'Cheers For All The Good Times:' Walnut Creek Sports Bar To Close After 30 Years

WALNUT CREEK, CA — After 31 years in Walnut Creek, Massés, the longtime sports bar on North Main Street is closing. "The news, we never wanted- but here we are & we’re not going away," the owners wrote.

Maury and Christine Paden opened the 10,000-square-foot billiards hall and sports bar at 2721 North Main St. in 1994.

While Massés may belong to the family, the land under it does not. Ownership has changed several times in the past three decades including the latest turnover in 2024, according to the letter. The family was poised to buy the parcel in 2020. Although they were in escrow, they were hitting obstacles and then Covid hit, according to the letter.

"Sadly this likely means we'll soon receive a notice to vacate our longtime home — news that truly breaks our hearts," the founders' children, Milisa Barrett and Eric Paden, wrote. They took over the business in 2013.

But there will be karaoke, nachos, wings, and pitchers of beer again, according to the owners, who vowed to reopen in a new location in their love letter to the town.

"Let us be clear: this is not the end," the brother and sister wrote, adding that they are already working hard to find a new location in Walnut Creek.

Patrons took the news hard. Teary-eyed emojis proliferated on Instagram, where the news was announced — "Cheers for all the good times," wrote a regular — mixed with relied that the closing would not be permanent. "Noooooo 😢 can’t wait to see the next spot!! Loved working there!"