Hard Times Café in Bethesda Still Closed

No word yet on when or if the restaurant will reopen

By Andrew Metcalf

A sign on the Hard Times Cafe and notes in the door on the morning of May 15. Andrew Metcalf

Update: Hard Times Café in Bethesda remained closed Monday, and had not applied to renew its liquor license as of Friday.

Kathie Durbin, chief of licensure for the Montgomery Department of Liquor Control, said Friday that the department has not received updated information regarding the restaurant’s issue with unpaid state taxes and that the restaurant has not filed with the department to renew its liquor license.

Hard Times owner Greg Hourigan said Tuesday he was trying to find investors to help him raise enough funds to pay back some or all of the taxes the business owes in order to get the license back. He said he would close the restaurant if he wasn’t able to deal with the tax issue by Thursday.

However, it’s unclear if that deadline still stands. Hourigan did not respond to multiple requests for comment Thursday and Friday.

The restaurant has been closed since last Monday.

A sign on the door reads: “Doing some spring cleaning while we resolve liquor license issues. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Hourigan said the business fell behind on its taxes after he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 and had to step away from day-to-day operations. Hourigan has operated Hard Times on Del Ray Avenue in Woodmont Triangle for the past 17 years.

Hourigan is a popular figure in the community and the restaurant has sponsored local sports teams and hosted many philanthropic fundraisers. In 2013 Hourigan was honored with the Hospitality Hall of Honor award by the Restaurant Association of Maryland.

The community responded with heartfelt support on Facebook and in the comments section after Bethesda Beat wrote Tuesday about the restaurant’s issues.

“Sending our best thoughts for a quick resolution,” Kristin Savercool wrote on Facebook. “Need to get this awesome place and amazing owner back in business!”

“The second he gets his license back we need an event,” Todd Dixon wrote on Facebook. “Greg is a great man, and I love that bar. Let’s show up and support this local business.”