Mexico City flair and imaginative cocktails make Roma Norte one of San Diego’s most exciting bar openings of 2024
Roma Norte, a new bar concept from the team behind Puesto and Marisi, is bringing the electricity of Mexico City’s cocktail bars to San Diego. Now officially open at The Headquarters at Seaport Village, the space delivers technique-driven drinks, featuring flavors from Latin America.
Inspired by the celebrated nightlife of the eponymous Mexico City neighborhood, Vice President of Bar and Spirits Beau du Bois and Director of Bar Logistics Derek Cram developed a cocktail program that reflects their common obsession with high-quality spirits. Resulting from the duo’s experimentation is a menu of eight technique-driven cocktails, as well as four non-alcoholic beverages, that implement modern bartending methodologies to present the ingredients in their most perfect form. Modern techniques such as forced carbonation, nitro muddling, clarification via centrifuge, and lacto-fermentation can be enjoyed throughout the menu; and guest can enjoy imaginative offerings such as Hoja Santa leaves flash frozen with liquid nitrogen and tequila that’s been vapor infused with habaneros.
Drawing on Latin American spices and botanicals as well as a variety of spirits, Roma Norte’s beverage program presents an eclectic mix of global flavors. The Maduro Highball features Brazilian Cachaça and plantains, and presents South American and Caribbean vibes. The Another Word is a modern interpretation of the Prohibition classic Last Word, which includes eucalyptus-infused mezcal poured tableside over pillowy-soft shaved ice from an imported Japanese Kakigōri ice shaver. Roma Norte’s Sex on the Beach, meanwhile, utilizes yerba mate and a clarification technique with coconut milk. In addition to the bar’s signature offerings, the menu will include a deep list of classic house cocktails.
Following the DNA of the bar program, Chef Erik Aronow has crafted an accompanying food menu of playful small plates and late-night bites. Menu items such as Flamin’ Hot Corn Nuts with house-made crunchy hominy & cheesy spice blend; the Scallop Tostada featuring avocado, finger lime, sweet onion, and cilantro; or Yellowfin Tuna with crispy white corn tostada, guacamole, persian cucumber, shallot, and chile pair perfectly with the drinks. More substantial dishes like the Carne Crudo with prime diced hanger steak, birria spiced aioli, shimeji mushroom, and radish sprout; as well as the signature Torta de Milanesa sandwich with veal, potato roll, spicy cabbage, avocado, cilantro green chile aioli, and pickled onions serve as solid bases for late night revelry.
Roma Norte’s interiors blend lush greenery with urban elements throughout the space. Nodding to Mexico City’s vibrant and diverse architecture, which includes both colorful facades of colonial-era buildings as well as modernist designs, the bar incorporates muted hues of navy, terracotta, and concrete to reflect the city’s artistic spirit. Plush velvet furniture, a deep brown marble bar top, retro lighting, bronze detailing, custom wallpaper, and patinaed antique mirrors evoke a sense of nostalgia and sophistication.
Roma Norte is located at 789 West Harbor Drive Suite 155, San Diego, CA 92101 and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am. For more information or to make a reservation, head over to the official website.
