The small San Francisco venue Bottom Of The Hill has been a staple in the indie rock touring world for decades, so people were understandably bummed to learn that it was shutting down. Back in January, longtime owners Kathleen Owen, Ramona Downey, and Lynn Schwarz announced that 2026 would be the club's final year. But now, it looks like Bottom Of The Hill will keep going under different ownership.
SFist reports that the biotech scientist Michele Bronson has bought the venue from Owen, Downey, and Schwarz and that she "reportedly plans to retain the existing staff and preserve the club’s reputation as an independent venue for emerging artists." The club will shut down for a month for needed kitchen renovations, as well as an update of its website and ticketing system." The previous owners were reportedly touched by the outpouring of love for the venue, and that's why they reconsidered their decision to close it rather than selling it.
According to SFist, Brunson moved to San Francisco to get a PhD in molecular biology in the early '90s, and she's been a regular at Bottom Of The Hill since the early '90s. Over the years, she has helped launch or run five biotech startups. The current owners will keep the property, as well as its upstairs apartments, while Brunson will take over the venue space and the name. She also plans to book the club herself, and she pledges to keep the club's policy of not taking a cut from the artists' merch money. She's looking into bringing back the Sunday barbecues that the venue used to host in its early years.
Before Brunson takes over, the current owners will say goodbye with a week-long run of shows at the end of the year, including appearances from indie veterans like Shannon Shaw, Man Or Astro-Man?, and Mark Eitzel.