5 months after this restaurant and bar opened, ‘Boise’s newest hot spot’ has closed

A restaurant and bar that opened in a familiar, newly remodeled building has come to a quick end on the Boise Bench.

Crescent Public House, 5500 W. Franklin Road, has closed “due to unforeseen circumstances,” according to a note posted on the doors.

It would be easy to mistakenly assume otherwise. On Monday morning, Crescent Public House’s prominent “Now open” sign still beckoned motorists driving past, as did a smaller sign on the fence reading “Open” and “New ownership.” But a large vertical banner that had proclaimed “Open” near the entrance was removed.

The closure note thanked former customers and apologized “for any inconvenience this may bring.”

Crescent Public House had debuted in December in the longtime Crescent “No Lawyers” Bar & Grill building. That sports pub was closed and sold in early 2021. Serving “upscale pub fare with a foodie twist,” the more modern Crescent Public House appeared to have potential as a next chapter for the bar. “Fabulous drinks, delicious menu, family friendly ... Boise’s newest hot spot will knock your socks off!” it bragged on its Facebook page.

But this spring, it was put up for lease and, possibly, for sale. It’s unclear from the listing whether only the business is for sale, or if the 8,594-square-foot building might also be on the table. No asking price is set. A yearly lease rate of $18 per square foot is provided. The listing includes photos and the restaurant’s address, but does not identify the name of the business.

Furniture, fixtures and equipment can be part of the deal, according to the listing, and a liquor license is available. A plot plan shows Crescent Public House’s building, its parking lot, and two still-to-be-built apartment buildings behind it.

The three-story apartment complexes are part of a development plan from the owners, who are based in Spokane. They bought the entire 2.47-acre lot. Last year, co-owner Matt Goodwin said they also intended to open a brunch restaurant in a separate part of the Crescent Public House building in 2022.

Opened in 1965 at 413 N. Orchard St. (now Campos Market), the original Crescent Bar moved to its high-visibility spot on Franklin Road in 2003.

This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 1:18 PM.