Everbar, a new taproom in Downtown El Cajon, is getting closer to opening at 172 East Main Street.
The El Cajon Planning Commission recently approved a conditional use permit that allows for the on-site sale and consumption of beer and wine. The permit also lets the taproom stay open until midnight on event nights. Owner Tim Stone tells What Now San Diego that he’s aiming for a January or February 2026 opening, depending on the final permitting process.
The taproom will have roughly 770 square feet of indoor space and a 50-square-foot outdoor seating area on Main Street. Restrooms will be shared with Main Street Donuts and Deli through a common hallway. Trash will be stored indoors, with pickup handled by EDCO. Proposed conditions include responsible beverage-service training, a two-foot setback for the outdoor seating area, and a three-foot metal fence around the patio.
Everbar will operate under a Type 23 small beer manufacturer license, which allows both on-site consumption and off-sale of beer produced on-site. The taproom will feature beer from Creative Creature, a local brewery that Tim Stone also operates. Creative Creature is known for its small-batch beers and rotating seasonal offerings. Stone said the taproom will be compact, well-lit, and feature rotating themes, with food service coordinated from nearby restaurants.
During the public hearing, commissioners discussed the concentration of alcohol licenses in the downtown census tract, trash handling, signage rules, and the process for future hour changes. The police department did not oppose the permit, noting positive prior experience with Creative Creature’s operations.
The approved CUP requires a minor amendment process for future hour changes, as well as an encroachment permit and insurance for the outdoor dining area. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will handle the final issuance of any Alcoholic Beverage Control license.
Everbar’s Downtown El Cajon location adds a small but notable option for craft beer fans and contributes to the ongoing evolution of the area’s taproom scene.
