"As the Nosh columnist for openings and closings, it's my job to report on a lot of sad restaurant news. I inform folks when their beloved local bakery shuts down, when pizzerias close wordlessly, and when their go-to date night restaurants suddenly ghost them. And, while it's not always easy being the bearer of bad news, this particular story feels like a knife to my own ribs. This is a closure I hoped I'd never, ever have to write about."
"I'll get the confounding details out of the way first. Despite its success, Friends & Family is closing because it's not making enough money. There are a lot of factors that play into that, such as unpredictable foot traffic and the rising costs of literally everything. It was a James Beard semi-finalist for outstanding bar in 2022 and named one of the 50 best bars in the country by The New York Times."
"Let me wax nostalgic, if I may. Friends & Family was my neighborhood bar, easily walkable from my old place on 29th Street and Broadway. And this really was the spot for lovers, truly. I've sat under the glow of its fuchsia lights with all of my best friends and laughed and cried over martinis and les eggs and rice cakes and hot and sour mushrooms more times than I"
Friends & Family, a queer bar and restaurant at 468 25th Street in Oakland, will close on December 30. The operation earned major accolades, including a 2022 James Beard semifinalist nod and a place on The New York Times' 50 best bars list, but could not sustain profitability. Owners cited unpredictable foot traffic and rising costs as primary pressures. Chef Gaby Maeda produced an acclaimed small-format menu using just a panini press and two induction burners. The venue served as a close-knit neighborhood gathering place with magenta lighting, a missed-connections bulletin board, and an intimate atmosphere beloved by regulars.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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