Flaming Saddles, the West Hollywood gay country western bar, has closed permanently.
Owners Jacqui Squatriglia and Chris Barnes, who also own and operate a Flaming Saddles bar in New York City, went on social media Sunday — The West Hollywood location will not re-open. COVID-19 wreaked financial havoc on the business, and they couldn’t re-negotiate their lease with their landlord, Monte Overstreet, who also owns the building that houses Rage nightclub, among other West Hollywood properties.
Flaming Saddles had been a staple to West Hollywood at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Larrabee Street since January 2015.
Owners Jacqui Squatriglia and Chris Barnes, who also own and operate a Flaming Saddles bar in New York City, went on social media Sunday to announce the West Hollywood location will not reopen and didn’t say if Flaming Saddles would open at a different location, but seemed to leave the door open.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on gay businesses throughout Los Angeles and has shuttered many businesses permanently. In this situation regarding Flaming Saddles, the owners couldn’t re-negotiate their lease with their landlord, Monte Overstreet, who also owns the building that houses Rage nightclub, among other West Hollywood properties.
Landlords and lease negotiations have been an ongoing hurdle for many small businesses struggling to reopen (or remain open) during the current COVID-19 crisis.
The city of West Hollywood has struggled to keep many of its legacy bars and restaurants alive during such an uncertain moment. The city recently lost the influential Pride Festival too, meaning a further loss of revenue for restaurants and bars in the years to come.
