City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill, a popular West Palm Beach restaurant, has confirmed plans for permanent closure with a WARN notice filing. The closure will impact 96 employees at the site, including bartenders and kitchen staff.
The layoffs and the restaurant closure are scheduled to take place on May 24, 2026. In the WARN notice, the City Cellar team cited lease issues as the reason for shutting down its operations.
City Cellar Bids Farewell After More Than Two Decades in West Palm Beach
City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill is one of the most beloved restaurants in West Palm Beach. Well known for its authentic Mediterranean cuisine and lively atmosphere, the restaurant serves dishes like lamb shank, pork chop, and classic breakfast pizza.
Located in the heart of the downtown area, City Cellar has been a staple in the local dining scene for over 20 years. With a seasonal menu and an extensive wine selection, the restaurant has a loyal fan base.
The restaurant submitted an official WARN notice to state officials confirming its closure and layoffs. The restaurant is preparing to permanently close its doors on May 24.
City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill is part of the Big Time Restaurant Group, a South Florida-based company founded in 1993. The restaurant group operates several acclaimed dining spots, including City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Big City Tavern, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, and Louie Bossi’s Ristorante.
WARN Notice Confirms 96 Layoffs at City Cellar
The WARN notice, filed on March 25, 2026, states that 96 employees at the City Cellar restaurant will be laid off. All roles at the restaurant will be impacted, including front-of-house staff, bartenders, kitchen workers, and management positions.
The notice also confirms that the layoffs are permanent. Employees are not represented by a union and will not have bumping rights, meaning they cannot transfer to other roles within the company based on seniority.
Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988, employers are required to provide notice to employees and state officials before mass layoffs or closures. Typically, a 60-day advance notice should be provided so that the affected employees have time to prepare themselves for the upcoming layoff.
Lease Expiration Leads to Permanent Closure
According to the recent WARN notice filing, the team behind the restaurant cited the expiration of the restaurant’s lease as the primary reason for closure.
“This decision was not made lightly. Due to the lease ending, City Cellar will no longer be able to continue operating the business,” the filing stated.
The closure of City Cellar’s West Palm Beach location marks the end of an era for the area’s dining scene. Over the decades, the restaurant became a cornerstone of the community and will be fondly remembered by locals.
