One of Greater Boston’s Essential Irish Pubs Will Shut Down After Over 75 Years — And More Closings

This periodic column rounds up restaurant closures in and around Boston. Catch up on more news about closures in the Boston area right here.

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BROOKLINE — Pan-Asian vegan restaurant Zhu Vegan Kitchen has shut down its Brookline outpost, which first opened in late 2020. The business’s original restaurant in Arlington remains open.

NEWTON — Neighborhood hangout Union Street Restaurant is permanently closing down at the end of May. The Newton Centre spot has been around since 1989; it temporarily closed in 2017 while undergoing a change in ownership. No reason was given for the shutdown in a post announcing the closure on social media.

SOMERVILLE — A longstanding cornerstone of Davis Square, Irish bar Sligo Pub has announced that it is powering down at the end of June after more than 75 years in business. Sligo was one of several businesses whose future was thrown into question after its building was bought by a student housing developer for $10 million in 2019. In a Facebook post announcing the shutdown, owner Tom Mannion and his family did not specify what led to the decision to close; however, they acknowledged that it was “a difficult decision, but after careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that it is time to close our family business, which has been a part of this community for several decades.” The bar has been in operation for over 75 years under several different owners, and it holds the oldest liquor license in the neighborhood, according to its website. The family did not name an exact closure date, but said that the lights would be turned off permanently in early June.

John Skibbee/Tasting Counter

SOMERVILLE — Award-winning, 20-seat fine dining spot Tasting Counter is shutting down after nearly eight years, the restaurant announced in a post on Instagram. Aeronaut Brewing Company, where the restaurant is housed, is not renewing their lease, according to the team. The restaurant will close at the end of May. However, owners Ginhee and Peter Ungàr see the shutdown not as the ending of Tasting Counter, but as a signal to get started with the next, leveled-up version of the restaurant — likely a standalone shop with some farmland nearby — after a summertime break. “This is our chance to dig into the ultimate dream,” Peter says. Until then, customers are lining up for a last hurrah. This version of Tasting Counter is almost completely booked out until it shuts down (although the Ungàrs say they may add more seatings if logistics allow).

SOMERVILLE — Greek-rooted, vegan takeout counter Littleburg served its last meal this past weekend. Owner Graham Boswell chose not to renew the lease at the tiny shop, and plans to move into a larger, more functional space fell through. “Also, after many years of hustling with Littleburg, I’m ready for a break,” Boswell said in a post announcing the news. “I’m looking forward to having downtime this summer to spend with family, and a break from the responsibility and emotional rollercoaster that comes with restaurant ownership.”

Update: Wednesday, May 10, 5:30 p.m.: This story has been updated with additional comments from Tasting Counter owners Ginhee and Peter Ungàr.