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Post Oak BBQ applies for liquor license at second Denver location near DU

Post Oak BBQ applies for liquor license at second Denver location near DU

Money Moves Denver, CO local

City records show a pending license and construction permit for a former restaurant space across from the University of Denver.

August 31st, 2026: License and permit applications appear in city records

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Post Oak BBQ, a Texas-style spot in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood, is one step closer to a second location. City records now show a pending liquor license and a tenant-finish construction permit at 1737 E. Evans Ave., across from the University of Denver.

Owner Nick Prince, a former banker from Fort Worth, is self-funding the roughly $750,000 buildout. He targeted an opening this year, but city approvals are still pending. The space was the former Sawa Mediterranean restaurant; seven other operators wanted it.

Why it matters

Diners near the University of Denver may soon get a second outpost of one of Denver's most popular barbecue restaurants.

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Key Indicators

$412,600
Permit construction valuation
Estimated construction value on the tenant-finish permit for the Evans Ave. remodel.
$5 million
2025 revenue at Tennyson Street location
The original Post Oak BBQ location brought in $5 million last year with 39 employees.
150
Expected meals per day
Permit documents estimate about 150 daily meals, with a quarter as carryout.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2019 Early 2

4 events Latest: August 31st, 2026 · 4 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Sawa Mediterranean closes at Evans Ave.

    Upcoming Milestone

    The buffet restaurant vacates 1737 E. Evans Ave., freeing the space for new tenants.

  2. License and permit applications appear in city records

    Latest Regulatory

    Denver's open data portal lists a pending liquor license and a tenant-finish construction permit for Post Oak at 1737 E. Evans Ave.

  3. Denver Post reports Post Oak's expansion plans

    Announcement

    Prince confirms the Evans Ave. site, saying seven other operators competed for the space.

  4. Post Oak BBQ opens on Tennyson Street

    Milestone

    Nick Prince leaves banking and opens the barbecue restaurant in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood.

Scenarios

1

Post Oak BBQ opens Evans Avenue location by end of 2026

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Denver Post and owner Nick Prince, who targeted an opening this year

Prince aims to open by October. If city reviewers clear the permit and license without major delays, the restaurant could start serving customers in the fall or early winter of 2026.

2

Permit and license delays push the opening into 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Developing MyCity, which reported city reviewers requested revisions on plumbing, electrical, grease interceptor and zoning items

City departments have issued initial review comments requesting more documentation. Each round of revisions extends the timeline, and a liquor license requires its own approval process. The opening could slip past December 2026 into early 2027.

3

The Evans Avenue project stalls or is abandoned

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: No cited source predicts this; it follows the precedent of Prince abandoning an earlier Arvada plan during due diligence over cost

If permit costs balloon, approvals stall, or the owner changes course, the project could halt. Prince already walked away from buying a building in Arvada's Olde Town when it proved too expensive, so a similar decision here would fit his pattern of cost discipline.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2001-2015

Shake Shack's rise from a single park stand (2001–2015)

Danny Meyer's restaurant group opened a hot dog cart in Manhattan's Madison Square Park in 2001. Three years later it became a permanent kiosk, and by 2015 Shake Shack was a public company with locations around the world.

Then

The single-location cart became a destination, drawing lines that proved demand for a larger operation.

Now

Shake Shack grew into a global chain with hundreds of locations, showing how a beloved local spot can scale into a large enterprise.

Why this matters now

Post Oak's owner explicitly rejects this path, capping his expansion at two or three locations to protect food quality.

2009-2011

Franklin Barbecue's one-flagship model (2009–2011)

Aaron Franklin and Stacy Franklin opened a small trailer in Austin in 2009, then a permanent location on East 11th Street in 2011. It became one of the most celebrated barbecue restaurants in the United States, drawing hours-long lines daily.

Then

Franklin gained national fame and became a destination for visitors and locals alike.

Now

The Franklins kept expansion slow and limited, a deliberate contrast to barbecue brand franchises.

Why this matters now

Nick Prince's philosophy matches Franklin's: grow carefully, or regulars will say the food was better before.

Sources

(4)

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