Profitable Restaurant & Bar — Cripple Creek CO · Turnkey · 84 Seats ·
Share on Facebook 
Post to X 
Share on LinkedIn 
Share on Reddit Business Description
TURNKEY RESTAURANT & BAR WITH REAL ESTATE INCLUDED — HISTORIC CRIPPLE CREEK, COLORADO
A rare opportunity to acquire both a fully operating full-service restaurant and bar AND the historic 1896 brick building that houses it — conveyed together to a single owner-operator.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Creek is a veteran-owned, locally owned restaurant and bar on Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek, Colorado — a historic mountain gaming town at 9,494 feet that draws visitors year-round to its casinos, history, and Rocky Mountain character. The Creek is the original independent standalone on its block: the authentic alternative that both tourists stepping off the casino floor and local regulars actively seek out.
Built from the ground up and opened in May 2021, this is a genuine turnkey operation. The doors are open, the kitchen is running, the staff is trained, and the customers are already coming through. A new owner steps into a working business on day one — not a concept, not a build-out.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
• The operating business and the real estate — 4,219 sq ft historic 1896 brick building
• Full commercial kitchen — Imperial range and fryers, Wells charbroiler, True refrigeration, walk-in cooler, Scotsman ice
• Two complete bars — including a glycol draft system feeding ten Colorado craft taps
• All FF&E, smallwares, and POS — itemized asset schedule available in diligence
• Current inventory
• Colorado Hotel & Restaurant liquor license (transferable, subject to state approval)
• Trained staff — 17 employees at summer peak, approximately 14 off-season
THE OPERATION
84 seats across two floors — 44 on the main floor including the bar, 40 upstairs including a second bar. Open daily, lunch through late night, kitchen to 9 PM and bar to midnight.
The concept leans into what a casino restaurant cannot credibly claim: Colorado wild game (bison, elk), house-made red and green chili, ten Colorado craft draft taps, and a signature craft cocktail program. Strong online reputation across Google, TripAdvisor (Travelers' Choice), Yelp, and Facebook.
THE UPSTAIRS — A SECOND REVENUE STREAM
The second floor operates as a dedicated entertainment bar with its own separate street-level entrance (also ADA accessible), running under the building's existing liquor license. Pool tables, dart boards, and a TouchTunes jukebox are already installed on revenue-share rental — no capital outlay and no maintenance burden to ownership.
Recently opened and already producing, the space is barely programmed. Dart leagues, pool tournaments, trivia, live music, and locals' nights represent immediate, low-cost growth for an operator who knows the format. The late-night bar window — after the kitchen closes — is bar revenue on bar labor, and it's just getting started.
WHY BUY THE BUILDING WITH THE BUSINESS
Acquiring both together is what makes this an owner-operator's deal. With one owner over the business and the real estate, rent stays inside the operation instead of leaving it. No landlord, no lease renewal risk, no split incentives — you control the entire cost structure under one roof, and you own an appreciating historic asset on Colorado's primary casino tourism corridor.
THE HONEST PICTURE
Cripple Creek is a seasonal mountain market. Peak runs Memorial Day through early October; March and April are slow. The model is built to bank peak-season strength to carry the shoulder season — a rhythm any operator experienced in seasonal tourism will recognize.
Menu pricing is structurally sound. The earnings opportunity is in execution and cost discipline — the gains a hands-on owner captures on the floor. This business rewards presence.
FINANCIALS
All figures are drawn from filed 2025 federal tax returns — not projections. Complete financial detail, both entities' returns, equipment schedules, and lease documentation are available to qualified buyers following a signed NDA and site visit.
Serious inquiries only. NDA required before financials are shared.
A rare opportunity to acquire both a fully operating full-service restaurant and bar AND the historic 1896 brick building that houses it — conveyed together to a single owner-operator.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Creek is a veteran-owned, locally owned restaurant and bar on Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek, Colorado — a historic mountain gaming town at 9,494 feet that draws visitors year-round to its casinos, history, and Rocky Mountain character. The Creek is the original independent standalone on its block: the authentic alternative that both tourists stepping off the casino floor and local regulars actively seek out.
Built from the ground up and opened in May 2021, this is a genuine turnkey operation. The doors are open, the kitchen is running, the staff is trained, and the customers are already coming through. A new owner steps into a working business on day one — not a concept, not a build-out.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
• The operating business and the real estate — 4,219 sq ft historic 1896 brick building
• Full commercial kitchen — Imperial range and fryers, Wells charbroiler, True refrigeration, walk-in cooler, Scotsman ice
• Two complete bars — including a glycol draft system feeding ten Colorado craft taps
• All FF&E, smallwares, and POS — itemized asset schedule available in diligence
• Current inventory
• Colorado Hotel & Restaurant liquor license (transferable, subject to state approval)
• Trained staff — 17 employees at summer peak, approximately 14 off-season
THE OPERATION
84 seats across two floors — 44 on the main floor including the bar, 40 upstairs including a second bar. Open daily, lunch through late night, kitchen to 9 PM and bar to midnight.
The concept leans into what a casino restaurant cannot credibly claim: Colorado wild game (bison, elk), house-made red and green chili, ten Colorado craft draft taps, and a signature craft cocktail program. Strong online reputation across Google, TripAdvisor (Travelers' Choice), Yelp, and Facebook.
THE UPSTAIRS — A SECOND REVENUE STREAM
The second floor operates as a dedicated entertainment bar with its own separate street-level entrance (also ADA accessible), running under the building's existing liquor license. Pool tables, dart boards, and a TouchTunes jukebox are already installed on revenue-share rental — no capital outlay and no maintenance burden to ownership.
Recently opened and already producing, the space is barely programmed. Dart leagues, pool tournaments, trivia, live music, and locals' nights represent immediate, low-cost growth for an operator who knows the format. The late-night bar window — after the kitchen closes — is bar revenue on bar labor, and it's just getting started.
WHY BUY THE BUILDING WITH THE BUSINESS
Acquiring both together is what makes this an owner-operator's deal. With one owner over the business and the real estate, rent stays inside the operation instead of leaving it. No landlord, no lease renewal risk, no split incentives — you control the entire cost structure under one roof, and you own an appreciating historic asset on Colorado's primary casino tourism corridor.
THE HONEST PICTURE
Cripple Creek is a seasonal mountain market. Peak runs Memorial Day through early October; March and April are slow. The model is built to bank peak-season strength to carry the shoulder season — a rhythm any operator experienced in seasonal tourism will recognize.
Menu pricing is structurally sound. The earnings opportunity is in execution and cost discipline — the gains a hands-on owner captures on the floor. This business rewards presence.
FINANCIALS
All figures are drawn from filed 2025 federal tax returns — not projections. Complete financial detail, both entities' returns, equipment schedules, and lease documentation are available to qualified buyers following a signed NDA and site visit.
Serious inquiries only. NDA required before financials are shared.
About the Business
- Years in Operation
- 5
- Employees
- 15 (13 Full-time, 2 Part-time)
Both part time workers are seasonal - Facilities & Assets
- 4,219 sq ft historic 1896 two-story brick building, owned free and clear at closing and included in the asking price. Main floor: dining room, full bar, and complete commercial kitchen — 44 seats including bar. Second floor: dedicated entertainment bar with pool, darts, and jukebox — 40 seats including bar, with its own separate street-level entrance (ADA accessible). Building includes a hydraulic freight elevator and dumbwaiter serving both floors, commercial gas heat, and a dedicated beer walk-in with glycol draft system. Back patio off the alley. Located on Bennett Avenue, the primary standalone dining corridor in Cripple Creek's historic district, steps from the casinos.
- Market Outlook / Competition
- Cripple Creek is a casino-driven mountain tourism market. Most local dining is casino-operated. The Creek is the original independent standalone on its block — the authentic, non-casino alternative for both visitors and locals. This positioning, combined with genuine local roots and a veteran-owned story, is not replicable by a corporate or casino operator.
- Opportunities for Growth
- The upstairs entertainment bar is recently opened and barely programmed — dart leagues, pool tournaments, trivia, live music, and locals' nights are immediate, low-cost growth levers with equipment already installed on revenue-share. The late-night bar window after kitchen close is an underdeveloped daypart. Additional upside in tightened cost discipline, back patio activation, and hotel partnership referrals. Peak-season capacity has room to grow with an engaged operator on the floor.
Real Estate
- Owned or Leased
- Owned
- Included in asking price
- Building Sq. Ft.
- 4,918
About the Sale
- Seller Motivation
- Ownership is pursuing other business ventures and is ready for a qualified owner
- Transition Support
- Owner will provide a mutually agreed transition period to ensure a smooth handover of operations, vendor relationships, staff, systems, and community relationships. Trained staff in place. Terms negotiable.
Listing Info
- ID
- 2513418
- Listing Views
Business Location
Listing ID: 2513418 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.
Businesses for SaleColorado Businesses for SaleColorado Food & Beverage Businesses for SaleColorado Restaurants Businesses for Sale
Similar Listings
