Now in San Diego: New Nightlife

by Erin Chambers - 9,287 Reviews - 164 Lists

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Updated: August 17, 2009

From the hottest clubs for dancing and pricey cocktails to down-home local pubs and beer bars, our editors keep track of what's opening and closing on the San Diego nightlife scene. What we're seeing (and sipping) lately? Struggling La Jolla (With Jack's gone, it's dead after 10pm again), changing downtown (welcome, Voyeur!) and hoppin' North Park and Normal Heights -- anything along 30th St is going off.

First Round: Bar Openings

  1. 1 Mosaic
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    3422 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    North Park's newest wine bar brings the growing retail-priced wine concept (retail-priced wine, plus a small crokage fee) to 30th Street.

  2. 2 Prohibition
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    528 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

  3. 3 3 Star Rating: Average Sway at The Keating Hotel
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    432 F St, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    The Keating's underground lounge gets a facelift (goodbye Minus-1) and a new name in Sway, plus a separate Champagne bar inside.

  4. 4 Syrah Wine Lounge
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    901 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    Downtown wine lounge keeps Gaslamp partiers guessing with a hidden entrance below Dakota's steakhouse (hint: Look for the door handle in the ivy-covered wall).

  5. 5 Tin Can Ale House
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    1863 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    Banker's Hill music-focused dive bar features local bands most every night of the week, plus a funky menu of breakfast sandwiches served all night.

  6. 6 Voyeur
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    755 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    Glam-goth club in the Gaslamp replaces the old Ole Madrid.

  7. 7 Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room
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    7777 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91941 (map)

    The soul of the Turf Supper Club reemerges in La Mesa with the same dim, venerable steakhouse feel and a host of new perks.

  8. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended True North Tavern
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    3815 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    The Tavern team (from the famed line of bars in PB) tries to fit their square-peg brand of cheap drinks, big screens and bar food into North Park's round hole of indie-hip cocktail bars and farm-to-table restaurants.

  9. 9 El Dorado
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    1030 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    Retro-chic Downtown cocktail bar thrives outside the Gaslamp spotlight by catering to a edgy, local clientele.

  10. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Splash Wine Lounge
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    3043 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    Insert card, push button, drink wine: North Park's neighborhood wine bar brings Italy's popular vending-machine tasting technique to San Diego.

  11. 11 Bianco Rosso Wine Bar
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    3841 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 (map)

    Arrivederci's sister wine bar embodies the same affordable, authentic approach to wine with an international list and a light menu of classic Italian snacks.

  12. 12 4 Star Rating: Recommended Ruby Room
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    1271 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 (map)

    Local art, local DJ's and a newly-added kitchen (limited menu of bar bites) and lots of local hipsters make this Hillcrest newest go-to bar. When to go? Thursday nights are always fun, with some kind of gallery show or art installation, plus drink specials and usually no cover.