A year after the Denver Stockyard Saloon announced its closure at the National Western Center’s Livestock Exchange Building, a new steakhouse has signed on to take its place as the center’s dining destination.
When it opens inside the Exchange this summer, The Stockton will be the latest concept from restaurateur Bryan Dayton, founder of a hospitality group that includes Boulder restaurants Oak at Fourteenth and Corrida.
“This restaurant could only belong here – in this building, on this campus, in this city,” Dayton said in a statement. “Denver’s cattle history is part of who we are, and I feel lucky to carry that story forward in a way that supports our ranchers, our land, and our community.”
Along with martini carts, penny-tiled floors and leather furniture, Dayton described his future steakhouse as offering “quintessential Colorado dining.” He expects to source more than 80% of his beef, including prime rib, from Colorado cattle.
A team of developers renovated the Exchange ahead of this year’s stock show. The Stockyard Saloon spent more than two decades in the west wing of the larger facility, but left the property after a clash with its owners.
The Stockton, instead, will be located in the east wing by the main entrance of the Exchange.
A pop-up saloon is open inside the Exchange during this year’s National Western Stock Show, which runs through this weekend. The Denver Stockyard Saloon, meanwhile, relocated to 11810 West Colfax Ave. in Lakewood.
Dayton’s no stranger to Denver, having run the Highland rotisserie shop BriDer for nine years until its closure last fall. He also ran restaurants inside The Source in River North.
