The Tavern at The Vogue may be new to Third Avenue, but proprietors Gonzalo Quintero, 37, and Alan Cassel, 49, have put careful thought into transforming the building that was once a Thai restaurant and The House of Munich into a space that feels familiar.
Tavern-goers will be greeted by ’80s movie posters and get to enjoy a menu that focuses on European bar food, beer and mixed drinks. There’s also a shuffleboard table and classic arcade games for people to play while they bask in new wave ’80s music.
“We want this to be the go-to destination, not just the ‘oh, oh we went there because it’s the new spot.’ That luster will wear off quickly,” Quintero said.
Quintero, who is also a National City council member, explained that the name of the tavern is a demarcation of the historic Vogue Theatre, which is located next door and in the process of being developed into a concert venue by San Diego design firm Tecture. Quintero and Cassel are not affiliated with the development of the theater.
“There’s a lot of nostalgia and memories on this block because of the theater,” Cassel said.
He and Quintero said they wanted to play into that nostalgia and evoke a “children of the ’80s” theme while keeping the original facade of the building and creating a place where people can eat and drink on Third Avenue.
Cassel also co-owns Grind House on Third Avenue, and he and Quintero run Grind House Logan Ave. together.
“Tavern should really be evocative of old world terminology, it’s not a pub, it’s not a public house — tavern is more restaurant focused, it’s a place where families can be, and we’re food driven first and foremost,” Quintero said.
Their menu features a variety of sausages, pretzels and a tavern sandwich made with the bun, sausage, mustard and toppings of your choosing.
They will also serve small bites including tavern tots, mac and beer cheese and chicken wings, and have a bar menu available during business hours and into the late night. The bar menu includes sausage sliders, mini hot dogs, a meat and cheese board and more.
An array of beers on tap, most of which are European, and a selection of bottled and canned beers complement the comfort food-filled menu. Strawberry rosemary smashes, palomas and Kentucky mules can be found on the Tavern at The Vogue’s mixed drink menu, which includes 11 mixed drinks and was curated by Quintero’s wife.
While creating a space that is social, Quintero and Cassel said they also aim to create an experience that is more intimate than what Third Avenue currently offers — where middle-aged couples can go on double dates, groups of friends can gather and women can feel comfortable.
“It’s a slightly different age demographic … there aren’t as many places for couples and ladies,” Cassel said.
Quintero said they wanted the seating to be reminiscent of European beer halls. Inside Tavern at The Vogue there are tables for two, cushioned benches that line long tables and leather high back bar stools that line a red alligator print bartop.
Tavern at The Vogue is currently opens at 11 a.m. They are closed Tuesdays.
The official grand opening of Tavern will be Sept. 21, and kickstart a series of weekend Oktoberfest celebrations.
