The booze is about to stop flowing at an iconic Los Angeles bar — where the owner says he’s been hammered by a perfect storm of soaring costs, Hollywood’s economic woes and a new generation losing interest in alcohol.
With interest in drinking drying up and the future of local nightlife on the rocks, the face behind Sherman Oaks’ top-tier Augustine Wine Bar — once hailed as best in the city — says the numbers no longer add up.
After nearly 12 years of pouring rare vintages and cultivating a fiercely loyal following, the beloved neighborhood favorite will shut its doors for good on Dec. 19 — making it the latest casualty in LA’s seemingly never-ending hospitality bloodbath.
David Gibbs told the California Post that his normally optimistic outlook on life has been severely tried by the relentless challenges of keeping the business afloat.
“I’m usually a glass half full person, but I’ve been worn down, beaten down by outside factors,” said Gibbs, a co-owner of the Ventura Blvd. vino venue.
The financial squeeze has become so severe that some ingredients now cost more to purchase that the restaurant once charged customers for entire dishes, according to Gibbs.
“We can’t raise prices high enough to make it still be profitable,” he explained.
And out-of-control overhead is only part of the problem.
Augustine has been hit hard by the struggles of two industries that helped sustain the establishment for years, Gibbs said — entertainment and hospitality.
Many of the wine bar’s regulars were Hollywood workers — or fellow restaurant employees who would stop in on their days off to splurge on a special bottle of wine.
With both of those industries in the fight of their lives, many of Gibbs’ former best customers simply don’t have enough disposable income.
Gibbs also pointed to the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss medications — along with what he described as a new wave of temperance-style attitudes towards drinking as contributing factors.
After opening in 2014, Augustine quickly carved out a reputation as a wine lover’s paradise — offering food and an impressive selection of bottles in a cozy, moody setting.
Rather than cater to wine snobs, the bar sought to be the kind of neighborhood hangout where regulars could settle in for a glass and actually hear themselves talk.
The intimate spot became a refuge for Valley wine enthusiasts, earning a devoted following for its knowledgeable staff, adventurous selections and relaxed atmosphere. This special blend earned the business considerable critical acclaim as well, including a “Best of LA” nod in LA Weekly at the time.
After doing their best to keep afloat, Gibbs and his partners broke the sad news that things were coming to an end in an Instagram post on Sunday.
“We didn’t make this decision lightly, and it’s certainly not the ending we envisioned,” they wrote in an emotion-packed post. “But after considerable thought, and an honest assessment of where the business stands today, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s simply no longer financially sustainable to continue.”
For those that viewed Augustine as more than just a place to grab a drink, the news has been a bitter pill to swallow.
“Totally gutted,” one heartbroken fan commented on the post. “In no good world should this be happening.”