Why Is The Dungeon in Grandville Closed?
If you tried to grab a drink at 3594 Chicago Drive SW this week, you were likely met with locked doors and perhaps a feeling of déjà vu.
Less than a year after its big comeback, Grandville’s medieval-themed bar, The Dungeon, has temporarily closed its doors. Already, questions are mounting about if and when it will reopen.
A $1M Renovation and a Brief Comeback
The venue has seen plenty of changes over the last few years. The original GrandVilla building, which housed both The Villa and The Dungeon, officially closed back in 2022 after almost 90 years in business.
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Shortly after, new owners Manoj Mulki and Nina Mahesh took over the property and poured $1 million into a three-year renovation. The space reopened on August 29, 2025, debuting as a speakeasy-style lounge and restaurant downstairs with an event venue upstairs called The Villa.
The Dungeon in Grandville Shuts Its Doors Temporarily
Now, less than twelve months into that fresh start, the lights downstairs at The Dungeon in Grandville are off again.
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Owner Manoj Mulki originally told Wood TV 8 that the restaurant was forced to pause operations because their executive chef left to pursue another opportunity. He added that he hoped to reopen in two to three weeks once a replacement is found.
A notice posted on The Dungeon's website reads:
The Dungeon restaurant is temporarily closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience. Please check back for updates. We look forward to serving you again soon!
Former Staff Offer Different Perspective
However, new reporting from Wood TV 8 shows the story is evolving.
The former executive chef says he actually gave owners a 30-day notice on August 6 and fully intended to work through September. Instead, he says ownership terminated him this week. Staff members also reported ongoing financial troubles leading up to the shutdown, including slashed hours, bounced vendor checks, and struggles to stay profitable.
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Former general manager Brenna De Young and server Zach Manning told Wood TV 8 that about 15 employees were blindsided when they were suddenly locked out of their scheduling apps and work accounts on Monday morning without warning.
It appears the official Facebook page for The Dungeon has also been deactivated.
Local Theater Group Stranded and Event Space Status
The sudden closure caught at least one local production off-guard. Theatre group Betka-Pope Productions posted on Facebook:
We were informed that The Dungeon Bar in Grandville closed earlier today without notice- leaving their incredible staff without jobs, and us without a venue for our production of The Last Five Years.
The group expressed sympathy for the venue's former employees while scrambling to find an emergency venue for their August 21 through 23 show dates.
In a statement to Wood TV 8, Mulki says ownership is working with consultants to evaluate the future of the business.
For anyone holding upcoming reservations upstairs, the Villa Bar & Banquet event space is still open and running while The Dungeon remains closed.
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Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill
