An Open Letter to the
Pozo Saloon Community
Let’s start with the truth: Pozo Saloon has been closed too long. The road to its next chapter took far longer than any of us wanted. We ran into unexpected detours and stop signs along the way. We know the waiting has been frustrating, because it’s been frustrating for us, too. A place like this was never meant to shut.
So we’re writing today with the news that we have permits issued and are ready to proceed.
Pozo Saloon has stood on the side of the road since 1858 — a stagecoach stop, a watering hole, and a stage that has hosted everyone from Willie Nelson to Kendrick Lamar. More than any of that, it has been a gathering place for strangers for generations.
Our vision is the same as the day we purchased it: honor everything that made Pozo Pozo, and build carefully on that foundation so it can thrive for the next hundred years- the saloon and the dance floor, live music under an open sky, real BBQ, a place to stay the night, and plenty of room for community to come together again.
Our goal is to be fully open and operating by summer 2027. And between now and then, we’re going to bring you with us. We’ll be documenting the development journey and sharing it openly through social, email, and our website — the progress, the discoveries, the histories, and the hard parts too.
Thank you for your patience, and for never letting it be forgotten. We can’t wait to celebrate its return with you, over Pozotinis, live music, and BBQ.
With gratitude,
The Pozo Saloon Stewarded by Nomada Hotel Group
Located 17 miles east of Santa Margarita, California in the once forgotten frontier town of Pozo, the historic Pozo Saloon has welcomed weary travelers since 1858.
Surviving prohibition and more recently a pandemic, the Saloon has stood the test of time--with its original redwood Old-West facade and hitching posts remaining beneath the very same cottonwood tree that was planted at its founding over a century ago.
Today, the Saloon enters a new era as it joins Nomada Hotel Group, who are working to preserve the historic landmark and honor its legacy for decades to come.
