Frequently Asked Questions
Gaslamp Quarter Whiskey Bar & Restaurant
Answers Before You Arrive
Hours, parking, whiskey flights, weekend brunch, happy hour, group reservations and private events. Everything guests ask us about The Whiskey House at 420 3rd Ave in downtown San Diego. Jump to a topic:
Plan Your Visit
General & Visiting Questions
Hours, location, parking and the house rules for our Gaslamp Quarter whiskey bar and restaurant.
What are The Whiskey House hours?
We are open 7 days a week:
- Monday to Wednesday: 4pm to 11pm
- Thursday: 4pm to midnight
- Friday and Saturday: 9am to 1:30am (brunch 9am to 3pm)
- Sunday: 9am to 11pm (brunch 9am to 3pm)
We occasionally close for private buyouts, and those dates are posted on our homepage. Questions? Call (619) 546-6289.
Where is The Whiskey House located?
We are at 420 3rd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, on 3rd Avenue between Island Avenue and J Street on the east side of the Gaslamp Quarter. That makes us a short walk from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center, on a quieter stretch than the Fifth Avenue strip. Get directions and contact details.
Where can I park near The Whiskey House?
Downtown parking takes a little planning. There is metered street parking on 3rd Avenue and the surrounding blocks, plus several paid lots and garages within a few blocks. Street spots fill up fast on weekend nights and game days, so give yourself extra time or use rideshare. Drivers can drop off right in front on 3rd Avenue.
Do you have outdoor patio seating?
Yes. We have outdoor seating on 3rd Avenue, which is a favorite for weekend brunch and happy hour. Patio tables are first-come, first-served.
Is The Whiskey House dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome on our outdoor patio. For health-code reasons, only service animals are allowed inside.
Can I bring kids to The Whiskey House?
Yes, during restaurant service. We are a full, chef-driven restaurant as well as a whiskey bar, and we have high chairs available. Guests must be 21 or older with a valid ID to order alcohol.
Do you offer takeout and delivery?
Yes, both. Our food menu is available for takeout and delivery. Please note that happy hour pricing does not apply to takeout orders. Takeout during happy hour is charged at full menu prices.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards and contactless mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Free Wi-Fi is available for guests.
Is The Whiskey House hiring?
We are always looking for great bartenders, servers and kitchen talent. See current openings and apply on our careers page.
The Collection
Whiskey, Flights & Whiskey Club
Everything about the Guinness World Record collection, our tasting flights and the Whiskey Club.
How many whiskeys does The Whiskey House carry?
More than 4,000, sourced from distilleries around the world, and the list keeps growing. Our collection is recognized by Guinness World Records, which makes The Whiskey House a destination for whiskey lovers visiting San Diego. Read more in The World’s Largest Whiskey Collection Is in San Diego.
What is the Whiskey Bible?
The Whiskey Bible is our full whiskey menu. It lists every pour by style and region, including bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, Japanese and world whisky. It also lists our tasting flights. Browse the Whiskey Bible online or download the full PDF before your visit.
Do you offer whiskey flights?
Yes. We offer nearly 30 flights, each with five ½-ounce pours built around a theme: Kentucky bourbon, rye, Tennessee, San Diego whiskey, Japanese, Irish, whiskeys from different countries, Speyside, Highland and Islands Scotch, heavily peated Scotch, dessert whiskeys and our T.W.H. exclusive bottlings. Prices run from $32 up to rare, aged flights like the Insane Pappy. To keep each flight balanced, we cannot make substitutions. See every flight in the Whiskey Bible.
I'm new to whiskey. Where should I start?
Start with a flight and tell your bartender what you already like, whether that's sweet, smoky, spicy or smooth. Our team will steer you toward the right style. For a head start, read our beginner’s guide to tasting whiskey and Scotch vs. bourbon vs. Japanese whisky.
Do you have exclusive or rare bottles?
Yes. We carry T.W.H. exclusive bottlings you won't find anywhere else, along with allocated and hard-to-find releases as they arrive. Ask your bartender what's new, or join the Whiskey Club to hear about rare pours first.
What is the Whiskey Club?
The Whiskey Club is our recurring series of guided tasting events. Each one features a guest distillery, such as Willett or Bardstown Bourbon Company, and you taste with the people who make the spirit. Upcoming and past events are on the Whiskey Club page. Sign up for our email list there to hear about the next event first. Learn more in Inside San Diego’s Whiskey Club.
Do you serve cocktails, beer and wine too?
Absolutely. Our mixologists make craft cocktails with fresh ingredients, and we pour more than 20 international draft beers and a varied wine list. Classic cocktails are $8 during happy hour.
What makes The Whiskey House different from other San Diego whiskey bars?
Scale and substance. We have a Guinness World Record collection of 4,000+ whiskeys, knowledgeable staff who guide guests through it, and a real scratch kitchen led by Chef Rene Miranda. We have been a Gaslamp Quarter institution since 2015. Read our story.
Kitchen & Specials
Food, Brunch & Happy Hour
Chef-driven food, weekend brunch and one of the best happy hours in downtown San Diego.
Is The Whiskey House a restaurant or just a bar?
Both. We are a chef-driven restaurant serving elevated pub fare. Chef Rene Miranda has more than 20 years of kitchen experience, and every sauce, marinade and dressing is made in house. Nothing is frozen or pre-made, and our fries are hand cut. Bread comes from Sadie Rose Baking Co., and cheeses and charcuterie from Savory Gourmet. See the dinner menu.
What kind of food do you serve?
Elevated pub fare built to pair with whiskey: house-ground burgers, house-made sausages, charcuterie, a scotch-marinated pork chop, bourbon-glazed salmon, an 8 oz hand-cut New York strip and more. Browse all of our menus.
When is brunch served?
Brunch is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Expect Mexican favorites like chilaquiles, breakfast enchiladas and huevos rancheros, plus pancakes, waffles, French toast, Bloody Marys, micheladas and mimosas. View the brunch menu or read Not Your Average Eggs and Toast.
When is happy hour?
Happy hour runs every day from 4pm to 7pm. Food starts at $4, classic cocktails like the whiskey sour, Negroni and Moscow Mule are $8, house wines are $8, and select drafts are $5. You can add a shot of whiskey to any beer for $1. See the full happy hour menu.
What is Taco Tuesday at The Whiskey House?
Every Tuesday, all day: $3 tequila, $6 birria tacos and $5 Modelo Especial or Barrio Lager. Details are on the happy hour menu.
Do you have vegan and vegetarian options?
Yes. Brunch has a dedicated vegan menu, including vegan enchiladas, vegan chocolate chip pancakes, a vegan plate and a vegan burrito. We also offer a house-made black bean burger, avocado toast, a veggie scramble and a kale salad. See the brunch menu.
Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes. Any of our pancakes can be made gluten free for $5, and the vegan chocolate chip pancakes are gluten free. Let your server know about any allergies so the kitchen can guide you. Read Gluten-Free Pancakes in San Diego That Don’t Taste Like It.
Do you serve brunch cocktails?
Yes. Friday through Sunday we pour a proper Irish coffee, three Bloody Marys made with our secret house mix (classic, Maria and a smoky Islay Scotch version), micheladas, mimosas and bellinis, plus fresh-pressed juices. See brunch drinks.
Book With Us
Reservations & Private Events
Group reservations, private parties, corporate events and full buyouts in downtown San Diego.
Do I need a reservation?
For smaller parties, no. Walk-ins are welcome and tables are seated first-come, first-served. Reservations are set up for groups of 6 or more. Book a group table here.
How do I make a reservation for a group?
Groups of 6 to 15 can book online through our reservations page. For 15 or more, contact our events team through the private events page so we can plan the space and menu.
Is gratuity added for large parties?
Yes. A 20% gratuity is automatically added for parties of 6 or more.
Can I host a private party at The Whiskey House?
Yes. We host birthdays, holiday parties and special celebrations of all kinds, with a 4,000+ whiskey collection as the backdrop. Our events team handles the details. Plan your private event.
Do you host corporate events and team outings?
Yes. We are a natural fit for corporate events, client dinners and convention-week gatherings, just blocks from the San Diego Convention Center. Whiskey flights for the group make it a memorable team outing. Contact our events team.
Can we customize the menu or add whiskey flights?
Yes. Private events come with customizable food and drink menus, and our events team can work whiskey flights into your event. Tell us your headcount, date and budget on the private events page, and we'll put together options.
Can we book the entire venue?
Yes. Full buyouts are available for larger parties and special occasions. Availability is limited, so reach out early through the private events page. Planning a bachelor or bachelorette party? Read why The Whiskey House should be your first stop.
We’re Here to Help
Still Have a Question?
Call us at (619) 546-6289, email whiskey@thewhiskeyhousesd.com or send us a message. Better yet, come see the collection for yourself.