The Broken Record is Permanently Closing

Yet another sad announcement in the world of SF nightlife. After 15 or so years, The Broken Record is permanently shuttering.

While I have unfortunately not been there too much in recent years, I used to frequent the Excelsior‘s best dive bar quite often back in the day. I even had my 30th birthday there, which was a beautiful disaster. This was back before Uber/Lyft and since it was raining, it took me FOREVER to get a cab. So I showed up to my own birthday like an hour late. This meant that everyone had shots waiting for me. I ended up sleeping on my bathroom floor that night. But I digress…

The Broken Record has always been an oasis of good food and great whiskey in a part of San Francisco that doesn’t have much nightlife. When my buddy Jason King opened it back in 2006 or 2007 most of us were like, “What the hell is the Excelsior”. But opening there was a smart move. Like any great bar, it gave the neighborhood a focal point and acted as more than just a public house. The Broken Record is as much a community space as it is a bar and a restaurant. So this is very sad indeed.

Here is the official announcement that Jason posted on Facebook:

Hey everybody! So, as most of you know, the Record is closing. After 15+ years of business we have to throw in the towel. We can no longer keep up with increasing expenses after 2 1/2 years of covid related slow downs, rising costs (goods and services), loans and, finally, a new lease that we unfortunately can not afford. This is not a plea for help nor is it a crowd funding cash grab. Just a reality. We will be closed to the public after Saturday the 15th of October and will entertain a couple private events as we clean out the property. As of now, there is no tenant lined up to take over but I know the landlord is attempting to rent out the space. For the sake of the Excelsior, I hope he finds someone with the capabilities to provide something amazing because the neighborhood deserves vibrancy. Whomever moves in, remember they did not shut us down and they will need ALL your help to stay open in the years to come.

So, please come to the Record and make some last memories. Take some pictures. Invite a friend for a few beers and a game of darts. We will be announcing our last parties and events shortly and i would love to see all of you there, having fun, one last time. It has been my absolute privilege being able to grow and be a part of your lives for the past decade and a half but all things have an end. Perhaps when the dust settles and the city stabilizes there might be room for us to reopen again but that is a conversation for years in the future. For now, let’s make these last weeks something to remember.

I am so very grateful to you and I promise It won’t hurt for long.

So there it is. Be sure you go in and make some hazy memories at this special place while you still can. And also, make sure you support Jason’s other excellent bar, Church Key since it’s not going anywhere.

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