The Abbey, iconic West Hollywood gay nightclub, is up for sale
The Abbey, one of West Hollywood’s most prominent gay nightclubs, is up for sale.
Its listing calls the property, at 686 Robertson Blvd., “a generational purchase opportunity to acquire one of the world’s most iconic nightclubs and restaurants.”
The listing includes both the Abbey Food & Bar and the adjacent Chapel at the Abbey, which opened in 2016 as an expansion of the original business.
The Abbey was first opened by investment banker David Cooley as a coffee shop in 1991. Over time, it grew and expanded into a restaurant and nightclub measuring nearly 10,000 square feet. WeHo Times reported that Cooley sold a majority stake in 2006 to SBE Group for $10 million but bought it back in 2015.
Many low-wage workers in West Hollywood will see a pay increase on Saturday as the city’s minimum jumps to $19.08 an hour.
“His vision was in complete alignment with the city to reinvigorate historic Boystown and create a world-renowned gay establishment,” said John Duran, who sat on the West Hollywood City Council from 2001 until 2020.
“As one generation of LGBT passes into memory and new generations arrive, it will be fascinating to witness the changes that may lie ahead for the historic district,” he said.
Cooley did not immediately return a request for comment. In March, he also listed his Hancock Park home for about $7.7 million.
The Abbey sale is the latest development to rock the West Hollywood nightlife ecosystem. In May, reality star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump confirmed she would not renew the lease on her restaurant Pump, right around the corner from the Abbey.
Explosive revelations about ‘Vanderpump Rules’ stars Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix and Raquel Leviss have reality fans rapt — and conflicted.
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