Got some sad news from a trusted source tonight… Sleep Out Louie’s will indeed close for renovations in two weeks, as we had heard. However, it will stay closed for three months and then reopen as a steakhouse under a different name. The three manager/bartenders will be transferred to other restaurants (King’s Palace/Tap Room, Rum Boogie Cafe) owned by the same management company. Not sure about the servers.
Needless to say this comes as quite a shock. I can’t blame Sleep Out’s parent company for wanting to do what is best for business, but still, it’s devastating to think that our neighborhood bar will be gone by the end of February. Also odd to note that while many downtown restaurants (EP’s, Majestic Grille, Sauces, BB King’s) are making an effort to reach out to locals, Sleep Out’s management is taking that restaurant in the opposite direction.
The Sunday brunch crew is discussing what to do… we’ll be at Sleep Out’s until it closes and in the meantime we’ll weigh our options… the Majestic Grille is a possibility… McGuinness would be, but they stop serving brunch at noon, which is WAY too early. I know some of the bar owners/managers read this… there’s several hundred dollars in regular weekly business, generous tippers and regular mention in a blog for whoever we decide on.
I’m still in shock.