Hopscotch Tavern

The inspiration

Hopscotch sits inside a piece of Fullerton history: the Pacific Electric Depot, a building finished in 1918 that later served as a Greyhound bus depot before being rehabilitated as a restaurant¹ . Co-owner Bryan Gonzales described the concept as a craft beer bar with a focus on whiskey, hence the name, a play on hops and scotch² .

Who's behind it

Co-owners Bryan Gonzales and Robert Marshall, who also owned the nearby Commonwealth Lounge & Grill, opened Hopscotch in 2012^2,3 . Gonzales has said he cares about quality over quantity in beer and likes knowing where his products come from² .

What to order

• Mac n cheese: comfort sides like this round out the slow-cooked dishes .⁴
• Hopscotch Sampler or empanadas: the tavern lists both among its favorites .⁶

What people are saying

Orange Coast's reviewer noted the whiskey focus, the rustic revamp of the 1918 depot, and food built to complement the drinks⁵ . The Hornet's reviewer highlighted the burger and the patio on a visit marking the tavern's ten-year mark⁷ .

Why you should try it

If you're staying in Fullerton, this is a chance to drink inside a restored 1918 train depot, with exposed wood trusses and a bar top made from reclaimed barrel staves^1,5 . Between the deep whiskey shelf, the local craft beer taps, and hearty American fare, it covers a lot of ground in one casual stop^4,5 .