The Monk’s Kettle opened on Valencia Street in the Mission in December 2007, founded on a love for great food, quality beer, and building community. Part of the first wave of gastropubs in the city, The Monk’s Kettle was a stalwart of the San Francisco craft beer scene. But over 16 years of serving patrons in the Mission, owners Christian Alberson and Nat Cutler watched the neighborhood change rapidly around them, and realized that they themselves had changed too.
Christian and Nat’s journey to open The Monk’s Kettle began as many great ideas do, with a chat over beers at a party. Christian had been working in the food and beverage industry since he was a teenager, and dreamt of opening up his own place. Nat was working at a newspaper in Seattle and looking for a project to really pour his skills and passion into. He connected with Christian’s vision for a well-curated craft beer bar with elevated pub food, so much so that he decided to take the leap to sell his house in Seattle and move to San Francisco to run the business side of their new shared venture.
The pair opened The Monk’s Kettle when they were 20- and 30- somethings full of enthusiasm. But facing down the challenges of operating a business in the city in the wake of a pandemic over a decade later, they didn’t like where things were heading. The once lively bar felt empty as delivery orders crept up to 30% of their sales. They yearned for the days of in-person connection and felt that they had outgrown the youthful transience of the Mission, which only seemed to be increasing over the years as more and more contract tech workers cycled through.
So the pair turned their focus to family-friendly Rockridge in Oakland, hoping to bring their vision of a modern-day neighborhood gathering spot to life. Seasoned business owners, Nat and Christian had a clear sense of their needs for a move to Oakland. They knew they had the resources to cover construction and relocation costs, but needed cash reserves to ensure that they had enough money left upon completion to open with a solid runway to build up their client base in the new neighborhood. When they talked to their bank about getting additional working capital to cushion the relocation project, the bank referred them to Main Street Launch.
Nat and Christian worked with Darius Mahajer [SVP – Relationship Manager, Main Street Launch] to complete their loan application. “Darius was super hands-on and responsive, ensuring we had all the information we needed,” Nat reflects. The Monk’s Kettle received a $50,000 microloan from Main Street Launch to use as working capital as they relocated the business. The loan provided not just funding, but a secure foundation to create a space that exceeded expectations.
Having the confidence to make the necessary investments in the new location allowed Nat and Christian to create a welcoming environment that customers immediately flocked to once they opened the doors in November 2024. The space embodies the feeling of a warm tavern, blending elevated bar food, expertly curated beers, and an inviting ambiance. “So far, everything is better than we hoped for. We expected to be busy and well received, but didn’t expect this [level of activity],” Nat remarks.
Staffed by a mix of experienced industry veterans and enthusiastic newcomers, The Monk’s Kettle delivers exceptional service while fostering community connections. The new location captures the heart of the neighborhood, featuring a great room-style layout that combines cozy dining, artistic finishes, and a quality sound system in addition to a back patio that oozes magical garden party vibes. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s a place where anyone can walk in and feel at home. The Monk’s Kettle offers the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort, continuing to build upon its status as a beloved destination and true community gem.
