The Point Loma bar has not changed addresses, ownership, or liquor license. What has changed is its name and public positioning, a notable shift for a space that has historically resisted reinvention. The new name references 1924, the year the bar first opened as The 19th Hole, a quiet stop for golfers playing the nearby Sail Ho course at what is now Liberty Station. According to the bar’s own history, a storm famously tore the “19” from the sign, leaving behind the accidental name The Hole, which endured for decades without marketing, polish, or explanation.
Ownership says the timing reflects a broader recalibration rather than a sudden break. “The space has over a century of cultural significance, and in every era it has reflected the culture of its time, regardless of the name on the door,” representatives told SanDiegoVille. “Building community is as relevant now as it was during the Great Depression or Prohibition. People are looking for more intentional, meaningful connections, especially in uncertain times, and this change allowed the bar to align with that need.”
Over time, The Hole became far more than a neighborhood bar. Long before visibility or safety were guaranteed, it emerged as one of San Diego’s first openly gay bars, operating as a place of quiet acceptance during eras when discretion was often a matter of survival. Through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, it evolved into a sanctuary, then a social anchor, and ultimately an institution, known for its garden patio, no-frills drinks, and legendary Sunday Beer Busts that regularly drew hundreds. For many patrons, The Hole was not simply a bar but a living archive of San Diego’s LGBTQ history.
The transition to Bar 1924 is therefore not a cosmetic update. It is a meaningful and emotional shift for a space that has carried its identity largely unchanged for more than six decades. Ownership acknowledges the weight of that history, saying the decision was not made lightly.
“We understood the emotional attachment and didn’t dismiss it,” they said. “At the same time, the atmosphere and menu have been evolving for years, and the response from longtime patrons who continue to frequent the bar has been overwhelmingly positive. The goal wasn’t to erase the past, but to ensure the space could continue forward in a way that’s sustainable.”
According to ownership, Bar 1924 allows for a more deliberate, long-term operating philosophy. Sustainability now sits at the center of the concept, with steps including eliminating bottled water through filtration, minimizing single-use plastics, and relying on citrus, herbs, and garnishes grown on-site from a garden cultivated over several years.
According to ownership, Bar 1924 allows for a more deliberate, long-term operating philosophy. Sustainability now sits at the center of the concept, with steps including eliminating bottled water through filtration, minimizing single-use plastics, and relying on citrus, herbs, and garnishes grown on-site from a garden cultivated over several years.
“The building itself is over 100 years old,” they noted, “and a lower-key environment allows us to reduce waste, lower repair costs, and care for the space properly so it can be used year-round and for years to come.”
Still, the rebrand has raised quiet but pointed questions within San Diego’s LGBTQ community. While Bar 1924 emphasizes restraint, intimacy, and what it describes as “quiet pride,” the new branding notably avoids explicitly acknowledging The Hole’s long-standing role as a gay bar. Language suggesting that authenticity need not be “shouted” has struck some longtime patrons as less like reverence and more like distancing, particularly given that visibility, not subtlety, was historically what allowed spaces like The Hole to exist at all.
Ownership disputes the idea that the bar is stepping away from its LGBTQ roots. “From the outset, the bar has supported the LGBTQ community - that history is part of its DNA,” they said. “Honoring it doesn’t require recreating the same model. Our focus is on creating an intentional, welcoming space where people can gather, talk, and connect. Our patrons remain as diverse as ever.”
The shift also reflects a conscious move away from the high-volume dive bar model that defined much of The Hole’s reputation. “A high-volume dive bar can be tough on a 100-year-old building and often makes it difficult to build long-term community,” ownership said. “Improving how the bar operates day to day—cleanliness, consistency, and sustainability - was more important than preserving a specific label.”
Since 2015, the property has been operated by Lytton Partners LLC, with longtime owners Karen Sherman and Roger Hull guiding the bar through its centennial era. California ABC records confirm the original on-sale general public premises license remains active at the same address, reinforcing that this is an evolution rather than a sale or closure.
For longtime patrons, the change may feel bittersweet. The Hole was never polished by design, and that roughness was part of its power. Bar 1924, by contrast, is intentional, curated, and reflective. Ownership acknowledges that not everyone will make the transition. “Some longtime guests will stay and others will move on, which is a normal part of any transition,” they said. “Our priority is building a space that’s welcoming, intentional, and approachable for those who choose to be here now.”
Whether the new identity ultimately strengthens the bar’s legacy or complicates it will depend on how well it balances reverence for what came before with the realities of what a neighborhood bar must be in 2026. What is undeniable is that a space that has quietly witnessed nearly a century of San Diego life is making one of the boldest moves in its history. A bar that once survived by staying under the radar is now choosing to redefine how its story is told.
Still, the rebrand has raised quiet but pointed questions within San Diego’s LGBTQ community. While Bar 1924 emphasizes restraint, intimacy, and what it describes as “quiet pride,” the new branding notably avoids explicitly acknowledging The Hole’s long-standing role as a gay bar. Language suggesting that authenticity need not be “shouted” has struck some longtime patrons as less like reverence and more like distancing, particularly given that visibility, not subtlety, was historically what allowed spaces like The Hole to exist at all.
Ownership disputes the idea that the bar is stepping away from its LGBTQ roots. “From the outset, the bar has supported the LGBTQ community - that history is part of its DNA,” they said. “Honoring it doesn’t require recreating the same model. Our focus is on creating an intentional, welcoming space where people can gather, talk, and connect. Our patrons remain as diverse as ever.”
The shift also reflects a conscious move away from the high-volume dive bar model that defined much of The Hole’s reputation. “A high-volume dive bar can be tough on a 100-year-old building and often makes it difficult to build long-term community,” ownership said. “Improving how the bar operates day to day—cleanliness, consistency, and sustainability - was more important than preserving a specific label.”
Since 2015, the property has been operated by Lytton Partners LLC, with longtime owners Karen Sherman and Roger Hull guiding the bar through its centennial era. California ABC records confirm the original on-sale general public premises license remains active at the same address, reinforcing that this is an evolution rather than a sale or closure.
For longtime patrons, the change may feel bittersweet. The Hole was never polished by design, and that roughness was part of its power. Bar 1924, by contrast, is intentional, curated, and reflective. Ownership acknowledges that not everyone will make the transition. “Some longtime guests will stay and others will move on, which is a normal part of any transition,” they said. “Our priority is building a space that’s welcoming, intentional, and approachable for those who choose to be here now.”
Whether the new identity ultimately strengthens the bar’s legacy or complicates it will depend on how well it balances reverence for what came before with the realities of what a neighborhood bar must be in 2026. What is undeniable is that a space that has quietly witnessed nearly a century of San Diego life is making one of the boldest moves in its history. A bar that once survived by staying under the radar is now choosing to redefine how its story is told.
Bar 1924 is now open at 2820 Lytton Street in San Diego's Point Loma. For more information, visit bar1924sd.com.
Originally published January 14, 2026.
Originally published January 14, 2026.