Urge Gastropub Opening Cocktail Speakeasy in Oceanside

The three partners behind 3LB Restaurant Concepts, which recently announced its biggest project yet — an expansion of their Urge Gastropub and Mason Ale Works concepts into a 21,000-square-foot space in San Marcos' North City development — have much more local growth in the works, from creating all new brands to revamping its exiting properties.

Grant Tondro and brothers Zak and Nate Higson, who also operate Rancho Bernardo's Brothers Provisions and The Barrel Room, expanded Urge Gastropub to Oceanside earlier this year. It houses the flagship brewing facility for Mason Ale Works and also marks the proprietors' first foray into cocktails; the South Coast Highway location has become known for its whiskey collection and craft cocktail list.

This October, they'll delve even further into the cocktail world by opening a speakeasy within the Oceanside eatery. A 600-square-foot section of the former bank building, set behind the dining room and adjacent to the brewery, is currently being remodeled into 101 Proof; carved out of the bank vault, the 35-person capacity bar will have an exclusive entrance off Vista Way and a reservation-only system. Inspired by the Prohibition era, the bar will features its own menu of throwback dishes — six to eight shared plates ranging from oysters Rockefeller to foie gras and chicken roulade.

Open from 6 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday, 101 Proof will also have a membership program, where bottles of special single barrel whiskies can be purchased and stored onsite for sipping or drink-making. Beverages will include a cocktails with a whiskey focus, made with house-pressed juices and hand-cut ice, along with high end beer and wine.