Danny Meyer's Hospitality Group Recalls 2020 'Disaster' Five Years On, Pursuing Strategic Evolution Amid Industry Shifts

Five years after the initial shockwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread closures across the hospitality sector, a recent social media post by user "bettersoma" reflected on the profound impact on restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). The tweet, referencing a 2020 New York Times article about the closure of The Modern's Bar Room, starkly stated, > "Danny Meyer says see ya later I’m not gonna be the last man standing. What a disaster." This sentiment captures the unprecedented challenges faced by the industry.

In March 2020, Meyer, a highly influential figure in New York's dining scene, made the difficult decision to temporarily shutter all 19 of USHG's New York City restaurants, including acclaimed establishments like Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe. This move, which also affected The Modern, came after a customer at the restaurant tested positive for COVID-19. Meyer emphasized that the closures were a necessary step to "prevent the spread of this pandemic" and prioritize public safety.

The tweet's phrase "not gonna be the last man standing" underscored the widespread devastation that swept through the restaurant industry. Beyond the temporary closures, USHG faced permanent changes, such as the December 2020 closure of Blue Smoke's Flatiron location, attributed to sustained revenue loss and unresolved rent negotiations. Many industry experts at the time predicted a wave of failures without substantial federal intervention.

USHG has continued to navigate a complex and evolving landscape. In August 2023, two more of Meyer's restaurants, Marta and Maialino (vicino), located in the Redbury Hotel, ceased operations. This decision followed the hotel's repurposing into a migrant shelter, which significantly impacted the viability of hotel-related food and beverage services.

Despite these hurdles, Meyer and USHG have demonstrated resilience and a strategic approach to the post-pandemic era. In April 2025, Meyer unveiled a new venture, overseeing the reopening of The View, a revolving restaurant atop the New York Marriott Marquis, signaling a pivot towards unique dining experiences. Meyer noted that diners are increasingly seeking "places that turned up the dial on the experience, the kind of thing you could never get at home," and confirmed that USHG's restaurants have returned to pre-pandemic employment levels with reduced turnover rates.