Owner and founder Craig MacDonald opened the first Hooley’s Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s Day in 1999, fulfilling a longtime dream inspired by the warm, communal pub culture he experienced while traveling through Europe in the 1980s. From that original Rancho San Diego location, MacDonald and partners later expanded with a second location in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center where Hooleys Public House became a local fixture for hearty food and pints well-poured.
In today’s social-media announcement, the La Mesa pub said its closure is driven by redevelopment plans at Grossmont Center following Macy’s sudden exit and revised renovation plans that include demolition of the building where the pub sits. Hooleys confirmed it is “actively exploring potential locations for relocation” and remains hopeful for the future.
Hooleys earned its place in East County not just for tradition but for its character — an authentic Irish pub experience infused with San Diego flavor. Known for its Irish-American fare including shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and especially its now-iconic corned-beef tacos, the pub has been described by patrons as a community hub where regulars are greeted by name and newcomers feel right at home.
The name “Hooley” itself references celebration, fitting for a restaurant that became synonymous with local festivity, culminating each year with Hooleyfest on St. Patrick’s Day. The La Mesa location announced plans for one final such celebration on March 17, 2026, inviting guests to one last unforgettable party.
General manager Katherine Buckles has been with Hooleys for more than a decade, emphasizing the pub’s family feel and commitment to hospitality. Staff pride themselves on the pub’s scratch kitchen, proper Guinness pours, and an expansive whiskey and craft beer selection that kept locals returning year after year.
While La Mesa’s Hooleys will close, the original Rancho San Diego location at 2955 Jamacha Road in El Cajon will continue serving guests “for many years to come,” according to the announcement. The team also invited patrons to join them at Hooleys’ final months of service in La Mesa as they celebrate the pub’s legacy in the community.
Hooleys’ departure marks another chapter in a period of change for Grossmont Center, which is undergoing redevelopment driven by new ownership and anchor store departures.
Neighbors and regulars have expressed both sadness and gratitude on social media, sharing memories of trivia nights, game days, first dates, and family dinners within the pub’s storied walls. For many San Diegans, Hooleys represented more than a place to eat — it was a social cornerstone and a touchpoint for community life in East County.
