The History of Bump and Grind Denver
It was 2022 and my girlfriend and aunt and I were driving to my family’s house for Thanksgiving. I can’t remember how it came up, but my Aunt (now in her 60s) mentioned a place named “Bump & Grind” in Denver. If I remember correctly, she said it was a roller rink with drag queens. I wrote it down so I could research it later.
So I’m finally looking it up. Turns out it’s not a roller rink (but Bump & Grind would be a good name for one). It was actually a restaurant with a Sunday morning “Petticoat Bruncheon” featuring drag queens (1.h). And it’s been closed since 2009 (1.a, 1.b). It was at 439 East 17th Avenue.
But from what I can tell “Petticoat Bruncheon” was not always part of the Bump & Grind experience. Originally, Bump & Grind was Hyper Space Aerobics Studios. The owner, Cliff Trubowitz, opened it in 1993 (1.f, 1.c.). In 1996, he changed the name to the “Bump & Grind Cardio Cafe” (1.d., 1.e) and later it became simply “Bump & Grind”.
During the “Petticoat Bruncheon” era, Bump & Grind was on one of those travel channel shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Reviewers really liked the food. One restaurant reviewer from zomato said,
"Great food, tacky decor, a Denver institution. Infamous Saturday/Sunday brunch (don't bother to go for any other meal). The brunch has been made famous by the shocking wait-"people" so don't be surprised when driving by and a seven foot tall drag-queen runs into traffic trying to get people to stop and come in for brunch. There can be really long lines, especially in the summer. The Mexican-Benedict is yum-yum."
It also had homemade sodas and sandwiches and chipotle gravy on jalapeno cornbread (1.i). Cliff also shared Bump & Grind’s recipe for Orange Shortbread. The “Miss Emma Peel” cookie. I actually found a photo with the picture of the cookies in it.
After Bump & Grind’s departure, Cliff Trubowitz opened Turnover, Darling in 2021. The Turnovers were a throwback to the empanadas served at Bump & Grind (1.g). “Turnover, Darling” has recently closed, but I’m looking forward to visiting Cliff’s next culinary endeavor whatever that is.
Here’s some more pictures and links to give you an idea of the Bump & Grind Vibe.
1.a. “Its inevitable demise was long rumored, but Bump & Grind managed to hang on until the very end of 2009, when a “closed indefinitely” sign appeared on the door” https://www.westword.com/restaurants/has-bump-and-grind-been-bumped-off-5740978
1.b. “Bump & Grind has permanently closed.” https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bump-grind
1.c. “Feb 16, 1997” … “Cliff Trubowitz opened the eatery first as an aerobics studio about four years ago.” https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/1997/02/17/newscolumn6.html
1.d. “JANUARY 16, 1997 4:00AM” … “The eight-month-old Bump & Grind Cardio Cafe is a combination java joint and aerobics studio” https://www.westword.com/restaurants/pour-me-5057069
1.e. “Bump & Grind, Cliff Trubowitz’s funky brunch spot, opened up in 1996 in Capitol Hill and closed after 14 years.” https://businessden.com/2020/04/14/former-bump-grind-owner-to-open-60s-themed-restaurant-in-ballpark/
1.f. “The ‘Bump’ was from the fitness classes and the ‘Grind’ was from the coffee.”” https://trashwire.com/2009/11/04/bump-and-grind-denver/
1.g. “Turnover, Darling is from restaurant vet Cliff Trubowitz, who owned the now-shuttered, but equally nostalgic, Bump & Grind for more than a decade.” https://www.5280.com/inside-turnover-darling-denvers-newest-savory-pie-destination/
1.h. “Imagine walking into a restaurant where Barbie dolls in boxes line the walls.” … “During the week, this café remains full of charm and comfort food, but the parade of colors and over the top personalities are reserved specifically for Saturdays and Sundays.” https://spectrumculture.com/2008/11/22/bump-grind-denver-co/
1.i. https://www.zomato.com/denver/bump-grind-cafe-north-capitol-hill/reviews