HIDDEN GEMS • The Bunker House Café

THE OSIDER JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023

Berry Mini Waffles

Avocado Toast

THE BUNKER HOUSE CAFÉ

WORDS: ALYSON KLIER PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER Owners Kevin Briens & Stevie Rojano

The Bunker House Cafe and Social Lounge is located in a historic 1800’s brick building on N. Cleveland Street in the heart of our evolving downtown Oceanside area. At this vibrant cafe, lounge, and wine bar, you can enjoy delicious food and drinks, local community events, and live music in their welcoming backyard patio area.

The Bunker House is owned and operated by Kevin Briens and Stevie Ray Rojano, who opened the doors in November 2021. The two are high school friends from San Marcos and started working at Kevin’s family bakery as teens, learning all the in’s and out’s of owning and running a bakery and business from the bottom up.

Five years ago, Kevin and Stevie opened their first business in Oceanside, The Oside Bakery on Mission Avenue. If you have not tasted their amazing baked goods yet, you need to do so immediately! They kept that business running during the lockdown through delivery and catering, and decided they were ready to expand to a second location when they found the space available at The Bunker House in 2021.

The location of The Bunker House Cafe and Social Lounge, in one of the three oldest buildings still standing in Oceanside, is a gem in itself as it has a very long and storied history. The name, The Bunker House, comes from the original owner and operator, Theodore C. Bunker, who opened a store and boarding house in the building in 1886. The location has had many faces, used for town hall meetings, church services, and dances. It has also been a music store, a brothel in the ‘70s, and a motel in the ‘80s.

The wooden structure next door was originally a meat market also owned by Mr. Bunker. It is now part of the cafe and social lounge’s patio where live music happens on Friday and Saturday nights. As an added draw, if you have an interest in the paranormal, the building is reported to have at least three resident spirits upstairs and it’s fair share of unexplained bumps and breezes. I, however, was only met with friendly smiles and great tasting food and drinks on my visit!

The Bunker House Cafe and Social Lounge is a lovely spot to hang out at in both the mornings and evenings. On Thursdays, they have a happy hour all night until closing, making it a great spot to settle down and get a drink after visiting the bustling Thursday evening Sunset Market.

When they opened The Bunker House Cafe and Lounge, Kevin and Stevie were hoping to build a space to bring the community together again to eat, drink, socialize, and enjoy live music. I think you will find they have succeeded in creating just such a gem for us to enjoy in downtown Oceanside!

The Bunker House Café 322 N Cleveland Street Suite B (760) 400-0520 bunkerhouselounge.com @bunkerhouselounge