An Emeryville institution since 1926.

Built by a local fireman in 1926 and immediately rented by a bootlegger named ‘Blackie’, this Townhouse went from Speakeasy to brothel, to bar, to family restaurant known as Vernetti’s Towhouse and back to bar again until its current incarnation, Townhouse Bar & Grill. Opened by Ellen Hope and French restaurateur Joseph LeBrun in 1990, Townhouse served up simple dishes in a rustic yet elegant space. Townhouse Bar & Grill had been Chef Ellen’s pride and joy since 2002 when she became the sole owner and operator. With 2020 came a global pandemic and the end of an era - Townhouse had to close its doors and Ellen has passed the torch onto a new restaurant group. You’ll be seeing some familiar faces and some new faces as well. Keeping in the tradition of comfort classics with an elevated style, our new kitchen crew has created a menu that’s fresh, local and an ode to our cherished history. Come and enjoy what the new team has cultivated at the old Townhouse.

More about Townhouse’s colorful history can be found HERE.