The New York Times reported Jan. 22 that Barrymore's would close at the end of January. The Shubert Organization, which owns the building which houses the eatery, confirmed the news. Barrymore's is expected to stay open until Sunday, Jan. 29. The closing comes only a couple weeks after Broadway habitues bid farewell to McHale's, a bar popular with stagehands and other rank and file types. The watering hole, located for more than 50 years at the northeast corner of 46th and Eighth Avenue, shut up on Jan. 16 and has since been gutted of all furniture and equipment.

Other recent closings include the Howard Johnson's facing Time Square and JR's, another 46th Street restaurant. The McHale's site will be taken over by a 42-story highrise.

While not as storied as such theatrical food-and-drink meccas as Sardi's and Joe Allen's, Barrymore's was a popular standby with numerous theatre professionals, who were attracted by the cozy atmosphere and affordable (by area standards) menu.