# Schwartz & Sandy‘s Finally Opened its Doors in November 2022 After Much Anticipation

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/when-did-schwartz-and-sandys-open/
- Published: 2023-11-04
- Author: Nelson Ayers
- Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/)

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Vanderpump Rules stars and longtime friends Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval finally opened the doors to their new bar, Schwartz & Sandy‘s, in November 2022 after over a year of planning, setbacks, and delays. Situated in bustling West Hollywood, California, Schwartz & Sandy‘s serves up signature cocktails and tasty shared plates in an energetic atmosphere.

## A Years-Long Journey from Idea to Opening Night

Tom Sandoval, a hospitality industry veteran who bartended at SUR for over a decade, first revealed plans to open Schwartz & Sandy‘s alongside Tom Schwartz in an interview in early 2021. However, their initial goal to open doors by the end of that year or early 2022 proved overly ambitious.

The Vanderpump Rules stars faced many of the typical challenges new restaurant owners encounter, from securing financing and permits to construction delays. Cameras caught these frustrations during Season 10 of the hit Bravo reality show.

According to Sandoval, having a business partner made the pre-opening process more difficult than his first solo venture with Lisa Vanderpump. He and Schwartz sometimes struggled to see eye to eye while navigating the steep learning curve of launching a bar for the first time.

However, they pressed on to finally host a preview party in February 2022 sponsored by Daily Mail and TMX. This created buzz leading up to the highly anticipated grand opening celebration in November 2022.

## Inside Schwartz & Sandy‘s: Design, Drinks, and Menu

Schwartz & Sandy‘s occupies a sprawling 8,000 square feet of space in West Hollywood, making it substantially larger than TomTom, the Toms‘ first bar collaboration with Lisa Vanderpump.

Sandoval took the reins on much of the interior design and aesthetics, aiming to create an inviting, retro vibe. The bar features warm wood accents, vintage chandeliers, tufted leather booths, and a custom carpet emblazoned with the establishment‘s name. A neon sign calls out their catchphrase: "See you later, suckers!"

Cocktails represent one area where Sandoval‘s 10+ years of mixology experience shone through. The drink menu spotlights creative takes on classics like negronis, old fashioneds, and Moscow mules. Over a dozen specialty cocktails range from $14 to $18.

The food menu covers a wide swath of shareable starters and snacks priced $7 to $18. Options include flatbreads, poke nachos, Chinese pork buns, and "toasted ravs" — their take on a St. Louis favorite. Sandoval and Schwartz plan to expand the offerings soon.

| Restaurant Statistics | TomTom | Schwartz & Sandy‘s |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Year Opened | 2018 | 2022 |
| Size | 3,000 sq ft | 8,000 sq ft |
| Total Investment | $2 million | $3 million |
| Owners | Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval | Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval |

## Reviews: Fun Vibes and Service Kinks

In the first few weeks after opening, both patrons and reviewers praised the fun, lively energy and strong drinks at Schwartz & Sandy‘s. However, many noted long wait times upwards of an hour for a table.

“The laidback, welcoming atmosphere matches the owners’ charismatic personalities,” wrote Erin Archer in Eater LA. “Go for the excellent, balanced cocktails and good times.”

According to Sandoval, operations have smoothed out significantly after those initial hiccups: “We’ve really found our groove with the flow of service and adjusted our reservation policies to make sure guests have the best possible experience.”

Early kinks aside, Schwartz & Sandy‘s already appears well on its way to establishing itself as a West Hollywood go-to destination. The co-owners‘ reality TV fame provides a built-in customer base, with many Vanderpump Rules fans stopping by hoping to spot Sandoval, Schwartz, or other cast members.

## The Future Looks Bright for Schwartz & Sandy‘s

While it‘s still early days, I believe Schwartz & Sandy‘s has strong potential for longevity and growth in the LA market. Sandoval and Schwartz did the work to nail operational details like staff training and inventory management that new businesses often overlook. Their significant social media following also provides free marketing opportunities through engagement with fans.

In my opinion as a hospitality professional, the Toms‘ complementary skill sets and differing strengths will serve them well moving forward. Schwartz brings the big ideas and brand vision, while Sandoval makes it happen on the ground.

Exciting possibilities lie ahead like bottling and selling their signature cocktails, hosting star-studded events, and potentially expanding Schwartz & Sandy‘s into new locations across the country. With their drive and name recognition, I expect Sandoval and Schwartz will replicate the wild success of TomTom with their new West Hollywood hotspot.

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