Written by Yelp Denver Community Intern, Chloé Lyden
Since 2004, Yelp has worked to connect millions of people to the best in local business. In that time, we’ve met thousands of passionate small business owners, a group as hardworking and diverse as any you’ll find. In this series, we share stories of the people who, through their commitment to building great local businesses, are sustaining the vibrant local communities we call home.
We sat down with Rita Price, owner & proprietor of Rita’s Law, to learn about her unmatched passion for creating the safe and welcoming bar that opened this past summer in Denver’s historic Five Points.
What was the inspiration for Rita’s Law?
I’ve always been in restaurants but wanted to do more of a bar-focused project. It was exciting for me to build something from the ground up and have a community space where all walks of life could come in and hang out—to work, drink, and eat.
Can you speak about the unique architecture throughout the space?
The Melbourne was built in 1903. The first time I walked into the space, I knew it was the right one for the bar. The exposed brick and wood elements were exactly what I was looking for in a building. Before being a hostel, the building originally served as a bus depot—it welcomed so many people to Denver. The added bonus was that it sits on Welton Street in the historic Five Points neighborhood.
What is your background in the service industry?
Essentially, I lived in a restaurant growing up. My dad was part of the industry, so my childhood was filled with memories hanging out with the restaurant staff and seeing what life was like behind-the-scenes. One thing that my dad told me was to never get into the restaurant business. I held off until I was 21 and as you can see, I never left.
What type of experience do you envision for patrons while at Rita’s Law?
I want people to feel welcome as soon as they step foot into the space—to know they have a friend at the bar. Having a creative food and drink menu only adds to our endearing atmosphere.
In your opinion, what sets Rita’s Law apart from other businesses in Denver?
I designed a space with a “community first” mentality. And something that would make sense in Five Points. The goal of owning a bar isn’t to make money; it’s to provide a place for everyone to come together and feel comfortable.
Any upcoming events we should know about?
On Wednesdays, we’re featuring vinyl bingo—a fun variation on traditional bingo with Something Vinyl Club. Each week has a different music theme like disco, classic rock, or Motown. We’re also gearing up for our Day of the Dead Party on November 1st that will feature mezcal and tequila cocktail specials, Mexican-inspired items from the truck, and plenty of sugar skull décor.
Want to learn more? Check out and bookmark Rita’s Law on Yelp!
This interview has been condensed and edited.
