City Tavern Departs Downtown’s FIGat7th as Gulp Sushi Alehouse Swims In

Look like a flip for Downtown’s FIGat7th space. The open-air mall a few blocks north of Staples Center has a wide array of food options to choose from across its multiple levels, but is swapping out the downstairs City Tavern space for something new.

That something is Gulp Sushi Alehouse, a Westside option with two locations in Playa Vista and West LA. The concept is a simple one: casual fusion food with a mostly Asian bent meets pub grub and craft beer. You’ll find burgers, salads, bao buns, fish tacos, and beers from some of the most recognizable names in local craft beer, from The Lost Abbey to Barley Forge in Costa Mesa. This location will offer a true sushi bar as well as a happy hour, dinner and lunch service, and 40 craft beers on tap daily — plus TVs for sports and that same outdoor patio.

The interesting question is whether or not Gulp will ultimately fare any better than City Tavern, which had its own craft beer and casual food bent. It’s entirely possible that Gulp, with its other multiple locations and slightly different bent, will be able to capture a price point and a market at FIGat7th that City Tavern could not.

Only time will tell, it seems, with a late spring/early summer arrival most likely. In the meantime anyone who misses City Tavern can hop on over to Culver City for a beer at their original location.

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