Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval’s Bar Schwartz & Sandy's Is Closing: ‘One of the Hardest Decisions’ (Exclusive)

Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval’s Los Angeles bar Schwartz & Sandy’s is closing after two years.

The Vanderpump Rules stars shared the news exclusively with PEOPLE, saying they agreed it was the right choice after overcoming both financial challenges and Sandoval’s now-notorious cheating scandal with co-star Rachel Leviss while he was in a relationship with longtime partner Ariana Madix, aka “Scandoval “.

“The decision to close was one of the most difficult decisions we’ve made,” says Schwartz. “We’ve been agonizing over it for a long time because we really believe it’s a great bar, which still has potential.”

“Unfortunately, the current climate for this business is quite difficult,” he adds. “Recovering from the negativity after the scandal was not easy, and smaller margins after COVID made the recovery even more difficult. There is not much room for error in the restaurant/bar business.”

Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.

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Tom Schwartz asked Tom Sandoval to ‘step back’ from their bar during the climax of the chant

Sandoval calls Schwartz & Sandy’s “an incredible learning experience,” saying the plan to close the doors was a decision they “didn’t take lightly” and “made as a team.”

When the bar first opened in November 2022 — four years after the successful launch of TomTom, their joint venture with Lisa Vanderpump — Schwartz says the two friends were “more ambitious and optimistic than ever.”

“We can take you to any corner of the bar and tell you a story about a challenge we’ve overcome – or been fixated on for too long,” he adds. “Tom [Sandoval] and I made a lot of rookie mistakes in the beginning, but I persevered.”

Then in March 2023, the news about Scandoval hit the public, causing a backlash against their namesake bar.

“It’s already a tough job, and the damage from the relentless negative press over the past year has made it even tougher,” says Schwartz. “It was hard not to feel bitter and resentful, but in the end we had to let it go – no more repeating what went wrong.”

Schwartz admits there were times when he and Sandoval wanted to “throw in the towel” — but the positive feedback he received from patrons each night served as motivation to stay open.

Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.

David Becker/Bravo via Getty

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“In retrospect, maybe we should have closed earlier, but we had so much faith in this bar,” he admits. “Seeing our regulars come in and watching S&S become a place where people came together to make memories was hard to let go.”

Schwartz adds that the eponymous business involves risk.

“Tom and I learned the hard way about the pitfalls of having your name on a building. This comes with a huge responsibility, and your personal life directly reflects on your work and your partners. It’s a double-edged sword for a public figure.”

Some of Schwartz’s favorite memories at the bar include working with their team on the interior design of the space, curating the cocktail menu and hosting tastings with the chefs. He calls it a privilege to have the bar serve as a venue for “so many important occasions,” including customer engagements, promotions, honeymoons and birthdays.

“As someone who came to LA with barely a cent to my name, it’s special to know that we’ve created jobs and opportunities for people to follow their dreams,” says Schwartz. “We put our heart and soul into this place, and I’m leaving knowing I did my best.”

He continues: “We had a dream and turned it into reality. How many people can say they opened a bar in Hollywood? Good for dad one day. Now that I’ve seen behind the curtains, I can tell you that it’s not as glamorous as it seems, but it does have its moments. An undeniable skill. The skills and knowledge I have gained as a bar/restaurant owner are invaluable.”

Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval.

Ralph Bavaro/Bravo via Getty

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Schwartz & Sandy’s isn’t closing its doors just yet.

“We’re excited to be successful at S&S during the holidays,” says Schwartz, who notes that the bar is still booking events through the end of the year. “Our world revolved around this place for the last three years – we ate, breathed and slept.”

Sandoval, who appears in the upcoming third season of The traitors, says he is “very optimistic about what the future holds.”

As for Schwartz, he says he plans to “do a recalibration right away and then get down to business.” He is currently working on a project with Podcast One called Detox / Retox, launch in 2025

“I’m very excited about it,” he says. “I’d also like to get behind the camera and produce some shows.”

“I’ve just moved into a new townhouse and for the first time in a long time I feel at home – so comfortable,” he adds. “We will still keep things in TomTom. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but I’d still like to open a little dive bar one day.”

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Source: HIS Education