Gentrification has claimed yet another fixture of San Antonio's music scene.
Long-running Bonds Rock Bar, a downtown watering hole that celebrates San Antonio's history as the "Heavy Metal Capital of the World," will close to make way for a hotel development, its owners revealed Monday on Facebook.
"With a sad heart we are announcing that Bond's Rock Bar will be permanently closing after 25 years of rocking San Antonio," the post read. "The property has been sold to a developer that will be tearing down the building for another downtown hotel."
The club's upstairs venue — which has hosted myriad performances by local, regional and touring acts — will close at year's end, according to the Facebook announcement. The memorabilia-packed downtown bar will remain open until developers begin work on the hotel.
Bonds, located at 450 Soledad Street, celebrates SA's longtime allegiance to hard rock and metal. On any given night, a visitor might catch a tribute act to a classic hard rock act, a jam-packed death metal bill or patrons knocking back cheap drinks and singling along with Dio on the downtown jukebox.
A regular fixture on the Current's yearend Best Bars list, spot was also known for hosting Iron Maiden Fan Club gatherings after band's recent San Antonio shows. Those afterparty events drew traveling metal enthusiasts from as far away as South America and mainland Europe.
"We are grateful for your support over the years. We will always cherish the memories and great friends that we have made," Bonds' owners said in the Facebook post. "If you ever wanted to see a live music show at BONDS LIVE, or if you want to see more shows — the last 24 shows — come this weekend and every weekend until the end of the year. We have some great rock music scheduled."
The outpouring of support on Bonds' Facebook page was immediate.
"Thank you to Bonds Rock Bar and all involved for supporting live local and regional bands," wrote Terry Anderson, former frontman for San Antonio metal acts Judge Mental and Lokey. "For giving us all a stage, a venue and a PA to share music. And on a personal note, thanks for giving us a place to practice for so many years in the early 2000s. We appreciate everything."
"Bro, this was our home away from home! How can some contractor outbid us like that?" fan Emmitt Garcia posted. "Bond's has been like family to all of us in the metal community!"
"Never thought this would be the final show I would throw at the legendary spot," San Antonio metal promoter John Langston wrote, sharing a flyer for an Oct. 11 death metal bill he booked at the venue. "Good luck to y'all finding an awesome Bonds 2."
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Long-running Bonds Rock Bar, a downtown watering hole that celebrates San Antonio's history as the "Heavy Metal Capital of the World," will close to make way for a hotel development, its owners revealed Monday on Facebook.
"With a sad heart we are announcing that Bond's Rock Bar will be permanently closing after 25 years of rocking San Antonio," the post read. "The property has been sold to a developer that will be tearing down the building for another downtown hotel."
The club's upstairs venue — which has hosted myriad performances by local, regional and touring acts — will close at year's end, according to the Facebook announcement. The memorabilia-packed downtown bar will remain open until developers begin work on the hotel.
Bonds, located at 450 Soledad Street, celebrates SA's longtime allegiance to hard rock and metal. On any given night, a visitor might catch a tribute act to a classic hard rock act, a jam-packed death metal bill or patrons knocking back cheap drinks and singling along with Dio on the downtown jukebox.
A regular fixture on the Current's yearend Best Bars list, spot was also known for hosting Iron Maiden Fan Club gatherings after band's recent San Antonio shows. Those afterparty events drew traveling metal enthusiasts from as far away as South America and mainland Europe.
"We are grateful for your support over the years. We will always cherish the memories and great friends that we have made," Bonds' owners said in the Facebook post. "If you ever wanted to see a live music show at BONDS LIVE, or if you want to see more shows — the last 24 shows — come this weekend and every weekend until the end of the year. We have some great rock music scheduled."
The outpouring of support on Bonds' Facebook page was immediate.
"Thank you to Bonds Rock Bar and all involved for supporting live local and regional bands," wrote Terry Anderson, former frontman for San Antonio metal acts Judge Mental and Lokey. "For giving us all a stage, a venue and a PA to share music. And on a personal note, thanks for giving us a place to practice for so many years in the early 2000s. We appreciate everything."
"Bro, this was our home away from home! How can some contractor outbid us like that?" fan Emmitt Garcia posted. "Bond's has been like family to all of us in the metal community!"
"Never thought this would be the final show I would throw at the legendary spot," San Antonio metal promoter John Langston wrote, sharing a flyer for an Oct. 11 death metal bill he booked at the venue. "Good luck to y'all finding an awesome Bonds 2."
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