Self-serve beer bar concept Barrel Republic is closing its last remaining San Diego location after once having four area branches.
Founded by San Diego Sockers co-owner David Pike in 2013 with the opening of the first location in Pacific Beach, Barrel Republic was one of the first local bars to embrace pour-your-own beer technology. With the opening of the second location in Oceanside in 2015, Barrel Republic added a scratch-made, California gastropub-style menu. In 2016, the third location of Barrel Republic opened in Carlsbad, also with a full food menu, and another branch launched in Escondido in 2021.
Barrel Republic offers a rotating tap list accessible by a credit-card-linked-bracelet that patrons obtain when they enter the business. The "freedom to pour" concept allows customers to pay by the ounce so that they can drink as much or as little as they want of various beers.
Barrel Republic's Oceanside branch shuttered in late 2021, and the original Pacific Beach location officially ended its run in 2022 after being closed for most of the pandemic. The Escondido location closed last spring and is currently in the process of becoming Society North. The Carlsbad outpost of Barrel Republic is expected to close after end of service on Friday, March 8. The space will be serving happy hour pricing on all beer leading up to the closure.
Once Barrel Republic closes later this month, the space at State Street will be taken over by Jalisco Cantina, a Montana-based Mexican food restaurant concept that once had a location in San Diego's North County city of Oceanside. Jalisco Cantina shares the same owner as Barrel Republic, Dave Pike, and will offer a menu of Mexican comfort foods including tortas, flautas, ceviches, tacos, and entrees, as well as a full bar.
Jalisco Cantina is expected to open by this summer at 2961 State Street in San Diego's North County city of Carlsbad. For more information, visit thejaliscocantina.com.
Jalisco Cantina is expected to open by this summer at 2961 State Street in San Diego's North County city of Carlsbad. For more information, visit thejaliscocantina.com.
