Last call for Suzy’s leaves musicians singing the blues
The crowd takes in the final open mic night at Suzy’s on Aviation Boulevard. Photo Chuck Mathieu stood in front of a podium near the entrance to Suzy’s Bar and Grill on Tuesday night. With his Suzy’s t-shirt, his periodic glances at a bound book resting on the podium, and the swarm of people coming up to talk with him, a newcomer to Suzy’s could be forgiven for thinking of him as a host for the restaurant. It soon becomes clear, however, that nothing so formal is needed at Suzy’s. The menu leans toward tacos and bar food. Finished kegs are signaled by covering tap handles with red Solo cups. And on the outdoor patio, Hermosa Beach’s ban on smoking in public feels more like a rumor than a law. Mathieu is there for what Suzy’s does treat with utmost care: music. Tuesday marked the last open mic night for the Hermosa tavern, which is closing June 30. (The night was exceptionally busy, and Mathieu scurried about organizing acts; the bound book was there for people to share memories they had made over the years.) Owner Sal Longo has sold the business and is retiring to Ventura. Patrons and musicians frequently used the term “end of an era” to describe the closure of Suzy’s. The venue…
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