Los Feliz Drinking Institution Fears Closing as Lease Nears Expiration

By Kayjel J. Mairena

Kayjel Mairena is a talented multimedia journalist and we are very proud to have him contribute to the Ten Four. You can support his work via Venmo here

LOS ANGELES — The owner of landmark dive bar Ye Rustic Inn held a demonstration on Oct. 28 to raise support for the potentially closing local institution. Hundreds of people crowded around the Los Feliz bar in support of owner Susan Wood.

The bar’s lease is up in January, and it’s uncertain if it will be renewed.

Michael Canaan, the bar’s general manager, has helped build the business for three years. Besides being told to remove the outside dining area by Monday, he said, they haven’t been able to contact the property owner.

With the patio closing, according to Canaan, half of the staff will lose their job. If the bar permanently shutters, around 30 people will need a new employer.

There may have been concerns over possible car accidents involving people in the patio area. In response, Canaan said, the bar offered to “quadruple” what it pays in insurance and install safety rails. The building owner didn’t reply.

On Tuesday, Ye Rustic Inn posted on Instagram that the future of the bar is uncertain, saying they wanted patrons to join them for a “circle of hope and unity.” The goal of the demonstration, Canaan said, was to “show (the landlord) how much it means to everybody, so that she could have a change of heart.”

The landlord’s information has not been made public for comment. Ten Four tried contacting the listed property owner on city records, to no response.

Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman went to the gathering in support of Ye Rustic Inn. During her speech, she said the city is losing “a lot of special institutions” and the loss of Ye Old Rustic would be “devastating” for the city.

In April 2019, Good Luck Bar, a tiki-themed bar that was about a half mile away, closed after 25 years of business. Pineapple Hill Saloon & Grill, a 48-year-old establishment in Sherman Oak, was supposed to cease operations in October. It’ll stay open through November, according to the restaurant’s Instagram.

Ye Rustic Inn opened in 1971, 55 years ago. Wood has owned it since 1999. Ye Rustic Inn’s chicken wings often end up being highlighted in local and national media. What the patrons loved most about the place were the relationships made there.

People have gotten married after meeting at Ye Rustic Inn. Jobs were secured. Beers were had.

Mya Rajah, a cardiac surgery nurse, said the bar closing would be a “huge loss for the community.” “People have built memories here,” Rajah said. “It’s more about that than about it being just a bar.”

She got to the bar around 5 p.m. and passed out flyers stating “Save Ye Rustic Inn.” Those earlier than her were mostly Milwaukee Brewers fans hoping to support both Wood and their baseball team during its World Series run.

Rajah found solace at Ye Rustic Inn after moving to LA from Toronto in 2019. The bar served as a hub for emergency crews and medical workers during the pandemic. Sometimes, Rajah would put up to 15 people in body bags in one shift. After work, all she wanted was to enjoy a glass of wine, under low light and forget “this whole ordeal,” Rajah said.

By 7 p.m., it was standing room only. It looked like a Saturday night, according to some patrons. “The community showed up,” Rajah said. “I’m happy for them, and I’m happy to be here for them.”

A moment later she added, “Whatever happens, I hope it’s beneficial to the neighborhood. That’s all I can hope for … All I can tell you is that as a person of this community, I will miss this.”

Walter Foukoes went to Ye Rustic Inn Wednesday afternoon for two reasons: Wood and the Brewers. He wore a jersey and sat in the corner of the bar, only looking away from the TV to sip his beer or bite his burger.

Once Milwaukee was crowned champion, Foukoes was able to breathe again. He screamed. Jumped in the air. At one point, he stood there silently with his mouth hanging open and his hands crossed above his  hands, staring at the TV.

Despite the joy of watching the Brewers win their first World Series trophy, Foukoes still wasn’t 100% happy. He said he fears that new developments in the area are going to “push out age-old traditions.”

Without Ye Rustic Inn, Foukoes said, “We lose our Cheers.”