Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub Closes After 14 Years in West Hollywood
Introduction to the Closure
After 14 years of service, Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub, a well-known establishment on West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, shuttered abruptly just before St. Patrick’s Day.
The pub, located at 8911 W. Sunset Blvd., just two doors down from The Whisky a Go Go, has yet to make an official announcement on its social media accounts and website. Still, the business is already listed as permanently closed on Yelp and Google. This isn’t the first time it has closed without warning. Several years back, it also shuttered unceremoniously and reopened in Sept. 2019 under a new ownership group led by Justin Levine and Robbie Earl.
Other Locations and History
According to Yelp, Rock & Reilly’s continues to operate its other locations, including Topanga Social in Canoga Park and its USC location. There is also a new LAX location listed as coming soon to the airport, according to Rock & Reilly’s website.
The Sunset Strip location first opened in 2011, taking over what was once the London Fog, a popular ’60s venue where Jim Morrison and The Doors were the first act to perform.
Menu and Celebrity Patronage
Rock & Reilly’s made a name for itself, boasting several celebrity A-listers visiting the bar on its homepage. Its dining menu offered a selection of authentic Irish dishes, such as its corned beef and hash sandwich made with stone-ground mustard, Dubliner cheddar mix, and Guinness-glazed onions on rye bread. Other menu items included common bar foods, such as burgers, salads, nachos, chili, and mac and cheese.
Special Features
The restaurant’s alcohol offerings once featured 45 whiskeys, a rare Magners Irish Cider on tap and served beer flights in mini-Mason jars that were a callback to the folklore inspiration behind the Irish pub.
Origin Story
On Rock & Reilly’s website, the company describes Reilly’s mythic origin story, “Born during a bar fight in Devlin, Ireland, Reilly came into the world swinging. On the first day of his life, he lost an eye, took a man’s life and developed an insatiable taste for whiskey. At the age of two, Reilly’s father lost him in a poker game. Six months later, Reilly won himself back. And when he was three years old, prohibition hit the United States, and Reilly ultimately decided he couldn’t bear the thought of Americans going thirsty.”
“Hell-bent and ready to rumble, Reilly hitched a ride on a whiskey boat bound for the dry nation to supply illegal spirits to the American people. Docked in a strange land and armed with nothing but a family recipe for Irish whiskey and a smuggler’s wit, Reilly quickly organized a gang of misfits known as the ‘Black Eye Society’ and took over the routes of the nation’s milkmen.”
Facilities and Events
The two-story, 2,500-square-foot restaurant was equipped with 17 LED TVs, a 120-inch projection screen, and an outdoor patio that often showed sporting events. It was also a popular spot for late-night crowds, sometimes hosting karaoke and stand-up comedy shows.
Conclusion
The closure of Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub marks the end of an era for West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. While the reason for its abrupt closure remains unclear, the pub’s legacy as a hub for Irish cuisine, whiskey, and entertainment will be remembered by its patrons.
FAQs
- Q: Is Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub closed permanently?
A: Yes, according to Yelp and Google, the West Hollywood location is listed as permanently closed. - Q: Are other Rock & Reilly’s locations still open?
A: Yes, other locations, including Topanga Social and the USC location, continue to operate. - Q: What was unique about Rock & Reilly’s menu?
A: The menu featured authentic Irish dishes, a wide selection of whiskeys, and unique presentation styles like beer flights in mini-Mason jars. - Q: What is the origin story of Rock & Reilly’s?
A: The origin story, as described on the website, tells the tale of Reilly, born in Ireland, who developed a taste for whiskey and eventually supplied illegal spirits to the American people during prohibition.
