Tom Bergin's on Fairfax to close for good on Sunday

OK, most Angelenos probably haven't been inside Tom Bergin's in a long time. But still, it's surprising and unsettling when LA institutions, even the unofficial ones, suddenly vanish from the scene. The Irish-style tavern announced today on its Facebook page that it will close at the end of business on Sunday. Tom Bergin's has been around for 77 years, making it one of LA's older drinking and eating establishments.

The Facebook posting was brief and not illuminating.

We are sorry to let everyone know that this Sunday will be Tom Bergin's last day of business. Please join us in our last few days; we'd love to see as many familiar faces as possible.

"Well, this is just downright un-American," posted Lesley Bargar Suter on the Los Angeles Magazine website. She adds context: "The restaurant and bar—famed for Irish coffees and the paper shamrocks awarded to regular customers plastering the walls and ceiling—was purchased by Brandon Boudet and business partner Warner Ebbink in 2011, and reopened after several delays in 2012."

A lot of LA restaurants are closing these days.