Nearly seven years after opening in Oakland’s Jack London Square area, the modern Irish pub Slainte will shut its doors on Oct. 31.
“Summer was very slow and between decreasing business and rising costs of supplies and labor, along with the rising crime in the area, we just can’t make the numbers work anymore,” the owners announced Monday on social media. “This means we, like so many others, have made the heartbreaking decision to close.”
The news comes a week after Oakland business owners held a symbolic strike to call attention to their plight and urged the city’s mayor to declare a state of emergency.
Slainte’s Irish-born executive chef Jackie Gallanagh and co-owner Jenny Schwarz opened the pub just after St. Patrick’s Day in 2017, offering an authentic food and bar menu and live music in this historic building on Broadway.
Until month’s end, “We will continue to serve up some delicious food and pour proper pints for you all.” Although the menu will shrink as supplies wind down, they said they will definitely serve fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, chips and curry, Brussels sprouts and their noted Guinness Chocolate Ginger Cake, topped with Irish whiskey cream.
Slainte’s management implored the public to support them and the musicians they feature in this last month of business. “After all, we’ve got so many stories and so much whiskey to share with you.”
The farewell announcement ended on a note of hope. “We Irish have a phrase: Slan go foill. It means goodbye for now. It seems appropriate in this situation. Who knows? Maybe somebody else out there who has always wanted an Irish pub can pick up the torch and make it a go.”
Details: Slainte is closed Mondays and open from 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, from noon to midnight Thursday-Friday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The kitchen closes an hour earlier than the pub. 131 Broadway, Oakland.
