Abbot Kinney's Roosterfish Dive Bar to Close After 37 Year Run in Venice

Roosterfish, the iconic dive bar that's survived for over 37 years on Venice's Abbot Kinney Blvd, is closing in May after a rent hike from the landlord. Fronters Magazine reports that bartender Gaetano Jones posted a Facebook message confirming the impending closure. The Pride also reported that owner Gary Mick, who's controlled the bar for the last 25 years, is calling it quits in May.

The bar was founded by Walter Schneider and B.M. Alexander, who also opened The Gallery Room and Up Disco in West Hollywood. According to The Pride, the name Roosterfish was chosen because Schneider and Alexander loved fishing and the roosterfish was an especially feisty catch. Over the years, the dive was a place that welcomed everyone, and had very little in the way of trouble with the police despite heavy gang activity nearby. Schneider ran the bar up until his death in 2006.

They haven't announced an official closing date, but at the moment it's slated for some time in May. Pour one out for Roosterfish for the last time, and say goodbye to one of the last bastions of the ungentrified Abbot Kinney before it's too late.