La Barca, the proto-Marina Bar on Lombard Street that saw many a Herb Caen mention and maybe even more Gavin Newsom cameos over its nearly 50 year run, has been sold to a new group of partners Inside Scoop reports today. Sadly for fans of live mariachis and margaritas by the pitcherful, the new concept will set a new course that will steer it away from the current Mexican theme.
Offering some clues to the restaurant's new theme: the new owners have a collective resume that includes R Bar (once described to this SFist editor as "the best place in the city to find 29-year-olds"), Wreck Room and the oddly located, but well-appointed SOMA club Sloane. So, we can imagine the new place will be in a similar vein. Vance Bernard, son of La Barca's longtime owner Jimmy Bernard, is also in on the partnership.
As Inside Scoop points out, La Barca proper won't officially close until the liquor license is handed over, so now's your last chance to get a shot of tequila and take a trip down memory lane. (By which we mean the wall of celebrity photos lining the hallway to the bathroom.)
