Tom Schwartz says launching new bar ‘put us through the f**king gauntlet’ 

Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval got real about just how difficult it was for them to launch their new bar Schwartz and Sandy’s.

Speaking with DailyMail.com at the opening of their establishment on Tuesday, Schwartz, 39, admitted the grueling venture tested their friendship.

‘We sat down before we started this venture and we’re like ‘this is going to put our friendship to the test.’ And it did. Nothing would ever come between us but, honestly, it was strained. I think at some point it got stretched so thin it became transparent. [laughs] That’s some quote from a book. It put us through the f**king gauntlet.’

‘It put us through the f**king gauntlet’: Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval got real about just how difficult it was for them to launch their new bar, Schwartz and Sandy’s

‘Yeah, it did. Everybody has their own ways of dealing with stress and frustration. I feel the best part about it is, we really just sort of leaned on each other even more. Being in the trenches with somebody, like really being in the trenches, putting everything on the line. You really get to know somebody,’ Sandoval added.

‘Literal blood sweat and tears,’ Schwartz said. Sandoval then showed his fingers, which were cut and bled onto his suit. Fortunately, he was able to get the stain out.

Now, the duo are just taking it all in.  

‘I feel spellbound,’ Schwartz told DailyMail.com. ‘I’m in a state of mini shock, not to be melodramatic. Because we’ve just been, you know, at it for so long.’

'Literal blood sweat and tears': Schwartz said of the work they put into the endeavor

‘Literal blood sweat and tears’: Schwartz said of the work they put into the endeavor 

Raising the bar! The duo beamed with pride on opening night of their new establishment

Raising the bar! The duo beamed with pride on opening night of their new establishment 

Yum! Drinks were flowing throughout the night

Yum! Drinks were flowing throughout the night 

Soaking it all in: 'I feel spellbound,' Schwartz told DailyMail.com. 'I’m in a state of mini shock, not to be melodramatic. Because we’ve just been, you know, at it for so long'

Soaking it all in: ‘I feel spellbound,’ Schwartz told DailyMail.com. ‘I’m in a state of mini shock, not to be melodramatic. Because we’ve just been, you know, at it for so long’ 

‘We loved learning the hard way with this one. This has been a full collaborative effort. One of the greatest and hardest parts is having to rely on other people and being there waiting, like our booths were so late – like seven months late,’ Sandoval admitted.

The dynamic duo definitely put in plenty of work, from the design to the food and drinks.

The Toms were very involved in the menu.

Schwartz’s favorite drink on the menu is a banana old fashioned, and he made the banana syrup himself. He even juiced all the cucumbers for their Fresh Start cocktail.

Hands on approach: The dynamic duo definitely put in plenty of work, from the design to the food and drinks

Hands on approach: The dynamic duo definitely put in plenty of work, from the design to the food and drinks

Sandoval, on the other hand, made the pistachio syrup for their espresso cocktail shots.

‘I want people to be able to escape and relax and settle in. Go on a first date, meet up with friends – meet up with new friends, make some friends,’ Sandoval said.

Schwartz also expressed his appreciation for the neighborhood where they have set up shop.

‘We know this is a very sacred special neighborhood. I love Franklin Village, it’s a neighborhood cocktail lounge, but it’s also a destination spot, you know? And it’s just like I when I first moved to L.A., I fell in love with West Hollywood, first, I fell in love with this man [Sandoval]. And the second place I fell in love with was Franklin f**king Village and now we’re opening a bar here. We have a bar, West Hollywood. I mean, the rest of my life is trash, I’ll be honest.’

'A long time': Sandoval's girlfriend Ariana Madix also weighed in just how difficult it was for them to launch the bar

‘A long time’: Sandoval’s girlfriend Ariana Madix also weighed in just how difficult it was for them to launch the bar

Girls night! Madix posed with fellow Vanderpump pal Katie Maloney

Girls night! Madix posed with fellow Vanderpump pal Katie Maloney 

Sandoval’s girlfriend Ariana Madix also weighed in just how difficult it was for them to launch the bar.

‘I feel like I have to be very careful not to take on a lot of the stress because I tend to do that. I have to draw the line. I take it on emotionally,’ she told DailyMail.com.

‘I am so happy and I’m so happy for them because it’s just been a long time of them working so hard. Even when there were delays, that mental load that you’re carrying [stays.] So, I’m excited for them to be able to kind of see the fruits of their labors.’

She also dished on what fans can expect from season 10 of Vanderpump Rules.

Sneak peek! Scheana Shay also said fans should expect to see a 'different dynamic' to their relationships in season 10

Sneak peek! Scheana Shay also said fans should expect to see a ‘different dynamic’ to their relationships in season 10

Music maker! Meanwhile, music for the evening was provided by Vanderpump favorite DJ James Kennedy

Music maker! Meanwhile, music for the evening was provided by Vanderpump favorite DJ James Kennedy

‘What I can say is that it feels very different. Obviously, it feels fun and fresh. There’s like so much stuff that I think – even just behind the scenes – it’s slightly different. And, also, being around people like Schwartz and Katie who I only really knew as a couple – and James and Raquel – they’re in such different places than they were even a year ago,’ she said.

Scheana Shay also said fans should expect to see a ‘different dynamic’ to their relationships in season 10.

‘I think you’ll see a different dynamic to relationships. Like a lot of us have gotten so much closer in the past year and even since the reunion. So I think you’ll see a different dynamic,’ she told DailyMail.com.

Tuned in! Kennedy pictured behind the DJ booth

Tuned in! Kennedy pictured behind the DJ booth 

Living it up! Guests celebrated the launch of the newest bar joining Franklin Village

Living it up! Guests celebrated the launch of the newest bar joining Franklin Village

Stunning: Velvet chairs and colorful wallpaper added to the magical ambiance

Stunning: Velvet chairs and colorful wallpaper added to the magical ambiance 

'We know this is a very sacred special neighborhood. I love Franklin Village, it's a neighborhood cocktail lounge, but it's also a destination spot, you know?' Schwartz said of the area

‘We know this is a very sacred special neighborhood. I love Franklin Village, it’s a neighborhood cocktail lounge, but it’s also a destination spot, you know?’ Schwartz said of the area 

She also discussed her newly repaired relationship with Lala Kent. Their friendship was fractured after Lala blasted Scheana’s fiance Brock Davies over his past. 

But now, they are in a much better place.  

‘I feel like we just finally figured out how to communicate with each other, and we’re just in a really good place. Our kids were together for the 4th of July and it was so much fun,’ she said.

Scheana also said Lala now sees Brock for who he is: ‘I think she’s seen the amazing man that he is and they’ve gotten a lot closer.’

Meanwhile, music for the evening was provided by Vanderpump favorite DJ James Kennedy.

Kennedy also performed at the opening of Tom Tom in 2018, but was forced to DJ next to packets of toilet paper.

‘The grand opening of TomTom, they didn’t have a DJ booth at all for me. This one is still a little bit small for my liking but upstairs [at TomTom] I was DJing in the manager’s office. I had to sit on a f**king 18 pack of Charmin Ultra,’ he explained.

Still, James is incredibly happy for the success of his friends.

‘I’m like one of the closest guys to them, you know, outside of their work bubble. I’m just so happy for them both. All Tom’s talked about for the last two years was this bar. So, I’m kind of excited to talk about something else.’

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk