Penny Farthing Tavern in Salinas closes its doors after 25 years

One of our favorite stops has closed its doors. We wish the Olivers good luck and thank them for many MINI memories.  After a quarter century of pouring pints in Oldtown Salinas, the Penny Farthing Tavern has closed. Owner Amanda Oliver, who since 2000 has operated the British pub with her husband Mark, confirmed the news Wednesday afternoon, the same day the watering hole at 9 E. San Luis St. shut its doors for good.

According to court records, the Olivers filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 in November. The filing was converted to Chapter 7 bankruptcy this month. Oliver cited financial hardships as to why the pub is closing but declined to give details.

The Penny Farthing opened in 1984. British natives Peter Blackwell and Tony Deakin owned the restaurant-bar and named it after a late-1800s bicycle.

The pub stayed British owned and operated even when the Olivers, hailing from Sussex, England, took it over in January 2000. Blackwell now runs the English Ales Brewery in Marina.

When the Olivers bought the pub they retained the vintage bicycle logo and made some changes cozy booths and a fireplace, features that helped build a loyal customer base. Article and photo from the Salinas Californian.