In June, Bolt Brewery owners, Clint and Molly Stromberg, announced they had acquired the former home Hungry’s Kitchen & Tap in San Diego’s historic Old Town neighborhood in which to install their third location. The married business partners are tremendous fans of the lively community, its watering holes and restaurants, and are excited to part of that contingent following the arrival of Bolt’s new location, which soft-opened to the public on Wednesday.
“The history and culture of Old Town has always spoken to us. We love the feel of the area, laid back yet exciting with amazing food and beverages,” says Molly. “Long before we found a location there, Clint and I frequented the area and made many great friends while also regularly running into old friends. It’s an inviting area that welcomes all, and we love that about it.”
In taking over an existing spot in a neighborhood replete with Mexican art and heritage, one might expect the Strombergs to lean into similar décor, but they have instead opted to bring their nine-year-old business’ flavor to the area. In doing so, they are showing off a different side of Bolt that has yet to be seen.
When opening Bolt’s first satellite location, a bar-and-restaurant on the corner of India and Grape Streets in downtown’s Little Italy community, the Strombergs included elements from their La Mesa headquarters in that spinoff’s interior design. Corrugated metal and other industrial elements were callbacks to Bolt’s Quonset-hut brewery setup, and the interior and exterior color palettes were mostly limited to the company’s black-and-orange logo. Expect the exact opposite in Old Town.
We are always striving to improve and evolve. With the Old Town location, we are bringing in a modified aesthetic with some brighter colors and losing the rigid adherence to brand colors and metal accents that we have used and loved in the past to offer a more inviting, cheerful atmosphere.”
Molly Stromberg, Co-owner, Bolt Brewery
She says the addition of vivid colors is a reflection of her lively personality, while items such as a jukebox and televisions reflect Clint’s laidback, fun-loving vibe. “We wanted this location to be comfortable, easygoing, welcoming, fun and full of energy.”
Another feature added to enhance the customer experience is mobile ordering, which will expedite ordering and payment for customers that opt to employ their cell phones rather than interface with the wait staff.
The new venue’s menu (which can be viewed in its entirety here) is headed by a dectet of hearty starters, including a “giant” Bavarian pretzel, fried avocado, shrimp skewers, and a trio of French fry preparations loaded with garlic and herbs, blue cheese and Buffalo sauce, or carne asada and beer cheese. “San Diego Mex” gets its own section stocked with mahi mahi, shrimp tacos and classic fish tacos, as well as an almost-mandatory California burrito. An assortment of wings (“naked”, Buffalo, mango habanero, garlic Parmesan), salads, sandwiches (beer-battered fish, kickin’ fried chicken, BLT with avocado) and burgers round out the food offerings.
On the beverage side, 11 Bolt beers, including a light lager, pale ale, IPAs and fruited brews are available along with a pair of mainstream Mexican lagers and a non-alcoholic golden ale. Also available are hard cider, kombucha and seltzer, wine, sangria, a rotating frozen bellini, plus an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages. Having such a vast variety of beyond-beer options at a brewery-owned establishment is another way in which the Strombergs are upping their new satellite’s hospitable, come-one-come-all feel.
In keeping with that air, when asked if they have plans for a grand-opening shindig, Molly replies, “We are going to quietly open and blend into our environment, so no flashy parties. Old Town is so iconic. We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to become part of this well-established community.”
Bolt’s Old Town location will initially be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Later in the year, they will open earlier and add breakfast service.
Bolt Brewery’s bar and restaurant is located at 2547 San Diego Avenue in Old Town San Diego