Historic Tom Bergin's Served Its Last Pint on Sunday

Perhaps one of most beloved restaurants in LA came to a close yesterday, when Tom Bergin's Tavern on Fairfax served its last pints of Guinness to throngs of supporters. Despite new ownership, a capable chef, a new bar program, and updated interior, Tom Bergin's has closed indefinitely after a ten-month renovation was completed just over a year ago. The tavern, founded in 1936, was one of the city's oldest surviving establishments, and a rite of passage for many Angelenos.

The new ownership, which included property owner Warner Ebbink, and chef Brandon Boudet, claimed that sales simply weren't enough to keep the business afloat, though they're trying to ensure that the new buyer retains as much of the original charm as possible. Plenty of coverage and even a review penned by Jonathan Gold weren't enough to drive new diners to experience the classic Mid-City haunt. Gold wrote a eulogy this weekend for the local icon, stating at the end that the property was listed on Loopnet for $3.9 Million, which "is kind of beyond the range of Kickstarter."

Critics of the new rendition of Tom Bergin's claimed that prices for food and drinks were too high and that the staff was sometimes rude, but there were plenty of fans who appreciated the updated menu and preserved interior. They even retained two of the oldest bartenders in the city. Looks like fans of the obscure Irish whiskey collection or those strong Irish coffees will have to look elsewhere. What happens next with the historic place remains to be seen.
·All Tom Bergin's Tavern Coverage [~ELA~]