Tom Bergin’s Tavern
The oldest Irish establishment in Los Angeles was founded in 1936 by Tom Bergin, a former lawyer turned publican. Since 1949, The Tavern has been located just east of Beverly Hills in a quaint Irish style cottage.
Tom Bergin’s Tavern is one of Los Angeles’ most popular watering holes and is so rated in Zagat 2002 and 2003 L.A. Nightlife Guide, because first it is a saloon and secondly, a great restaurant! In 2003, The Tavern garnered an even more prestigious award when Tom Bergin’s was named one of America’s Tom Ten Establishments by Tom Horan’s Top Ten Clubs.
When you walk through our heavy oak wood front doors, you will see the renowned “Horse Shoe Bar,” the inspiration for the television show “Cheers.” Here you can slide onto one of the 17 bar benches, all attached to the bar railing, and order anything from a pint of Guinness to a shot of Jameson 12, a dry martini, or one of our world famous Irish Coffees, which on a St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, over 5,000 have been served!
While enjoying your libation, poured by one of The Tavern’s seven bartenders, some of who have been here over 25 years, you may chat up a conversation with a pin-striped executive, and off-duty LAPD detective, a pretty college coed and/or a true Irishman…or just enjoy a sporting event on one of our eight TVs. With Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien and Cary Grant as original customers, you never know what TV or movie star you may see today.
When perusing the walls containing sports and Irish memorabilia…the 1951 Los Angeles Ram’s Official NFL Championship Banner hangs over the Bar…you can’t miss the thousands of Shamrocks all embellished with names of faithful customers.
If you are in the spirit for some great food, order at the Bar from the Pub Grub Menu, or have breakfast, lunch or dinner in the seven Booth Alcove, or continue onto the gem of The Tavern…a cathedral ceiling, fireplace, candlelit, white table clothed Dining Room, paneled in rich wooden décor with curtained windows…and order one of our Irish entrees such as Gaelic Beef or Chicken Erin from our Mesquite Charcoal Grill, a U.S.D.A. Prime New York Steak or the best 8 oz. Burger in L.A.
In 1973, at the age of 79, Tom Bergin sold The Tavern to T.K. (”K” is for Kelly) Vodrey, former newspaper and magazine publisher, who as the current Proprietor, along with his wife, Margaret Kathleen (Peggy) O’Hara have kept alive the camaraderie of the Bergin tradition–where grand people enjoy great spirits, delicious food and fun times! They are ably assisted by their General Manager, Lesa Parsons, and their award winning Chef, Said Lopez