Silver Lake Queer-Owned Bar the Ruby Fruit Surprise Reopens After an Abrupt Closure | Eater LA
"Reopening today, April 16, the Silver Lake strip-mall spot returns to its original space and its Instagram—deleted on February 12—was reactivated. Owners Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman first opened the bar on February 21, 2023; it had marketed itself as a “strip mall wine bar for the sapphically inclined,” was known as a low-key hangout for wine, hot dogs, and Miller High Lifes by the bucket, and often hosted queer events. It abruptly closed amid the January 2025 wildfires, with a now-deleted Instagram post that read, “We have come to the heartbreaking decision that at this time, operating the [bar] is no longer possible due to financial impact from the current natural disaster,” and “the math just isn’t mathing.” About a month after the initial closure, on February 12, the Blade published a report in which former staff alleged mistreatment in the workplace and that trans and BIPOC customers did not feel welcome; Eater LA spoke to two former workers who alleged the bar wasn’t inclusive and that they experienced “toxicity” from the owners. In conversations with Eater LA, Bielagus and Herbkersman addressed the allegations and the reason for closure, saying the bar had been financially “vulnerable” since opening and that they had done more “concrete” things like DEI training for staff; Herbkersman added that Instagram commenters who shared their experience had not gone “unheard or ignored.” In a statement to Eater LA on April 16, Bielagus and Herbkersman said, “So excited to be back in the [bar], doing what we do best: serving delicious food, cocktails, and wine in our neighborhood bar and grill.” They say they have revamped the menu and will welcome back members of the original team, and in a follow-up statement said they have “brought back as many employees as [they] are currently able to, given the current needs of the business,” and are “making internal adjustments to address past feedback and look forward to serving [their] guests, new and old alike.” One former employee, Sienna Deadrich, alleges they have not heard from the owners since the closure and were not offered their job back. For now the bar will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday." - Rebecca Roland
