Daniel DrennonUpdate: 3/16, 5:00 p.m. Blue Palms manager Matt Olesh announced this afternoon that the popular beer bar and restaurant will reopen tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Olesh told us, “In the coming week, we will announce a date for a grand re-opening party to thank our loyal fans for their love and support over the past two months.”
With the announcement that Golden Voice had leased the adjacent Music Box theatre in the same building, obviously Blue Palms was finally able to work out their sublease. L.A. beer fans will certainly welcome the return of Brian Lenzo's well-regarded beer joint.
Less than a week ago, Brian Lenzo was riding high on a three and a half year wave of loyal customer support for his Blue Palms Brewhouse, one of the most highly regarded taphouses in the country and a favorite of the local beer community. Lenzo and partner Dave Almaraz brought the craft beer revolution to Hollywood Boulevard at their location in the Music Box theater and Lenzo, who hails from Ohio, had a simple goal: “Bring a place to Hollywood that offered great beer, good meals and a Midwest feeling.”
Early last week he was blindsided by the news that the Music Box, with whom Blue Palms has a sublease, had lost their lease and was closing. And that Blue Palms would be forced to close with them by midnight tonight.
Brian Lenzo (left) and Dave Almaraz toast their customers and employees; Credit: Daniel Drennon
The news of Blue Palms closing spread on Facebook on Friday among L.A. beer fans and Saturday's Russian River Brewing event suddenly became a rally to show support. And rally they did. Lenzo opened his doors to a line at 2:00 p.m. and his place stayed packed elbow to elbow with ardent supporters until the doors closed at 2:00 a.m. At various points during the day and evening, Lenzo and Almarez stood on the bar to thank their friends and fans for the love. We asked Lenzo for the best case/worst case scenario. An always sarcastic dude, he said, “Best case, we are still open on Monday. Worst case, we're not.” Tonight at midnight, the doors of Blue Palms will shut unless there is an eleventh hour “save” between the Music Box folks and the landlord.
If Blue Palms does close, Lenzo says a search will begin for a new location but that, depending on how lucky they are, “There could be no Blue Palms for up to a year. We would want to stay in Hollywood because we love the sense of community we have built here. And I used to run the theater at the Music Box for years before we opened Blue Palms so this building and location holds a special place in my heart. Look at the fans we have here today. It is our responsibility to support them back by staying in Hollywood.”
Lenzo looked around at the standing room only crowd and seemed touched. “One day you're happy as hell… the next you're heartbroken.”
Brian Lenzo Brought Good Beer to Hollywood; Credit: Daniel Drennon
Matt Olesh pours beer for a packed house; Credit: Daniel Drennon
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