San Diego's Social Syndicate Hospitality Group Cleared For Massive Coronado Ferry Landing Restaurant & Event Venue

September 10, 2024

San Diego-based hospitality group Social Syndicate, known for establishments such as Wonderland Ocean Pub in Ocean Beach and Monarch Ocean Pub in Del Mar, has received approval to open a large-scale restaurant, bar, and event venue at the Coronado Ferry Landing.

On Tuesday, the Port of San Diego gave the green light for the construction of a standalone building on a vacant lot near Il Fornaio, along San Diego Bay. The project, which Social Syndicate has been developing for four years, has garnered support from local residents eager to see the underutilized property transformed.

Ferry Landing Associates, the group managing the prime site, will now move forward with this long-anticipated restaurant development. The approval came with revised lease conditions that require construction to begin by late next year. This new lease includes safeguards to ensure the project moves forward, or the port will regain control of the site. To secure the lease extension needed for the project, Ferry Landing Associates will pay $1 million and must meet construction milestones, including completing the building within 577 days of the new lease's effective date.
The new development, which will adhere to Green Initiative standards, is expected to begin construction in 2025, with completion planned for mid-2027. Social Syndicate emphasized that the new concept will be modeled after the well-regarded Monarch Ocean Pub in Del Mar, offering the same community feel and ambiance.

The new venue will be a single-story, 7,500-square-foot restaurant with seating for 300 people, featuring both indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The outdoor area will offer approximately 7,500 square feet of seating with stunning views of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. The interior will include a central bar and event area, perfect for corporate gatherings, weddings, and other functions. No additional parking will be required, as the site will utilize the existing 269-space parking lot, with plans to allocate 10 spaces for free one-hour parking to accommodate visitors enjoying the bay views.
According to Social Syndicate, while the new restaurant will draw inspiration from Monarch Ocean Pub, it will feature its own unique identity, focusing more on seafood with Baja-inspired flavors, craft cocktails, and local beers. Huffman also emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating that the venue will incorporate elements of Coronado's history and provide a casually approachable atmosphere.

The partners behind Social Syndicate's Coronado concept include Brendan Huffman and Mark Huber, who also hold ownership interests in popular establishments like La Doña, Rosie O’Grady’s, OB Surf Lodge, and Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach. As of now, the restaurant remains unnamed, but it is expected to be a key addition to the Coronado Ferry Landing.
Social Syndicate's unnamed Coronado Ferry Landing project is expected to be completed by 2027. For more information, visit socialsyndicate.com.