Downtown Duluth's Black Water Lounge is closing its doors

The upscale Black Water Lounge in downtown Duluth is closing its doors.

The restaurant announced the closure, which comes after 15 years in business, on Facebook. Its last day open will be Thursday.

The post cited customers’ changing dining habits spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These changes have pushed us to have to make the difficult decision to close a business that is very special to us,” the post read.

Black Water Lounge’s ownership will instead focus on its event space, Greysolon by Black Woods, which is also located in the Greysolon Plaza building.

“We drive tens of thousands of people to our beautiful downtown venue in Greysolon Plaza every year through weddings, social, and corporate events and will remain steadfast in our commitment to growing and supporting downtown – as well as the entire Twin Ports - through our continued investment in Greysolon and our other locally owned restaurants,” the post reads.

The post also notes that unused gift certificates to Black Water Lounge can be used at other Black Woods Group restaurant locations. That includes Black Woods Grill & Bar locations in Duluth, Proctor and Two Harbors, as well as Tavern on the Hill in Duluth.