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I Love the Nightlife |
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Here are 21 can't miss spots for finding fun after the sun goes down
By Ron Donoho | Photographs by Luis Garcia
WE HAD TO PICK A NUMBER. Thirty wasn’t exclusive enough. Ten was too few. So we settled on 21—the minimum legal age required for entrance at most of the places we recommend for spending the night. Part of it, that is.
Excluding restaurants, we weeded through dives, clubs, dance halls and poker rooms and saved some room for a dessert warehouse.
Downtown is well-represented in our list. We’ve included the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy and a couple of places that bend the former Sixth Avenue safe-haven border into once-sketchy East Village. But we didn’t leave out the rest of the county. We’ll party under the moonlight in North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, Golden Hill, Mission Valley, Solana Beach and Del Mar. We’ll even venture out to Alpine, to play our cards right in a poker room.
Some of our picks are tried-and-true: The Belly Up, for example, turned 30 last year.
A few places have been hot for a couple of years—think Candelas, W Hotel and the omnipresent On Broadway. But there are a few new places we had to visit for the first time— welcome, Air Conditioned and Airport lounges.
Whether our research conclusively reveals any trend is subjective. But at least one club owner believes San Diego nightlife is growing up. Getting a little more sophisticated. Finally coming of age.
“Definitely getting more sophisticated,” says Side Bar owner James Brennan. “More and more, San Diego is becoming a travel destination for the people who sleep until noon, then go out looking to go club-to-club at night.”
He says our gaining a nightlife reputation that would come close to equaling that of Las Vegas, South Beach or his native Manhattan is only “another W Hotel” away. Brennan also tips his hat to nightclub impresario Mike Viscuso, saying, “He set the bar with On Broadway.
But it’s time to set a new bar.”
The new bar for bars just might come this year: Brennan plans a summer opening for a mega-club/restaurant called Stingaree. At 22,000 square feet—with two indoor floors and a rooftop lounge—it’ll be located near downtown’s Petco Park.
Also soon to be livening up East Village: Altitude, a rooftop bar in the newly renamed San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter Hotel (formerly the Clarion).
We’ll see you there (eventually)—as well as at our following top-21 picks. The first round’s on you.
Air Conditioned
4673 30th Street, North Park, 619-501-9831
One of the hottest new bars has a name that inspires cool thoughts. The only thing left over from when the bar was a dive called Your Place is a Plexiglas sign that reads AIR CONDITIONED. The salvaged sign inspired the new name. The exterior understates the new lounge inside. There’s a deejay, a small dance floor and a retro-modern design that lends chic to the place. Plop Air Conditioned down in Los Angeles and it’d be a snob magnet. In North Park, there’s still an eclectic friendliness. For now, at least.
Airport Lounge
2400 India Street, Little Italy, 619-685-3881
Plane—but never plain. If you’re going to create a lounge that sits under the Lindbergh Field flight path, why not incorporate the real jets buzzing above? Inside the coolest, most exclusive new spot in San Diego, the bartenders wear pilots’ uniforms. Waitresses are clothed as flight attendants, and barbacks are in the orange jumpsuits of those guys on the tarmac. Speaking of planes: Go outside and experience the flight-path patio. Hold your thoughts every couple of minutes for Southwest’s latest arrival. Somehow, it all works.
Side Bar
536 Market Street, San Diego, 619-696-0946
Side Bar wasn’t intended to be a New York–style bar. It just so happens that’s where owner James Brennan is from— and he built what he knew. Opened literally moments before San Diego hosted the 2002 Super Bowl, Side Bar became an instant magnet for visiting celebrities, and those who like to drink in their presence. The high-definition televisions give the bar a modern look. Exposed bricks—and a pizza kitchen —lend a retro touch. Get here early, or prepare to languish outside the velvet rope.
Viejas Casino
5000 Willows Road, Alpine, 800-847-6537
So you’ve been watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN and occasionally tune in to the celebrity version that runs on Bravo. Now you’ve got a hankering for the real thing. The poker room at Viejas is open for business. On weekends, there may be a waiting list to sit down for some Texas hold-em. But there are tournaments every night of the week. Check out Sunday’s $6,000 guaranteed, no-limit hold-em tourney—with a $60 buy-in and unlimited $50 rebuys. Shuffle up and deal.
Bourbon Street
4612 Park Boulevard, North Park, 619-291-0173
One of the top gay/lesbian bars in town is built in the style of the Big Easy itself. The name Bourbon Street recalls New Orleans. There’s the brass-and-oak bar. And the jazz club/piano bar ambience might encourage you to order hurricanes right up until the house lights go on. A major draw is the courtyard. There’s a big ol’ patio overlooked by balconies and serviced by a couple of bars. If you’re in the mood, check out the gay bingo or themed karaoke nights.
Axis Martini Bar
2010 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, 858-755-2077
Oh, there are martinis aplenty. Close your eyes, put your cosmopolitan to your lips, and pretend you’re Carrie Bradshaw. If Sex and the City-ever gets remade as Sex and North County, here’s where the casting call will go out. The food is surprisingly good— but the long bar is optimal for socializing with new friends. The scene can be loud and lively—from the libation-loving ladies in the lighted courtyard to the cash-flashing dudes inside tipping the last of a Grey Goose dirty martini into their mouths.
W Hotel
421 West B Street, San Diego, 619-231-8220
When the W Hotel arrived, a low-foot-trafficked part of downtown went from urban to urbane. After a couple of years of making a scene, the chic hotel is still a hot spot. At night, the lobby becomes a bar. If you want to spend time in the lobby, or “living room,” get there early—the queue often snakes around the block. If it’s not too chilly at night, head to the rooftop “beach” bar. The floor is covered with sand, there are cabañas, and beach chairs surround a faux fire pit. Even though it’s a beach, dress to impress.
Belly Up Tavern
143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, 858-481-9022
Last year, the Belly Up celebrated its big three-oh. For three decades, national musical acts—and the fans who love them—have trooped to Solana Beach to play in a wooden, World War II–era Quonset hut. There’s a pretty big dance floor in front of the stage, but the venue offers good sound and sightlines from all over the interior. When a band’s not performing, the tavernocity of the place comes alive. Munchies are also available at the Wild Note Café next door.
Candelas
416 Third Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter, 619-702-4455
For Mexico City–born proprietor Alberto Mestre, first came Candelas. The name means “candles,” and four years ago one was lit when this intimate lounge first graced the Gaslamp. The food menu is good, albeit pricey, and an expansion into neighboring space allowed for a banquet room. But the lounge is what we’re talking about. There are actual candles all over the space, and as house music creates an ambience, couples can bask in the glow. Mestre’s second foray into nightlife also makes our list: See Ventanas (page 103).
Crush
530 University Avenue, Hillcrest, 619-291-1717
It’s technically a wine bar—and you can get more than 50 different types by the glass. The prices are doable, with some starting at $5. Special prices are available for tasting flights. But you can also get beer and spirits at Crush —and the food is good and available until 11 p.m. on weekend nights. There’s occasional live entertainment, especially jazz. But the lure of Crush is the laid-back atmosphere. It’s a neighborhood joint, but welcoming to anybody looking for a taste of the best Merlot.
Extraordinary Desserts
1430 Union Street, Little Italy, 619-294-7001
Karen Krasne has expanded into Little Italy. The 1,600-square-foot Extraordinary Desserts mother ship has been in Bankers Hill since 1988. The new digs measure a whopping 8,000 square feet. Order a slice of toasted macadamia caramel cheesecake. At the bar—of course there’s a bar—look for Chimay. It’s a beer made by Belgian Trappist monks, with alcohol content nearly double that of most domestic brews. Krasne seems to have spared little expense in both décor and food. Waistlines, beware.
Jimmy O’s
225 West 15th Street, Del Mar, 858-350-3735
Don’t count yourself a part of the North County nightlife scene if you haven’t stepped inside Jimmy O’s. It’s locals-oriented. Those who have ventured in either love the scenery, service staff included, or are swept away by the “How big is your Bentley?” attitude. But this is a sports bar at heart—try and find some wall space that’s not covered by a television tuned to whatever athletic endeavor is going on that night.
Characters Bar & Grill
(La Jolla Marriott)
4240 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858-597-6394
On Friday and Saturday nights, this is where you’ll learn to bring out your Latin lover side. Salsa dancing packs ’em in. A one-hour lesson starts at 8:30 p.m. After that, it’s onetwo, one-two until 1:30 a.m. The cover charge is $8, and the lesson helps relieve the intimidation factor. No, you won’t learn to lambada like Ricky Martin. But think how much fun it is to learn with equally neophytic members of the opposite sex.
Nunu’s
3537 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest, 619-295-2878
We tried to leave eclectic Nunu’s, long a San Diego Magazine favorite, off this list. Selfishly, we wanted to discourage an unsettling trend—lines to get in on Friday and Saturday nights! At a dive! But service providers we are, so read on. It’s the best local mixing pot of diverse personalities. Come early to grab one of the red booths. Imbibe for a price that’s nearly half the club cost. Smoke a cigarette outside on the patio—but obey the sign that asks you to keep the noise down. Tell your friends—but not too many friends.
On Broadway
615 Broadway, San Diego, 619-231-0011
This unparalleled club doesn’t have its own ZIP code—yet. But the interior never stops expanding (how do they do that?). Mike Viscuso —he also created Red Circle and Deco’s —invented a two-story, five-dance-floor monster. There’s no sign out front—just look for the gaggle of guys and gals waiting to get in on weekend nights. Dance on the main floor to guest deejays. Filter down to the ground floor—go right and hit the newest addition, or go left and walk through the authentic bank vault door. Just try not to get lost.
Onyx/Thin
852 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter, 619-235-6699
They’re two different places that share an address but occupy separate spaces. How’s that? Both are owned by Greg Strangman. First came Onyx, which is underground—literally, not so much figuratively. Down the steps and through the entrance is a cocktail lounge that fronts a bigger dance hall. Live music or deejays take over on the weekend. Directly above Onyx, at street level, is Thin. This newer lounge is hip, and the music is more down-tempo. Stay ahead of the style curve and try a pomargarita (a Margarita with a guest appearance by pomegranate juice).
Red Fox Room
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park, 619-297-1313
The piano—and the venerable Shirley Allen on the keys—is the draw. The Red Fox is a steakhouse inside the Inn Suites Hotel. There is nowhere else in town where young hipsters can so peaceably cohabitate with elder hipsters (many of whom were hipsters before the term was invented). Allen—who’s been out due to illness but vows a triumphant return—works with sax man extraordinaire Dave Shaw. The pair knows every song ever written, and you’re allowed to grab the mike and showcase your lungs.
Seau’s: The Restaurant
1640 Camino del Rio North, Mission Valley, 619-291-7328
Junior Seau was let go by the Chargers -but that hasn’t dimmed the popularity of his large-and-in-charge sports bar/restaurant. The property is 14,500 square feet, with 30-foot ceilings. At capacity, the bar and restaurant can hold 700 cheering diners/drinkers/sports fans (the bar-and-patio portion alone packs in 160). Seau’s features 65 TV sets. One of them happens to be 11 feet tall and 14 feet wide. On a big sporting-event night, the bar will be elbow-to-elbow. Seau’s is like a home-away-from-home court.
Turf Supper Club
1116 25th Street, Golden Hill, 619-234-6363
The glory days of the Del Mar Racetrack are relived in photos that line the walls. But that’s a side note now to the main draw: The Turf Club is a cozy— some might say cramped—place to hang with friends and cook yourself some dinner on its indoor grills. It’s do-it-yourself with your hunk of meat or skewer of vegetables. Leave your martini at the table—or the long bar— and keep an eye on your rib-eye. The only person to blame if the steak is overcooked is yourself.
Ventanas
338 Seventh Avenue, San Diego, 619-338-0526
This one’s also a hit for proprietor Alberto Mestre, who knocked one out of the park with his first nightspot, Candelas —roughly four blocks away. Eighty-one nights a year, Ventanas is in the flood plain of patrons filing out of Petco Park. Like Candelas, Ventanas is fairly dark inside and serves food, as well as libations, all night. Check out the décor—Ventanas is Spanish for “windows,” and every style and shape of pane is on display inside the bar.
Whistle Stop
2236 Fern Street, South Park, 619-284-6784
This out-of-the-way neighborhood bar has somehow made a name for itself outside South Park. Look beyond the red-and-green Christmas motif that—like on your lazy neighbor’s house—stays up all year. As you’d expect a good watering hole to offer, there are games galore—whether it’s Monday Night Football on the televisions or a round of pool or darts. There are even old-style arcade games. Galaga, anybody? If you want to check your gamesmanship at the door, just check out the dozen ales and ciders on tap.
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