On June 30, The Local's owners, part of the Social Syndicate group, sent an email to certain business vendors notifying them of the immediate closure and stating they were unable to fulfill outstanding financial obligations. The surprise shutdown, which was not announced on any of the company's social media channels, marked the end of a 22-year run for the beloved sports bar and pub, which had become a downtown staple since first opening in 2003. A copy of the email, reviewed by SanDiegoVille, shows that The Local cited "circumstances beyond our control".
Into that void steps Modern Times Beer, which confirmed via sales and marketing representative Ethan Ward that its upcoming concept, Timestead, will take over the former The Local and Resident Brewing spaces. Described as a "time-bending, retro-futurist hideaway," the concept imagines a space cowboy settling down in San Diego after decades of interdimensional travel - his new home base a mashup of 1970s sci-fi aesthetics, legacy Modern Times beer art, and deep San Diego cultural ties.
Timestead will feature a full beverage program for the first time in Modern Times' history, thanks to a newly acquired liquor license. In addition to the brand's renowned craft beer and roasted coffee, the bar will offer creative coffee-forward cocktails like espresso martinis and Carajillos, along with new drinks that reinterpret classic Modern Times beer names through a cosmic lens. There will also be a full food menu that moves beyond the vegan-exclusive offerings that have become a staple at other locations.
Sports will also play a larger role at Timestead than in any prior Modern Times location, but with a curated twist. The bar will embrace what it's calling the "Three Ps": Premier League, Padres, and Packers - paying homage to The Local's Green Bay ties, San Diego’s baseball loyalty, and the city’s growing interest in international soccer. Expect English Premier League matchdays, retro sports visuals, and a curated match calendar promoted via the newly launched @moderntimespubs social media hub.
Beyond drinks and sports, Timestead is positioning itself as a cultural hub. The bar is collaborating with Hometown Wave, the San Diego brand behind San Diego FC’s away kit, on a limited-edition merch line that will be available onsite. Additionally, a partnership with Vinyl Record Rarities will bring a reel-to-reel vinyl system and analog music sessions to the space, including pop-up DJ sets and listening parties.
The former Resident Brewing back bar will be reborn as a flexible private event space, accessible via a possible speakeasy-style entrance. Modern Times is also considering a revival of brewing operations on-site, depending on a future collaboration partner, and plans to roast its coffee and produce cold brew in-house.
On the outside, a large wheatpaste mural is in the works - merging decades of Modern Times can art with Padres imagery, vintage football posters, and sci-fi iconography, all wrapped into the Timestead theme. While the brand is now owned by Duncan Ward - who also holds a leadership role at Buona Forchetta - Maui Brewing remains a silent equity holder following its acquisition of Modern Times in 2022.
This downtown opening comes as The Local relocates to the former Bootlegger spot in East Village, aiming for a more sustainable footprint. Meanwhile, Modern Times continues to evolve, having closed its original Point Loma brewery and shifted production to AleSmith Brewing in Miramar, while maintaining popular tasting rooms in North Park and Encinitas.
Modern Times Timestead is expected to open in late summer 2025 at 1065 Fourth Avenue in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit moderntimesbeer.com.
Timestead will feature a full beverage program for the first time in Modern Times' history, thanks to a newly acquired liquor license. In addition to the brand's renowned craft beer and roasted coffee, the bar will offer creative coffee-forward cocktails like espresso martinis and Carajillos, along with new drinks that reinterpret classic Modern Times beer names through a cosmic lens. There will also be a full food menu that moves beyond the vegan-exclusive offerings that have become a staple at other locations.
Sports will also play a larger role at Timestead than in any prior Modern Times location, but with a curated twist. The bar will embrace what it's calling the "Three Ps": Premier League, Padres, and Packers - paying homage to The Local's Green Bay ties, San Diego’s baseball loyalty, and the city’s growing interest in international soccer. Expect English Premier League matchdays, retro sports visuals, and a curated match calendar promoted via the newly launched @moderntimespubs social media hub.
Beyond drinks and sports, Timestead is positioning itself as a cultural hub. The bar is collaborating with Hometown Wave, the San Diego brand behind San Diego FC’s away kit, on a limited-edition merch line that will be available onsite. Additionally, a partnership with Vinyl Record Rarities will bring a reel-to-reel vinyl system and analog music sessions to the space, including pop-up DJ sets and listening parties.
The former Resident Brewing back bar will be reborn as a flexible private event space, accessible via a possible speakeasy-style entrance. Modern Times is also considering a revival of brewing operations on-site, depending on a future collaboration partner, and plans to roast its coffee and produce cold brew in-house.
On the outside, a large wheatpaste mural is in the works - merging decades of Modern Times can art with Padres imagery, vintage football posters, and sci-fi iconography, all wrapped into the Timestead theme. While the brand is now owned by Duncan Ward - who also holds a leadership role at Buona Forchetta - Maui Brewing remains a silent equity holder following its acquisition of Modern Times in 2022.
This downtown opening comes as The Local relocates to the former Bootlegger spot in East Village, aiming for a more sustainable footprint. Meanwhile, Modern Times continues to evolve, having closed its original Point Loma brewery and shifted production to AleSmith Brewing in Miramar, while maintaining popular tasting rooms in North Park and Encinitas.
Modern Times Timestead is expected to open in late summer 2025 at 1065 Fourth Avenue in downtown San Diego. For more information, visit moderntimesbeer.com.
Originally published on July 3, 2025.
