On one of the most scenic waterfront lots in Sausalito, California, Barrel House Tavern occupies 5,000 square feet on Bridgeway Avenue, with 140 seats overlooking the Bay and San Francisco beyond. Designed by Cass Calder Smith Architecture, the restaurant brings together a long waterfront history, custom-made furnishings, and an interior built around the idea of “Craft.”
The building dates back to the 1900s, when it served as the original ferry terminal for passengers traveling between Sausalito and San Francisco before the Golden Gate Bridge opened. After sitting vacant for several years, owner Chris Henry decided to transform the space into a restaurant, taking on both the ownership and contracting work while handcrafting much of the interior with his team.
A Ferry Terminal With a New Chapter
Barrel House Tavern occupies a building that has played a part in Sausalito’s waterfront history for more than a century. Its former life as a ferry terminal remains visible through features such as the expansive windows, waterfront deck, existing cement plaster arches, and the reclaimed maple ceiling.
The renovation took nearly two years, giving Henry and his team time to work through the space and preserve its historic characteristics while creating a restaurant with its own identity.
Craftsmanship From Floor to Ceiling
The idea of “Craft” extends throughout the restaurant, with many of the interior elements made specifically for the space. Walnut slab dining tables bring substantial pieces of wood into the dining areas, while handcrafted leather belting lines the bar…