East Cesar Chavez venue the Coral Snake closed suddenly last week. The bar’s staff announced the news in an Instagram post shared Thursday (Jan. 16) evening, stating that all scheduled events at the venue were canceled.
“We tried collectively as a staff to keep the place alive, but unfortunately received the news today that all staff has been laid off and all shows are cancelled,” the staff wrote.
In an interview with the Chronicle, two Coral Snake staff members, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said owner Will Tanner shut down the venue after opting not to renew the venue’s liquor license, which expired on Jan. 15.
Staff have explained the closure to artists in the same way. Anna Sawyer of Prom Threat, who was supposed to play the venue on Sunday, Jan. 19, received an email from one of the staff members on Thursday afternoon stating that Tanner “has not renewed our liquor license and is shutting down the venue effective immediately.”
Scott Collins, who was supposed to play the venue on the night of its closure, and Geannie Friedman, whose band Semihelix was booked to play the next day (Jan. 17), confirmed they received the same email.
Tanner did not respond to the Chronicle’s requests for comment.
The venue at 1910 E. Cesar Chavez rebranded to the Coral Snake in May 2023 after a two-year stint as Long Play Lounge East. Before that, the space operated as Stay Gold, a popular soul/funk/psych venue managed by Tanner – who also owns Hole in the Wall – and the White Horse co-owner Nathan Hill. Tanner helmed the Coral Snake rebrand alongside former Kitty Cohen’s general manager and current High Noon part-owner Matt “Rowdy” Rade after an amicable split from Hill. Rade left the business after South by Southwest 2024, he messaged the Chronicle.
This article appears in January 17 • 2025.