This New Delray Beach Restaurant Is Home To South Florida's Largest Whiskey Library

Warren will open this June in Delray Beach.Damn Good Hospitality

Delray Beach will welcome another new restaurant later this month, and one that boasts a rather impressive title: home to one of the area's largest whiskey and bourbon collections.

From the creators of Stache in Fort Lauderdale and CWS Kitchen in Lake Worth, the new whisky-themed establishment in the heart of Delray Beach is thanks to hospitality veteran and Damn Good Hospitality Group CEO Jeff John, who will soon unveil Warren, his take on an American whiskey bar and kitchen.

Set to debut on Friday, June 4, Warren pays homage to John's late uncle, Warren John. To that end, every detail of the restaurant was inspired to evoke the spirit of Warren's life as an illustrious bachelor, collector of unique artifacts, and lover of fine food and whiskey.

"I am absolutely thrilled to open Warren, named after my uncle, who was a mentor to me," says John. "The restaurant will embody his love of great food, and unbelievable wine and whiskey. We have been working tirelessly to create this concept and bring what we feel will be a truly extraordinary and approachable food and beverage experience to the growing area of Delray Beach."

The 6,000 square-foot space, including a 2,000 square-foot outdoor patio, is both sleek and seductive, dressed in rich chocolate leather accented by lush velvet seating and curtains. Wood flooring grounds the dimly lit space, drawing the eyes to the restaurant’s focal point: an elegant old-world whiskey wall featuring numerous rare and hard-to-find bottles.

Seating for just over 180 is available, with up to 50 on the outdoor patio, while a 12-person Chef’s Table and 4-person bar will serve as spaces for private dining or to offer guests the option of a whiskey tasting. The restaurant’s main bar, offering seating for 26, will provide a complimentary ambience to the main dining room.

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Likewise, Warren will bring its own unique flare to the elevated food and beverage program. Alongside a robust raw bar, guests can find American-inspired shareable plates followed by more full-bodied main dishes to complete the meal. With a focus on contemporary American cuisine, the ingredient-driven menu offers Warren’s spin on traditional classics, with a few high-end touches (for example, don’t be surprised to find a bit of bourbon in the kitchen's irresistible whiskey gravy).

Fusing flavors from around the world, guests can expect everything from the Bone-In Tomahawk and Australian Carrera Wagyu to Antarctic Salmon and Warren's Damn Good Burger featuring their own bone marrow-infused meat blend. Diners can also end their evening on a sweet note — and play to the bit of whimsy Warren John was known for — with a complimentary confection of fresh-made Cotton Candy at the completion of each meal.

Last — but certainly not least — Warren will showcase an incredible cocktail and whiskey program thanks to a bottle selection that has been over 10 years in the making. Boasting one of South Florida’s largest whiskey libraries, the selection of more than 900 labels offers guests the chance to taste some of the rarest whiskeys in the world. Notable picks include the McCallan 50, Double Eagle Very Rare, Michter’s Celebration, the entire line of Last Drop Whiskey, and all vintages of Pappy Van Winkle.

In addition, Warren has implemented its own Damn Good barrel program, offering bourbon made with single barrels of only the top juice from some of America’s great distilleries. Think Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, as well as Wild Turkey and Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, to name a few. Warren’s tequila receives the same attention to detail, aging in repurposed single barrels of bourbon that are shipped off to Mexico, returning as sweet, smokey reposados and añejos. And for those looking to whet their palette with a mixed drink, Warren’s cocktail menu brings everything from reinvented classic cocktails to concoctions made in tribute to Warren.

“We’ve been collecting spirits for more than a decade, and we like to share," says John. "Part of that is making our space a place for meeting, hanging out, and building community. Our menu complements our beverage program, and vice versa. The creation of each was equally important and we know that will come through with each guest’s experience."

Damn Good Hospitality

Warren. 15084 Lyons Rd., Delray Beach; warrendelray.com.

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