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Last month, five popular Los Angeles restaurants and bars closed their doors, including long-standing establishments that catered to celebrities and locals alike. Sushiya on Sunset Strip ended its 28-year run on September 29, having served A-listers like Rihanna and Leonardo DiCaprio. Employees Only, a West Hollywood cocktail bar known for its speakeasy-style atmosphere, closed two days later after facing challenges from inflation and rising costs. In Van Nuys, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., which specialized in British cask ales, shut down on September 27 after 12 years of operation. Espresso Profeta in Westwood, beloved by UCLA students for its courtyard setting, served its last cup on September 25 following two decades in business due to unaffordable rent. Lastly, The Giant Artichoke in Castroville closed on September 30 after 25 years under current ownership but had been a landmark since 1963 with its iconic artichoke statue.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Southern California hospitality industry faced significant challenges in September 2023 as five popular eateries and bars closed their doors permanently. These closures include long-standing establishments like Sushiya on Sunset Strip and Employees Only in West Hollywood. Sushiya, which had been operating since 1998, was a favorite among celebrities such as Rihanna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, and John Travolta. The reasons behind these closures are attributed to high costs including rent, food, and labor expenses, along with decreased foot traffic due to the ongoing pandemic impacts, Hollywood strikes, and concerns over future wildfires in 2025.
Written for “Restaurant Closures LA” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The bad news just kept coming for Southern California’s beleaguered hospitality industry last month, as beloved neighborhood institutions, celebrity haunts and longtime watering holes announced they were calling it quits — some after decades in business.
asserted
they → come → business
From the Sunset Strip to a Van Nuys brewery known for its British-style ales, September delivered another brutal round of last calls.
asserted
September → know → calls
The carnage comes as LA restaurant owners continue to grapple with soaring rent, food and labor costs, sluggish foot traffic, lingering fallout from the pandemic, Hollywood strikes and the 2025 wildfires.
asserted
owners → come → pandemic
Sushiya on Sunset
One of the Sunset Strips’s longest-running celebrity sushi haunts rolled its last maki Sept. 29.
asserted
One → run → maki
Sushiya had been slinging sushi at Sunset Plaza since 1998, becoming a fixture for Hollywood heavyweights and neighborhoods regulars.
asserted
Sushiya → sling → heavyweights
Over its 28-year run, the Japanese joint reportedly welcomed a parade of A-listers including Rihanna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder and John Travolta.
uncertain
joint → welcome → Rihanna
Just two days before Sushiya went dark, another one of West Hollywood’s see-and-be-seen spots poured its final cocktail.
asserted
one → go → cocktail
Employees Only, the moody cocktail bar and restaurant, brought a taste of NYC after dark to Santa Monica Blvd. and attracted plenty of celebrities who came out for the speakeasy-style digs and craft cocktails.
asserted
who → bring → digs
Managing partner Tom Sopit told Eater LA the business had effectively suffered a “death by a thousand cuts” with inflation, rising wages, higher costs for goods and shifting consumer habits all contributing.
asserted
inflation → manage → contributing
The Valley also took a hit.
asserted
Valley → take → hit
MacLeod Ale Brewing Co. shut its Van Nuys taproom Sept. 27, ending its 12-year run.
asserted
Co. → shut → run
Known for its old-school British cask ales and house made pizzas, and neighborhood vibe, the brewery distinguished itself by going all in on “real ale” — with imported English grains, naturally carbonated, cask-conditioned beer.
asserted
brewery → know → grains
Espresso Profeta
Even caffeine couldn’t keep one Westwood institution awake.
asserted
caffeine → keep → institution
Espresso Profeta served its final cup on Sept. 25 after 20 years in business, ending a two decade run from its charming Glendale Avenue home.
asserted
Profeta → serve → home
The independent specialty coffee shop particularly loved for its courtyard and old-school atmosphere, becoming a hangout for generations of UCLA students and locals.
asserted
shop → love → students
Co-owner and General Manager Samantha Langford told the Daily Bruin that the business could no longer afford its rent.
uncertain
business → tell → rent
Up the coast in Castroville, The Giant Artichoke, a quirky roadside restaurant called it quits Sept. 30 after 25 years under its current owners.
asserted
Artichoke → call → owners
The Monterrey County eatery was known for its distinctive 20-foot-tall artichoke statue that stood near its entrance.
asserted
that → know → entrance
The sculpture dates back to 1963, when the restaurant was operated by its original owner, local businessman Ray Bei.
asserted
restaurant → date → owner
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