Denver shuts down Beta owner’s adjacent bar, The Cabin Tap House, after fatal shooting

A downtown Denver nightclub owner at risk of losing his licenses for one club has had them suspended for another he owns after a fatal New Year’s Day shooting.

Four people were shot early Saturday in The Cabin Tap House at 1919 Blake St., according to Denver police. Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene.

In response, the city suspended The Cabin’s liquor and cabaret licenses the same day.

“The disruptive and illegal activities associated with the licensed establishment have created an unsafe and hazardous condition, and the continued operation of the establishment in this manner would be a danger to the public health, welfare and safety of the community,” Molly Duplechain, deputy director of Denver Excise and Licenses, wrote in the order to suspend the club.

This is the first “summary suspension” of a liquor license in Denver since Cold Crush in RiNo had its license suspended in 2016, said Eric Escudero, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Excise and Licenses.

The Cabin is owned by Hussam Kayali, who also owns the business next door, Beta Nightclub, at 1909 Blake St.

The fate of Beta’s liquor and cabaret licenses has already been up in the air. The city has charged Kayali — who goes by the name Valentes Corleons — with improperly hiring security guards, creating an unsafe environment and other violations.

A hearing was held in November. In December, a moderator recommended the club’s licenses be revoked after the owner failed to meet certain safety standards, saying he had concluded that Kayali tried to bribe a police officer and failed to stop fights at the club.

Escudero told BusinessDen the final decision on Beta could come as early as this week. Beta has been able to operate throughout the hearing process.