Lancers bartenders Chelsea Roop and Lisa Johnson, who have a combined three decade tenure at the bar, along with Tom Logsdon - founder of The Balboa Bar & Grill - are taking over the historic University Heights mainstay from Marc "Bubba" Rosenberg, who has run it since 1978. The new owners plan to keep Lancers largely unchanged, maintaining its classic dive bar atmosphere.
Some minor updates are planned, including the introduction of canned beer alongside bottled options, additional non-alcoholic drinks, and an eventual transition away from a cash-only policy. However, the bar will remain a no-frills spot known for its simple drinks and relaxed vibe.
Lancers is the latest in a string of classic San Diego dive bar to be taken over by new ownership. The owners of "the oldest bar in San Diego" - The Waterfront - have taken over several longtime dives, including Aero Club in Middletown, Hearth House in La Mesa, and Club Marina in Point Loma. Last year, The Harp in Ocean Beach was taken over by a new ownership group that includes Miles Doughty, the lead singer of Ocean Beach's rags-to-riches musical success group Slightly Stoopid.
Logsdon, a former line cook and Bonita native, opened The Balboa in 2015, turning it into a well-regarded burger destination. He eventually opened an outpost on Third Avenue in Chula Vista in 2019. He later sold the business in 2021, ensuring its continuity under new ownership. Now, he joins Roop and Johnson in preserving Lancers as an old-school neighborhood bar.
Logsdon, a former line cook and Bonita native, opened The Balboa in 2015, turning it into a well-regarded burger destination. He eventually opened an outpost on Third Avenue in Chula Vista in 2019. He later sold the business in 2021, ensuring its continuity under new ownership. Now, he joins Roop and Johnson in preserving Lancers as an old-school neighborhood bar.
Lancers Cocktails is located at 4671 Park Boulevard in San Diego's University Heights. For more information, follow Lancers on Instagram.
Originally published on February 12, 2025. Information first reported by Beth Demmon for San Diego Magazine
