In 2008, Haykal and Rosenthal started Popgun Booking, collaborating with the independent label Cantora Records on a residency at The Delancey in the Lower East Side of Manhattan called Loose Nukes.

They established a monthly event that featured acts such as The Secret Machines, Telepathe, Bear In Heaven, Hercules & Love Affair, Holy Ghost, and Marnie Stern, often presenting five or more bands performing late into the night.

[6][9][10][11] At Glasslands, PopGun produced shows primarily in the indie rock and alternative pop vein, branching out into electronic music, folk, hip-hop and heavy metal.

[14][6][15] Around this time, PopGun started pursuing more electronic producers and DJs, bringing in rising names like Baauer, Disclosure and Omar S for late weekend night parties.

[18][4][19] On June 29, 2016 the New York Times revealed that Haykal, Rosenthal and partner Dhruv Chopra were preparing to open Elsewhere, a 24,000 square foot venue and art space in Bushwick.