and we want to answer that demand,” she said. But no final decisions have been made yet.

“We want to make the hotel’s history proud and maintain its roots, but maybe it’s not fine dining that fits,” she said.

Palace Arms originally opened in 1950, making diners feel like royalty with its glittering chandeliers, royal blue carpet, plush red leather booths, and Revolutionary and American flags. The private dining area dubbed the Independence Room features handpainted wallpaper depicting American settlers traveling across a mountainside landscape. Napoleonic artifacts — from uniforms to a set of dueling pistols believed to have been used by Napoleon himself — are scattered throughout.

Up until 2004, guests were required to dress up in suits and ties. Executive chef Kim Moyle presents a luxurious menu fit for special occasions, ranging from caviar to Chilean seabass and elk chops. And Wine Spectator magazine recognized its wine program for its excellence multiple times throughout the years.

The Brown Palace’s other restaurants — Ellyngton’s, Ship Tavern and Churchill cigar bar — will remain open as usual. “Now, we’ll just have more love to give them,” Smith said.