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Casa Vega’s beloved bartender Antonio Navarro, who’s served everyone from Sylvester Stallone to Kim Kardashian, poured his final drink Friday after 31 years behind the bar at the iconic Los Angeles Mexican restaurant.
Regulars packed the Sherman Oaks institution to say goodbye and enjoy a final margarita from one of LA’s longest-serving bartenders.
Navarro, 69, dressed in his usual tuxedo and wearing a sash emblazoned with the word “Legend,” served his lunchtime crowd for the final time with a twinkle in his eye.
“This is really hard, you know, but at five o’clock, adios amigos,” Navarro told the California Post.
The veteran barkeep decided to call it quits after mixing cocktails since 1995 at the dimly lit restaurant, which is featured in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and has long been a haven for celebrities seeking privacy.
“It’s time to visit family,” said Navarro, who came from Mexico to Hollywood in search of a job he loved, and found it at the Ventura Boulevard institution.
He’s watched LA change over the decades, witnessing mayors come and go and Hollywood stars rise and fall, all from a bar where sunlight only creeps in when someone opens the door.
“He’s the longest tenured bartender in LA right now. It’s pretty cool. And a great legendary spot too,” said Jim Piser, who owns liquor distribution company Toast of the Town and has been ordering drinks from “Tony” for 25 years.
Piser recalled an afternoon when he walked in to find Navarro and Sylvester Stallone living it up together.
“They really related to each other, it was amazing,” he said.
The Kardashians have also been regular visitors to Casa Vega, even holding a Christmas party at the Valley staple, which first opened its doors in 1956.
Asked to name the most famous person he’s ever served, Navarro laughed.
A parade of loyal customers turned out to pay tribute, including Erik Drogemuller, whose parents, Henry and Patty, had their first date at the Casa Vega bar.
“I took off work early for you, brother,” he told Navarro.
Other regulars showered Navarro with hugs, bottles of tequila and cards celebrating the strong drinks he’s poured over the years.
“He makes you feel very comfortable, the way he speaks with you, it’s very welcoming,” said Kate Monterroso, who was just 3 years old when Navarro started working at Casa Vega.
“It’s crazy, he’s been doing this for 31 years and I’m 34,” Monterroso added.
As the sun began to set, Navarro poured his final drink — this time for himself — and raised a toast to the bar full of customers who insisted he could never be replaced.
“Cheers to my familia,” Navarro said, visibly choked up.
“Whoever’s next, they got big shoes to fill, I feel sorry for that bartender,” Piser said as he left his favorite bartender one final tip.
“He’s an absolute legend and will be missed,” he added.
