Metro Phoenix said goodbye to these restaurants and bars in June — one after 44 years

June brought good news to one Phoenix restaurant when its chef won a James Beard Award , and over 40 restaurants joined the metro Phoenix dining scene.

But June also brought some bad news as the Valley said goodbye to several long term restaurants and bars, many of which had been in business from 28 to 44 years. One of the oldest family owned businesses in Chandler, a 35-year-old breakfast spot in Gilbert, a 28-year-old Phoenix cocktail bar and a 19-year-old Japanese restaurant were among the closings this month.

From an award-winning meadery to an old school Mexican restaurant, here's a look at metro Phoenix restaurants that closed in June.

Bevvy

This Scottsdale bar and eatery, a sister concept to Bottled Blonde and Backyard, has closed. The two groups that collaborated to open Bevvy — Evening Entertainment Group, the owners of Backyard and Bottled Blonde plus Royale Jelly Hospitality, the group behind Porch — are opening a new bar in its place at the corner of Saddlebag Trail and Shoeman Lane. Mother Tucker's, a dive bar with vintage style, is slated to open on Labor Day.

Dad's Modern Cocktails and Eatery

This Scottsdale restaurant at the corner of Shea Boulevard and Scottsdale Road closed without announcement. A sign on the door indicated the space was on the market. The eatery opened in the first quarter of 2022.

The Farmhouse

This mother-and-daughter owned breakfast and lunch spot in Gilbert closed at the end of June after 35 years.

Gallery Bar

Located on the corner of 54th and High streets in Phoenix, the art gallery and lounge spot has closed after two years.

Geisha A Go Go

Geisha A Go Go restaurant at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Scottsdale Road in Old Town Scottsdale is closing after 17 years.

The sushi restaurant was a popular after-work destination for happy hour and karaoke. The team announced the closure in a June 13 Facebook post , citing the end of their lease as the reason.

Handlebar

The Mill Avenue bar closed its doors the first weekend in June. According to a May 30 Instagram post the bar held one last party before closing "to make some big changes ‼️‼️"

Kaizen Phoenix

Kaizen, which recently made Yelp's list of best sushi in America , closed its downtown location on June 1. According to a social media post, the restaurant will open a mini Kaizen inside their Tempe location, Silo, located at Hayden Ferry Lakeside. Silo is slated to open in August.

Mahalo Made

The Hawaiian shaved ice spot at The Fred announced its closing in a May 6 Instagram post. The shop closed at the end of June due the owner suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. "This isn’t goodbye forever, but for now — it is time to heal," read the post. Mahalo Made plans to cater events in the future. A July second Instagram post listed two reach-in freezers and a shaved ice cream machine for sale.

Master Jianbing

Master Jianbing counter service restaurant at the Mekong Plaza in Mesa closed after a year. In a June 17 Instagram post the owner said the restaurant was closing on June 18. " #Thank you Arizona and thank you for every single of you who have loved and supported our small business. I appreciate you from my heart."

MercBar

MercBar , one of Phoenix's oldest cocktail bars, closed after 28 years. Owner Rick Phillips isn't going away. He has plans for more restaurant and bar concepts in the works.

Old Spaghetti Factory Chandler

Old Spaghetti Factory closed its Chandler location after 14 years, leaving only the Phoenix location on Central Avenue.

Peacock Wine & Book Bar

An Instagram post dated May 13 announced the last day of the Gilbert bar would be June 15. The bar closed after five years in business. In a follow up June 15 Facebook post, owner Tracy Wallace stated that she decided to close the business "to prioritize my own well-being and that of my family. Running this business can be relentless, and continuing is just not conducive to my health." She thanked her family, staff and patrons.

Sakana Sushi and Grill

This Japanese restaurant closed its Ahwatukee location after 19 years at the end of June. The Glendale location is also temporarily closed. Only the Scottsdale grill remains open.

Serrano's

The Chandler location of Serrano's Mexican Food Restaurants closed on June 1, the family announced in a Facebook post on March 5 .

The Serrano's family celebrated the restaurant's 44th birthday last December, but has since listed it for sale.

"As the oldest family owned business in Chandler, we did not make this decision lightly. Our Chandler location is the only one we own outright," the post read. "With the influx of new restaurants downtown, we’ve seen a decline in business over the past few years, and with more than 13,000 square feet, it’s also our most expensive restaurant to operate."

According to the post, the Chandler employees "will be offered employment" at the locations that remain open.

Superstition Meadery

The award winning Prescott-based meadery closed its downtown Phoenix tasting room on June 23, co-owner Jeff Herbert announced in an Instagram post on June 19. "Basically, from ingredients to labor to rent, everything is much more expensive and this rate of increase has not been seen in America for 4 decades. Add that all up, and even with the amazing support of our patrons, business volume simply isn’t making the cut."

The Prescott meadery and tasting room remain open.

Tacos Chiwas

Husband-and-wife team Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin closed the Chandler location of Tacos Chiwas on June 28 after five years. Some of the reasons they did not renew the lease included the need for customer restrooms and a bar. The plan is to find a new spot for the restaurant.

Uncle Bear's Grill and Tap

The dog-friendly taproom named after the owner's dog, Bear, closed its Scottsdale location at the corner of Scottsdale and Bell roads after two years. The restaurant's four other locations remain open: two in Mesa, one in Queen Creek and the brewery in Gilbert.

Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com . Follow @banooshahr on X, formerly Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Metro Phoenix said goodbye to these restaurants and bars in June — one after 44 years