Hal's Announces Plans For Two New Locations
Hal's on Abbot Kinney (Photo courtesy Hal's Bar & Grill)
When Hal's Bar & Grill suddenly announced plans to shutter in April, the owners said that they'd try to relocate the 30-year-old Venice mainstay to another spot on Abbot Kinney. On Sunday, owner Hal Frederick revealed that he and partners Don and Linda Novak will re-open their restaurant in not one but two new locations.
Come December, the first will debut at Runway Playa Vista, a rapidly developing creative community located near Lincoln Blvd and Jefferson Blvd. The mixed use live/work/retail complex refers to its modern architectural style, a blending of wood, metal, concrete and color, as "an interpretation of Venice Beach." Now, the complex is attracting Venice businesses too.
"The new Hal's at Runway Playa Vista will be directly across from the recently opened, nine-screen Cinemark theaters and steps from a new Whole Foods, as well as other mainly local and regional businesses, including some of our old Abbot Kinney neighbors," said Frederick.
According to Runway, local ice creamery N'Ice Cream, which currently has Venice locations on Abbot Kinney and on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, will open another location within the Playa Vista complex by July. Hal's will open by December. And more may be on the way.
As promised by its owners, another Hal's location will open on Abbot Kinney too. Frederick did not say the exact location, but details will be announced soon, and they'll be joined by the re-opening of CasaLinda as well, a Mexican eatery that also recently shuttered on Abbot Kinney to make way for the incoming Vince apparel store at the corner of California Ave.
Frederick says that Hal's will continue to maintain its friendly, casual atmosphere with live jazz and a rotating collection of contemporary art by well-known and emerging local artists. Chef Manual Mares will also stay on as executive chef.
