Hello Back Bay Bambino/as, happy Monday.

The first weekend of the Summer is officially in the books. While many are now looking abroad for a sunny place to summer, the locals who remain are in for a wild ride of changes: new venues, local closings and a fresh hell that is Newport Blvd on a weekend.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Last night was last call at Bootlegger’s Brewery Costa Mesa. After a solid seven-year run serving up pints right next to The LAB Anti-Mall, the neighborhood staple has officially called it quits on its Costa Mesa location, marking a bittersweet end to a great local hangout.

Bootlegger’s has long been a heavyweight in the local craft beer scene, growing from a 2006 college business plan by founder Aaron Barkenhagen into Fullerton’s very first production brewery by 2008. They built a fiercely loyal Orange County following on the backs of heavy hitters like their Knuckle Sandwich DIPA and El Chango lager, eventually expanding into Costa Mesa back in the summer of 2019. It quickly became the perfect spot for a post-shopping pint or a casual weekend patio hang.

So, what happened? Unfortunately, the closure comes on the heels of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring that began late last year. Like so many independent regional breweries across the country, Bootlegger’s caught the brunt of a perfect economic storm: facing a tough mix of inflation, rising supply chain costs, and shifting consumer habits as the broader craft beer market cools down. Ultimately, the company had to consolidate operations, which meant making the hard choice to exit Costa Mesa.

But there’s a silver lining for the patio. The space isn’t going to stay dark for long, as word on the street is that Long Beach’s own Ambitious Ales is rumored to step in and take over the lease. They have a fantastic reputation for community-centric spaces and excellent, creative pours, so while we’re definitely going to miss grabbing a fresh Bootlegger’s pint (and their legendary service (lol)), independent craft beer looks to be in very good hands on Randolph Avenue.

🌊 Water temp = 62º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor got a new pair of Rainbows and has requested medical leave…

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