Who could forget last year's public display of hair pulling and uncontrollable sobbing surrounding the Barleycorn's closure? We almost did until we read Eater's news that the Barleycorn will - get this - turn into another Irish pub called Duffy's Irish Pub. Ta-da. Word has it, straight from Luisa Hanson's mouth according to Eater, that the still-empty space at 1415 Larkin is set to open come February '08. Although a visable lack of renovation seems to suggest otherwise.

Restaurateur Luisa Hanson purchased the building last year and, to her credit, never promised to keep the beloved Barelycorn's doors open, even after a San Francisco Board of Supervisors attempt at preservation. "Angry blogs, forums, and even a YouTube video" followed her purchase of the holy hooch space.

Eater suggests that given the "current holy martyr status of the Barleycorn, Duffy's has pretty hard act to follow ... like watching the LBJ presidency, in pub form." So true. But if the prices are cheap and the seats prove irresistibly comfy, patrons tends to leave local politics and feuds outside the door. We shall see.

Rendered image credit goes to Eater.

"Mean nut" restaurateur Luisa Hanson -- you know, the person more or less responsible for the Barleycorn closure -- had a swift bit of karma hurled at her head last week. It seems that her flagship, whimsically branded Luisa's, was forced to shut its door. Nothing too unusual. Yet.

While initially chalked up to "planned renovations," Eater has the real, juicy, rat-infested scoop as it shutting its doors last Friday. it seems that Luisa's health inspection score totaled a limp 64. While nowhere near a Mrs.Lovett's Pie Shop incident, Luisa's score is, well, pretty down there. Far enough to merit a closure. Yikes. Maybe a visit from one brusque Gordon Ramsey is in order?

Oh, and that you're hearing, dear readers, is the din of unadulterated laughter from Barleycorn fans near and far.

The harrowing details details after the jump.

-- "Given" (featuring artists Darwin Bell, Bret Hansen, and Danyol): Winner of SF Weekly’s "Best Polaroid Artist" award, Darwin Bell, makes clever, energetic pieces from the text he finds around the city, snapped up by his trusty Polaroid. Come check out his work, along with equally-talented artists Bret Hanson and Danyol, at this opening reception party starting at 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at 575 Castro (at 18th St. [formerly Harvey Milk's Camera Store]); admission is free.

-- "Third Annual Afrofunk Music Festival" (a Darfur, Sudan Benefit): Afrobeat Down, DJ Jermiah, the Afrobeat Nation, and the popular Sila and the Afrofunk Experience call forth their funk beats at this party that will jostle the floor boards and shake that ass. The music starts at 9 p.m. at the Independent, 628 Divisadero; $17.

-- Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988): Goofy detective story combines animation and live-action. But the real treat is picking out all of the many cartoon cameos throughout this colorful and happy-inducing flick. Show starts late at 1 a.m. at the Castro Theatre, Castro & Market Streets; $6-$9.

-- "Better Days": DJs Ala & Franky Boissy shine at this weekly house-heavy club night at this mild-to-moderately chic Mission venue. Sure, it's at one of those bottle-service places, but it's still a blast of a party with a decent, mixed crowd. Beats start at 10 p.m. at Pink, 2925 16th St. (at Mission); cover charge $10-$15.