WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – There’s a brand new taproom coming soon to Walnut Creek, California. And this one has a unique twist–it’s in the air!
Well, kind of. The new taproom will be located on the rooftop space above Va de Vi restaurant (1511 Mt. Diablo Blvd). Most locals–this reporter included–have no idea that there’s a big, open rooftop space up there. But there is!
It mirrors similar spaces across the street at Teleferic Barcelona and Rooftop. And it’s about to be taken over by one of Walnut Creek’s most iconic local breweries.
After many delays, Calicraft is officially opening the new taproom, dubbed Calicraft Upstairs, on December 12, 2025.
The brewery will start with a soft opening, before transitioning to more consistent hours of 3-10pm on Monday-Thursday, noon to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 on Sunday.
Interestingly, Calicraft Upstairs will expand beyond Calicraft’s well-known and much-loved beers. Yes, it will serve beers, with 20+ Calicraft and guest options on tap.
It will also feature Calicraft’s California-inspired ciders and fruit-forward beverages.
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But at Calicraft Upstairs, the brand will also lean into cocktails and small plates, hoping to be a cocktail lounge rather than just a beer garden. When I spoke to developer Brian Hirahara earlier this year about the project, he told me it would feature some really creative spirit concepts.
I’d love to ask him more, but as I write this it’s 5:30am and most people don’t keep local news reporter hours. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can update you once we learn more.
Calicraft was founded in 2012 by Blaine Landberg in 2012 and has grown up right here in Walnut Creek. The local brewery has a temporary beer garden in Shadelands and is working on a massive, 10k SqFt permanent one.
Although you probably didn’t know it was up there, the space about Va de Vi is apparently quite impressive, too. It’s 3,000 total square feet, just about equally divided between an indoor and outdoor section.
Hirahara told me that he had to have the rendering you see at the top of this article commissioned because otherwise even locals had no idea the rooftop space was there, and couldn’t visualize that it looks like!
There are fewer details about the food program at Calicraft Upstairs. But it will apparently include small plates–probably on the classier side rather than bar food, to match the cocktail lounge concept.
You’d better believe we’ll be in the door the moment we can–and perhaps before the soft opening if we’re able to swing it! Again, join the newsletter so we can update you and share photos and a review ASAP.
