Who's Going to Take Over the Shuttered McCabe's Bar Space in Santa Monica?

Divey Westside spot McCabe’s Bar & Grill seems to have kicked out its last karaoke jam, with a tipster writing in to say that the locks were changed a few weeks back over an alleged failure to pay rent. Indeed, calls to the space only dial in to a non-working number at this point.

The nondescript place sits just next to A Cut Above butcher shop on Santa Monica Boulevard, becoming something of a quiet local hang, complete with TVs showing ESPN, string lights, and a cheap happy hour. Per the awning signage there was also pool, shuffleboard, and darts, though it seems the games weren’t enough to keep things on the up and up.

So what now? This is prime Westside territory, and comes with a full 47 liquor license to boot. As we all know well, the restaurant market has never been hotter out that way than it is right now, so don’t be surprised if some big-name operator swoops in for the kill. Rumor has it, the place has already been shopped around by the landlord, and some news could be coming down the pipeline about the future of the place very soon.

Thankfully, the Westside hasn’t completely lost its dive bar cool factor yet — there are still plenty of places to play shuffleboard, drink cheap beer, and party all night.