New Heads for the Kings Pub

By Gene Williams
Staff Writer

June 9 -- A change of the guard is taking place at what is probably Santa Monica’s most famous British style establishment. After 31 years, countless kegs of beer and “thousands of tons of fish and chips,” Kings Head Pub and Restaurant owners Phil and Ruth Elwell said they have sold the business and will retire this month.

Taking over the popular watering hole and eatery are Paul Boettcher and Donal Tavey of Busby’s -- a restaurant and bar on Santa Monica Boulevard at the East end of town -- said sources familiar with the sale.

But loyal Kings Head customers shouldn’t worry. The Elwells are handing over the business lock, stock and barrel to Boettcher and Tavey, who probably won’t make any big changes.

“It’s going to stay the Kings Head. Nothing changes, just the people who sign the checks,” Ruth said. Boettcher and Tavey couldn’t be reached for comment, but those who know the two restaurateurs seemed to confirm this.

It’s not surprising that the new owners would want to keep the place the way it is. What began in 1974 as a modest beer bar on the West end of Santa Monica Boulevard -- “a quiet part of town back then,” said Phil -- has since become a landmark business in a thriving downtown area.

“It’s been the center of the British community here for a long time,” said Phil, “and that’s what a pub is: a public house.”

Ruth agreed, saying it’s “a home away from home for the Brits. Whatever they want from home, they can come here and find it.”

And that might include finding your favorite British rock band. Led Zeppelin, the Who, Black Sabbath, the Kinks, ELO, Rod Stewart, Bad Company, Oasis, Super Tramp (and the Sex Pistols whom Phil said “weren’t such a bad lot. The press really did a number on them, that’s all”) have all paid the Kings Head at least one visit.

Sometimes things got a little out of hand. Ruth recalled one night in the early days when she “eighty-sixed” Who drummer Keith Moon. “He was clowning around and I said ‘enough is enough!” she explained.

A few days later, when accounts of the episode appeared in the British press, the Elwells received a phone call from England. It was Moon’s grandmother who wanted to know what had happened, explaining that her drummer-grandson was supposed to be in rehab, Ruth said.

The celebrity clientele also seems to include just about every actor who ever made a picture. “Everyone from Cary Grant to Hugh Grant,” said Ruth. “They’ve all been here.”

But many customers have found more than just famous people inside the Kings Head. The pub’s comfortable atmosphere of soft upholstered booths, deep oil paintings and vintage wallpaper has been the springboard for many a romance.

“We’ve been to so many weddings. So many people met here,” said Ruth, adding that some of those couples now have children who visit the pub. “It makes me feel old.”

“Thirty-one years,” reflected Phil. “It sure has gone by fast.”

“It sure has,” agreed Ruth. “For more than half my life I’ve been in the Kings Head,” she said, adding that selling the business is “very sad for us, but we just need to do it.”