Before there was Denver International Airport, Stapleton International Airport was Denver's hub for air travel from 1929 to 1995. The former airport is long gone, with the Central Park neighborhood sprouting in its place.
But some remnants remain. The most striking one, which is impossible to miss, is the 12-story air traffic control tower. Now surrounded by housing, the 1960s-era tower is an icon for Central Park and the local aviation community.
From Air Traffic Control Tower to High-Energy Brewpub
A trio of aviation nuts had a golden opportunity to take over the tower and turn it into an aviation-themed brewpub in 2022. It was founded by Morgan O'Sullivan, Eric Serani and Jason Slingsby to brew their own craft beers and offer a multitude of games on multiple levels. (Serani and Slingsby are both seasoned pilots who fly for recreation and to pick up fresh hops from western Colorado.)
"This particular space takes a very specific tenant, just how large it is, all the entertainment aspects, and the unique aspect of our brand being so closely tied to aviation," says O'Sullivan. "The opportunity to move into a former air traffic control tower really seemed like a no-brainer."
FlyteCo took over the first two floors of the former administration building at the foot of the 164-foot tower, and a 5,000-square-foot private event space on the third floor opened in 2023. FlyteCo is also donating 10 percent of profits to aviation scholarship programs and is offering a 10-percent discount to anyone who works in the field.
"The whole industry has come around and supported us, whether it's pilots, whether it's flight attendants, baggage handlers, ramp guys," says Serani. "We provide a community place for them."
Beyond the flight motif, the menu includes coffee and burritos for breakfast and dishes like pork tacos, fish and chips, burgers, and pizza for lunch and dinner. (Don't miss the decadent Wonton Fried Pickles: wonton-wrapped dills with Muenster cheese and sriracha ketchup.) The bars serve FlyteCo's beers as well as wine and craft cocktails.
"The event potential and community collaboration for a system that size is pretty much endless," says O'Sullivan. "If a local charity or organization wants to brew a specialty beer for a fundraiser, we can brew five kegs of it."
Then there's a wide swath of family-friendly diversions inside and out: 18 holes of mini golf, vintage arcade games, pool, darts and six bowling lanes.
"There's really a little something for everybody," says O'Sullivan.
The tower itself provides a wayfinder for customers. Serani calls it "a great sign" for the establishment.
"It's tough to generate that sense of place for people, and this building already came with it," adds O'Sullivan: "The community itself seems to have a sense of ownership of the building that extends beyond anything that we do here. It's their icon.”
Take a Tower Tour
Learn all about the history of the tower and the former airport on a fascinating one-hour tour that takes you to the top of the tower for panoramic views.
Tour guide Sean Henson is a private pilot and is passionate about collecting memorabilia that tells the stories from the fledgling days of aviation, operating at high elevation, to pioneers like Elrey Jeppesen, to the complexities of the jet age, as you make your ascent. There's a special dedication to the bombing of United Flight 629 that killed 44 people in 1955. And lots of other interesting callouts, such as Pope John Paul II's visit to Denver in 1993.
As you near the top, the handoff from the old airport to the new one begins. Once you reach the top of FlyteCo Tower, there are spectacular views of the Front Range. You can also see Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and United Airlines Flight Training Center.
The paid tour includes a complimentary beer sample or soft drink. FlyteCo Tower is the perfect place to start or finish your inspiring aviation tour around Denver.
Note: To take the tour, you have to be physically capable of climbing 11 stories of stairs. Children have to be at least 10 years old.