North side Madison restaurant The Esquire Club, located at 1025 N. Sherman Ave., has closed, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. A note posted at the establishment reportedly read: “Due to the unimaginable, The Esquire Supper Club is closed. We thank you for your dedication and support.”
John Kavanaugh’s family had owned the restaurant for 77 years before he sold the business to Craig Spaulding, who owned wine bar and music club Cafe Montmartre at 127 E. Mifflin St. with his brother, Kevin Spaulding, from 1992–2009. It has since been replaced by Heritage Tavern. Kavanaugh still owns the building that houses The Esquire Club.
Kavanaugh’s granddaughter, Bridget, said in a Facebook post Thursday night that her family hopes to reopen the restaurant once they reorganize and will decide on a reopening date. In the post, she said, “We look forward to bringing the level of quality and accountability we built our reputation on back to The Esquire Club.”
