The Final Nail in the ‘Scandoval’ Coffin: Tom Sandoval’s Bar Schwartz & Sandy’s Is Closing

Basically since I started writing for Pajiba I’ve been begging Dustin to send me to L.A. on the company dime to review all of the Vanderpump Rules associated bars and restaurants. Sadly, when that happens (thanks, Boss!), I’ll have one less stop. Schwartz & Sandy’s, the bar co-owned by ‘Scandoval’ villain Tom Sandoval and his buddy, Tom Schwartz—not to be confused with the other bar bearing their names, the one Lisa Vanderpump herself owns, TomTom—is closing at the end of the year.

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A post shared by Tom Schwartz (@twschwa)

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A post shared by Thomas Sandoval (@tomsandoval1)

This news comes as a surprise to no one, as the viewers of their show knew they never quite got off the ground when they opened right after Covid and right before Scandoval. Everyone else, I’m sure, has never heard of the place, which is probably why they have to close. Because they have no customers.

If you asked Sandoval, I’m sure he’d shrug and say something bitter about still being cyberbullied for cheating that one time. I’m willing to bet a lot of money that man hasn’t stepped foot in that establishment in at least a year. Most recently, he was in Scotland filming The Traitors, though I’m sure that was a short trip. Schwartz, though, has big feelings about the whole thing.

“Deciding to close was one of the hardest decisions we’ve made,” Schwartz told PEOPLE. “We agonized over it for quite some time because we truly believe it’s a great bar, still ripe with potential…Unfortunately, the current climate for this business is pretty rough. Recovering from all the negativity post-scandal wasn’t easy, and the slimmer margins post-COVID made it even harder to bounce back. There’s not a lot of room for error in the restaurant/bar business.” He says it was an “amazing learning experience” but blamed Scandoval for the brunt of their struggles. “It’s already a tough business, and the damage from relentless negative press over the last year made it even harder. It was difficult not to feel resentful and bitter, but eventually, we had to let it go.”

“Tom and I learned the hard way about the pitfalls of having your name on the building. It comes with immense responsibility, and your personal life directly reflects on your business and your partners. It’s a double-edged sword for a public figure.”

Poor Schwartz. I genuinely feel bad for him. I believe that he really just wanted to be Sam from Cheers and his asshole friend went and ruined that. Listen to the way he waxes poetic about it:

“As someone who came to L.A. with barely a cent to my name, it’s special to know we created jobs and opportunities for people to pursue their dreams…We had a dream and turned it into a reality. How many people can say they opened a bar in Hollywood?” Now, I’m no expert or anything, but I feel like the answer to that is not as low as he thinks. Like, dozens, at least? Lisa Vanderpump has, like, five.

“Good for the dad lore someday,” he said. I’m gonna let him have that one because it’s sad. “Now that I’ve seen behind the curtains, I can tell you it’s not as glamorous as it seems, but it has its moments. An undeniable panache.” Sure, yeah, that’s how I’d describe the bar business. Panache.

I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I want Schwartz to have nice things, and this is all he wants. “Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but I’d still like to open a little dive bar someday,” he added. Tom, you’re a glutton for something, alright. Just leave Sandoval out of it next time.