Since opening in 2000 under owner Kai Niemi, Henry’s Pub carved out a niche as a neighborhood gem in the Gaslamp's bustling scene. With accolades like the Gaslamp Quarter Association’s Best Live Music, Favorite Pub, and Best Casual Dining and Customer Service recognitions, it drew a diverse crowd - families by day, revelers by night. Kid-friendly until 9:30 p.m., the pub evolved with the times, recently adding vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to its menu. Its signature #cluckmoo = a chicken and beef smash-up - became a local legend, paired with a weekend Pub Brunch that kept the mimosas flowing.
No exact closure date is set, but Henry’s is expected to shutter sometime in April after a quarter-century run. The closure ends a chapter for a spot that weathered San Diego’s shifting nightlife, from dot-com booms to pandemic pivots, leaving regulars to mourn a casual dining stalwart.
Enter Fat Tuesday, a bar concept born in 1984 on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, famed for its slushy, boozy concoctions. With more than 80 locations spanning tourist hubs like Miami, Las Vegas, and Nassau, the chain is now targeting growth across the contiguous U.S., aiming for 10 to 15 new spots annually.
The new outpost of Fat Tuesday at Henry's former digs will lean on the chain's bar-only model, offering an array of New Orleans-style frozen daiquiris. Think vibrant drinks like the 190 Octane, Cat 5 New Orleans Hurricane, pina colada, margaritas, and other customizable flavored frozen concoctions served in souvenir cups of varying sizes.
Enter Fat Tuesday, a bar concept born in 1984 on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, famed for its slushy, boozy concoctions. With more than 80 locations spanning tourist hubs like Miami, Las Vegas, and Nassau, the chain is now targeting growth across the contiguous U.S., aiming for 10 to 15 new spots annually.
The new outpost of Fat Tuesday at Henry's former digs will lean on the chain's bar-only model, offering an array of New Orleans-style frozen daiquiris. Think vibrant drinks like the 190 Octane, Cat 5 New Orleans Hurricane, pina colada, margaritas, and other customizable flavored frozen concoctions served in souvenir cups of varying sizes.
There was a similar frozen drink concept located in downtown San Diego at one point. Wet Willie's was sited at 555 Market Street for four years before closing in 2014.
As Henry’s fades, Fat Tuesday’s arrival stirs the pot in Gaslamp’s ever-evolving tapestry. Will it blend into the quarter’s eclectic mix or chill the vibe of a storied corner? San Diegans will sip and see come summer.
Fat Tuesday plans to open by late spring or early summer at 618 5th Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit fattuesday.com.
Originally published on April 2, 2025.
