Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ will close its doors at 1801 N. Stone Ave. at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, ending nearly 11 years of service at the historic former Wildcat House. Owner John Aldecoa confirmed the closure in a press release Thursday, citing difficult economic conditions and a neighborhood that no longer fits the business.
The closing is not the end. Aldecoa says he plans to reopen in a more residential part of Tucson.
“The neighborhood has been difficult for us,” a representative said. “We want to look into a more residential area.”
Catering operations will continue during the search for a new brick-and-mortar location.
A Final Weekend on Stone Avenue
Brother John’s invites guests to celebrate the Stone Avenue chapter one last time before Tuesday’s close. The full menu and specially priced liquor and beer are available while supplies last.
“It’s like losing a family member,” a representative said.
The closure marks the end of a location with more than a half-century of collective history. The building housed the Wildcat House for 35 years before the Aldecoas took it over in 2015. Together, the two concepts gave North Stone Avenue nearly five decades of community gathering.
Built on Beer, Bourbon, and Barbecue
Brother John’s opened in December 2015 after a $1 million renovation of the long-shuttered Wildcat House, a University of Arizona hangout that closed in 2012. Brothers and third-generation Tucsonans John and David Aldecoa launched the concept with a clear focus: beer, bourbon, and barbecue.
The restaurant positioned itself as the first Bavarian-inspired beer garden, bourbon bar, and barbecue concept in Arizona. More than 50 beers ran on tap, with a strong Arizona craft selection. Guests could choose from close to 700 whiskeys, including more than 500 bourbon brands, by the glass or in sampler flights. The menu drew on slow-smoking techniques from St. Louis and Texas, with Southern-style sides carrying a Southwestern kick.
Third-Generation Tucsonans, Deep Roots
John and David Aldecoa grew up in Tucson and wanted to honor what the Wildcat House had meant to the city while building something new. John Aldecoa captured that intent at the time of opening.
“Tucson is growing up and so are we,” he said. “Most of us came to the Wildcat House for years to dance and party.”
David Aldecoa saw the project as more than a restaurant. “Hopefully, the whole neighborhood will start to come up with it,” he said. “We want to build up that area of the community.”
John Aldecoa had started his career in the restaurant industry at 15, eventually opening DJ’s Pizza Pub & Grill with his brother in 1993 before partnering again on Brother John’s more than two decades later.
What It Became
Over nearly 11 years, Brother John’s grew into a fixture for Tucson barbecue, live music, and private events. The restaurant hosted weekly live music, bourbon tastings, food and beverage pairings, and bourbon education classes. Its Crystal Courtyard and restaurant spaces welcomed weddings and corporate gatherings.
The menu earned a place on Tucson Foodie’s barbecue roundup. Standouts included the beef brisket, blistered shishito peppers, and BroJo’s “Piggy” Pastrami Sandwich.
What Comes Next
Aldecoa has not announced a new location, but says one is coming. The press release notes that Brother John’s will announce its next home as soon as details are available. Catering operations continue in the meantime for scheduled events and future off-premises bookings.
The final day of service at 1801 N. Stone Ave. is at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 Follow Brother John’s at brotherjohns.com for updates on the next chapter.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
