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. For more news, check out our list of restaurants that closed earlier
in June.
July 14
SOMA — University of San Francisco’s mainstay food spot, Sweet Joanna’s Cafe, might be closing after 34 years, SFGATE reports. It seems the university is looking to push out the business, opting to not renew the cafe’s lease and giving notice for owner Joseph Abughosh to leave by Tuesday, June 30. The cafe is still running, “as it’s unclear when exactly the university will force Abughosh out,” the article states, but Abughosh says his rent increases by 2.5 times as of Saturday, August 1. Abughosh is hoping to stay, but if he can’t, he’ll look for a space to relocate to, he told the news outlet. A USF spokesperson told SFGATE that they’re looking to bring in another food business to the building, but did not specify whom. Meanwhile, loyal customers organized a Change.org petition and letter-writing campaign to USF to persuade the university to let the business continue operating at that location. 101 Howard Street, San Francisco
REDWOOD CITY — German beer garden Das Bierhauz has closed up shop after two years in Redwood City, closing as of Tuesday, June 30, Palo Alto Online reports. Co-owner Mehmet Vural tells the publication that his business partner is moving and they decided to “give up on the location.” Das Bierhauz’s original space remains open in Mountain View. It seems there wasn’t much time to grieve the bratwurst and beers; already, the location is flipping into Gangsan, a modern Korean restaurant serving seolleongtang and galbijjim, Palo Alto Online reports. 830 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City
July 1
MISSION BAY — Ballast Point closed its Mission Bay tasting room as of Monday, June 29. The closure announcement was made via the brand’s Instagram account that same day, thanking customers who “visited, shared a beer, celebrated milestones, and made this location part of the local craft beer community over the years.” No reason for the closure was given, but the company’s tasting rooms in San Diego, Anaheim, and Long Beach remain open. 705 16th Street, San Francisco
EMERYVILLE — The Townhouse in Emeryville has closed as of Saturday, June 20. The E’ville Eye first reported that owner Dan Seng will be forced to close the restaurant if he’s unable to find a buyer for the property. He was unable to secure funds for the property through traditional lenders, and was looking for a private investor to purchase the property and keep the business going; the building has been listed for sale “for several years,” with a current asking price of $2.2 million. The restaurant was built in 1926, and during Prohibition it was run as a speakeasy, housing a bootlegging operation within. Unfortunately, it seems the Townhouse team wasn’t able to find an investor in time. “We are deeply saddened to say goodbye, but we are incredibly grateful for the love, support, and memories shared with us over the past 36 years,” a message on Townhouse’s website reads, in part. 5862 Doyle Street, Emeryville
