California liquor license records show Bacari is taking over the Carlsbad Village space occupied by Paon Wine Bar since 2009, placing the concept directly in the heart of one of North County’s most active dining corridors. The move signals that Bacari’s entry into San Diego is not a one-off experiment, but a broader push into multiple neighborhoods across the county.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2008, Bacari has built a strong following around its interpretation of Venetian bacari - casual Italian wine bars known for small plates, social dining, and relaxed late-night energy. The group now operates multiple locations throughout the Los Angeles area, each tailored to its surrounding neighborhood rather than following a rigid, copy-and-paste template.
Bacari’s menu is designed around shareable dishes rather than traditional large entrées, with Mediterranean and globally influenced flavors woven throughout. Popular offerings at existing locations include red wine–braised beef cheek with goat cheese polenta, Asian pear and brie pizza, ricotta and beet gnocchi with chèvre fondue, and grilled pita filled with seasoned beef, amba aioli, and pickled onions. The beverage program leans heavily into craft cocktails made with house-pressed juices and syrups, alongside wine-forward selections inspired by Italy and the Mediterranean.
The Carlsbad Village location follows Bacari’s previously announced plan to open in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood, where the group is taking over the former Urban Solace building on 30th Street. Together, the two projects suggest Bacari is intentionally targeting both urban and coastal communities, positioning itself to capture a broad cross-section of San Diego diners.
Carlsbad Village, in particular, has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with new restaurant concepts vying for limited space amid rising rents and high foot traffic. Bacari’s arrival adds another high-profile, design-driven operator to the mix, one that has proven successful in similarly dense, nightlife-oriented Los Angeles neighborhoods.
While opening timelines for the Carlsbad location have not yet been publicly announced, liquor license activity typically signals early-stage development rather than a distant concept. Buildout plans, menu details specific to the space, and operating hours are expected to emerge in the coming months as the project moves forward.
Bacari Bar & Restaurant is planning to open in Carlsbad Village at 560 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 102, in San Diego's North County city of Carlsbad. For more information, visit eatwithbacari.com.
Originally published on January 9, 2026.
