The End is Near for Bar Ferdinand in Northern Liberties

Northern Liberties is about to watch its 11-year-old Spanish tapas restaurant Bar Ferdinand fall to the wayside.

According to a recent Facebook post and email newsletter announcement, owner Owen Kamihira will close Bar Ferdinand good on October 10. Philly.com wrote the closure was due to an increase in rent by landlords Oaktree Capital Management L.P. and the Kushner Companies. The Spanish restaurant and wine bar is named after the charming classic children’s tale The Story of Ferdinand, where a bull named Ferdinand would rather delight in flowers than butt heads in bullfights — which explains the hanging roses lining the restaurant’s bar area.

We may see Bar Ferdinand resurface elsewhere in Philadelphia; Kamihira said he was looking for a new home for the concept. Until then, however, any Spanish tapas dining in Philly will be left up to Jamonera, Tinto, and Amada.