Beer Baron to Take Over Toast’s Prime Patio Space in Rockridge

A new tenant has found a home in Toast Kitchen + Bar, the five-year-old wine bar the closed last fall, after a momentary pivot to an Austin-style taco restaurant. Beer Baron, a beer bar and whiskey club with locations in Livermore and Pleasanton, is moving in with plans to bring a low-key drinking spot to neighborhood.

The menu will mirror that of the Pleasanton location (Livermore is a bar only), featuring an eclectic hodge-podge of dishes like smoked olive oil guacamole, green curry thai wings, and cajun mac and cheese. According to co-owner Raj Judge, every location will have something slightly different that is relevant to its town (no word on what that will be for Rockridge, yet). 30 taps (a few of which will be wine and craft cocktails), plus a “whiskey bible” will available on the drinking end of things.

Yelp

Interiors will also mimic the other two locations, both of which boast a copper bar, and a ceiling made of barrel staves. The Oakland location will have murals adorning the walls from local artist Lauren Asta, depicting local landmarks, sports teams, and drinking ephemera; the large patio that lured families and neighbors will remain largely the same, though the inside will undergo a complete transformation. And though not considered a “sports bar,” there will be several large TVs for when Oakland’s dwindling number of teams are playing.

Its the third location for owners/brothers Raj and Harpreet Judge, who will open a fourth location in Sant Rosa this summer. The bars are the result of years spent working in their father’s liquor store, Perry’s Liquor & Craft Beer in Livermore. Eventually the brothers plan to expand to Sacramento and San Diego, though Raj told Eater SF that “after this we plan to take a break.”

Beer Baron is set to open in late August; stay tuned for more.