Barrio Logan Gets First Distillery, Plus Bar and Restaurant

Local company Liberty Call Distilling has scheduled a date — April 2 — for the grand opening of its ambitious expansion in Barrio Logan. Founded in 2013 in Spring Valley, Liberty Call is going big for its second location, which will span nearly 3,300-square-feet and include a full bar and restaurant in addition to a second distillery. The space, by Hurkes Harris Design Associates (Resident Brewing, Breakfast Republic), will have an open floor plan, with the distillery behind glass, a 75-seat counter-service eatery serving lunch, dinner and brunch, and a patio with a fire pit, herb garden, and views of the Coronado Bridge.

Running the kitchen is a chef who was born and raised in Barrio Logan; Miguel Valdez has spent a decade cooking in San Diego, most notably at The Red Door in Mission Hills. The chef says that his menu will convey comfort food though a variety of ‘California tapas’ that will incorporate Liberty Call spirits into its sauces. Plates will include a smoked bacon-wrapped hot dog with seasonal pico de gallo and Gin Chili Rojo Sauce, Tommy’s Tuna Melt named after local fishmonger Tommy Gomes, bone marrow and beef tartare with bourbon mustard, and grilled lamb chops with Spiced Rum Chimichurri. Valdez also plans on hosting intimate chef’s table dinner events in his Barrio Logan kitchen.

The bar will showcase Liberty Call’s grain-to-glass whiskey, bourbon, rum and gin in seasonal and barrel-aged cocktails as well as low ABV draft cocktails crafted with housemade syrups, bitters, and shrubs. There will also be a rotating monthly cocktail; for the April opening it will be Showers & Flowers made with Szechuan peppercorn-infused Liberty Call gin, lavender and rose simple syrup, key lime juice, sage, and an edible floral garnish. Local craft beers and wine from the Valle de Guadalupe wines will also be poured.

Rob Andrew

Rob Andrew

Rob Andrew

Rob Andrew