Once a central watering hole for San Francisco's advertising and media circles, Grumpy's Pub has reopened after a four-year absence. Nestled in the Embarcadero, Grumpy's new iteration, dubbed Grumpy's Pub & Pizza, serves square pies and craft cocktails. It reimagines the heart of the venue while clinging to the spirit that made it a neighborhood staple before it shuttered in 2020.

According to Grumpy's Pub & Pizza, the revamped Grumpy's now embraces a “Grandma Style” square pie pizza with house-made dough to anchor its menu. Tod Alsman, partner at The Old Ship Saloon and now owner of Grumpy's, was intent on preserving the pub's casual essence. 

The closure of Grumpy's in 2020 marked the end of an era for a locale that had been an ad hoc gathering spot for the city's media professionals, an identity affirmed by the countless TV journalists and ad executives frequenting its space. "I've worked for ad agencies for 25 years," Jerry Daino, an executive at XYZ, told SFGATE. "And this was the place to come." Grumpy's historical significance is underlined by its residence in a building dating back to 1855, highlighting its roots in San Francisco's past.

The challenge of refreshing Grumpy's while retaining its essence was no small feat, especially after a prior owner gutted the place, removing iconic elements like the dollar bill-covered ceiling and agency logos. Exploring the remodeled pub, one can find restored touches and deliberate nods to its history, such as the original, sticker-covered window with a BB gun hole affixed to the side of the building. "This place had a lot of character, a great feel, it was warm. We didn’t want to lose that," Alsmansaid, per SFGATE. Alongside classic pub fare, Grumpy's now offers square pie pizzas, seizing the opportunity to introduce something new to the neighborhood palette.