By Angel Men Chan
Instagram @angelmenchan
Founded in 1936, Tom Bergin's Tavern is one of the oldest restaurant and bars in continuous operation in Los Angeles, California. Originally opened as The Old Horseshoe Tavern by lawyer Tom Bergin at 6110 Wilshire Boulevard, the establishment has been located at 840 South Fairfax Avenue since 1949. Over the years, it has also been known as The Old Horseshoe Tavern and Kennel Club, as well as Tom Bergin's Horseshoe Tavern and Thoroughbred Club. Considered an institution by Angelenos, the tavern is renowned for its annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, co-hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2017. On Sunday, March 17, 2024, the steadfast venue hosted over 1,000+ guests starting from 6am to close.
Photo: Courtesy Angel Men Chan
A unique tradition at Tom Bergin's is the placement of cardboard shamrocks on the walls and ceilings to honor its loyal customers, including famous names like President Ronald Reagan, legendary iconic actors Cary Grant and Kiefer Sutherland, as well as former Los Angeles Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda.
The tavern is also famous for its Irish coffee drink, with a large shamrock-shaped sign outside proudly proclaiming it as the "House of Irish Coffee" since the early 1950s. While the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco is often credited with introducing the drink to the United States in 1952, Tom Bergin's claims to have been the original creator.
Tom Bergin’s Irish-Italian Managing Partner, Dave Castagnatti, humbly stated, “this annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition gives back to the Los Angeles community it has proudly served for over 80 years.”
Angela Men Chan reporting for HollywoodPressCorps.com and HeartofHollywoodMagazine