The Latino-owned craft brewery, known for blending beer, culture, and community, has announced a one-night pop-up event scheduled for Saturday, April 11, signaling what could become a more permanent return to the local scene. The pop-up will take place from 6-10pm at 2541 San Diego Avenue in Old Town, inside the space that long housed The Living Room Coffee Shop and is now operated by Papa Guapo, a Mexican-style baked potato concept.
Border X is framing the activation as more than just a temporary event, describing it as an evolution rather than a reopening while leaning into its roots in cultura, community, and late-night gathering. When asked directly by followers whether the brand is officially back, Border X responded that the event is “a pop up with a chance of becoming permanent,” suggesting the evening will serve as a real-time test of demand for a new location.
The concept for the Old Town activation is seemingly leaning more into food and live-fire cooking, marking a shift from the brewery’s previous beer-centric identity. Promotional materials highlight a “taco experience” featuring open-flame preparation, aguas frescas, and a high-energy, community-driven atmosphere. While beer helped define Border X’s rise in Barrio Logan, the new direction signals a broader lifestyle concept that blends food, culture, and hospitality into a more immersive offering.
Border X Brewing originally opened in Barrio Logan in 2014 and quickly became one of San Diego’s most culturally significant breweries, earning national recognition and a James Beard Award nomination. Beyond its beer program, the company played a central role in supporting Latino entrepreneurship and helped launch Mujeres Brew House, San Diego’s first all-female-led brewery. However, after years of pandemic-related financial strain and mounting operational challenges, the brewery closed its Logan Avenue location in early 2025 following the expiration of its lease and unresolved debts.
The closure marked the end of an era for Barrio Logan, where Border X had served as both a neighborhood anchor and cultural hub. Its departure came amid a broader wave of closures in the area, underscoring the difficulties many independent operators have faced in maintaining long-term sustainability in San Diego’s evolving hospitality landscape.
Now, with Mason Ale Works occupying the former Border X space and Mujeres Brew House continuing operations nearby, the Old Town pop-up represents a new chapter rather than a continuation of the past. The choice of Old Town, a high-traffic, tourism-driven district with deep historical ties to Mexican heritage, aligns with Border X’s brand identity while offering a different type of visibility and foot traffic than Barrio Logan.
Whether the concept evolves into a permanent restaurant or hybrid hospitality space will likely depend on turnout and reception this weekend. For longtime fans of Border X, the event carries the weight of both nostalgia and possibility, offering a glimpse at what the brand’s next iteration could look like in San Diego.
Border X Old Town Pop-Up takes place Saturday, April 11 from 6-10pm at 2541 San Diego Avenue in Old Town San Diego. For more information, follow @borderxbrewing on Instagram.
The concept for the Old Town activation is seemingly leaning more into food and live-fire cooking, marking a shift from the brewery’s previous beer-centric identity. Promotional materials highlight a “taco experience” featuring open-flame preparation, aguas frescas, and a high-energy, community-driven atmosphere. While beer helped define Border X’s rise in Barrio Logan, the new direction signals a broader lifestyle concept that blends food, culture, and hospitality into a more immersive offering.
Border X Brewing originally opened in Barrio Logan in 2014 and quickly became one of San Diego’s most culturally significant breweries, earning national recognition and a James Beard Award nomination. Beyond its beer program, the company played a central role in supporting Latino entrepreneurship and helped launch Mujeres Brew House, San Diego’s first all-female-led brewery. However, after years of pandemic-related financial strain and mounting operational challenges, the brewery closed its Logan Avenue location in early 2025 following the expiration of its lease and unresolved debts.
The closure marked the end of an era for Barrio Logan, where Border X had served as both a neighborhood anchor and cultural hub. Its departure came amid a broader wave of closures in the area, underscoring the difficulties many independent operators have faced in maintaining long-term sustainability in San Diego’s evolving hospitality landscape.
Now, with Mason Ale Works occupying the former Border X space and Mujeres Brew House continuing operations nearby, the Old Town pop-up represents a new chapter rather than a continuation of the past. The choice of Old Town, a high-traffic, tourism-driven district with deep historical ties to Mexican heritage, aligns with Border X’s brand identity while offering a different type of visibility and foot traffic than Barrio Logan.
Whether the concept evolves into a permanent restaurant or hybrid hospitality space will likely depend on turnout and reception this weekend. For longtime fans of Border X, the event carries the weight of both nostalgia and possibility, offering a glimpse at what the brand’s next iteration could look like in San Diego.
Border X Old Town Pop-Up takes place Saturday, April 11 from 6-10pm at 2541 San Diego Avenue in Old Town San Diego. For more information, follow @borderxbrewing on Instagram.
Originally published on April 7, 2026.
