Is craft beer dead? Not according to Justin Philips and Patrick Woolum. “I don’t think craft beer is going anywhere,” says Philips. “People still go out. People still go to those breweries, they go to bars. People are still out there.”
He would know. He’s spent the last four-and-a-half years working at Mike Hess Brewing, plus he earned a Professional Certificate in the Business of Craft Beer from San Diego State University in 2024. Woolum worked as a bar manager at a steakhouse for nearly two decades. From their front-row seats, they kept their eyes open and waited for the right location, so when the opportunity arose, they could open their own spot. And early next year, they will—Rocko’s Modern Taproom, in the heart of Hillcrest.
Even though craft beer isn’t as dominant as it was in, say, 2015, Hillcrest hardly suffers from a lack of places to down a couple of drafts or slurp down some shots. But besides Hillcrest Brewing Company, Philips says he didn’t see a ton of other beer-centric places in the area and saw it as an opportunity to fill a void.
Rocko’s, named for their dog, will be an all-ages, dog-friendly place with lots of games and entertainment options like pool tables, dart boards, old school arcades, live music, karaoke, comedy shows, open mic nights—basically, fun for everyone, he says.
“We’re trying to make it a fun, bright place to hang out,” he explains, with a vibrant palette inspired by the ’90s cartoon Rocko’s Modern Life. (Rocko’s Modern Life, Rocko’s Modern Taphouse… get it?) They hope to open by January or February, pending permits, with plenty of craft beer and wine, cider, kombucha, hard seltzers, and non-alcoholic options to drink. The food menu leans towards hand-helds (easier to play games that way, Philips explains), with items like paninis, burgers, and other bar food staples.
Initially, they plan to open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch, depending on demand. But with Scripps Mercy Hospital across the street, plus plenty of other offices and businesses, Philips thinks they’ll probably add lunch hours by summertime. “People are going to need a place to take their break,” he says. But in true Hillcrest fashion, he welcomes everyone to come check it out. “We’re going to be open to all,” he promises.
Rocko’s Modern Taphouse opens at 3940 Fourth Avenue, Suite 200 (second floor) in early 2026.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Restaurants Look To Social Clubs To Bring In Some More Warm Bodies
Restaurants are struggling right now. The silver lining is the creativity and adaptations that come through the dip. To that end, a lot of restaurants are turning to social clubs—who bring in different crowds. Adams Run Club does a social run at 7 a.m. every Friday and a 5-mile run at 6 p.m. every Monday, both starting at Bica in Normal Heights. It gives the coffee shop a regular gaggle of runners who are probably pretty hungry when they’re done. For the more literary minded, book clubs meeting at bars has a storied history (pun apologies).
Madelyne Wagner launched Reading Not Required in 2021 as a way to connect with other women readers after Covid lockdowns. Attendees never have to read the book, she stresses. It’s much more about getting to know new folks in a very casual environment—in this club’s case, at The Ould Sod in Normal Heights. “It’s just like getting a drink with friends, and obviously you don’t have to drink,” she says. But on the last Tuesday of every month, around 30-50 people gather to talk books, trade books, or just have a drink with some new (and old) friends. It’s a win for attendees and a nice boost for the bar.
Restaurants and bars have never just been places to eat; they’re third spaces, nice-smelling gathering spots. If you’ve got a group of folks who, say, enjoy board games or bike rides, why not see if your favorite local spot will section off a space for you and your social pals every once in a while? Win-win.
Beth’s Bites
- Puesto keeps pushing boundaries. It received its first Michelin Plate honor in the 2019 All-California Michelin guide for its from-scratch Mexican-American cuisine, won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2024 for brewmaster Doug Hasker’s Negra dark lager, and announced plans to expand to Nashville next year. The newest move is all eight locations have now gone completely seed oil free. The group had already moved to additive-free tequilas and non-GMO tortillas, so the move to alternatives like olive oil, avocado oil, and RSPO-certified palm oil carries that good-ingredients ethos a bit further.
- Listening bar and lounge Kiku Room just opened, bringing low-key vibes and low-priced cocktails to Little Italy. I think everyone is ready for a dose of both.
- Maybe only food industry nerds will be interested, but since I solidly relate to that title, here we go. The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Winter FancyFaire* (WFF)—yes, the asterisk is weirdly part of the official event name—is coming to San Diego for the first time ever this January from its longtime home in Las Vegas. “Why should I care?” you may be asking. Well, it’s only one of the biggest and most cutting-edge trade shows in the foodservice industry anywhere. It’s basically a showcase of all the latest kitchen gadgets and doo-dads, a bellwether of what flavors and ingredients are likely to be the Next Big Thing on menus over the next year, and a veritable Who’s Who of bigwigs behind the scenes. These are the decision-makers, the movers and shakers, the Miranda Priestlys of hospitality, and they picked San Diego over every other place they could have moved to. I think that’s worth a pat on our collective culinary back.
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