Denver, Colorado

Linger Eatuaries: A Spirited Dining Experience in a Former Mortuary

Denver, Colorado, United States

By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published · Updated

Why it’s cool

This stylish Denver eatery embraces its past as a massive mortuary, serving cocktails and global small plates among repurposed embalming equipment and a neon sign that once advertised funeral services.

Southwest Historic
Linger Eatuaries

In Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood, dinner is served in a space where the city’s departed once received their final send-offs. Linger Eatuaries doesn't just occupy a former funeral home; it revels in its macabre lineage with a playful, "eat-drink-and-be-merry-for-tomorrow-we-die" attitude.

What was once the headquarters of the Olinger family’s vast funeral empire is now one of the city's most vibrant culinary destinations. Another unique local landmark is the Fifty-Two 80's toy museum.

Why It Stands Out

The building’s history is impossible to ignore, starting with the massive neon sign on the roof. By simply extinguishing the "O" and tweaking a few letters, the "Olinger Mortuaries" landmark was rebranded into "Linger Eatuaries." This dark humor continues inside, where the decor features clever nods to the afterlife.

Diners might find themselves seated at tables crafted from glass-topped metal conveyor belts once used for moving bodies, or checking in at a host stand made from a repurposed church pew. Even the lighting has a past, with old air conditioning units transformed into industrial hanging lamps.

The International Church of Cannabis is another local site that repurposes a historic space. The site’s most famous guest arrived in , when the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody was held here for six months.

His stay was the result of a heated jurisdictional dispute between Colorado and Wyoming over where the frontiersman should be buried. While the basement that once served as an embalming room now houses a fitness club, the restaurant floor maintains its connection to the past with large garage doors, originally designed for hearses, that now slide open to invite in the summer air.

This blending of life and death is also found at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Before You Go

Linger is a popular spot, so reservations are highly recommended. While the neighborhood can be busy, finding a spot for your car is relatively straightforward.

There is a large public pay parking lot located directly across the street from the restaurant, offering a convenient alternative to searching for street parking in the Highlands.

Questions worth answering

What's the deal with the building's history?

The space was originally the Olinger family's funeral headquarters, and we've kept the bones of that past intact. You'll see it in the repurposed embalming equipment and the rooftop neon sign that used to advertise mortuary services.

Is it true Buffalo Bill was here?

He was. Buffalo Bill Cody's body stayed here for six months in 1917 while Colorado and Wyoming fought over his final resting place.

Where should we leave the car?

Street parking in the Highlands is a headache, so don't bother. There's a large public pay lot directly across the street that's much more straightforward.

How did this guide come together?

We started with a look at Linger Eatuaries and built our own editorial from there. It's a historic spot that doesn't shy away from its macabre roots.