When it’s not enough to simply grab a beer, step into one of these Temecula gastropubs. With eclectic menus, surprisingly good food, craft beer, and creative cocktail lists, these hangouts are destinations in their own right. At all of them, you’ll find locals out with friends or families and visitors checking out the Old Town scene. They also all serve brunch and have TVs at the bar, so if a Saturday college match or Sunday football lineup is on your agenda, they’ve got you covered. One even has a speakeasy hidden in the back. Here’s a rundown of what to expect at each.
1909 in Old Town
A popular spot on the corner of Front Street and Main in Old Town Temecula, family-owned 1909 has a large patio for outdoor dining and an almost equally large indoor bar with multiple TVs, high-top tables, and friendly bartenders. The bare-bones design of the place belies the expertly made cocktails and talents of the kitchen. The food menu is wide-ranging in style, with Korean Fried Chicken, Crab & Shrimp Empanadas, Pesto Tagliatelle, and Fish Tacos, making it a terrific place to bring a group. Speaking of, 1909 is walk-in only, but they do take reservations for parties of eight or more, and since there’s often a wait, that’s something to take advantage of if you’re visiting with a group. Great anytime of year, 1909 is a must-visit at holiday time when the entire place transforms into a Christmas wonderland.
Open daily, the 1909 is dog and kid-friendly, with special menus for both. 28656 Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590 | www.1909temecula.com
Crush & Brew
Crush & Brew is a lively pub dressed up as a wine bar on one side and a brewpub on the other. The same menu is available wherever you sit, as are cocktails if that’s your poison. They have a solid beer list and serve several local wines from Temecula and neighboring De Luz and Warner Springs. The food menu is elevated bar fare like Apple, Walnut & Goat Cheese Salad, Cajun Shrimp, and Basil Pesto Flatbread. There are also burgers, wings, and fries — which earn their own section on the menu with varietals like truffle, pork belly, and bacon parmesan. The secret at Crush & Brew is Thompson & Twain, a speakeasy hidden in the back that’s only open on the weekends. And, whereas at Crush & Brew, you can make a reservation, speakeasy admittance is based on availability, so put your name down early if you’re interested.
Open Daily. 28544 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590 | www.crushnbrew.com
Blackbird Tavern
The vibe at Blackbird Tavern falls somewhere between rustic neighborhood saloon and beer garden with a little pirate mixed in, thanks to the blackbirds and skeleton decor. Nods to the space’s former life as a hot dog joint remain in small ways along the back walls, so it may come as a pleasant surprise to open a brunch menu and discover items like Beet and Orzo Salad and Croissant Breakfast sandwich. From the same owners as Finch in nearby Wildomar, this is another eclectic menu serving up Ahi Nachos, Cheese Curds, Fried Chicken Curry, and a Muffaletta Sandwich. They have a well-crafted cocktail menu (in the summer, try the Neon Cactus), and there are usually around ten beers on tap. They serve a few local wines as well. The back patio has lawn games and picnic tables, and after 9 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings the place into a nightclub with music and sometimes outdoor movies.
Fridays through Sundays only. Kid and dog-friendly until 9 pm. 41958 5th St, Temecula, CA 92590 | www.blackbirdtemecula.com
Oscars Brewing Company
Oscars Brewing Company sits above the big duck pond that greets visitors as they exit the 15 freeway. It’s a bustling place with a spacious bar area, wrap-around patio with two levels of seating, cheerful indoor dining room, and separate space for parties. Oscar’s brews their own craft beer and has an on-site bakery that churns out large pretzels, wood-fired pizza, and their famous pillowy breadsticks. But the menu doesn’t end there. Executive Chef Ryan Estrada serves up decadent sandwiches served on homemade ciabatta and brioche buns like the Tri Tip Sandwich and O.B.C. Burger (above), salads like their Harvest Salad with poppy seed crusted goat cheese, Fuji apple, and mixed berries, and seasonal entrees like Pan Roasted Salmon and Steak Frites. The cocktail menu here is one to pay attention to as well. The Pat’s, their take on a margarita with Amaretto and mango puree, is a favorite, as is the Oscars, an Old-Fashioned variation with Luxardo Amaretto and Knob Creek Rye.
Open Daily. Kid and dog-friendly. www.oscarsbrewingcompany.com | 29375 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Hendo’s Barrel House
Hendo’s Barrel House is the new kid in town. Owned and conceived by Dan Henderson, the first MMA fighter to hold two titles in different weight classes simultaneously, it’s a large restaurant with bar, barrel room, outdoor patio, and…. fight training studio. If you’re not an MMA aficionado don’t worry, other than the gift shop at the entrance, the joint is more pub than MMA. And an upscale pub at that. Attractively designed with floor to ceiling windows, leather chairs, and outdoor fire pit, it’s a very welcoming space. The menu includes craft beer and cocktails (you can see the gorgeous distiller behind the bar), steakhouse selections and salads. And if you are an MMA fan, it’s the perfect place to go on fight nights when they have watch parties.
Open daily. Family-friendly. www.hendosbarrelhouse.com | 27901 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590
