Downtown Boise’s restaurant row is getting a new place to raise a glass. Loose Screw Beer Co. is expanding from Meridian to 211 N. 8th St., with a new taproom targeting an opening around February 19, 2027.
The brewery will move into the space currently occupied by Rustica, next to the entrance of Freak Alley. With locally brewed beer, its first in-house kitchen, and room to gather indoors and outside, Loose Screw is preparing to add its own flavor to one of Boise’s most recognizable blocks.
A New Chapter for a Familiar Address
If you’ve spent time exploring downtown Boise, you probably know this spot. Before Rustica opened in June 2024, the building housed Juniper from 2014 to 2024 and, before that, Cazba beginning in the mid-1990s.
Rustica plans to remain open through the end of 2026. Loose Screw expects to take possession in early January, giving the team a tight turnaround ahead of its anticipated February debut.
Co-owner Mike Garcia plans to bring back many of the subcontractors who helped build the downtown Meridian flagship. The goal is to carry over that location’s welcoming atmosphere while preserving the historic character of the Boise building.
More Than a Place to Grab a Pint
Plans call for a main gathering area, an outdoor beer garden, and a private upstairs mezzanine for events. Whether you’re meeting friends after work, planning a celebration, or stopping between downtown adventures, the new location aims to offer room for all three.
The Boise expansion also brings a first for Loose Screw: its own internal kitchen. Chef Ryan Poffenbarger is developing a menu featuring pizzas, salads, handhelds, and shareable appetizers.
That means your next beer-and-a-bite stop on 8th Street could come with a whole new lineup of options.
Meridian Beer, Downtown Boise Energy
The address is changing for Boise customers, but the brewing stays in Meridian. Head brewer Jake McCann and his team will continue producing beer at Loose Screw’s flagship facility at 105 E. Carlton Ave.
Expect the Boise taps to feature core favorites alongside rotating seasonal releases, giving regulars familiar pours and newcomers a chance to explore.
For downtown Boise, the expansion adds another local business to a street built around food, drinks, and gathering together. For Loose Screw fans, it means a new reason to make plans downtown.
Keep an eye on Totally Boise for opening updates as February 2027 gets closer.
