The Five Shocking Reasons Schwartz & Sandy's Bar Closed: Tom Schwartz And Tom Sandoval's Post-Scandoval Reality
Contents
Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval: Full Biography and Profile
The "Schwartz and Sandys" brand is inseparable from the two men who created it: Thomas Colby Schwartz and Thomas Anthony Sandoval. Both rose to fame as original cast members on the Bravo reality series *Vanderpump Rules*, known for their close friendship, on-screen drama, and shared entrepreneurial spirit in the Los Angeles restaurant and bar scene.Tom Schwartz
- Full Name: Thomas Colby Schwartz
- Born: October 16, 1982
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 43
- Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
- Career: Television Personality, Restaurateur, Model, Actor.
- Key Businesses: Co-owner of TomTom (with Lisa Vanderpump and Tom Sandoval), and former co-owner of Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge.
- Personal Life: Previously married to fellow *Vanderpump Rules* star Katie Maloney.
Tom Sandoval
- Full Name: Thomas Anthony Sandoval
- Born: July 7, 1983
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 42
- Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
- Career: Television Personality, Restaurateur, Musician (Frontman of the band Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras).
- Key Businesses: Co-owner of TomTom, and former co-owner of Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge.
- Personal Life: Long-time relationship with Ariana Madix ended dramatically in 2023.
The Concept and Controversial Launch of Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge
Schwartz & Sandy's was envisioned as a "whimsical" and "otherworldly" cocktail lounge in Los Angeles's Franklin Village, a departure from the sleek, upscale vibe of TomTom. The concept aimed to blend mid-century modern design with a unique, almost psychedelic aesthetic. The establishment finally opened its doors in November 2022, after years of delays documented on *Vanderpump Rules*.However, the bar’s journey was fraught with controversy even before the infamous cheating scandal:
- Construction Delays: The lengthy, drawn-out process of securing funding and completing construction became a major storyline on the show, causing significant tension between the partners and their then-partners, Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix.
- Initial Reviews: While some critics praised the food and the unique, ambitious decor, the overall consensus was often mixed, with a number of negative Yelp reviews targeting the bar's atmosphere and service, a common issue for celebrity-owned establishments.
- Financial Strain: The business required significant capital, with Sandoval even taking a $250,000 loan from his mother to help fund the venture, indicating the high stakes involved.
The Scandoval Effect: Reputational Fallout and Boycotts
The single biggest factor contributing to the bar's collapse was the revelation of Tom Sandoval's affair with Raquel Leviss—a scandal dubbed "Scandoval"—in March 2023. This event created a massive, sustained backlash against Sandoval, which inevitably spilled over to his business ventures.The immediate and long-term consequences included:
- Massive Boycotts: Fans and viewers, outraged by Sandoval's actions, organized boycotts and online campaigns urging people to avoid both Schwartz & Sandy's and TomTom.
- Negative Review Bombing: Both bars were immediately targeted with thousands of one-star reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google, severely damaging their online reputation and search visibility.
- Schwartz's Complicity: Tom Schwartz faced criticism for his perceived role in covering for Sandoval, which further alienated customers and made the bar a symbol of the scandal itself.
The bar became a casualty of the reputational damage, struggling to attract a steady clientele beyond the initial *Vanderpump Rules* tourism.
The Official Closure and The Aftermath in 2025
In late 2024, after two years in business, Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval jointly announced the "difficult decision" to close Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge. The closure was framed as a mutual decision and an "amazing learning experience," but the underlying financial and reputational pressures were widely understood to be the true cause.The aftermath of the closure in 2025 has revealed several key updates:
- New Business Takes Over: Within a short time of the closure, news emerged that the Franklin Village location was already being taken over by a new business, signaling a quick transition for the physical space.
- Schwartz's Reflection: Tom Schwartz has openly reflected on the closure, calling his experience in 2024 "tumultuous" and admitting he "lost control of my business," highlighting the stress and emotional toll the failure took on him.
- Friendship Status: The business failure exacerbated the already strained relationship between the two Toms. However, updates in July 2025 indicate that while their friendship survived the drama, the dynamic is permanently changed. They were even seen reuniting at BravoCon 2025, suggesting a fragile but ongoing connection, though Schwartz has stated he is "done" with Sandoval as a business partner for now.
- Sandoval's Future Plans: Despite the failure of Schwartz & Sandy's, Tom Sandoval has hinted at a future business venture with a different set of partners, suggesting his entrepreneurial drive remains intact.
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