Restaurant Serving American Food to Replace Controversial Encino 'Bikini Bar'

A controversial “bikini bar” with a pond-side view on Ventura Boulevard that shut down more than a year ago is being replaced by a restaurant that will serve American food.

The property that used to house Mermaids Cabaret on 16817 Ventura Blvd., a block west of the Mercedes-Benz of Encino dealership, is currently under construction. William Mcabian, a Tarzana resident and travel documentary filmmaker, has plans to develop it into what he calls an “American restaurant.”

Mcabian, who was supervising construction on the property Saturday, told Encino Patch that he expects his restaurant to open in four months.

The upcoming restaurant, which doesn’t have a name yet, is located on the edge of Los Encinos State Historic Park, making it an ideal spot for lunch or early dinner. Customers will be required to order their food and pay for it before being seated, Mcabian said. There will be no service charge.

Mermaids Cabaret, which opened in March 2010, was denied a business permit following allegations of lap dancing and illegal activities such as public drunkenness, public urination, littering and inappropriate sexual activity.

Before Mermaids Cabaret, the space was occupied by El Torito Mexican Restaurant and Cantina.

Does Mcabian think Mermaids Cabaret’s bad reputation will adversely affect his business?

“They are two different animals,” he said, referring to the closed bikini bar and his upcoming restaurant. “We’re concerned with the future, not the past.”