On a recent Wednesday night at Leyenda in Brooklyn, co-owner Ivy Mix got behind the bar for one last shift. Alongside Leyenda’s regulars, dozens of past and present bartenders, barbacks, managers and other staffers piled into the raucous space, bouquets in hand. They were all here to toast the final days of the legendary coctelería, which will close its doors at the end of this month, just a few weeks shy of its 10th anniversary.
Like Clover Club, its sibling bar down the street, Leyenda has enjoyed unusual longevity in a dramatically changing neighborhood whose main thoroughfare is characterized by a constantly revolving roster of short-lived businesses. A large part of the bar’s long-term success was its ability to cater to a diverse clientele: Serious enthusiasts could go deep on lesser-known agave spirits such as sotol and raicilla, while neighborhood locals had a go-to spot to impress a first date or just to grab a killer Margarita on draft. It was the kind of unassuming haunt that could make you forget it was also home to a world-class bar program.
While Mix is vague about specific reasons for the closing, citing both the changing neighborhood and issues with the building, as well as the general hardships of the industry, it’s clear she hopes this isn’t the end for Leyenda.
As is always the case with the loss of a meaningful third place, she ponders what will become of the relationships she’s forged over the years that exist solely within these walls. “With a lot of my regulars, I don’t have relationships with them outside of Leyenda,” says Mix. “Are those relationships going to end now? I hope not.”
But for tonight, the tears were more sweet than bitter, Sofi Tukker blasted on the speakers, and the staff shift drink was shots of top-shelf Rey Campero Tepextate mezcal (“We’re closing, right? Let’s drink the good stuff.”)
The Night by the Numbers
Most popular drink:
Margarita
No. of bottles of tequila used:
24
No. of shots ordered:
50
No. of former staffers who came through:
20 to 30
No. of times Mix cried:
“At least 6”
Staff shift drink: “I think we just drank quite a bit of mezcal.” —Leyenda co-owner Ivy Mix
No. of Margaritas ordered: 42
What are you going to miss most about Leyenda?
“Ivy always focused on offering education, including on subjects like finance and how to save money in an industry where we spend money as fast as we make it. Not every bar focuses on that. Working with that particular team and not having a lot of turnover, we were all able to grow and learn and share knowledge together.”—Leanne Favre, former head bartender
“I’m going to miss the best Margarita in the city, and the cool points I get recommending Leyenda to people who hadn’t heard of it before. And the [dulce de leche–stuffed] churros.” —Pran Bandi, regular since 2021
“The cocktails and sangritas I feel most proud of were created at Leyenda. We were serious about making drinks that felt approachable and exciting… I think I’ll miss the staff the most. There’s nothing like getting through a Saturday Cinco de Mayo shift with people you trust to have your back.” —Shannon Ponche, former head bartender
What was the highlight of this night of service?
“The fact that all the former staff were able to post up in the front window all night was really special.” —Dylan Rhyder, general manager
What was the lowlight of this night of service?
“I wish I had had a little more time not behind the bar and [instead] having conversations with people, especially with my regulars. When you’re that busy, it means you don’t get to communicate with anyone because you’re in the weeds crushing drinks and I don’t get to hang.” —Mix
Favorite overheard line of the night:
“I want my fucking Tia Mia!” —A staffer who came in on his night off to celebrate his birthday
Wildest/most unhinged call drink?
“Mauricio [Santana] from Clover Club asked for two Ramos Gin Fizzes. Thankfully, he was joking.” —Mix
