The Abbey Food & Bar, and The Chapel at The Abbey have been official sold. In a landmark move, entrepreneurs David Cooley and Tristan Schukraft have jointly announced an agreement for the sale of both iconic venues.
“The Abbey is more than just a bar. It’s been a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community through tough and good times alike, from the AIDS Crisis to the fight for Marriage Equality and Transgender Rights. I’m proud that The Abbey has been a place for support, unity, activism, and celebration,” reflects David Cooley, the founder of The Abbey. “I’ve spent half my life here, meeting incredible people and seeing how The Abbey has been a place of happiness and acceptance for so many. Now, it’s time for someone new to lead. Tristan has been coming here for years. He gets what The Abbey means to people. I trust him to look after our community, our guests, and our team. Plus, I’m sure he’s going to throw some great parties.”
Tristan Schukraft is a technology entrepreneur, turned hotelier, nightlife aficionado and well-known member of the West Hollywood LGBTQ+ community. The Abbey and The Chapel will add to Schukraft’s portfolio of businesses that enrich the LGBTQ+ community across the United States, which includes MISTR, the largest telemedicine provider of free online PrEP and long-term HIV care serving all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. More recently Schukraft acquired and is in the process of reimagining Tryst and Circo, LGBTQ+ hotel and nightlife venues in San Juan Puerto Rico.
(L-R) David Cooley and Tristan Schukraft“I’m excited to build on the legacy that David Cooley created over the last 33 years at The Abbey. David built a small coffee shop on an unknown side street, into one of the most famous gay bars in the country, if not the world. This is both an honor and a significant responsibility,” explains Tristan Schukraft. “I plan to respect and honor The Abbey’s history while bringing new ideas that reflect our evolving LGBTQ+ community and my personal approach to hospitality. We’re not just maintaining a legacy business and an international landmark; we’re adding to the future of LGBTQ+ nightlife.”
The Chapel at The Abbey – Photo Courtesy of The Abbey Food & BarThe transition of ownership is expected to be seamless, with The Abbey’s long-time management team staying in place. Todd Barnes, The Abbey’s General Manager has spent over 20 years managing The Abbey. Todd is supported by Assistant General Manager, Kiki Farahat, who has spent over 15 years at The Abbey. They lead a team of several managers and hundreds of servers, bartenders, hosts, promoters, back-of-house staff, DJ’s, dancers, drag queens and entertainers who make The Abbey one of the most popular nightlife destinations in the world. The Abbey and The Chapel’s schedule of events and parties will all continue as planned.
The sale is expected to be finalized within a few months, after the ABC licenses transfer over, after which Tristan Schukraft will assume ownership and operational responsibilities.
This article doesn’t mention this: The new owner lives in Puerto Rico, where he runs a hotel that caters to gay clients.
There’s no mention of him running for West Hollywood City Council in 2013?
Actually he ran twice, once in 2013 and also in 2015
The greatest of news! Best of luck David on your future plans and thank you for selling to the best person we in weho could have asked for. I have a feeling he will be a player in weho and on Robertson for years. Think an Abbey hotel…………….
If you need a new Restaurant Manager. IM YOUR MAN
I didn’t trust Schukraft when he ran for city council as he is so busy looking as good as possible he comes across as shallow and untrustworthy. Is his prep program Mistr a scam? Why do they rent two empty buildings in weho to use as billboards for mistr?
Believe it or not, the rent on those spaces cost less then a billboard on SMB or Sunset and jeez, don’t fault a guy for looking good.
I look fine myself BUT he comes across and an insecure looks obsessed person (just the kind of guy who wants to own a bar in this area) and his best friend is a recently deceased foofy dog. NOT a good sign.
Hopefully they’ll get some new bartenders in there and some new faces I’m sick of seeing this tired haggard queens slinging drinks with their glazed out glasses circuit eyes! Tamara can stay. She’s the only one that’s attentive and greets you with a smile day in and day out! The others queens need to bounce ..we really need some new energy in there! Also we don’t need any more non-binary non-conforming bra wearing high heels wearing male dancers we need guys in jockstraps and G strings looking like guys this is not a freak show ! Also we need to… Read more »
You are 100% correct in everything you said.
Thank you Ian!
Oh honey, do you think same about street bar staff?
Hi baby I love the street bar bartenders they’re fine it’s an older crowd older bartenders are perfect
Agreed about the bra wearing guys. It is funny to see visitors come in and look at it like a carnival freak show laughing between themselves and shaking their heads. Ok, differences are fine, but those visitors are certainly going to go home and if their kids show any signs of doing that kind of stuff, well…..
I’m hoping drink prices go up to eliminate the riff raff. Tristan is no fool. He has to pay a lot more money now for labor and benefits so it’s in his best interest to get rid of the freeloaders. Maybe you should buy your booze at Pavilions and just party on your bike. It will be cheaper for you. Also, your Grindr connection will probably be better.
AGREE!!
So we can expect it to return to being a gay bar???
What does this comment even mean? Do you want this business to break the law and turn women away from the door?
I can’t imagine a better match! Tristan will knock it out of the park. Congratulations to him and to West Hollywood and the entire community!