Following a tragedy last year, Ocean Beach’s well-known bar, The Harp, located at 4935 Newport Avenue, has been acquired by the lead singer of Slightly Stoopid and other well-known locals.
The beloved staple has been around since 2003 when Anthony Fleming opened the Irish bar and eatery on the popular Newport Avenue. The longtime owner passed away late last year after suffering a stroke, and the 5,000-square-foot bar and grill was being sold for the asking price of $495,000 at the beginning of the year. Now, the keys have officially landed in the hands of Miles Doughty, Steve Ashton, Tyson Green, and Jeremy Diem, according to San Diego Magazine.
Ocean Beach residents are relieved to know the owners all have roots in the area, which takes pride in its close-knit neighborhood. The most well-known of them all is perhaps Miles Doughty, who started the Ocean Beach-based reggae-rock band Slightly Stoopid with Kyle McDonald and Adam Bausch in 1994. Another well-known name is Jeremy Diem, the current president and CEO of Hodad’s, the iconic burger staple found down the street on Newport. Green and Ashton are longtime best friends and have been a part of the Ocean Beach community through several ventures. Ashton is a longtime Sunshine Company bartender, and Tyson Green is a local industry veteran.
The group officially took ownership last week, meaning their first weekend with the Irish-themed bar fell on St. Patrick’s Day, and residents welcomed the new owners with open arms. The 20-year-old bar will remain mostly as-is for now but will eventually close for a renovation and rebranding. Considering Doughty wants to leverage his music industry experience to enhance The Harp, the bar will eventually bring in more bands and live music.
