An end to an era?

[bigguyinpasadena]

Well I have some very sad news.

Last night some friends and I had dinner at Numbers in West Hollywood.There was a change of ownership notice above the elevator.After dinner I asked Tony, one of the owners,about this and he told me he and his partner Bob were selling the buisness.He then introduced me to the new owner-who happned to be having dinner in the restaurant.His name is also Tony.

Bob and Tony have owned numbers for as long as I can recall-17 years?In two locations,the old Sunset location(remember having to walk down that curved stairway?Trecherous if you had a few drinks in you!)and at its new location on Santa Monica Blvd.They are wonderful host and have done something few have been able to do,make a living in the restaurant buisness.

Some folks have had some run ins with them but they have always been welcoming to me-and I thank them for that.

Aperfect example was last night.I walk in and ask for a table for four-on the night before gay pride!I got that table after a short wait although they were technically sold out till 10:30.That is what being good to loyal customers is all about.And I am honored to be considerd such a customer.

I do hope the "new"Tony and his partners will continue to run the restaurant in the same model Bob and Tony have set.This particular location has been 3 different restaurants since I have lived in the LA area(going on 11 years)and Numbers was the only one to make a success out of it.

Bob and Tony thank you for your many years of providing a class operation.A place where gentleman of all ages could feel comfortable,have a well made-well priced drink,and enjoy a quiet dinner without having our eardrums assaulted by "dance"music.All the while often having nice thing to look at.

[BgMstr4u]

I actually knew the Numbers before Bob and Tony bought it, back in my Southern California days. There was a lot of apprehension when they became the owners, but they did a great job. They made the tough decisions when it was time to, to move from Sunset to Santa Monica and to move dear, dear Joe (he of the ancient yellow Camaro) from bartender to day manager when that needed to be done. I hope that the new owner will build on the many great years and wonderful clientele of the Numbers of old to make it even greater, as Bob and Tony did.

[Rick Munroe]

Hey, at least you still have a gay neighborhood. Here in NYC, Chelsea is almost all straight now and it sucks. The hot guys have been replaced by whiny little girls who think they're all Carrie Bradshaw. x(

[raife]

Sad to hear :-(

 

I haven't been to Numbers in a while, but I first started going at the Sunset location and I must say that Bob & Tony ran a class operation. We have such a shortage of good working-boy bars in Hollywood & everywhere else! (RIP Hunter's & The Pub) it's scary when the few good ones change owners.

 

Best wishes & best of luck to the new Tony & company! I'll have to check it out in a bit. Are the LA HooVillians still meeting there?

[Boston Guy]

When I was first starting to hire guys, I ventured into the old Numbers. I sat at the bar and started talking to Joe. Well, he was great and, just like all good bartenders everywhere, made me feel at home and part of the gang.

 

He also figured out that I was new to that scene and introduced me to some of the older guys there and then started introducing me to escorts. One day, when I was about to leave, I saw Brian Cruise, who was eating dinner with some other guys. I mentioned to Joe that I thought Brian was attractive.

 

As I was leaving, Joe shouted out, for the whole bar to hear, "Brian, this man wants to meet you! Don't let him leave!" :-)

 

Brian excused himself from his companions, caught me near the door, introduced himself and gave me his number. We used to get together quite often and I remember him fondly. I also remember Joe fondly.

 

I want to wish Bob and Tony much luck. I can only say that I hope that I'm that active and that together when I'm 87! They've been great hosts for years and I hope this means they'll have more time to enjoy themselves. Finally, I, too, hope that the new management keeps things pretty much the same, rather than replacing the Numbers we know with some other kind of bar.

 

BG

[Funseeker 22]

I read about this change today in a Frontiers Mag that I picked up at the Parade.

I`m hoping that the new owners will continue as before. I think the LA Hooville Group will continue to go there but time will tell.

P.S. The parade was fun and Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole were looking great. Those boys in the white trunks on the Altoids float were really looking good.

[+ Lucky]

Snaring that table was a pretty impressive feat, bigguy! The bf and I had been told that we would have to wait...THREE HOURS! So, you can tell I am not so lucky!

 

The eye candy for the festivities was quite high...including the yogurt store having its own go-go boy outside. The price of admission to the street fair wasn't worth it, but I had a good time. It seems like everybody did. I guess that makes a great pride weeekend.