The team behind San Diego's Regal Beagle and other area restaurants have taken over the East Village space that last housed now-defunct Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery and will open a new bar & eatery called Bottle Rocket.
Coronado Brewing acquired the Monkey Paw brand in summer 2017 and quickly overhauled the aesthetics of the East Village brewpub. In April 2018, Monkey Paw's founder Scot Blair - who also owns Hamilton’s Tavern, South Park Brewing Company and was still a stakeholder in the Monkey Paw brand - filed a lawsuit against Monkey Paw alleging breach of contract and associated claims seeking $33,534 plus interest as part of a promissory note that was dated September 1, 2017. News broke in May 2018 that Coronado Brewing Company had listed Monkey Paw Brewing for sale after less than a year of ownership due to the associated litigation. Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery ultimately closed for business last summer.
The East Village standalone corner unit at 805 16th Street is now being leased by Matthew Guilbert, Logan Henry, Jesse Melton and Elias Delgado under Beagle Paw LLC. The team is all alumni of the umbrella of local area bars that includes The Regal Beagle in Middletown, The Regal Seagull in Encinitas and Sidecar Bar in Bay Park. The former Monkey Paw space will soon be converted into Bottle Rocket, a gastropub concept. The building will receive a renovation to modernize the interior and allow in more natural light and the restaurant will serve a menu of approachable tavern fare, unpretentious cocktails, and a rotating selection of craft beers. There is no timeline in place for an opening.
