HopMonk Tavern Novato delivers craft beer on draft, tavern fare with real kitchen ambition, a sun-filled beer garden under old-growth oaks, and intimate live music at the Session Room - all at Vintage Oaks.

HopMonk Tavern Novato - North Marin's Craft Beer, Live Music & Beer Garden Destination

Some places nail one thing and do it well. HopMonk Tavern Novato nails three things simultaneously - and does all of them exceptionally well. Sixteen fresh craft beers on draft, tasty tavern fare, a surprisingly beautiful beer garden, and an intimate live music venue called the Session Room - all under one roof at Vintage Way in Novato. The result is one of North Marin County's most beloved and reliably excellent gathering spots, a place that draws regulars from across the county for the beer, keeps them coming back for the food, and makes them linger for the music.

HopMonk Taverns celebrate craft beer, tasty food, and live music north of the Golden Gate - and the Novato location is the most ambitious expression of that vision yet, bringing an exhibition kitchen, a brick oven, a smoker, and one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in all of Marin County to the table.

The Beer - 16 Fresh Drafts, 70+ Bottles, and House Classics Worth Coming Back For

Always on tap are HopMonk's own Kellerbier, Hefeweizen, Tavern Ale, and IPA - alongside a curated, rotating selection of craft beer standouts and 70+ bottled beers in the cooler, with the draft list updated daily on the website. Two full bars offer a complete selection of distilled spirits and local wines, ensuring that every kind of thirst is addressed with the same thoughtfulness and care that goes into the beer program. Fresh, in-season craft beers alongside unfiltered Tavern classics Kellerbier and Dunkelweizen are the anchors - approachable for newcomers, endlessly rewarding for the dedicated craft beer enthusiast.

The Food - Tavern Classics, Brick Oven Pizza & Smoked Ribs from the Smoker

Tasty tavern fare prepared in a new exhibition kitchen, with brick oven pizzas and ribs from the smoker round out a menu that goes considerably deeper than you'd expect from a beer-forward tavern. Beer-centric entrees include Mussels & Frites, Cider Braised Salmon, and Fresh Cod Fish and Chips - alongside standout appetizers like the Tavern Samosa, Grilled Artichokes, and Crispy Calamari. The Roasted Beet, Tahini Kale, and Heirloom Caprese Salads offer lighter options that reflect genuine kitchen ambition, while the HopMonk Cheeseburger with parmesan garlic fries has earned its own devoted following among the lunch and dinner crowd. Fresh fish tacos are the centerpiece of the popular weekday happy hour from 2-6 PM - arguably the best value in North Marin County on a weekday afternoon.

The Beer Garden - Under Five Old Growth California Oaks

This is where HopMonk Novato becomes genuinely unforgettable. The tavern connects to a beautiful beer garden under five California old growth oaks - bringing the outdoors in and creating one of the most naturally beautiful outdoor dining and drinking spaces in all of Marin County. The outdoor space is peaceful and colorful - you never get the sense you're in the middle of a shopping center parking lot, the landscaping is that good. On a warm North Marin afternoon, a cold pint under those oaks is one of the finer simple pleasures the county has to offer.

The Session Room - An Intimate Live Music Venue Like No Other in North Marin

Talented local artists perform live music Friday through Sunday from the beer garden stage, with Open Mic nights and ticketed shows featuring artists like Ivan Neville, Roy Rogers, and Pablo Cruise. The Session Room - HopMonk's intimate indoor music venue - hosts a remarkable calendar of nationally recognized touring artists in a setting so close and personal that no seat in the house is a bad one. With dozens of events on the calendar and upcoming performances spanning folk, blues, Americana, and singer-songwriter artists, the Session Room has established itself as one of the most consistently programmed intimate music venues between San Francisco and the Wine Country. A new BBQ Sunday evening cookout series adds yet another reason to make HopMonk a weekly ritual.

Events, Weddings & Private Gatherings

HopMonk Tavern Novato is a fantastic venue for hosting a spectrum of events - from lively parties and social gatherings to dreamy weddings and receptions - with a commitment to excellence that extends beyond their curated menus to encompass the entirety of your event, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. The Novato Tavern can comfortably entertain groups large and small in its music venue, making it one of the most versatile private event spaces in North Marin County.

HopMonk Tavern Novato is ranked #8 of 90 restaurants in Novato on Tripadvisor with a 4.0 rating and hundreds of reviews - numbers that reflect a destination with deep, lasting community roots.

Located in: Vintage Oaks 224 Vintage Way, Novato, CA 94945 (415) 892-6200 hopmonk.com/novato @hopmonknovato on Instagram

Open Monday-Saturday 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Happy Hour weekdays 2:00-6:00 PM; Live music Friday-Sunday.