83 Degrees Welcomes Customers on Opening Night

After a last minute name change from 38 Degrees to 83 Degrees, and last minute construction, Carlsbad's first "gastro lounge" opened it's doors Tuesday night.

General Manager Jon Wantz said the new name of 83 Degrees stands for Carlsbad's average summertime temperature. Thirty-eight degrees is the suggested temperature to serve beer. 

Related: 38 Degrees Becomes 83 Degrees

The new restaurant features 46 beers on draft, a mixture of both local beers and craft brews from across the country. "We probably have the most eclectic mix of beers in Carlsbad," said Wantz.

The owners, Steve Bar and Mayur Pavagadhi were partners in opening Paon and Catch. Paon remains across the street from 83 Degrees, which sits where Catch's once did at at 660 Carlsbad Village Dr.

"Catch did somewhat well, but at end of day they took a look at it and decided they could do really, really, good with a different concept especially with the craft beer industry booming in southern California," explained Wantz.  

Wantz called the new restaurant a, "Gastro lounge for the masses," with the ability to seat almost 250 people. There are 50 bar seats, a party room that can fit almost 70 people, 30 seats on patio and about 15-20 people can fit across the front rail looking out onto Carlsbad Village Drive. The gastro lounge also features garage door style windows that can roll up for breezy summer dining. 

The food is "upper end American bar food," said Wantz. From salads, to flat bread pizzas to steaks and their signature burger with a certified angus beef patty, raised short rib on top, covered by blue cheese and carmelized onions. 

The owners brought in the same chef that was working at Catch and originally started at Paon.

83 Degrees is working on a craft cocktail list and will soon be launching a happy hour from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.