The owners of the Rusty Rudder and Boatyard LKN will reunite Saturday, Oct. 17, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the closing of the legendary lakeside bar and restaurant.

Brian Johnston, Eric Paul and Chris Boukedes entered the Lake Norman restaurant scene in the early 2000s, when Boukedes opened Brickhouse Tavern and Johnston and Paul opened the Rusty Rudder. Their early days were marked by a running prank in which employees of each establishment stole random items from the other. The game once prompted a late-night call from Davidson police to Boukedes to report that the Brickhouse sign was being taken.

Boukedes went on to own the Galway Hooker and now owns Boatyard LKN and On the Nines in Mooresville. Johnston and Paul moved to Charleston to oversee the Rusty Rudder in Mount Pleasant, which closed in 2020.

“We had a blast in the heyday with the old regular crowd at the Rudder,” Boukedes said. “So many of them still hang out at Boatyard; just a good group of loving people with fun attitudes that want to have a great time.”

The Rusty Rudder closed in October 2016 after 15 years in operation when its landlord opted not to renew the lease. Its lore has endured as a symbol of the Lake Norman’s “back in the day” party scene, drawing lake day partiers, live music enthusiasts and late-night revelers.

The reunion at Boatyard will feature performances by Post Nation, a Post Malone tribute band, and Ella Nation, an Ella Langley tribute act. The venue will be decorated with old photos and memorabilia. Limited-edition reunion T-shirts and the Rudder’s signature Gatorade shots will also be available.

Johnston, who posted a Facebook video to help promote the event, said the Rudder was a special place for its owners, employees and customers. He said he was excited to bring everyone back together after 10 years to celebrate their shared memories.

“The physical Rudder may be gone, but the memories and nostalgia for everyone will live on forever,” he said. “We can’t wait to see everyone to bring the old vibe back one more time.”

Tickets are $20 in advance online and $25 at the door.