We are delighted to welcome back the iconic Whaling Bar to La Valencia Hotel in partnership with San Diego's acclaimed SDCM restaurant group.
The historic cocktail lounge opened in 1949 and regularly played host to star-studded parties and notable regulars, including Theodor Geisel, novelist Raymond Chandler, and Hollywood luminary and founder of the La Jolla Playhouse's famed summer theatre, Gregory Peck. It was closed for a decade, but its significance to the La Jolla community has endured.
Our Menus
BUBBLY
A. Pagaz Crement de BourgogneBurgundy, FR NV
Scarpetta ProseccoGrave del Friuli, IT
Gosset Grand Blanc De Blancs BrutChampagne, FR NV
Sokol Blosser Bluebird Brut CuveeWillamette Valley, OR 2020
Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier 1er CruChampagne, FR NV (375mL)
Collet Champagne RoseRiems, FR NV
WHITE
Ferdinand AlbariñoLodi, CA 2021
Round Pond Estate Sauvignon BlancRutherford, CA 2022
Foxen Chenin BlancSanta Maria Valley, CA
The Hilt Chardonnay, Sta.Rita Hills, CA
Henri Bourgeois Sauvignon BlancSancerre, FR 2022
Flora Springs Soliloquy White BlendNapa, CA 2021
Chateau Montelena ChardonnayNapa, CA 2021
Philippe Colin 1Er Cru Les Chaumees ClosSaint-Abdon Chardonnay Chassagne Montrachet, FR 2020
ROSE
Matthaisson GrenacheNapa, CA 2022
RED
Anthill Pinot NoirSonoma Coast, CA 2021
Marietta Christo Red BlendNorth Coast, CA 2021
Stolpman Estate SangioveseSanta Barbara, CA 2020
A Tribute to Grace GrenacheSanta Barbara Highlands, CA 2019
Verdad TempranilloEdna Valley, CA 2018
Star Lane Cabernet SauvignonHappy Canyon, CA 2019
Ponzi Laurelwood Pinot NoirWillamette Valley, OR 2022
Ridge Pagani Ranch ZinfandelSonoma, CA 2021
B. Leighton Gratitude Red BlendYakima Valley, WA 2020
Scribe Cabernet SauvignonAtlas Peak, CA
Silver Oak Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley, CA
Caymus Special Select Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley, CA
Scarzello Boschetti NebbioloBarolo, IT 2017
BUBBLY
Lady LoveLambrusco, Cava, Ginger, Champagne Acid
REFRESHING
Green DragonAvocado Tequila, Verde Poblano Chile, Toasted Rice Coconut, Lime, Pineapple
Pink RoyaleVodka, Raspberry Cream Cheese, Brioche, Lemon
Gold SetOrange Chai Tea Infused Bourbon, Blood Orange Amaro, Lemon, Honey, Cinnamon, Orange, Angostura Bitters
The JewelMezcal, Green Tea, Lemon Grass, Honey, Lemon, Red Alaea Sea Salt
Bishop’s DaiquiriCoconut Rum, White Rum, Ube, Lime, Mint
Cove TeaEarl Gray Gin, Cinnamon, Grapefruit, Lime, Seltzer
DIRECT
Parm To GlassParmesan Fat Washed Titos, Fino Sherry, House Dry Vermouth, House Olive Brine, Olive, Dehydrated Cherry Tomato
Rolls RoyceGin No. 3, House Sweet Vermouth, House Dry Vermouth, Benedictine, Lemon Peel
Truffle Old FashionedMacallan 12yr, True, Porcini Mushroom, Xocolate Bitters, Stave Char
NIGHTCAP
The WhalerCognac, Coee Liqueur, Shanky’s Whip, Homemade Ice Cream, Creme Chantilly
Irish CoffeeIrish Whiskey, Cane, Coee, House Whipped Cream
- “The Hamburger”Caramel Cake, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
BudinoCaramel, Crème Fraîche, Maldon Sea Salt
Prime New York StriploinBone Marrow, Garlic Confit, Compound Butter
Urfa ChickenPickled Red Onions, Yogurt, Cilantro, Honey
Maine ScallopsTwo Fork Farms Caulilini, Burnt Scallion
Duck MeatballsFocaccia, Gioia Mozzarella, Basil
Two Forks Farms TurnipsSumac, Mint, Yogurt
PolentaPiperade, Benton’s Ham, Frica
Wild Mushroom Mille FeuilleRaclette, Chive, Black Tru e
Rioja Braised Short Rib BAOPickled Red Onion, Parsley, Stilton
Liver and OnionsCaramelized Shallot, Brioche
Lobster Roll “Dip”Chips, Tarragon, Shellfish Broth
Pickled Fingerling PotatoesDill, Burnt Butter, Yogurt Aioli
Whipped Buttermilk RicottaAleppo, Lava Salt, Dill, Tarragon, Focaccia
Caesar “Twinkie” SaladRomaine Lettuce, “Twinkies”, Parmesan, Olive Oil
Celery SaladDates, Walnut, Olive Oil, Pecorino
Kale SaladParmesan, Raisins, Almonds, Lemon, Olive Oil
Carrot-Walnut BreadHouse Churned Butter
Osetra CaviarBuckwheat Pancakes, Egg, Shallot, Créme Fraîche
- Kale SaladParmesan, Raisins, Almonds, Lemon, Olive Oil
Osetra CaviarBuckwheat Pancakes, Egg, Shallot, Créme Fraîche
Celery SaladDates, Walnut, Olive Oil, Pecorino
Caesar “Twinkie” SaladRomaine Lettuce, “Twinkies”, Parmesan, Olive Oil
Whipped Buttermilk RicottaAleppo, Lava Salt, Dill, Tarragon, Focaccia
Pickled Fingerling PotatoesDill, Burnt Butter, Yogurt Aioli
Liver and OnionsCaramelized Shallot, Brioche
Rioja Braised Short Rib BAOPickled Red Onion, Parsley, Stilton
Lobster Roll “Dip”Chips, Tarragon, Shellfish Broth
Wild Mushroom Mille FeuilleRaclette, Chive, Black True
PolentaPiperade, Benton’s Ham, Frica
Duck MeatballsFocaccia, Gioia Mozzarella, Basil
Maine ScallopsTwo Fork Farms Caulilini, Burnt Scallion
Double DoubleFeta Cheese, Pickled Red Onion, Arugula, Harissa Aioli
Urfa ChickenPickled Red Onions, Yogurt, Cilantro, Honey
BudinoCaramel, Crème Fraîche, Maldon Sea Salt
COCKTAILS
Whaling VesperGin, Vodka, Blanc Vermouth, Lemon Expression
Dirty MartiniVodka, House Olive Brine, Olive Oil, Assorted Olives
Perfect ManhattanRye Whiskey, House Dry & Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, Maraschino Cherry
Afternoon AperitivoFords Gin, Select Aperitivo, Dry Vermouth, Cucumber
Prospect MargaritaTequila, Lime, Agave, Red Alaea Sea Salt
BITES
Kale SaladParmesan, Raisins, Almonds, Lemon, Olive Oil
Caesar "Twinkie" SaladRomaine Lettuce, "Twinkies", Parmesan, Olive Oil
Whipped Buttermilk RicottaAleppo, Lava Salt, Dill, Tarragon, Focaccia
Duck MeatballsFocaccia, Gioia Mozzarella, Basil
Double DoubleFeta Cheese, Pickled Red Onion, Arugula, Harissa Aioli
Za’atar Fried ChickenSpicy Honey, Chili Lime Yogurt
*Menus are for sample purposes only as items may change daily due to seasonal availability
An SDCM Restaurant
The new iteration of The Whaling Bar features a design by Schoos Design in collaboration with the La Valencia team and SDCM, complete with the beloved original 1940s-era Wing Howard paintings. As the operating partner, SDCM restaurant group leads day-to-day operations of The Whaling Bar including a cocktail menu and complimentary food menu by its award-winning team that counts Bar Director Eric Johnson and Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski.
Hours of Operation
Lunch 11am-3pmHappy Hour 3pm-5pm
Dinner 5pm-10:00pm
Bar 11am-Close
Dining Reservations
Large Parties
For large parties and general inquires please contact concierge@whalingbarlj.comNow Open follow us
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