Broadway Landmark Sardi's to Temporarily Close After Nearly 100 Years as Ownership Transitions

The iconic restaurant known for its celebrity caricatures will undergo renovations and change hands to The Shubert Organization.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:33pm

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Sardi's, a historic Broadway district restaurant in New York City, will temporarily close this summer for renovations as ownership transitions to The Shubert Organization. Longtime owner Max Klimavicius is stepping away after 50 years, leaving the restaurant at a high point in its history. The iconic caricatures and Broadway legacy will be preserved during the updates to the restaurant's infrastructure and dining room.

Why it matters

Sardi's has long been a cornerstone of New York City's theater district, serving as a gathering place for Broadway's biggest names for nearly a century. The transition in ownership and upcoming renovations aim to preserve the restaurant's iconic identity and legacy while updating its facilities.

The details

After 33 years of sole ownership, 71-year-old Max Klimavicius is selling Sardi's name, assets, and collection of over 1,000 celebrity caricatures to The Shubert Organization, which owns the building and operates multiple Broadway theaters. Klimavicius will continue running the restaurant through June 24 before it closes for infrastructure updates. The space is expected to reopen later this year with its signature look, including the famous artwork, preserved. While the dining room will be refurbished and systems like lighting, ventilation, and plumbing updated, there are no plans to significantly alter the restaurant's appearance.

  • Sardi's will close temporarily this summer for renovations.
  • Klimavicius will continue running the restaurant through June 24 before it closes.
  • The restaurant is expected to reopen later this year after the renovations.

The players

Sardi's

A historic Broadway district restaurant in New York City, known for its walls lined with caricatures of Broadway legends.

Max Klimavicius

The longtime owner of Sardi's who has worked at the restaurant for more than five decades and has solely owned the business for 33 years.

The Shubert Organization

The company that owns the building where Sardi's is located and operates multiple Broadway theaters.

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What they’re saying

“For me, this wasn't about the money. It was about the continuity of this legacy, so important to me. This has been my life.”

— Max Klimavicius, Longtime Owner of Sardi's

“The restaurant has always been important to us. I consider it as much a part of the theater district as our theaters, and we want to make sure it stays in business.”

— Robert E. Wankel, Chairman and CEO of The Shubert Organization

“There's some nervousness about what's going to happen, but it's probably the best-case scenario. I'm seeing it as an opportunity.”

— Jeremy Wagner, Longtime Bartender at Sardi's

What’s next

The restaurant is expected to reopen later this year after the renovations are completed.

The takeaway

The transition of Sardi's to new ownership aims to preserve the iconic restaurant's legacy and Broadway connections while updating its facilities, ensuring the landmark continues to serve as a gathering place for the theater community for years to come.