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619 Spirits applies for state liquor license at new North Park distillery and restaurant

619 Spirits applies for state liquor license at new North Park distillery and restaurant

New Capabilities San Diego, CA local

San Diego's first urban craft distillery plans to leave Lincoln Avenue for an 8,000-square-foot El Cajon Boulevard flagship

Today: 619 Spirits applies for ABC license at 2875 El Cajon Boulevard

Overview

Updated 2 hours ago

619 Spirits, San Diego's first urban craft distillery, has applied for a state liquor license at its planned North Park home on El Cajon Boulevard. The application appeared on the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensing list on September 29, 2026.

The company plans to replace its Lincoln Avenue site with an 8,000-square-foot space holding a full restaurant, cocktail bar, and event venue. It says the move would triple production capacity, and it is raising money through a community investment note to fund the buildout.

Why it matters

If the license clears, 619 Spirits triples production and opens a 200-seat restaurant in North Park.

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Key Indicators

3x
Planned production capacity increase
619 Spirits says the new facility will triple output.
200+
Guest seating at new location
Seating planned for the restaurant and bar at 2875 El Cajon Boulevard.
$1M
Reported annual revenue
Revenue the company says it generates, per its investor update.

Voices

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

1 event Latest: Today
  1. 619 Spirits applies for ABC license at 2875 El Cajon Boulevard

    Today Regulatory

    The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control lists a type 74 license application for 619 Spirits' planned North Park distillery and restaurant. The license is recorded as applied for, not yet issued.

Scenarios

1

619 Spirits opens its North Park distillery and restaurant

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: What Now San Diego and the company's investor updates

The ABC approves the type 74 license, construction on the 8,000-square-foot buildout finishes, and 619 Spirits opens its restaurant and bar to the public at 2875 El Cajon Boulevard.

2

Construction or licensing delays push opening into 2028

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Hospitality industry observers tracking restaurant buildouts

The license review, construction, or inspections take longer than planned, and the opening slips past the end of 2027 while the project remains active.

3

Funding gap stalls or cancels the expansion

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: What Now San Diego's report that the buildout depends on investor funding

If the community investment note fails to raise enough money, 619 Spirits could pause or scale back the North Park project, withdrawing its license application.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1997

Tito's Handmade Vodka scales from a single still to a national brand (1997)

Bert Beveridge founded Tito's Handmade Vodka in Austin, Texas, in 1997, distilling with a single pot still. The brand grew over two decades into America's largest vodka distillery by volume.

Then

Tito's became a top-selling vodka brand without selling to a major conglomerate.

Now

It proved a craft distiller could scale production and distribution while keeping a small-batch identity.

Why this matters now

619 Spirits is pursuing a similar path: expanding from a small craft operation to a larger facility to grow production and reach more customers.

2006

Stone Brewing opens its Escondido restaurant and gardens (2006)

Stone Brewing, a San Diego craft brewer, opened a brewery restaurant and gardens at its new Escondido campus, pairing food with its own beer on site.

Then

The destination drew visitors and boosted Stone's brand beyond the taproom.

Now

It helped establish the model of a craft producer anchoring a neighborhood with food, drink, and event space.

Why this matters now

619 Spirits is adopting that model, adding a full restaurant and bar to its distillery to attract locals and tourists to North Park.

Sources

(3)

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