Meet John & Joey Dame | Owners of Dame Good Drinks

We had the good fortune of connecting with John & Joey Dame and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John & Joey, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, we’ve owned dry cleaners (yes, the glamorous world of lint and starch!) and even franchised them. These days, we run a preschool in Parker and keep an Etsy shop humming on the side — because clearly, we don’t know how to sit still.

Our latest adventure? A drink cafe — something we’d talked about for ages. We wanted a place that felt fun and welcoming, not just for us, but for the whole family. With three boys who are all about football, ice cream, energy drinks, and funnel fries, we were craving something a little more on the “we’re still trying to be healthy” side — like smoothies and protein lattes that don’t taste like punishment. We knew we had to strike a balance.

The challenge? Any time we suggested stopping by a smoothie or healthier place, the boys would roll their eyes. But at Dame Good Drinks, everyone wins. They can grab their favorite goodies, and we can enjoy our go-to healthier drinks — all under the same roof. No compromises, just time together in a space that works for everyone.

That’s what inspired us: to create a laid-back, family-friendly spot where everyone can find something they love.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dame Good Drinks is our little drink and eats café in Greenwood Village — a one-stop shop for whatever mood you’re in. We don’t specialize in just one thing because, honestly, who wants anymore? Whether you’re craving boba, coffee, smoothies, lemonade, or something totally offbeat like ube or blue matcha (yes, it’s a thing), we’ve got it — all under one welcoming, non-intimidating roof.

Hungry? We’ve got you covered with hot sandwiches, egg bites, french toast sticks, whipped cottage cheese parfaits (trust us), pretzels, macarons and yes — funnel fries. Want to be healthy-ish? Great! We’ve got protein smoothies, collagen, even mushrooms — the functional kind, not the psychedelic ones. Prefer dessert? Build your dream sundae or create your own shake. It’s all about balance, and we’re here for it.

Getting here wasn’t exactly easy — lots of hustle, a little chaos, and a family effort fueled by coffee and stubborn optimism. But we’re proud to have created a space that’s fun, flavorful, and totally judgment-free. That’s what makes us special: good vibes, great drinks, and something for literally everyone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If our best friend came to visit, we’d give them the ultimate Southern Denver tour — Greenwood Village to Castle Rock, with a Parker detour and zero regrets (except maybe the funnel fries overload).

Day 1: First stop? Dame Good Drinks — because if you’re not starting with a protein smoothie and a funnel fry, are you even doing Colorado right? Then off to Belleview Park for fresh air and duck watching (aka pretending we exercise).

Day 2: Explore Parker’s Mainstreet — grab coffee at Fika, wander the boutiques, and definitely hit Douglas County Libraries (trust me, it’s a vibe). Lunch at The Parker Garage, then maybe a show at PACE Center if we’re feeling cultured.

Midweek: Castle Rock day! Shopping at The Outlets, brunch at B&B Café, then walk Rock Park (or take a very convincing selfie from the base). Dinner at Scileppi’s or Tribe at Riverwalk, followed by drinks and good intentions.

Day 5: Chill day in Highlands Ranch or Lone Tree — coffee crawl, maybe Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria for lunch, and if we’re feeling fancy, a massage at Woodhouse Spa. End the day with sunset at Daniels Park and life chats.

Between the food, the mountain views, and the small-town charm, this stretch of Colorado is the perfect mix of cozy and cool. Whether you’re into hikes or just pretending to be, we’ve got something for everyone — and yes, probably more coffee than necessary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We owe our success to our incredible family — this shop truly wouldn’t exist without them. Our boys, Josh, Jack, and Jesse, lent their muscles and work ethic (with only occasional bribery), and without them, the place might still be unfinished.

A huge shoutout to our parents, Larry and Marilee Kelly, who lovingly stick our logo on literally everything in the store. To our sister, Jaime Knieper, who made sure the decor was flawless and the signs were straight, She also gave the space the clever, witty vibe we were going for, and vinyl’d it all into place like a total pro.

And of course, we can’t forget the entire Dame family. Thank you for letting us run wild with our last name and turn it into something cheeky and fun — because let’s be honest, this café really is so Dame Good.

Website: https://damegooddrinks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damegooddrinks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dame-Good-Drinks/61573438074136/#

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dame-good-drinks-greenwood-village?rr=4#reviews

Other: https://page-service.doordash.com/store/dame-good-drinks-greenwood-village-33639085/60645347/

Image Credits
Joey Dame