Beloved Santa Monica Gastropub 'The Misfit' to Close After 15 Years

Owner cites ongoing issues with property ownership and declining foot traffic in the once-thriving Third Street Promenade area.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:11pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium glassware, ceramic dishware, and polished metal utensils arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the upscale dining experience and community atmosphere of a now-shuttered local restaurant.The closure of the beloved Third Street Promenade gastropub The Misfit marks the latest high-profile casualty in the ongoing decline of Santa Monica's once-thriving commercial district.Santa Monica Today

The Misfit Bar and Restaurant, a popular gastropub located in the historic Clock Tower building in downtown Santa Monica, will be closing its doors this weekend after 15 years in business. The owner, LGO Hospitality, cited ongoing frustrations with the property's changing ownership as well as a decline in foot traffic and overall conditions in the once-bustling Third Street Promenade area as reasons for not renewing the lease.

Why it matters

The closure of The Misfit is the latest in a string of high-profile business shutdowns in the Third Street Promenade, which has seen a rise in vacant storefronts and an out-of-control homeless population in recent years. The loss of this local institution is seen as a bellwether for the decline of the once-thriving commercial district.

The details

The Misfit had operated in the Clock Tower building for 15 years, building a loyal customer base with its Art Deco-inspired dining room and popular happy hour. However, the restaurant said it had cycled through five different building owners over the years, each less invested in the property than the last. This, combined with a decline in foot traffic, ultimately led to the decision not to renew the lease.

  • The Misfit will officially close its doors this weekend.
  • The restaurant had operated in the Clock Tower building for 15 years, opening in 2011.

The players

LGO Hospitality

The owner of The Misfit Bar and Restaurant, which decided not to renew the lease for the establishment.

Derrick Townsend

A Santa Monica City Council candidate who posted on social media about the closure of The Misfit, noting it was another restaurant going down in the city.

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What’s next

The Misfit's owner, LGO Hospitality, says it is scouting a new location to revive the concept elsewhere, but longtime patrons feel that won't replace the history and memories tied to the original location.

The takeaway

The closure of The Misfit, a beloved local institution, is seen as a troubling sign for the future of the once-thriving Third Street Promenade area in Santa Monica. The rise of vacant storefronts, homelessness, and declining foot traffic have turned the once-vibrant commercial district into an 'apocalyptic' scene, leaving locals devastated by the loss of another cherished neighborhood landmark.