By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com San Diego Nightlife Blogger
Bootlegger, a San Diego bar institution and favorite locals’ hangout, has closed its doors after 13 years.
“Let’s meet at ‘the Boot,’ ” was a familiar refrain for many in the Gaslamp Quarter/East Village area when deciding where to go out, for people knew they could get good food and drinks, be welcomed by familiar smiling faces behind the bar and be in a lively environment that was both unpretentious and fun.
Ironically, for a bar named Bootlegger, the announcement of its closure came just a few days after the anniversary of the Volstead Act, which began the era of Prohibition in the United States on Jan. 17 back in 1920. Bootlegger had its farewell party Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24 & 25, before it went dark. Management posted this message on its Facebook page:
All good things must come to an end…
After 13 years, Bootlegger is closing its doors for good. This weekend marks The Last Last Call, and we want YOU to be part of it!
Join us one final time to raise a glass, share memories, and send Bootlegger off in style.
A huge THANK YOU to East Village, our amazing San Diego Bama fans, the San Diego Gold Rush fans, our incredible staff (past and present), and of course, our beloved regulars & Boot fam—you’ve made Bootlegger the special place it’s been for over a decade.
Let’s make this last weekend one for the books!
See you Friday + Saturday at Boot. Cheers to 13 years of memories!”
Bootlegger will be missed by many. It was the raucous home of the University of Alabama San Diego alumni chapter. Every fall Saturday, 100+ Bama fans would fill the place cheering, high-fiving each other after big plays and, after big wins, singing and dancing to “Dixieland Delight.” During commercials the DJ would play country songs that caused me to say that “Bootlegger brings out the inner redneck in me” on football Saturdays.
It was even more crowded on Sundays for San Francisco 49er games.
In between it was a hot singles hangout on weekend nights and also a comforable place for locals such as myself to go for other sports events, to take visiting friends, to meet out with local friends or just to have a beer by one’s self. I always felt at home in Bootlegger. The staff became “bar friends” rather than servers. I’ll miss it, especially on fall Saturdays.
“The future of the space isn’t clear yet, but I’m hoping something really cool happens,” said co-founder Mark Huber. “That whole area is turning over. Hopefully, the next iteration of that space brings back the life to East Village it used to provide. It’s the proper end to amazing story and the start of something new for everyone involved. On behalf of everyone in the Bootlegger family past and present, thank you East Village and the greater San Diego community for all the love, support and great memories we shared together over the years.”
Huber, along with co-owners Russell Hampton and Hoffman Leung, created Social Syndicate group which also owns Wonderland Ocean Pub in Ocean Beach, The Local in Pacific Beach and The Rabbit Hole in Normal Heights. One rumor has it that The Local will be taking over the spot. It’s coveted location, at 8th & Market.
I supposed it’s true that all good things must come to an end sometime. It’s just that with some things, you never want it to end.
That is an unanswered question. Nobody really seems to know the answer.
Been googling with same question, but I can’t find the answer..
WHY did Bootlegger Bar in East Village, SD leave such a popular, and well-loved sports bar?? Not enough business/bucks??