Venture Inn, a landmark in gayborhood, to close
Buyers have not publicly disclosed plans.
Sunday, Jan. 17 will be last call at the Venture Inn, one of Center City's oldest gay-friendly bar/restaurants.
The restaurant, tucked on narrow Camac Street just off Spruce, traces its rainbowed history to the early 1970s.
Owners Bob and Linda Berkowitz are selling the business, including the liquor license and an adjacent property on Spruce Street, according to public records. The prospective buyers' attorney said it was too soon to disclose plans for the property.
The Berkowitzes bought it in 2007 and were credited with injecting new life in the joint, whose timeworn reputation by then had inspired the sobriquet "Denture Inn."
More recently, it was known for theme nights, including a "La Cage Aux Beach" drag show.
Manager Henry Brinton said he and all staffers had found new jobs at bars and restaurants nearby. Brinton said he would land at Valanni, around the corner.
Check out a 2012 history of the property here.