Rocko’s Modern Taphouse is currently in the process of securing a Type 41 beer and wine license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The listed owner on the application is Justin Lewis Philips, a former General Manager at Mike Hess Brewing Company, and according to the company’s newly launched Facebook page, the business plans to open in 2026.
“Coming to Hillcrest in 2026! We are looking forward to bringing the craft beer scene to Hillcrest,” reads the post. “San Diego’s craft beer scene is so vast and we hope we can showcase some of the best names as well as the ones just starting out. Cheers!”
In an email, Philips shared details about the concept and his background. A Cal Poly Pomona graduate (B.A. in Management & Human Resources, 2018) with a 2024 Professional Certificate in the Business of Craft Beer from SDSU Global Campus, he says the tap list will highlight local producers exclusively - “not only craft beer, but wine, seltzers, ciders, and anything else that falls under our license, all from San Diego companies.” A compact kitchen will turn out bar-friendly fare with a SoCal spin, including paninis, burgers, wings, chicken strips, tots, and more.
Programming and play are central to the plan. Rocko’s intends to outfit the roomy second-floor venue with pool tables, arcade games, dart boards, shuffleboard and a small stage for live entertainment, then layer in weekly happenings like trivia, music-themed nights, and comedy shows. Patios will be dog-friendly, giving guests a relaxed perch above Fourth Avenue to sip local pints and snack with their pups. “The forefront focus of the place is going to be the experience,” Philips said, adding that Hillcrest has been his go-to neighborhood hangout in recent years and he’s excited to join the community as an operator.
The upstairs space has a rich history. For more than two decades, it was home to Martinis Above Fourth, a nationally recognized cabaret and restaurant known for live music and a massive martini list. After closing in 2020 and filing for bankruptcy amid the pandemic, the venue was briefly revived as Martinis Lounge under new ownership in 2021. That iteration also hosted live performances but closed quietly in the years that followed, leaving the prominent corner location vacant until now.
Interestingly, the same space was previously slated to become home to a San Diego branch of Hamburger Mary’s, the 51-year-old drag-themed burger chain known for its lively “Dining with the Divas” drag shows, HamBingo charity events, and flamboyant décor. The concept was tied to Oceanic Enterprises, a local hospitality company that owns several San Diego bars and hotels. However, Rocko’s Modern Taphouse will now move forward with plans for the address, signaling a new direction for the landmark Hillcrest property.
Rocko’s Modern Taphouse is anticipated to open sometime in 2026 at 3940 Fourth Avenue, Suite 200, in San Diego's Hillcrest community. For more information, visit rockosmoderntaphouse.com and follow Rocko's on Facebook.
Originally published on October 15, 2025.
