This downtown Willow Glen tapas bar and craft cocktail spot had barely gotten started when catastrophe struck in the form of an electrical fire. It could have been far worse, but fortunately the blaze was quickly extinguished. Nevertheless, the joint had to be shut for several months in order to repair the damage caused by the flames, smoke and firefighting effort. Braise reopens this week and head chefs—Anthony Jimenez and Josh Hanoka—are excited to welcome the community back for good food (like their PB&J with bone marrow) and refreshing drinks.

Braise
1185 Lincoln Ave, Willow Glen

Cinebar, that venerable watering hole located at 69 E. San Fernando Street, may soon be sold, according to sources familiar with the situation.

However, fans of the long-running dive—which pours stiff drinks at easy-to-swallow prices—need not fret, at least not right now, according to Cinebar’s manager, who goes by Kate Skate.

Skate has been serving as the bar’s executor since the owners died, in 2009 and 2011, respectively. In a statement on her Facebook page she wrote that she is in the midst of negotiations with a potential buyer. “I cannot give details, but rest assured the kids ain’t going nowhere if I have a say,” she wrote, adding that nothing has been finalized and promising she will release more details when she knows more.

Furthermore, just because the bar changes ownership doesn’t mean the bar will change much at all. One Cinebar regular who asked not to be named said it would be “pretty dumb” to change the bar’s dependable formula, which draws a steady stream of patrons day in and day out.

Yesterday, Jan. 6, a notice of application for ownership change was posted outside the bar (see above), listing POS Enterprises as the applicant. Cinebar has regularly been recognized by Metro—winning “Best Dive Bar” on numerous occasions in Metro‘s Best Of issue.

Staff from Cinebar posed for this shot when the bar won back in 2011:

Read Skate’s full statement here:

Hey friends, since someone decided to post a pic of the application, which is an application only, I thought I would say a little something to quell gossip and rumors as well as true concern by our loyal friends. The owners of Cinebar passed in 2009, and 2011 respectively. The bar has been in court since then. The court ruled mandatory sale, which is a large amount I cannot disclose. I did my best as executor along with the staff, but the judge ruled a sale must happen. I cannot give details, but rest assured the kids ain’t going nowhere if I have a say when I meet with the new guy!Later on when I have a set plan with prospective new owner, I will post again. Thanks, love you all. Cheers!