The Ruby Fruit, a notable Silver Lake wine bar catering to the LGBTQ community, closed unexpectedly on January 11, 2025, primarily due to financial issues worsened by Los Angeles wildfires. Owners Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman expressed heartbreak in a deleted Instagram post, leading to a mix of community shock and backlash regarding inclusivity. While they emphasized inclusivity and financial struggles, subsequent reports surfaced alleging mistreatment of trans and BIPOC patrons, raising concerns about the bar's legacy. The bar had been celebrated as one of the top new community spaces in 2023 before its closure.
The Ruby Fruit, a beloved bar in Silver Lake, closed abruptly due to financial struggles exacerbated by the Los Angeles wildfires, leaving the community shocked.
In response to the closure of Ruby Fruit, owners Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman cited a financial impact resulting from the current natural disaster as the primary reason.
Despite initial support for Ruby Fruit's reopening, allegations emerged regarding the treatment of some patrons, especially trans and BIPOC customers, complicating the bar's legacy.
After addressing the community in a statement about Ruby Fruit's closure and its intention to be inclusive, Bielagus and Herbkersman ultimately deleted their Instagram account.
Collection
[
|
...
]