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Historic Abbey event venue applies for full liquor licence in San Diego

Historic Abbey event venue applies for full liquor licence in San Diego

Rule Changes San Diego, CA local

The Foxhall Event Company files an ownership change for a Type 47 on-sale licence at 2825 5th Ave, permitting beer, wine and spirits with food

October 9th, 2026: Foxhall files liquor licence ownership change

Overview

Updated Oct 30

The Foxhall Event Company filed a liquor licence ownership change for The Historic Abbey on Fifth on Oct. 9, according to a business-record tracker that cites California Alcoholic Beverage Control records. The filing covers a Type 47 on-sale general eating place licence at 2825 5th Ave in Bankers Hill, which permits beer, wine and distilled spirits served with food.

The tracker describes the Oct. 9 event as a change of owner, not a new licence. The venue already advertises bar service, including open bars and bartenders, for weddings and private parties. The ABC record shows no decision.

Why it matters

The filing would put a full on-sale licence in Foxhall's name at a 116-year-old Bankers Hill event space that already advertises bar service.

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Key Indicators

Type 47
Licence type applied for
On-sale general eating place: beer, wine, and distilled spirits served with food.
350
Guest capacity
Maximum wedding size the venue advertises.
1910
Year the building was constructed
The structure at 2825 5th Ave dates to 1910, per the venue's own materials.

Voices

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Organizations Involved

TF
The Foxhall Event Company LLC
Limited liability company
Filed a liquor licence ownership change for The Historic Abbey

The entity that filed a liquor licence ownership change for The Historic Abbey on Fifth.
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
State regulatory agency
Reviews the ownership-change filing

The state agency that licenses and regulates alcohol sales in California and maintains the records behind the filing.

Timeline

1910 October 2026

5 events Latest: October 9th, 2026 · 1 month ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Foxhall files liquor licence ownership change

    Latest Regulatory

    A business-record tracker lists the Oct. 9 filing as a liquor licence ownership change for The Historic Abbey, citing California ABC records.

  2. Venue completes renovation, adds speakeasy

    Renovation

    The venue describes itself as newly renovated and adds an underground speakeasy.

  3. Couple marries at The Historic Abbey

    Event

    A newlywed couple describes an October 2025 wedding at the venue in a review posted in November 2025.

  4. Wedding reception held at The Abbey

    Event

    A couple holds their wedding and reception at the venue, per a WeddingWire review.

  5. Building at 2825 5th Ave constructed

    Construction

    The structure that became The Historic Abbey is built, per the venue's own materials.

Scenarios

1

ABC issues the Type 47 licence to The Abbey

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control process; local hospitality observers

The ABC approves the ownership change, putting the Type 47 licence in The Foxhall Event Company's name for beer, wine and spirits served with food at 2825 5th Ave.

2

Application faces protest, hearing, or delay

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Neighbors and nearby licence holders can file protests with the ABC

A nearby resident, business, or existing licence holder files a protest, triggering a public hearing before an administrative law judge. The process stretches past a normal timeline and may reach the ABC appeals board before any decision.

3

Application withdrawn or denied

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Businesses sometimes withdraw applications if conditions, costs, or opposition mount

Foxhall pulls the filing or the ABC denies it, leaving the venue without the licence in its own name and reliant on its previous alcohol arrangement. The venue continues operating for events regardless.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

December 1933

Repeal of Prohibition (1933)

The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ended 13 years of federal alcohol prohibition and gave each state authority to regulate alcohol sales within its borders. State licensing became the gatekeeper for every bar, restaurant, and venue that sells drinks.

Then

States built licensing systems to issue permits for alcohol sales; illegal speakeasies largely gave way to licensed businesses.

Now

Every alcoholic drink sold in the U.S. today flows through a state licence. The 21st Amendment remains the constitutional basis for the California licence The Abbey now seeks.

Why this matters now

The Type 47 on-sale general licence at the center of this story exists because of this 1933 framework.

Sources

(5)
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control The Historic Abbey WeddingWire PartySlate BizSleuth