A centrally-located building off Washington Street that’s seen a variety of businesses rotate through in the last few years — from wine bar 57 Degrees to seafood spot Fishmonger’s Market — has become the new headquarters of Snake Oil Cocktail Company, a long-standing local catering and cocktail company that took on a $2 million dollar renovation to transform it into a large-scale event venue and cafe that could be considered the largest coffee shop in San Diego. Grand opening in early November, Julep spans 12,000-square-feet of customizable entertaining and meeting space, from a main hall that can accommodate more than 500 guests to multiple outdoor patios, two kitchens, and private rooms.
Snake Oil Cocktail Co. CEO Michael Esposito says Julep provides a fully-equipped, easily-accessible gathering spot for all sizes of community events, including pop-ups and chef dinners, as well as a hub for the company, which caters over 800 events a year and runs the cocktail programs at several locations around town, including the San Diego Symphony and The Conrad in La Jolla. But the entire area will also be open to the public when it’s not booked for a private function.
The on-site cafe is a partnership with The WestBean Coffee Roasters, who are developing its menu of espresso drinks and quick-service food options. Together with Snake Oil co-founder Frankie Thaheld and mixologist Irving Gonzalez, WestBean is also creating a line of coffee and tea-based cocktails that will be offered at the bar.