DENVER — Another Mile High City staple is closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic: Armida’s, a karaoke bar that has entertained countless would-be musicians and amused onlookers since 1994.
“We’ve been doing this for 26 years, you know, and with the doors closed back in March, we didn’t know what was going to happen, if karaoke was going to work with the virus,” said Laisa Corral, the owner’s daughter. “So it’s kind of been something we’ve been thinking about as a way to change what we’ve been doing … this seemed like a perfect opportunity to do something we’re passionate about, which is food.”
The business will have the same owners, according to Corral, and the building off 8th Avenue and Lincoln Street has been painted white and been given an upgrade in honor of its new focus.
It is now called La Milpa, and has already started doing food takeout and delivery.
“Everyone’s always changing and evolving, you know?” Corral said. “It’s something that’s normal, and just like people grow, ideas come and go, and although we love karaoke and it’s something we’ve been doing for years, we also really love to cook, and that’s something we want to keep doing. Everyone loves to eat.”
It’s worth mentioning that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recently listed “singing in groups” as one of the most dangerous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
>>> Watch the video above for a look at how the CDPHE listed group singing as one of the most dangerous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voicebox, another karaoke establishment in Denver with private rooms, said on its website it plans to reopen on July 3.
As for La Milpa, the restaurant formerly known as Armida’s, Corral said its focus will turn to serving quality food in honor of the owners’ Mexican heritage. She didn’t entirely close the door on bringing back karaoke.
“We love karaoke, we love everyone who’s been coming out and support us for the past 30 years,” Corral said. “We just appreciate it and we’re so grateful, we’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring people together to sing with the love of music for so many years, and we want to do the same thing with food.”
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