Tiger’s Taproom closing its doors in March: Oakland loses beloved neighborhood bar

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• February 17 updates
• February 10 updates
• February 5 updates

This week’s Bay Area restaurant roundup tracks a fresh wave of permanent and long-term closures, underscoring ongoing pressure on small hospitality businesses and shifting neighborhood dining scenes. These moves matter now: they change where residents eat and drink, reshape local employment, and signal how operators are coping with higher costs and fluctuating foot traffic.

February 17 updates

Bearing West Bar & Galley (Sunset, San Francisco) will shut its doors on March 1 after nearly three years of service. Owners John Giuffre and Jeff Hanford posted on Instagram, thanking local patrons and pointing to the broader economic headwinds facing independent restaurants. Address: 2325 Taraval Street, San Francisco.

Tiger’s Taproom (Oakland) is also closing on March 1 after more than seven years. Owner Brian Chan blamed a mix of rising costs, reduced pedestrian traffic and changing consumer habits. The bar plans to participate in an SF Beer Week event and will tap special kegs in its final days. Address: 308 Jackson Street #4, Oakland.

Athletic Club Oakland closed permanently following the Super Bowl weekend on February 8, the owners confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle. Management said revenues were a fraction of pre-pandemic levels and that declining alcohol consumption played a role; talks with a potential new operator were reported but not finalized. Address: 59 Grand Avenue, Oakland.

Margins Wine (Santa Cruz) will wind down operations at the end of April, owner Megan Bell told the Chronicle. Despite praise in natural-wine circles, Bell cited startup-related debt and the difficulty of sustaining the tasting room. Remaining inventory is limited and a farewell gathering is planned for April 25. Address: 402 Ingalls Street, Suite 18, Santa Cruz.

February 10 updates

Uzen — a College Avenue staple in Oakland — closed its doors at the end of January after 34 years, East Bay Nosh reported. A note posted on the restaurant window confirmed the shutdown. Address: 5415 College Avenue, Oakland.

Slow Hand BBQ in Pleasant Hill is closed temporarily after a fire that investigators say began in the smoker and spread through the hood and ductwork. KRON reports there’s no reopening date yet; the chain’s Martinez location remains open. Address: 1941 Oak Park Boulevard, Suite 5, Pleasant Hill.

Two Horn Barbecue locations in Lafayette and Elk Grove have reportedly shut, with local property owners alleging eviction or unpaid rent. The San Francisco Chronicle says the Lafayette site carries an eviction notice and owners of both sites say the spaces won’t return under the same management; representatives for Horn say they are trying to resolve outstanding issues. A new Horn outpost in Fresno, opened in mid-January, is still operating. Addresses: 3422 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette; 9700 Railroad Street, Elk Grove.

February 5 updates

Kothai Republic (Inner Sunset) will close on February 15. The restaurant, which launched in 2023 with a menu blending Korean and Thai influences, closed after owners said the venture wasn’t financially sustainable. Address: 1398 9th Avenue, San Francisco.

Mel’s Drive-In in Cow Hollow suffered a kitchen fire on February 3 that caused heavy damage; SFGATE and city fire officials report the site will remain closed indefinitely while repairs and investigations proceed. Address: 2165 Lombard Street #102, San Francisco.

Owners of sister spots Montesacro Marina and Bettola told Tablehopper they’re consolidating. The Steiner Street Montesacro location will shut on February 14, and Bettola will be reimagined as Clementina, a fully celiac-safe neighborhood Italian restaurant inspired by the owners’ youngest daughter’s diagnosis. Clementina is slated to open around mid-March. Addresses: Montesacro Marina, 3317 Steiner Street; Bettola, 343 Clement Street, San Francisco.

• Quick snapshot — closures and status

  • Bearing West Bar & Galley (Sunset, SF) — closing March 1 — 2325 Taraval St.
  • Tiger’s Taproom (Oakland) — closing March 1 — 308 Jackson St. #4
  • Athletic Club Oakland (Oakland) — closed Feb. 8 — 59 Grand Ave.
  • Margins Wine (Santa Cruz) — closing end of April; farewell April 25 — 402 Ingalls St., Suite 18
  • Uzen (Oakland) — closed Jan. 31 after 34 years — 5415 College Ave.
  • Slow Hand BBQ (Pleasant Hill) — temporarily closed after fire — 1941 Oak Park Blvd., Suite 5
  • Horn Barbecue (Lafayette & Elk Grove) — locations closed amid eviction/rent disputes — 3422 Mt. Diablo Blvd.; 9700 Railroad St.
  • Kothai Republic (Inner Sunset, SF) — closing Feb. 15 — 1398 9th Ave.
  • Mel’s Drive-In (Cow Hollow, SF) — closed indefinitely after Feb. 3 kitchen fire — 2165 Lombard St. #102
  • Montesacro Marina / Bettola (Marina, SF) — Montesacro Steiner location closing Feb. 14; Bettola becoming celiac-safe Clementina mid-March — 3317 Steiner St.; 343 Clement St.

If you’re aware of a local closure or have updates, please reach out with details so we can include them in next week’s bulletin.