Kennedy's Irish Pub once again facing closure as property hits the market

Kennedy's Irish Pub once again facing closure as property hits the marketPhoto via Yelp
Jay Barmann
Published on December 08, 2022

Beloved North Beach Irish bar-Indian restaurant combo, Kennedy's Irish Pub and Curry House, a fixture on Columbus Avenue down near the Wharf since the 1990s (and before without the curry), has been on the endangered list among SF bars and restaurants multiple times in recent years. But as SFGate reports this week, a closure could be coming soon as the property is on the market for $6.5 million as a potential development site.

This could mean that Kennedy's stays put for a good year or more — because even if it sells, a new owner will face a long approvals process with the city. Nonetheless, the parcel is zoned for 29 dwelling units, or up to 85 group housing units, as SFGate notes. And a developer may see an opportunity here — we shall see.

This also means that popular barbecue pop-up Adam's Smoked Meats may have to relocate from Kennedy's parking lot at some point, though again, this isn't imminent.

Kennedy's first faced closure in 2019, when SFist reported that the owner had posted a closing announcement. But then the place just stayed open, and by late 2019, they were still slinging beer and cocktails and food, without any explanation. 

The place is beloved for its beer menu, its quirkiness, and its concise menu of Indian chaat and thali platters — with about half the current menu items being vegan.

Kennedy's was taken over by former cable car operator Brahma Swami in the 90s, and he brought along the Indian food, which has previously been served as a buffet. It may be that Swami didn't pull things together to get the place on the market before the pandemic hit, and then that delayed the process until now. 

If you're a fan, be sure to stop in in the coming months.