This is a curated list of the Bay Area’s most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures, with new updates published once a week. See a closing we missed? Then drop us a line.
October 26
CIVIC CENTER — Tablehopper caught the news that Uccello Lounge, located
on the ground floor of the Bowes Center, appears to now be closed. No reason for closure was given, but the website and Instagram page for the restaurant already appear to have been taken down. 200 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
MISSION — Studio Aurora has closed its doors as of Saturday, October 24, the San Francisco Standard reports. Owner Dario Barbone told the Standard that he plans to shift his priorities to his Potrero Hill shop and restaurant, Alimentari Aurora. He’s also passing the property on to Emma Rahr and Trang Trinh, who will open a wine bar and restaurant in the space early next year. 302 Valencia Street, San Francisco
JAPANTOWN — Tablehopper also spotted the upcoming closure of Thai restaurant Hed 11. The final tasting menu will be served on Saturday, October 31; it will flip into a second location of sister restaurant Hed Very Thai in the coming months. 1800 Sutter Street, San Francisco
EXCELSIOR — The San Francisco Standard also caught the announcement that Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant will shutter at the end of the year. The restaurant first opened in 1995 serving dim sum and clay pot dishes to the neighborhood. Owner Elaine Yen tells the Standard that the property was sold in February, and that although there were a few years left on the lease, “the new owners gave Yen the option to exit early” with no long-term plan for a restaurant space on the property. Yen accepted, and the restaurant will close as of Thursday, December 31. 2626 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco
VALLEJO — Fine dining restaurant Michael Warring is closing its doors on Saturday, December 5, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Located in Hiddenbrooke Plaza, chef Michael Warring has served a seasonal menu since the restaurant’s opening in 2012. Warring says it’s not the end of the restaurant; instead, Warring and his wife, Ali Gulczynski, plan to reopen the restaurant in their home garage at some point, this time located in Benicia. 8300 Bennington Drive, Vallejo
October 14
MISSION — Irish bar and restaurant the Liberties is closed indefinitely as of Monday, September 7, Mission Local reports. A closure for Labor Day has since extended into October, as owner Ian Duggan explains to the news outlet that he’s currently battling a lawsuit over a $160,000 loan. He’s looking to continue the 25-year-old business and is considering finding a new operator, but it’s unclear when (or if) the space will reopen. 998 Guerrero Street, San Francisco
CASTRO — Sichuan restaurant Mama Ji’s will close at the end of October, Hoodline reports. In a closure announcement posted to the restaurant’s window, owners (and couple) Lily Ji and Marv Wolpa thanked the neighborhood and customers for supporting their 15-year-old business. The couple wrote, in part, “running a successful restaurant is both satisfying and exhausting. We recognize it’s time for us to put our time and energy into our non-work life.” 4416 18th Street, San Francisco
CASTRO — Hoodline also caught news of the Rustic shutting down in early September after three years in business. The California Italian restaurant has apparently been sold to a new owner, according to an employee at sister restaurant Tavola Rustica in Larkspur (which remains open). 215 Church Street, San Francisco
BERKELEY — Seniore’s Pizza on Berkeley’s Durant Avenue has closed after 12 years in business, East Bay Nosh confirms. A representative told the news outlet that “the ebb and flow of Cal students throughout the year made business difficult.” The business continues to maintain locations in San Francisco, Concord, and more. 2518 Durant Avenue, Berkeley
October 6
JACKSON SQUARE — Barbarossa Lounge has closed its doors after 11 years in business as of Saturday, September 26. In an Instagram post announcing the closure, the owners wrote, “After months of discussion with the landlord, and as a result of being unable to reach a long-term agreement that would allow Barbarossa to continue operating sustainably at this location, we have made the difficult decision to close.” The post thanked former employees, event planners, and customers, writing, “Thank you to every person who has been part of this story.” 714 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
INNER RICHMOND — Local favorite Mai’s Restaurant has closed as of Thursday, October 1, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The restaurant has reportedly been around since 1979, serving pho, lemongrass barbecue beef, and more. A prerecorded message at the restaurant’s number confirmed the closure, but no reason was given, the news outlet states. 316 Clement Street, San Francisco
ALAMEDA — Say it ain’t so: Admiral Maltings and the Rake are set to close this month. In an email announcing the news, the Admiral Maltings team stated the final batch of malt will come out of the kiln on Friday, October 2; The Rake, meanwhile, will shut down on Sunday, October 18. Admiral Maltings was known for its floor-malting process and supplied many craft brewers and distillers in its nine years of business. “Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t make and sell malt economically,” the company’s announcement reads in part. “Although we have reached out to many professional colleagues and potential partners over the last couple of years in an effort to carry Admiral Maltings into the future, we no longer possess the resources to push forward.” The announcement goes on to thank customers for their support over the years. 651A West Tower Avenue, Alameda
MENLO PARK — Menlo Park deli Lutticken’s has closed all four of its locations as of Wednesday, September 30, after 45 years in business, Palo Alto Online reports. The deli served as a space for sandwiches, eventually adding dinner, a full bar, and live music, per the news outlet. There’s a chance the business could live on; Palo Alto Online reports that an employee is interested in continuing the business, but it seems nothing is finalized as of the writing of that story. 3535 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park
