2 More Iconic Restaurants Fold Under Coronavirus: Cliff House Closes, 21 Club Shutters

Two more iconic restaurants have succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic. This time, the historic locations affected are on the West and East Coast.

The owners of San Francisco’s well-known The Cliff House restaurant are closing its doors for good after running the establishment for nearly 48 years. The Cliff House location has a history that dates back 157 years.

The Cliff House had temporarily switched to take-out orders during the pandemic, but it wasn’t enough to keep the iconic restaurant in business during the COVID-19 crisis. The restaurant, which is known for its ocean views of the Pacific Ocean, will shutter its doors on Dec. 31.

The Cliff House said that 180 workers will lose their employment with the restaurant at the end of the year.

The Cliff House had a 20-year contract with the National Park Service but was unable to agree on a new long-term contract with the agency. The National Park Service had purchased the land from The Cliff House in 1977, leasing it back to the owner from there on out.

The Cliff House’s neighboring restaurant, Louis Restaurant, closed its doors after 83 years in mid-July also due to the coronavirus pandemic, reported KTVU, a Fox affiliate out of San Francisco.

On the East Coast, New York City’s 21 Club will also close because of the pandemic. The decision comes as the 21 Club has been closed since March when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shut down all bars and restaurants to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"In light of the ongoing global crisis and anticipated extended recovery period for the hospitality industry, the difficult decision was made that it will not be feasible to reopen the 21 Club in its current form for the foreseeable future,” a restaurant spokesperson said, as reported by NBC News.

The restaurant spokesperson did say that the 21 Club was “exploring potential opportunities” that would allow it to remain a “viable operation.”

"At this early stage, we are not ready to announce any final concept or timeframe, but the vision is that 21 Club will always remain an important social and cultural hub and icon of New York, one that is well-positioned to fulfill its role in the City’s exciting future when the time comes.”

The 21 Club has a history that dates back to the 1930s during the Prohibition era, where it stood as a speakeasy.

The closing of the two iconic establishments comes after Bloomberg warned of mass restaurant closures. Speaking to Allen & Associates in June, the consulting firm estimated that up to 10% of all restaurants globally would disappear, with 20% or more also going through a restructuring process.