The Beau Hotel officially introduced its highly anticipated on-site restaurant and bar, The Bar at the Beau, opening Friday, May 16.
Originally built in 1886 as the Leland Hotel, the building later became the Beaumanor and even housed a secret speakeasy during Prohibition. Today, careful restoration honors the property’s rich history: the original 1886 bar remains, and the walls feature bricks sourced from Coronado’s PB&Y Company.
The Bar at the Beau offers a full-day menu — from breakfast and midday bites to happy hour and dinner — centered around elevated American comfort food. Executive Chef Robin James leads the kitchen, bringing refined creativity to nostalgic favorites like Duck Pot Pie and Braised Pork Shank, alongside shareable plates such as Beef Cheek with crispy chickpeas, fresh Oysters on the Half Shell, and Chilled English Pea Soup. Larger plates include options like Faroe Islands Salmon with carrot-coconut purée and Whole Roasted Branzino with tabbouleh, while desserts like the Beau Sundae and Pineapple Upside Down Cake offer a playful yet polished finish. Born and raised in Southern California, Chef Robin’s culinary journey began at a young age, helping cater charity events before formally training at The Art Institute of California, San Diego. He went on to lead kitchens at some of the city’s top dining establishments, most recently as Executive Chef at Top of the Market.
Guests can sip crafted cocktails—including the aptly named 1886 Old Fashioned, a timeless pour of bourbon, sugar, and bitters—at the original 1886 bar, surrounded by a dark, gilded ambiance that seamlessly blends historic charm with quiet luxury. The menu also features the Beau Bloom, a delicate gin sour with house-made lavender syrup and fresh lemon, and the Night Porter, a bold, elegant espresso martini that pays tribute to the building’s late-night past.
Guiding the daily guest experience is Brandi Evans, Director of Food & Beverage at The Bar at the Beau, who brings a wealth of hospitality leadership to the property. Brandi previously led private club operations for the San Diego Padres, headed VIP Services at the iconic Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and helped launch standout restaurants in Las Vegas.
The vision behind The Beau Hotel and The Bar at the Beau is brought to life by owner Cathy Herrick, whose passion for preserving history and creating meaningful hospitality experiences has transformed the building into a true Gaslamp gem. Founding partner of San Diego Historic Properties, Inc., Cathy Herrick has spent more than three decades restoring historic buildings that have earned both state and national recognition.
The Bar at the Beau’s hours are as follows:
- Breakfast daily from 7:30am to 12:00pm
- Midday & Light Bites from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
- Happy Hour daily from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
- Dinner from Sunday to Thursday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
- Dinner from Friday to Saturday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm
- Bar only from Friday to Saturday from 10:00pm to 2:00am
