The move effectively gives new life to a piece of North County history. Captain Keno’s, a landmark along Coast Highway since 1970, was a symbol of old-school coastal grit - a cash-only refuge for cheap breakfasts, stiff drinks, and regulars who treated the place like home. The bar was founded by Gerry Sova, who famously funded the business with casino winnings, and became a fixture for surfers, fishermen, and locals who valued its dim lighting, red booths, and no-nonsense hospitality. The property was sold in 2021 for $10.5 million to developer RAF Pacifica Group, which began demolition this summer to make way for the Moonlight Mixed-Use Project.
Now, as the physical structure disappears from Encinitas, the Captain Keno’s liquor license will pour its legacy into a very different setting - the upgraded Regal Mira Mesa Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX, known for its cutting-edge technology, luxury recliners, and immersive ScreenX panoramic theater. The theater's upcoming alcohol menu will feature everything from classic margaritas and Long Island iced teas to spiked lemonades, mojitos, and specialty cocktails like the Peach Whiskey Smash and Cherry Bourbon Blast.
The expanded offerings signal another evolution for Regal’s Mira Mesa location, which has become a hub for moviegoers across San Diego. The theater chain has spent recent years recovering from Cineworld’s 2022 bankruptcy and nationwide closures, and the addition of a full bar suggests a push toward premium, experience-driven entertainment. Recently licensed by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Regal Mira Mesa joins the growing list of cinemas across the country offering full adult-beverage service to enhance the moviegoing experience in an attempt to bring adults back into seats.
For longtime North County residents, though, the real headline is Captain Keno’s enduring spirit - one that refuses to fade quietly into history. While its building has been leveled, its liquor license will soon live on in a new form, far from the sticky floors and neon glow of Leucadia, but still part of San Diego’s story.
Regal Edwards Mira Mesa is located at 10733 Westview Parkway in San Diego's Mira Mesa community. For more information, visit regmovies.com/theatres/regal-edwards-mira-mesa-1043.
Originally published on November 11, 2025.