Ocean View Waterbar Lands on Pacific Beach

A prime spot on the Pacific Beach boardwalk has been transformed into Waterbar, a freshly-opened restaurant and cocktail bar with expansive ocean views. Previously Joe’s Crab Shack, its new ownership team includes co-owner Todd Brown (Bub’s at the Beach, Bub’s at the Ballpark and The Blind Burro), Eric Leitstein of OMG Hospitality Group (Union Kitchen & Tap, Backyard Kitchen & Tap and Pacific Beach Alehouse) and Joe Vaught of The Verant Group (barleymash, Tavern, Sandbar, WESTROOT, True North Tavern).

Executive chef Steven Lona, formerly of Tasting Room Del Mar, is overseeing an all-day menu, served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., that focuses on seafood. Drawing signature dishes from the East Coast and West Coast of the U.S. as well as Baja, the “social seafood” options include fresh poke and ceviche, fish and chips, charred octopus, and sea bass in a smoked tomato broth. The beachfront bar’s craft cocktails range from light and refreshing drinks to spicy and spirit-forward ones, plus shareable “fish bowls” that include spiked sangria.