Bye Bourbon Street, Lei Lounge; Hello new concept

Bourbon Street, one of San Diego’s most popular gay bars, has shut down.

The news of Bourbon Street’s closing came Monday. Lei Lounge next door is also closing.

Today came confirmation that co-owner of North Park’s celebrated Waypoint Public, John Pani, has acquired both spots to renovate into a new concept by early summer of this year. The properties’ former owners, Michael and Bill Weiss, acquired the businesses last year.

Pani is the founder of ELE Collective, which includes Waypoint Public and Hotel Vyvant in Little Italy, and he’s had his hand in the success of Omni San Diego, Hotel Solamar and the Marriott Del Mar. Now, he’ll add the two Park Boulevard locations to his repertoire, although he’s currently keeping quiet on extended details of what the project will entail.

Bourbon Street Bar & Grill is no small space. The 5,000 square-foot venue flaunts warm, brick walls and New Orleans-style designs. Lei Lounge meanwhile, has kept things bright and bubbly through several renovations, giving Pani an additional 2,500 square-feet of indoor and outdoor space to work with.

“With the new location, we look forward to introducing an entirely new concept to San Diego as a whole, but we’re most excited to be given the opportunity to breath new life into a well-loved neighborhood gem,” said Pani in a press release. “ University Heights is such a distinctive destination within the Uptown neighborhoods; we want to provide locals with a gathering place that is uniquely identifiable to their community.”

Stay tuned for more information on the new concepts, located at 4612 and 4622 Park Blvd., University Heights.

Source: DiscoverSD