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Regensburg is in mourning: cult restaurant Leerer Sache closes after 37 years!
The Regensburg restaurant Leerer Sack will close after 37 years at the end of June 2025 due to financial difficulties and construction problems.
Regensburg is in mourning: cult restaurant Leerer Sache closes after 37 years!
In the heart of Regensburg, the Leerer Sack restaurant, an integral part of the gastronomic scene, is closing its doors after 37 years. The lease agreement ends on June 30, 2025, terminated by the Paulaner brewery, which had leased the restaurant. The owner Winnie Freisleben has already thanked the guests and the team on the restaurant's website and is accepting final reservations until June 27th.
The Empty Bag was opened in 1980 and is known not only for its upscale Upper Palatinate cuisine, but also for numerous cultural events. Jazz concerts, parties and the socio-political Ash Wednesday were among the highlights of the cultural center. The varied program design characterized the Empty Bag and always ensured a good mood.
The background to the closure
The reasons for the closure are complex. The Paulaner brewery cites “accrued outstanding debts” and the lack of a viable solution as the reasons for terminating the lease. In addition, a construction site that began in August 2024 was not particularly helpful for the restaurant. This led to closures and the need to replace 2,000 square meters of dilapidated roof tiles.
Freisleben had tried to save the restaurant with a renovation concept, but without success. The city of Regensburg is planning a conversation between the mayor and the brewery, but has expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
The challenges for the catering industry
The Empty Bag is not the only catering business struggling with difficulties. According to current reports, a third of restaurants in Germany could close this year. The industry is suffering from rising costs for energy, food and personnel, which is dramatically worsening the financial situation of many companies.
- Die Anhebung der Mehrwertsteuer von 7% auf 19% seit 2024 ist ein weiterer Schlag für die Gastronomie.
- Durchschnittliche monatliche Einbußen von fast 4.500 Euro machen eine langfristige Planung unwahrscheinlich.
- Steigende Preise und geringere Bestellungen, wie etwa weniger Wein und mehr Wasser, belasten die Einnahmen.
The catering industry is facing enormous challenges due to these developments. The decline in guest numbers and the tense economic situation mean that many operators have to seriously think about the future of their businesses.
The Empty Bag not only symbolizes a loss in Regensburg culture, but also for the current difficulties that are plaguing the entire industry. The closure of the restaurant is seen by many as a loss of an institution - both for the local gastronomy scene and for the numerous guests who spent many pleasant hours here.