Live music fans, get ready to hop for joy, because downtown's Gaslamp district is about to get a legit new music venue.
The Hopping Pig, which has served Gaslamp patrons for nine years now, will transition from gastropub to "upscale dive bar and eatery with a live music component," according to NBC7 San Diego media partner Eater San Diego.
General manager Jenna Elskamp is at the helm of the new changes as she goes into an equal partnership with current owner Djani Ivanov and takes on operation duties with her husband Randy Elskamp, Ilegal Mezcal brand ambassador and Cantina Mayahuel fixture.
Speaking of, the new name will be Metl, which derives from the Aztec word for the agave plant (ya know, the stuff they make tequila and mezcal from). We're hoping the name is also a reflection of the kind of bands they'll host there, but anything that contributes to the San Diego music community writ large is quite all right with us.
According to Eater, "The Hopping Pig will be closing in early November for a quick, week-long refresh and should reopen by the middle of the month. Among the upgrades is a newly-built stage that will regularly host all genres of rock music."
The Hopping Pig to "War Pigs"? See you soon, Metl.
Rutger Ansley Rosenborg is an editor and digital marketer at NBC's SoundDiego. Find out more here.
