Beloved San Diego Music Venue To Close Permanently

A San Diego music venue is closing its doors permanently after a long year without shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

John Hustler, the owner of Lestat's West, says things just aren't like they used to be.

"I wish there was more interest in it," Hustler told NBC7. "The artists have great interest in it and my heart's with them, but the audiences aren't as big and, you know, not as excited as they used to be."

Lestat's first opened its doors 25 years ago as a coffee shop on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights.

Five years later Hustler opened a theater next door and called in Lestat's West.

Hustler went on to open two more coffee shops in Hillcrest and another in University Heights.

Back in 2018, Lestat's West announced that it would no longer host live music. However, an outcry from the San Diego community prompted the all-ages venue to reverse their previous decision and continue to host shows.

The venue was known as a safe place for up-and-coming artists to cut their teeth on a live stage.

"I hope that it finds its footing someplace because without it, I just feel that a big piece of our culture will die," said Hustler.

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