Many of us have waited with bated breath for Cart-Driver to reopen its LoHi location, but after delays and broken promises, the outcome looked bleak. But now we have a relaunch date, Thursday, January 16.
“It’s been a long slow process, but it’s really allowed us to rethink Cart-Driver LoHi,” said owner Andy Niemeyer, adding he’s relieved the restaurant will finally open again. “We were open a few years before the closure, and with a couple operations under our belt we learned how the space functions and what the neighborhood is looking for.”
Cart-Driver LoHi has been closed for a solid year after a plumbing issue in December, 2023. According to Niemeyer, the resulting damage required extensive repairs to the majority of the restaurant. In essence, the inside, especially the kitchen, had to be rebuilt.
Niemeyer said if anything, the silver lining to the closure comes from getting to rethink operations. That way, he added, when the restaurant opens next week the diners will have an even better version of Cart-Driver LoHi.
If you’re planning on running back to the popular pizza place right away, know the opening weekend is walk-in only. After that, reservations for tables of four or more become available starting January 20.
While there, make sure to check out the Cocktail for a Cause (available at both Cart-Drivers in LoHi and RiNo). Dubbed Tiger Tiger, the drink consists of Four Roses bourbon, Salvia e Limone liqueur, amber vermouth, and grapefruit juice. Every dollar raised from the tipple goes to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, about 30 minutes East of Denver. The 33,000-acre network of sanctuaries has saved nearly 1,000 wild animals including lions, tigers, and bears, oh my (and also lynx, camels, emu, wolves, and more).
Visit Cart-Driver LoHi Sunday and Monday from 4 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. Happy hour runs daily from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 2239 W. 30th Ave., Denver, cart-driver.com