Sad end: Cult restaurant Leerer Sack in Regensburg closes!

Sad end: Cult restaurant Leerer Sack in Regensburg closes!

The Regensburg restaurant Leerer Sack, an integral part of the gastronomic landscape, will close its doors at the end of June 2025. The owners Traudl and Winnie Freisleben, who have been running the restaurant since 1988, have made the difficult decision to give up their restaurant. The end of an era that began in 1980 and a cultural gathering place known for jazz concerts, parties and the socio-political Ash Wednesday is closing its doors after nearly 37 years. The Paulaner brewery terminated the lease on June 30th, which sealed the closure , reports the Mittelbayerische.

The closure is not only a loss for regular customers, but also reflects the challenges the restaurant industry has faced in recent years. Despite the cultural value and the Freislebens' intensive efforts, such as countless outdoor renovations and adjustments during the Corona pandemic, they were unable to implement a viable plan to save the restaurant , says Mercury.

High insolvency rates due to the crisis

The closure of the empty bag is not an isolated case. The catering industry has been struggling with drastic losses for years. According to an analysis by Creditreform, sales in the industry, adjusted for inflation, are still below the level of 2019. Between 2022 and 2023, insolvencies in the catering industry rose by 27 percent, which is well above the overall economic average , reports Creditreform.

The reasons are complex: increased costs, inflation and the lasting effects of the corona pandemic are severely affecting many companies. Young companies under five years old are particularly affected; This group accounts for 49 percent of bankruptcies. In the restaurant category, bankruptcies have increased by 32 percent, painting an alarming picture of the economic situation.

Problems emptying bags

The closure of the Empty Bag was also affected by massive construction work. A construction site that began in August 2024 not only provided the outdoor seating area with scaffolding, but also led to important events such as weddings and celebrations having to be canceled. The roof structure of the restaurant is dilapidated and 2,000 square meters of roof tiles urgently need to be replaced. These circumstances contributed to the difficult situation of the restaurant and significantly restricted its activities.

The city of Regensburg is dissatisfied with the situation and is planning a meeting between the mayor and the brewery to find a solution. But whether that will help remains to be seen. In the meantime, the Freislebens can accept reservations until June 27th and would like to thank all guests and employees on the homepage for their support over the years. The Empty Bag chapter closes, but the traces the place leaves behind remain in the hearts of many.