Ocean Ale House Brings Craft Beer and Live Music to Balboa Park

Everyone dreams of opening a neighborhood joint in their neighborhood, and three Balboa Park guys have gone and done just that. Miles Escobedo, Daniel Silberman, and Eric Almazan opened Ocean Ale House this week, a Balboa Park neighborhood hang for beer and wine with American food and live music. The guys have 10 years of experience in the restaurant world, with Escobedo working the wine side and getting a cicerone certification, and Silberman and Almazan handling the kitchen side.

The interior

The guys created a menu of bar classics like a burger, fresh French fries, and a reuben, while drinks have both a local and global focus with 12 beer taps, eight wines by the glass and 20 wine bottles. Because Balboa Park is still an up-and-coming area, the owners were able to find a reasonable rent and finance the entire operation without outside investors, which translates over to the prices. Wines range from $6 to $13 a glass, beers start around $5 and top out around $12 for a "super high-end barrel-aged almanac," and food starts at $4 for appetizers and up to $16 for full plates.

The live music aspect features jazz, Cuban music, local bands, and more. Decor centers around a large ocean mural on one wall, plus posters, book, art, beer and wine paraphernalia scattered throughout. "We want to fill the place up with the idea that we're beer-forward, as well as wine loving," Escobedo told Eater.

Ocean Ale House is open Thursday, May 19 at 4 p.m., then at 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. this weekend. Monday hours are 4 p.m. to 11 a.m., and then regular hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. there on after.