Top LA wine bar calls it quits after 12-year-run: Ive been worn down

The booze is about to stop flowing at an iconic Los Angeles bar — where the owner says he’s been hammered by a perfect storm of soaring costs, Hollywood’s economic woes and a new generation losing interest in alcohol.With interest in drinking drying up and the future of local nightlife on the rocks, the face behind Sherman Oaks’ top-tier Augustine Wine Bar — once hailed as best in the city — says the numbers no longer add up.After nearly 12 years of pouring rare vintages and cultivating a fiercely loyal following, the beloved neighborhood favorite will shut its doors for good on Dec.19 — making it the latest casualty in LA’s seemingly never-ending hospitality bloodbath.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story David Gibbs told the California Post that his normally optimistic outlook on life has been severely tried by the relentless challenges of keeping the business afloat.

“I’m usually a glass half full person, but I’ve been worn down, beaten down by outside factors,” said Gibbs, a co-owner of the Ventura Blvd.vino venue.The financial squeeze has become so severe that some ingredients now cost more to purchase that the restaurant once charged customers for entire dishes, according to Gibbs.“We can’t raise prices high enough to make it still be profitable,” he explained.And out-of-control overhead is only part of the problem.Augustine has been hit hard by the struggles of two industries that helped sustain the establishment for years, Gibbs said — entertainment and hospitality.

Many of the wine bar’s regulars were Hollywood workers — or fellow restaurant employees who would stop in on their days off to splurge on a special bottle of wine.With both of those industries in the fight of their lives, many of Gibbs’ former best custo...