Is the Red Onion Junked?

Once one of Aspen’s favorite local bars, the Red Onion has now sat empty for a full two years and early indications show that it may be empty for a lot longer.  The lease on the space was taken over by Scott Degraff of N9Ne Restaurants, FunWorldWide LLC, and Junk LLC.  The intention of the new leasee was to give the Red Onion an extensive remodel and reopen as “Junk at the Red Onion” a modern concept restaurant/bar.  Junk at Snowmass gives us a bit of an idea of what the food and feel would be at Junk at the Red Onion.

However after two long years the companies responsible for the reopening of the Onion have just found liens of $1 million dollars filed against them for unpaid work on their Snowmass properties, Junk at Snowmass and Liquid Sky. (See related story) What this might mean for the Red Onion is anyones guess but it does not bode well.  “Empty at the Red Onion” could be its new name as we head into summer 2009.

Follow this link for a cool panoramic photo of the Red Onion’s last night.

Update
As of June 1st 2009 sources say that everything will be a go with Junk at the Red Onion after the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. That would make it the last week in June.