About Us
How It Began
Since its opening in 1913, Balboa Cafe has kept its historical integrity, including the original bar, signage, and photos that line its walls. In 1994, Gavin Newsom’s PlumpJack Group’s Balboa Cafe partners acquired the Balboa and debuted with minimal updates in 1995. Through the years, we have elevated the menu at Balboa Cafe with a more modern culinary direction, and we continue to celebrate the classic dishes this city institution is known for.
Balboa Cafe has been continuously operating for over 100 years and has stayed true to its roots since its opening over a century ago. It has survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and other historic milestones in the city, including the COVID pandemic. This popular gathering place managed to remain true to its identity while evolving with the times and its customers.
1913
1995
New beginnings
In 1995, PlumpJack Group (a hospitality management group) took over management of the classic old-time saloon Balboa Cafe and re-establishes it as a benchmark for the community, catering to Bay Area locals and beyond.
2001
Solidifying Our legacy
Balboa Cafe has been continuously operating since its opening as a working man’s saloon in 1913. It’s stayed true to its roots since opening over a century ago. It has survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, other historic milestones in the city, and, of course, the COVID pandemic.
2017
tinis on tap
The evolution of the espresso martini is steeped in the genius of marrying two favorite pastimes - coffee and cocktails. The popularity of the iconic Balboa Espressotini gained traction early on, and our bartenders were challenged to keep up with the demand. In 2017, we partnered with Shane from Top Hat Provisions, who blended a proprietary, single-origin cold brew coffee that we could mix with our signature blend of spirits in a nitro tank to create an ice-cold espressotini tha’s shaken to frothy perfection.
