The Beatrice Inn May Lose Its Iconic West Village Location

Despite doing a pretty decent job at pivoting to outdoor dining (complete with live music) during the pandemic, the iconic Beatrice Inn is the latest NYC staple facing an uncertain future. According to reports, the building's landlord, real estate firm Spirit Investment Partners, has listed the space for rent amidst continuing negotiations with the restaurant's owner and chef, Angie Mar. 

Like nearly 90% of the city's eateries, the Beatrice hasn't been able to make full rent payments since COVID caused a mass shutdown back in March. In a statement to Eater, a partner at the real estate firm claimed they only received some money after the restaurant received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program. "[Mar] didn’t pay us a penny until she basically had to," he said.

However, a spokesperson from the Beatrice told Eater they had "reached an amicable agreement for the remainder of the lease term that has been paid." While the lease isn't up until January, negotiations between Mar and the landlords seem to have hit a rough patch. A spokesperson from the real estate firm told Time Out New York, "We're having a tough time finding a middle ground. We don't know how much faith we have in striking a deal."

stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd">

View this post on Instagram

Thank you @petersom for featuring Chef @angiekmar and the @beatrice_inn in Chefs Edition PS.Q’s . . . . Full article at www.petersom.com/living-articl... . . . . . Repost @petersom Chefs Edition PS.Q’s with Angie: Meet Angie Mar, Owner and Chef at The Beatrice Inn and author of best selling cookbook ‘Butcher and Beast’. ✨ Since taking over the legendary (and former 1920’s speakeasy!) West Village spot, Angie has taken the culinary world by storm with her modern upscale and unapologetically meat-forward cooking that keeps diners coming back by marrying bold flavor combinations, old-school French technique and New York City chophouse traditions. ✨ When you dine at The Bea, you indulge in luscious and quite frankly—sexy—food. 45 Day Dry Aged Burger, Roast Duck Flambé? Yes, Chef! 🥩 My friend Angie is an inspiration in so many ways, so let’s hear what she has to say, shall we?✨ . . . . 📷 of @angiekmar by @johnny_miller_ #beatriceinn #meat #chef #thebeatriceinn #westvillage #nyc #butcherandbeastthebook #petersom
A post shared by The Beatrice Inn (@beatrice_inn) on Sep 16, 2020 at 5:53am PDT

The loss of the historic West 12th Street space would be especially tragic considering the Beatrice has occupied it, in one form or another, for almost a century, first opening as a speakeasy in the 1920s. In the early aughts, as old school party people may remember, it was an exclusive celebrity nightclub run by Paul Sevigny. Graydon Carter helped to reopen it as a classier joint in 2012, and in 2016, Mar purchased the building, along with the Beatrice's name, and turned it into the stylish, steak-centric hot spot it is today.

Here's hoping they're able to strike a deal and #SaveTheBeatrice once again!

[Photo via @andydnyc]