Historic Larkspur Dive Bar Gets New Owners, Aims for St. Patrick's Day Reopening

Max Perry and Conor Flaherty, owners of Sam's Anchor Cafe, have acquired the beloved 65-year-old Silver Peso bar.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After a tumultuous year that included a devastating car crash and the retirement of longtime owner Rebel Lee, the historic Silver Peso dive bar in Larkspur, California has been acquired by new owners Max Perry and Conor Flaherty, who plan to restore the bar and reopen it in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Why it matters

The Silver Peso has been a beloved local institution in Marin County for 65 years, and its closure would have been a significant loss for the community. The new owners' commitment to preserving the bar's unique character and authenticity is seen as a positive development for the area.

The details

Following a car crash that caused severe structural damage and mounting financial strain, longtime Silver Peso owner Rebel Lee made the difficult decision to sell the bar. Max Perry and Conor Flaherty, owners of the nearby Sam's Anchor Cafe, stepped in to acquire the business. The new owners are working with the building's landlords to fix the structural issues, install new floors, upgrade bathrooms, and run new tap lines, with the goal of reopening the Silver Peso just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

  • Last spring, a devastating car crash caused severe structural damage to the Silver Peso.
  • Rebel Lee, who had owned the bar for a decade after 15 years as a bartender, decided to sell the business due to declining health and the financial strain from the crash.
  • Perry and Flaherty, who had tried to purchase the bar seven years ago, reached out to Lee through connections at Sam's Anchor Cafe and acquired the Silver Peso.
  • The new owners are aiming for a grand reopening of the Silver Peso just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

The players

Rebel Lee

The longtime steward of the Silver Peso bar, who owned the business for a decade after 15 years as a bartender.

Max Perry

One of the new owners of the Silver Peso, who also owns Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon.

Conor Flaherty

One of the new owners of the Silver Peso, who also owns Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon.

Tommy and Shannon Lamanna

The landlords of the Silver Peso building, who are working with the new owners on the renovations.

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What they’re saying

“We're really excited about preserving a local institution such as The Peso. There are really very few spots left that are like it within the Marin community... Not everything needs to be all polished and upscale. You still need a watering hole, and the town needs a living room.”

— Max Perry, Co-owner, Silver Peso (SFGate)

“Rebel Lee, who owned the bar for a decade after 15 years as a bartender, shared on the bar's Facebook page that a rapid decline in his health, compounded by the crash, led him to reevaluate his ownership.”

— Rebel Lee, Former owner, Silver Peso (SFGate)

What’s next

The new owners are working with the building's landlords to complete renovations, with the goal of reopening the Silver Peso in time for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

The takeaway

The acquisition of the Silver Peso by new owners committed to preserving its unique character and authenticity is seen as a positive development for the Marin County community, which has been losing some of its longtime local institutions in recent years.