Larkspur’s Silver Peso Begins a New Chapter Under New Owners

The Silver Peso in Larkspur is changing hands. Marin County neighbors are evolving their beloved local bar.

Tiburon resident Conor Flaherty and Corte Madera’s Max Perry, who manage Sam’s Anchor Cafe, are taking over. They hope to reopen by St. Patrick’s Day, but that depends on a liquor-license transfer.

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They want to keep the bar’s dive-bar DNA and longtime traditions. The booze-forward menu and communal atmosphere will stay, even as new owners and a different vibe aim to carry the Peso into a new era for folks from Belvedere to Novato.

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New Ownership Brings a Fresh, Yet Familiar Vibe to Larkspur and Marin County

Flaherty and Perry, who went to high school together, have spent years as Marin County patrons. Flaherty will focus on overall operations, while Perry handles the day-to-day hospitality.

Their partnership comes from their shared history with Sam’s Anchor Cafe and a real love for the Silver Peso’s spot on Front Street. They insist they won’t rebrand the Peso’s energy; instead, they want to honor what’s drawn generations of Marin diners and drinkers, but add some thoughtful updates.

The building’s new stewards are trusted names in the Larkspur–Corte Madera–Mill Valley corridor. Neighborhood pride really fuels their plan.

The two partners are working closely with the city as they handle permit and license transfers. That collaboration feels true to Marin County’s usual way of protecting beloved community spaces while still nudging things forward.

The Peso’s revival ties into the bigger Marin scene. From the fancy spots in Sausalito to the family-friendly streets of San Anselmo and San Rafael, locals see Front Street as a social anchor.

It’s not just Larkspur that’ll feel the impact. The Peso’s comeback will ripple through nearby towns, resonating with longtime customers who’ve wandered over from Corte Madera’s shopping districts or Tiburon’s ferry-adjacent eateries, just looking for a familiar, convivial stop after a day at the beach.

What’s Changing (and What Isn’t) at the Silver Peso

Renovations are moving along, but the Peso’s soul isn’t going anywhere. The partnership has nearly finished major structural updates to the historic building, which Town residents Tommy and Shannon Lamanna bought last year.

They’ve worked closely with city staff to keep the reopening on track. Inside, there’s new flooring, upgraded bathrooms, refreshed beer taps, and a modern point-of-sale system.

Still, the partners keep saying the bar’s dive-bar DNA—that rowdy spirit, the laughter, the sense of place—will stick around.

Maintain the Peso’s energy and convivial vibe, with no rebranding on the horizon
Keep a booze-forward menu that locals know and love
Preserve the communal, everyone-knows-your-name atmosphere that draws neighbors from Larkspur, Corte Madera, and San Rafael
Honor Rebel Lee’s legacy with a possible special cocktail named after the former owner
Reopen by St. Patrick’s Day pending the liquor-license transfer and final inspections

This building’s history goes way back. The site has housed drinks since the 1930s, and it became the Silver Peso in 1961, named for Chester Wolmack’s post‑WWII silver-coin salvage.

That legacy shapes everything the new team does, even as they add updates that Marin County folks genuinely appreciate. They’re not about to let the Peso lose its unmistakable character.

Rebel Lee ran the Peso from 2015, guiding it through chaos—a car crashing into the building, the pandemic, all of it. After years of service and tough health battles, he left the business and lease to the new owners.

Lee, sober for three decades, always spoke about the Peso’s community and the people who made it matter. He called Flaherty “a man with a heart” who truly loves the county, and he seemed sure the Peso would stay a gathering spot for locals, from Marin’s coastal towns to the inland communities.

Flaherty and Perry plan to honor Lee’s legacy—maybe with a cocktail in his name—and keep the Silver Peso as a community anchor. For Marin County folks from Mill Valley to San Anselmo, and for everyone who’s made the Peso part of their routine, this feels more like a continuation than a big change.

It’s still the spot where neighbors meet after a day on Bridgeway or a hike near Mount Tamalpais, from Larkspur’s Courthouse Square to the lively corners of Corte Madera’s center.

The Silver Peso’s next chapter is shaping up to blend Marin County’s small-town charm with a fresh, modern energy. As Larkspur and all its neighbors—from Sausalito to Fairfax—watch, the Peso stands as proof that you can keep local culture alive while inviting in something new.

Here is the source article for this story: Larkspur’s Silver Peso begins new chapter

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Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.