Hollywood’s Cat & Fiddle Closing

Some Angelenos may be sad to learn that the Cat & Fiddle will be closing in December after a 32 year run on Sunset Boulevard, according to a report in EaterLA this week.

The Cat & Fiddle’s courtyard patio, reached by walking underneath a fabulous spanish archway, has been a memorable spot for many who enjoy its laid-back attitude in the heart of Hollywood at 6530 Sunset Blvd. The patio is overflow seating for the English restaurant and pub that sits in a quiet spot behind the patio, but is often a lively drinking establishment known for large-scale holiday parties on Halloween and New Year’s Eve, and weekly live jazz on Sunday evenings.

According to the Cat & Fiddle website, the property was built in 1929 and held a nice spot in early Hollywood history. At times it housed movie studio wardrobes, served as a commissary for surrounding studios, and was the location for several scenes in the original film “Casablanca.”

Londoner Kim Gardner, a bassist for several British invasion bands of the 60’s and 70’s including The Birds and The Creation, and his wife Paula opened the Cat & Fiddle in the mid 80’s. The rock ‘n roll couple felt Hollywood could use a British pub and it has remained in the family for three decades, with Paula and their daughter Ashlee running the restaurant business, while a second daughter took after her father (now deceased) and plays bass, most recently for the singer Pink.

According to reports, the landlord of the property, Branch Properties out of Atlanta,  won’t renew the Gardner’s lease on the building, and is looking to renovate the property and draw in a higher-paying tenant as Hollywood continues to get cleaned up and renewed. The Gardner family fears a national chain restaurant with deep pockets may be in the wings, as the owner won’t negotiate a new lease for the Cat & Fiddle. The family hopes to move their business to a new location in the area.

Word has it that the Cat & Fiddle will be out on December 15th. so grab your last beer on the terrace before then.