Dustin Lancaster & Co. Take Over Grungy Highland Park Billiards Hall

Dustin Lancaster just can’t stay still. The El Condor/Bar Covell head seems to be pushing further outwards, recently opening Augustine Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks. Now he’s moving another project into Highland Park, where he already owns The Hermosillo and Highland Park Brewery with partners Ross Stephenson and Michael Blackman.

Some new city paperwork has just popped up that bears the trio’s name as the principals behind a concept tentatively set to be called Hi-Hat. The address for the beer and wine license points to 5043 York Boulevard, which is currently the home of Highland Park Billiards, a late night cash-only pool hall and cheap beer spot.

As for what Hi-Hat will eventually morph into, there are no official plans yet. Apparently the spot was too good to pass up for Lancaster and team, but for now the space will continue to run as a pool hall. Frankly, if they clean the place up a bit and bring in some quality drink, it could turn into a nice destination for casual pool players.

It is interesting to note, however, that this is just steps from Jason Eisner’s incoming Block Party bar concept, which is aiming for a late-summer arrival full of back patio games and craft beer.

Apparently, York Boulevard has plans to reemerge once again as the hottest stretch of Highland Park, after a flurry of movement on Figueroa in the past several months.