If you’ve spent any time in downtown Burlington over the last thirty years, you knew the corner of Church and Main wasn't just a street intersection. It was a vibe. It was Manhattan’s Pizza & Pub. Whether you were a college kid looking for a cheap slice after a long night or a local regular who just wanted a cold beer without the pretense of a "gastropub," that spot was home.
Then things got weird.
The Manhattan's pizza and pub closure Burlington locals are still talking about wasn't just a "closed" sign appearing overnight. It was a messy, month-long saga involving ownership drama, a full-blown staff walkout, a short-lived Latin rebrand, and a final, sudden shutdown by the city fire marshal. Honestly, the whole thing felt like watching a slow-motion car crash of a local institution.
The Ownership Shift That Started It All
For decades, Matt Small ran the show. It worked. But in October 2023, the keys were handed over to David Quintana. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he also owns Despacito, a popular vegan spot in the Old North End. People were hopeful at first, but the honeymoon phase didn't even last through the winter.
By July 2024, the wheels were coming off.
Staff members started claiming the culture had shifted from "family" to "toxic." It wasn't just workplace gossip, either. It hit the fan when Quintana reportedly fired two long-time bartenders via text message. Yeah, text. Naturally, the rest of the crew wasn't having it. They walked. A majority of the staff initiated a boycott, and for a few days, the future of the pub looked bleak.
From Pizza to Tapas: The Rincon Pivot
After the staff walkout, the business tried to reinvent itself to escape the bad press. They rebranded as Rincon Pizzeria and Tapas Bar. The idea was to mix the classic pizza with Puerto Rican and Latin flavors—think arepas and Caribbean ribs alongside your pepperoni pie.
It was a bold move. Maybe too bold for a spot that people mostly associated with late-night greasy slices.
The name "Manhattan's" was scrubbed from the windows, but the drama followed. While Quintana brought in new investors and tried to focus on the kitchen, the community's trust was already fractured. Some locals loved the new flavors, but others felt like the soul of the corner had been ripped out.
The Final Blow: Fire Marshals and Permits
Just when it seemed like the business might stabilize under a new music-focused iteration of "Manhattan's" (dropping the "Rincon" name again), the city stepped in. On January 17, 2025, a sign appeared on the door that effectively ended the era.
"Closed until further notice per order of the city fire marshal."
It turns out, some of the renovations and electrical work done during the transition hadn't been permitted. You can't just rewire a historic building on a whim, especially not in a high-traffic area like the Church Street Marketplace. Fire Marshal Matthew Stone confirmed that the construction was unauthorized.
Basically, the building became a safety hazard.
What’s There Now?
If you walk past 167 Main Street today, you won't see the Manhattan's logo. You won't see Rincon.
In August 2025, Syd Eren, the owner of the iconic basement bar What Ales You, announced he was moving his business into the former Manhattan’s space. It was a survival move for him—liquor liability insurance and rent were skyrocketing at his old St. Paul Street location.
📖 Related: Winklevoss brothers net worth: Why the twins are still winning in 2026
What Ales You officially moved in around late August 2025. They’ve kept the pizza ovens hot, though. Since the space already had a full kitchen, Eren was able to expand his menu significantly, which helped lower his insurance costs (food-to-alcohol ratios matter a lot to insurers these days).
Why the Manhattan's Pizza and Pub Closure Burlington Matters
A lot of people think restaurants close just because "the food was bad" or "nobody went there." That wasn't the case here. Manhattan's was a goldmine for years. This closure was a masterclass in how rapid ownership transitions and internal labor disputes can kill even the most "bulletproof" business.
- Labor is everything: When you lose a staff that has 12-year veterans like Jabu Gamache, you lose the institutional memory of the bar.
- Permits aren't optional: You might think you're saving time by skipping the paperwork, but the fire marshal always wins in the end.
- Brand identity is fragile: Switching from a pub to a tapas bar and back again in less than a year confuses the customer base.
The "working man's pizza" is gone, replaced by a different kind of local bar. It's a reminder that in a city like Burlington, where real estate is at a premium and the community is tightly knit, you have to treat both your employees and your building with a certain level of respect if you want to survive thirty years.
If you’re looking to support the current occupants or just want to see how the space has changed, head down to the corner of Main and Church. The vibe is different, but at least the lights are back on. Keep an eye on local permits and city council meetings if you’re ever curious about why your favorite spot suddenly has a bright orange sticker on the window—usually, the paperwork tells a story the owners won't.