San Francisco's dining and arts scene is about to take a hit with the closure of Berber, the North African supper club located in Russian Hill. Eater San Francisco reported that once a Michelin Guide-recommended spot for its blend of Moroccan cuisine and live performances, the venue will serve its last meal to patrons on March 2.
According to owners Tony Garnicki and Borhen Hammami, the dream that became a reality is coming close after five impactful years. The pandemic struck a heavy blow to Berber's business, with a decline in local tourism and event scheduling. Despite reaching an agreement to stave off eviction last November, the challenges proved insurmountable, "The journey of pursuing a dream turned supper club, between best friends turned business partners," Garnicki said, "it’s been an incredible thing to witness."
Berber SF's Instagram page echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the difficult decision to shut down the "live performing arts dining venue." They invited the community to join in the final celebrations throughout February, leveraging their platform to express gratitude towards their customers and the memories forged over their tenure.
In addition to the immersive dining experience, Berber was noted for paying roughly $98,000 in settlements to its staff for Health Care Security Ordinance violations in 2022. "I love this city and I hope our story inspires others to forge new dining concepts to bring our city back to life," Garnicki told Eater San Francisco, indicating that the spirit of Berber will persist, even if the original venue has to close its doors.
Garnicki and Hammami have planned a series of special events leading up to the final day, promising to make their final curtain call one to remember.
