"Bottle Rocket is on its last legs," co-owner Elias Delgado said in a video posted to Instagram. "We’ve come to the very, very tough decision to shut this place down. Our last days are sometime in late October. We were able to get a couple more months on our lease extension but we won’t be able to renew, unfortunately, due to just way too many factors to list on here."
Bottle Rocket debuted in late 2019 with a revamped interior and a menu featuring smash burgers, hot chicken sandwiches, wings, cheesesteaks, and a broad mix of local craft beers, ciders, wine, and cocktails. Its 30 taps highlighted San Diego breweries alongside regional standouts, a continuation of the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for craft beer. The rear portion of the former Monkey Paw brewery was reimagined into a game room, reflecting the concept's casual and communal spirit.
The bar was the latest chapter for the 16th Street address, which had long been home to Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery. Monkey Paw was originally opened by Scot Blair, a controversial operator whose other ventures included Hamilton’s Tavern and South Park Brewing, which suspiciously burned down in November 2020. Blair's reputation in San Diego soured after years of legal disputes and his name surfacing repeatedly in 2021 among widespread accusations of misconduct in the craft beer industry. Monkey Paw was acquired by Coronado Brewing Company in 2017 but ultimately shuttered the following year, leaving the space vacant until Bottle Rocket's arrival.
Despite a strong start, Bottle Rocket faced the same economic and operational headwinds that have weighed heavily on San Diego’s independent bar and restaurant scene in recent years. Rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and challenges tied to downtown's development, or lack thereof, have made it increasingly difficult for operators to sustain long-term.
Bottle Rocket's impending closure follows on the heels of other ventures by its ownership group, including the transformation of the Longhorn Bar & Grill in Grantville into The Duke Cocktails & Grub, which opened earlier this year. The group’s continued evolution in San Diego’s hospitality landscape suggests their focus will turn toward fresh projects even as Bottle Rocket winds down.
Bottle Rocket is expected to remain open through late October at 805 16th Street in San Diego's East Village. No successor for the 16th Street space has yet been announced. For more information, visit bottlerocketsd.com.
Originally published on August 17, 2025.
