The Whiskey Bear Tavern, an immersive bar and eatery designed to resemble a fantasy-style roleplaying tavern, is expected to open in fall 2025 in the Rancho Del Oro area of Oceanside. The new venue, located within the Oceanside Marketplace shopping center, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Jagger and Vanessa Hansen. The couple aims to create a welcoming, game-friendly space where guests can enjoy food, drinks, and tabletop adventures.
"What started as a fun mental getaway turned into a business idea," the Hansens wrote on social media. "Jagger introduced Dungeons & Dragons to our kids, and soon we were all playing together. One night we thought, 'What if we brought this idea to life and shared it with others?' Now, we’re creating a place where people can escape the norm, enjoy food and drinks, and play tabletop games in a fantasy environment."
The idea grew from a home project Jagger built in the family's garage - a personal, DIY tavern where he and his children first played D&D together. That passion has evolved into a full-scale business grounded in the aesthetic, spirit, and camaraderie of classic tabletop adventures.
Adding to the experience, the menu at Whiskey Bear Tavern will include pizza made from Mamma Pinsa dough, imported from Italy and billed as "the best pizza you ever had." The team is also developing a lineup of signature cocktails themed around the traditional character classes of Dungeons & Dragons, offering fans a new way to embody their in-game personas - whether they're a wizard, rogue, or barbarian.
The tavern won’t be limited to D&D. Guests will be welcome to play any tabletop game of their choosing, from Warhammer to Monopoly, and the Hansens also plan to host events for newcomers interested in learning how to play. In addition to its regular menu, Whiskey Bear Tavern will feature third-party food vendors during special events, allowing for an expanded dining experience tied to community gatherings. The Hansens say the space will serve as both a social hub and an imaginative escape, complete with communal tables, themed decor, and the cozy, candlelit atmosphere of a fantasy tavern come to life.
The venue will open within Oceanside Marketplace, a 36,000-square-foot retail hub that includes tenants like IHOP, Ding Tea, Ceja’s Mexican Diner, and Self-Made Training Facility. Its location benefits from strong daily traffic and proximity to major thoroughfares like Interstate 5 and Highway 78, as well as local landmarks like the Oceanside Pier and Camp Pendleton.
The Whiskey Bear Tavern is expected to open in late September at 4263 Oceanside Boulevard, Suite B107, in San Diego's North County city of Oceanside. For more information, follow @thewhiskeybeartavern on Instagram.
Originally published on June 28, 2025.
