For 101 Cantina, eight-year run ends tonight

Once the thick crowds of college students exhaust last calls for alcohol and slowly scatter from Midtown’s bar scene early Saturday morning, 101 Cantina will close its doors for good.

After eight years spent across the street from UF’s campus, where it served for many as a welcome escape from the stressors of academia, the bar and restaurant announced Friday it’s run was over.

Since August, Cantina faced the threat of foreclosure after its owners could not pay back $68,322 in debts owed to investors, Alachua County court records show.

Then, in September, the bar’s landlord demanded owners pay back $21,181 in overdue rent, according to court records.

Erik Zika, Cantina’s general manager, broke the news of the bar’s closing in a bleak, long-winded Facebook post.

“With much heartache, the day that we never thought would happen is now upon us,” the post read. “This will be 101 Cantina's final night open in Gainesville.”

Zika’s post, which was shared more than 300 times, assured patrons that the bar's owners did what they could to stay open while dealing with its legal battles.

“You put your heart, blood, soul, tears — and it ends,” Zika, 34, said. “It’s not going to be a happy time.”

But for the night — and into the morning — Cantina will host one final drunken celebration, a fitting send off for one of Midtown’s most recognizable bars.

Zika said the usual Friday-night Happy Hour deals, which last from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., will be in full effect. Bargoers can buy discounted shots of liquor, pitchers of beer and Jägerbombs.

When Zach Feldman, 23, found out Friday would be his last time at the bar, he slipped on a pair of jeans and convened with friends for one final round of drinks.

Feldman forecasted Cantina’s send off would be “packed,” a typical Friday night at a bar he won't soon forget.

“I have had too many great memories here — a lot of drunk memories,” the UF real estate graduate student said.

mkornfield@alligator.org

@merylkornfield