Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [255]
Harney Sushi (Map; 619-295-3272; 3964 Harney St) Yes, it’s a sushi bar (sushi $3 to $10, other dishes $7 to $15), but the bar bar takes over late at night as a rotation of DJs spins music from reggae to house to techno for a hip, younger crowd.
O’Hungry’s (Map; 619-298-0133; 2547 San Diego Ave) Despite its name, O’Hungry’s is more for drinking than for eating. It serves beer by the yard glass, occasionally has live music and can sometimes be lots of fun.
Old Town Saloon (Map; 619-298-2209; 2495 San Diego Ave) This one’s for the locals, so be cool. Swill a Bud Light, and play pool at one of four tables.
HILLCREST
Most of the bars in Hillcrest are gay (see opposite), but here are some other choices:
Alibi (Map; 619-295-0881; 1403 University Ave) All the straight people in Hillcrest who go out drinking – young, old, rich and poor – pass through the doors of Alibi, earning it the nickname the ‘Star Wars Bar.’
Nunu’s Cocktail Lounge (Map; 619-295-2878; 3537 5th Ave) Dark and divey, this hipster haven started pouring when JFK was president and still looks the part with its curvy booths, big bar and lovably kitsch decor. Smoking patio.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Check out the San Diego Reader or the Night and Day section in the Thursday edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune for the latest movies, theater, galleries and music gigs around town. Arts Tix (Map; 619-497-5000; www.sandiegoperforms.com; cnr 3rd Ave & Broadway; 11am-6pm Tue-Thu, 10am-6pm Fri & Sat, 10am-5pm Sun), in a kiosk outside Horton Plaza, has half-price tickets for same-day evening or next-day matinee performances and offers discounted tickets to all types of other events – contact them for further details. Ticketmaster ( 619-220-8497; www.ticketmaster.com) and House of Blues (www.hob.com) sell tickets to other gigs around the city.
Nightclubs & Live Music
Anthology (Map; 619-595-0300; www.anthologysd.com; 1337 India St; cover up to $60) Opened in 2007 just south of Little Italy, Anthology presents live jazz in a swank supper-club setting. It books both up-and-comers and big-name performers including Lee Ritenour, Beausoleil and Maria Muldaur.
Casbah (off Map; 619-232-4355; www.casbahmusic.com; 2501 Kettner Blvd) Liz Phair, Alanis Morissette and the Smashing Pumpkins have all rocked the Casbah on their way up the charts and it’s still a good place to catch tomorrow’s headliners. Near Little Italy and the airport, it has couches, pinball machines and dimly lit alcoves if you don’t feel like dancing.
4th & B (Map; 619-231-4343; www.4thandB.com; 345 B St) This midsized venue has music lovers head-bobbing with performances from an eclectic mix of talent, from unsigned hopefuls to Macy Gray, Psychedelic Furs and the Last Comic Standing tour. Rest your feet – and eardrums – in the lounge. There’s often a cover charge.
On Broadway (Map; 619-231-0011; www.obec.tv; 615 Broadway; cover $20; Fri & Sat) Sprawling double-decker dance spot where DJs mix it up on – count them – five dancefloors. Dress to impress, or forget about making it past the velvet-rope goons.
Shout House (Map; 619-231-6700; 655 4th Ave; cover up to $10) Good, clean fun at this cavernous Gaslamp bar with dueling pianos. Talented players have an amazing repertoire: standards, rock and more. We recently heard Justin Timberlake’s ‘D**k in a Box’ (OK, maybe it’s not so clean). Crowd: college-age to conventioneers.
Soma (Map; 619-226-7662; www.somasd.com; 3350 Sports Arena Blvd; cover $8-23) This all-ages venue (no booze) puts the spotlight on up-and-coming local bands of the alterna-rock and punk persuasion. It’s electric and edgy with fiercely loyal crowds.
Stingaree (Map; 619-544-0867; www.stingsandiego.com; 454 Sixth Ave) Vegas in the Gaslamp. Super-slinky decor provides the backdrop for San Diego’s most-likely-to-spot-a-celebrity club. Table service for your drinks and cabanas on the roof. The cover charge varies and can be expensive.
Also recommended:
Café Sevilla Live Latin and fusion performers and