Denver Coffee House Menus: Paris on the Platte, Muddy’s and the Mercury Cafe

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Louis, I agree with you 100%. I've updated the language in several places to indicate they're still going strong. Thank you for this suggestion.

I still have my Muddy's menus from when they were on 15th.

Hi Dennis. Thanks for reading. Hold onto those memories!

Wow!! I really loved walking down memory road with the article. I spent many teen hours in all three of these establishments. Even leaving my mark on the wooden benches of Muddy's cafe by carving in Simon & Garfunkel lyrics. I deeply loved both Muddy's and Paris, but I have to admit to seeing some great shows at the Merc... including a very young Gwen Stefani and No Doubt! Thanks for giving this gift of remembrance. Now it looks like we'll have to add Kerouac's old hangout, "The Market" to our museum of extinct coffee houses now too.

Hi Elle, it was heartbreaking to lose The Market this past year, too. 

I think you captured one essence of the former era in your description of carving song lyrics into benches!

I was totally at that first no doubt show at the Merc - they opened for the Psychedelic Zom biez. Killer show!

Me and my crowd were regulars and workers at Paris , Muddy’s and Merc.
We were also regulars at Mary and Lou’s !
Those were the days!

Great Article - I definitely came of age in that scene. Earl Grey Shake is the bomb. My cohort Bret Sloan and I would play music together all around at those coffee shops. Paris, Muddy's, the Merc, the Market. And don't forget cafe euphrateson 17th uptown as well as my biddy's brief foray into that scene with his shop called Coffee Grounds on Emerson and 17th Circa 1993. Good times and less crowds. It took me near 30 years to give up the smoking habit all those places instilled in me :)

Thanks for reading, Jon! An Earl Grey shake sounds awesome right about now. I remember all of those spots, and imagine many of us here might've seen you perform!

Fun to read this! I lived in Denver '79-'86 & frequented Muddy's when I was doing some acting at a space nearby (I forget exactly where). I was just reading an article about Eric Clapton in Rolling Stone & Muddy Waters was mentioned as an influence - which reminded me of Muddy's. I was in Denver this summer 2021 & could NOT remember the name!!!! I know the area has hugely changed but I'm glad to have remembered! Loved the late night post-theatre show meals & music!

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