Rooftop Bar Latest Proposal in North Beach Revitalization Trend

The North Beach Rooftop Bar and Grill will seek approval for their planned operation at the San Clemente Planning Commission meeting Wednesday.

The establishment, if approved, will be the latest in a group of dining and entertainment venues encouraged by city officials to revitalize the economically ailing North Beach area.

The new business will be looking for permission to operate its bar and restaurant with an open rooftop dining area and neon signage with a vintage ‘Route 66’ feel. The restaurant is also looking to offer outdoor dining and live amplified music, according to staff reports.

The Rooftop operators are also asking for a cultural heritage permit for the long-vacant commercial space at 1509 N. El Camino Real. They'll need it to make modifications to the historical building, which was erected in 1948.

The addition of the open rooftop dining area will add more than 2,700 extra square feet of space, according to the city staff reports.

Some planning commission and San Clemente City Council members have said in the past that they hope to guide redevelopment in North Beach to make the district become an entertainment and dining center in town, uses that they hope will complement the Casino San Clemente event venue and a future renovated Miramar Theater.

The ramshackle historic theater is now owned by Marc Spizzirri, who says he wants to revitalize the landmark as a community theater and event venue.

The property is currently undergoing a historical architecture analysis in preparation for the construction work.

Other new completed and proposed projects in the area include the recently opened Bull Taco in the old Beach Hut building, a planned cafe in the Casino operated by Jay's Catering, the Riders Club burger place which opened several years ago, new additions to San Clemente Art Supply under construction, a proposed microbrewery and an ongoing renovation of the city's Ole Hanson Beach Club.

Aside from business development, Councilman Jim Evert helped organize the North Beach Community Association, which has initiated a beautification committee and is working to bring community events to North Beach.

The North Beach Rooftop Bar and Grill's permits, if approved by the commission this week, will still have to go before the San Clemente City Council for final approval.

The San Clemente Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the San Clemente Civic Center, 100 Ave. Presidio.

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