It was only four months ago that Harland Brewing debuted a brand-new bar and restaurant in 4S Ranch. Opened in late-January, it has been a hit among the inland North County community’s residents, while allowing Director of Culinary Operations Scott Cannon to fully present a wider array of dishes, including culturally diverse appetizers, plated entrées and composed desserts.
Making a go of a full-service restaurant was a big step for the owners of the Scripps Ranch-based business, but far from the last one on the journey to what they want Harland to become from a public-facing perspective. Shortly after getting the doors open in 4S Ranch, co-founders Anthony Levas and Jeff Hansson announced Harland would be installing an all-day eatery in a 2,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor space at Mission Bay Golf Course.
Harland has been among the county’s most prolific beer-producers and constantly advancing brewing companies, so it’s no surprise to see them charging ahead with a new project so soon. That said, one may have expected replication of an existing, proven venue such as 4S Ranch or the company’s smaller kitchen-equipped bar in South Park versus a completely new concept at a golf course.
“Most of the folks that work at Harland play golf, so this opportunity felt like a natural fit,” says Levas. “We have also been on the lookout for a space that would allow us to provide a unique experience to pair up with our beer and food.”
After hearing the City of San Diego was looking for an entity to take over the new-construction restaurant space, Harland put in a proposal, eventually being selected based on their vision for the venue. “We want this to be a space for all to gather, have some fun and enjoy great beer, wine and food. It will be a family-friendly zone with live music on the weekends, DJs and something for everyone.”
Designed and built-out by the City, the venue – which Harland has dubbed “The Clubhouse” – is equipped with a full kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows and accordion doors segueing to a large outdoor patio. The latter includes its own bar as well as an “island” that’s surrounded by water, which will host group events. Harland has also taken over a longstanding tiki hut, converting it into a bar, and relocating it near the driving range and chipping green for snack and drink service on busy days.
Back inside, expect a more luminous environment than the company’s other locations. “The Clubhouse is lighter and brighter than some of our other spaces, with slatted beechwood details on the back bar, hanging globe lights much like our South Park bar, green tiles on the front bar and light wood shelving to add some greenery,” says Levas. “We also finished the wood soffit with beechwood and added Harland’s signature brass back bar to house our 10 taps.”
Those taps will exclusively pour Harland’s core, seasonal and specialty beers, including a limited-edition West Coast IPA brewed with Burgeon Beer Co. Going by the name Color Form, the 6.7% alcohol-by-volume collaboration beer features a layered hop bill of Simcoe, Motueka, Waima and Southern Cross, bringing about tropical- and citrus-fruit aromas bolstered by flavors of lime zest, tangerine peel and grapefruit pith.
On the food front, Cannon will lean on mainstays from Harland’s existing menus while taking the food program in fun new directions. The Clubhouse’s hours will line up with those of the course, with a to-go window opening at 7 a.m. to provide breakfast items (sandwiches, burritos, pastries),l and drip coffee for golfers with early tee times. Meanwhile, the lunch and dinner menus will features a brand-new line-up of deli-style sandwiches beside Harland popular double smash burger, fried chicken sandwich, chicken tendies and dipper fries. The Clubhouse’s full menus can be viewed here.
“It’s hard to name a combo that goes together quite like beer and golf, and this is our chance to bring people together doing what they love,” says Levas. “The general excitement that has been shared with us by patrons of the course has been infectious. This is a unique concept for us, and one that we are proud to bring to life.”
Harland’s management team is currently working with the City’s Golf Division to put together special packages for events and tournaments, and will extend its popular weekday deal offering a smash burger or chicken sandwich with fries and a beer for $20 to the new location.
The Clubhouse will open to the public on Friday, June 5. Local cover band Surf Birdz will play a curated surf and classic rock from 4 to 7 p.m.. Additionally, draft beers will be offered for $5 on June 5-7. The Clubhouse’s hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Harland Brewing – The Clubhouse is located inside Mission Bay Golf Course at 2702 North Mission Bay Drive in Pacific Beach