Bar Closing Tells a Painful New York Story

An Upper West Side bar closed its doors in October and frustration turned to shock when staff and regulars told folks the bar would permanently close, after 32 years. “I’ve introduced friends to one another here. It’s just crazy,” Henrique Sobrinho said. “We love Jake’s. We all came here for my birthday last year.”

Jake’s, like other New York City restaurants and bars, struggled financially since the pandemic. A survey by the New York City Hospitality Alliance found that half of its members barely broke even or operated at loss. They blame rising costs for rent, food, wages and delivery fees.  They estimate that more than 15,000 food and bar service jobs have been lost in 2026.

Chart courtesy of the New York City Hospitality Alliance.

Thc empty storefronts that you see in Upper Westside neighborhoods and throughout Manhattan reflect the problem. Closed restaurants and bars account for 13.6% of all vacancies in the city, according to a report from the New York City Comptroller.

Jake’s closed weeks after the closure of Good Enough to Eat, another popular Upper West Side spot. It opened on Amsterdam Ave. in 1981 and relocated twice, landing at Columbus Avenue in 2013 before shutting its doors at the end of August 2026. 

Good Enough to Eat partner, Jeremy Wladis blames a combination of increased rent, labor costs, tariffs, and government not understanding the restaurant business. “You pay a lot more than you bring in,” Wladis said. “One third goes to payroll, another third goes to the cost of goods, and after commercial rent. The cost of which is all rising. You’re lucky to be left with 10% of the money you bring in.”

Wladis continued saying, “New York is a tourist-driven economy. Yes, people come for the shows, and shopping, but they come for the restaurants too. The local government needs to get together with us and treat us like partners of this city’s broader economy.”

Another bar owner in the area who has asked not to be named blames a combination of delivery app fees and a change in consumer habits that includes less drinking and eating since the Covid-19 pandemic. He said, “We’re still in business, but I’m not confident in the next couple of years. Young people are staying home. They’re not spending money like they were.”

The City Council Committee on Small Business is trying to help keep storefronts rented. They support the “Storefront Business Bill of Rights,” which would establish protections for storefront tenants. It would limit renewals for up to one year to a 10% increase. 

But that didn’t help bars like Jake’s and its customers. At last call, customers  took group photos to help keep memories alive.  Bar-goers chanted “We are Jake!” throughout the evening. “I’m still in denial. We have too many memories here for this to be it for Jake’s,” said long-time customer Georgia Mobley. 

Bar goers at Jake’s Dilemma. Photo by Ty-Gabriel Jones.

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