Reading the press release aloud to the crew, I got to the part about the new bar being called “Iron & Gold” and I was like “Iron & Gold??? That sounds dumbbb.” But then Steven says, “Dude, don’t be an idiot. San Francisco: Gold in Peace, Iron in War. Iron and Gold.” Steven wins. Iron & Gold sounds kind of cool. General Manager Andrew Marks elaborates on the new bar’s classic-SF vibe:
[T]he general theme will be a throw back to old San Francisco taverns with low lighting, natural woods, and the primary colors will be green, black, white, and gold. As much as I do like red bars, we are looking to stand out a little. The decor, which may incorporate that vintage rug, will be casual and elegant, as well as our staff, and products. We will have a cool neon sign.
As for Argus, this weekend is your last chance. They shut it down for good after one last party on Monday, and Iron & Gold is expected to open November 18th.
Full press release after the jump:
Dearest Friends and Neighbors,
We are sad to announce that we will be closing the Argus Lounge permanently as of Nov 1, 2011. As many, or perhaps none of you have known, Amy and Spencer Murray opened up the Argus Lounge in 1998. They retired from the bar business in February of 2011. Since then there has been a lot of planning in to the direction of this place, and finally we are ready to move forward. With that, I hope that you will join us at our newly revamped bar at the same location Iron & Gold. We will be open (hopefully) November 18, 2011. We will be having a kick ass Halloween closing party Monday October 31, please join us in saying good bye to 13 years as the Argus Lounge!
A little about us and our future: I am Andrew Marks, the General Manager and Operator. I have been in the food and beverage industry for 17 years, it is all I have known since I was 14 besides school, and a once upon a time career as a musician. I have been bartending for 11 years, 6 of which have been here in San Francisco. My first job here in The City was at Blowfish Sushi, where I bartended at for 5 years. I also bartended at Madrone for a few years, Salt House, and I still continue to moonlight at Laszlo/Foreign Cinema where I have worked for the last 3 years. I enjoy cocktailing, cocktails, but primarily I am a beer and a shot dude, which will be reflected a lot in the general concept of Iron & Gold.
As for the bar itself, much will be the same as far as atmosphere, staff, and products. We will still have awesome and edgy music provided by several of talented friends and neighbors most nights of the week. Our Happy Hour will still be from open until 9pm where you can enjoy $6 house cocktails, and $3 drafts (all of which are local) everyday. The name itself is a reflection of our great city, San Francisco. Its motto was founded in 1900 on our flag ‘Gold in peace, iron in war’ as a symbol of prosperity and solidarity.
We aim to provide a dynamic and comfortable neighborhood watering hole where you can catch local games, enjoy wonderful music, and imbibe in our great selection of cocktails, beers, wine and Spirits.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or to book a private event.
I hope to see you all soon!
WOW ! props to steven for knowing that trivia about SF ! if you ever had an old SF cop arrest you, you will notice they had that motto in spanish written on the badge… oro and paz, fierro and guerra… if you visit the Fillmore police station, the outside emblems still sport this motto.
Shame they couldn’t keep the Argus as is.
Well, at least they’re not turning it into an ultra lounge.
Hope it’s nothing like those horrible places the new manager worked at.
+1
It will always be the argus to me.
LA LENGUA BAR DOMINATION
Miss it, love it, used to live above it…will always be Argus to us.
How can you oust the Best Of The Bay Bartender. Care to respond.
Visa can still win best of the bay this year, he’s up at St. Mary’s Pub, right up the street, which is a rad bar by the way.
There are two kinds of people who buy bars in this town. Those who wish to assume the title of a turnkey business, and those who simply wish to decorate a bar. The latter usually doesn’t realize that wiping a beloved neighborhood bar off the map and replacing it with some designer’s wet dream is a mistake until they find themselves hemorrhaging money out of the bullet hole from where they shot themselves in the foot.
I give the place 3 years, tops.
@jenner, don’t fear change. Argus was the old owners concept and passion. It is nearly impossible to carry on something as personal as that from an outside perspective and have it be successful. If you liked the old Argus, you will like the new spot. It will be far from a designers wet dream, as it will just be a comfortable place to grab a drink or several. Don’t be so quick to judge.
Andrew,
I promise not to be quick to judge if you promise to keep us regulars happy! That means mellow, not overly trendy, not too much TV, good music. Sounds simple and it is — but it’s also increasingly rare in the Mission. Which means you’ve got a devoted clientele if you keep it up.
Thanks, and congrats, and best of luck with the new venture.
yeah i think the argus started going downhill about a year ago anyways, probably around the time the former peeps realized they were dunst?? just a guess.
anyways whatever happened to crunk punk tuesdays, pool tables, etc. thats what we need up in this.
I miss Visa,…and the pool table
I don’t miss Visa, never could pull a pint of Guinness.
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