Nightlife & the Arts in San Diego

Nightlife & the Arts in San Diego

Nightlife Overview
Name Category Location
 
4th & B
Occupying a former bank, this club is only open when a concert... 		Music Clubs Downtown
 
710 Beach Club
This surprisingly spacious beach bar hosts well-known local and... 		Music Clubs Pacific Beach
 
Aero Club
Named for its proximity to the airport, this watering hole draws... 		Bars Uptown
 
AleSmith Brewing Co.
This artisanal microbrewery offers small tours and tastings at... 		Brewpubs / Beer Gardens Scripps Ranch
 
Alpine Brewing Co.
Well worth the mountain drive, this family-owned operation may... 		Brewpubs / Beer Gardens Alpine
 
Altitude Sky Lounge
This lounge, at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, occupies... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Anthology
The Rat Pack would be proud of the fine-tuned acoustics in this... 		Music Clubs Downtown
 
The Art of Tim Cantor
The artist works in a private studio in the back of this gallery... 		Art Galleries San Diego
 
Bahia Belle
This Mississippi-style stern-wheeler offers relaxing evening... 		Entertainment Cruises San Diego
 
Baja Betty's
Although it draws plenty of gay customers, Baja Betty's is popular... 		Bars Uptown
 
Balboa Theatre
Reopened in 2008 after being shuttered for more than two decades... 		Music San Diego
 
Ballast Point Brewing Co.
This isn't the best location for a casual visit, but if you're... 		Brewpubs / Beer Gardens Scripps Ranch
 
Bar Basic
This spot is always bustling, in part because it's right across... 		Bars Downtown
 
Bar Dynamite
Affectionately known to regulars as Bar D, in its heyday this... 		Dance Clubs Uptown
 
Bar Pink
Cheap drinks, live music, and a hip crowd explain the line that's... 		Bars Uptown
 
Bar West
The brainchild of the guys who opened the Gaslamp's successful... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Pacific Beach
 
Barefoot Bar and Grill
This beachfront watering hole and hotel bar with a tiki feel... 		Bars Mission Bay and the Beaches
 
Blind Lady Ale House
The Blind Lady pairs two of the best things on the planet: pizza... 		Bars Uptown
 
Bourbon Street
Locals stop by here to meet old friends or make new ones. The... 		Bars Uptown
 
Brick by Brick
This spruced-up space in an industrial neighborhood cranks out... 		Music Clubs Point Loma
 
Brigantine
This is surely the most popular of the local chain's seven outposts... 		Bars Point Loma
 
Brockton Villa Restaurant
This charming café overlooking La Jolla Cove has indoor... 		Cafes La Jolla
 
Café Bassam
This Uptown café offers a Parisian-inspired coffee-sipping... 		Cafes Uptown
 
Cafe Japengo
This is the post-work socializing spot for young La Jolla professionals... 		Piano Bars / Lounges La Jolla
 
California Ballet Company
The company performs high-quality contemporary and classical... 		Dance San Diego
 
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
The center presents mainstream theatrical productions such as... 		Theater San Diego
 
Casbah
Near the airport, the Casbah is a small club with a national... 		Music Clubs Middletown
 
The Cask Room
Learn the ins and outs of wine tasting or just or savor a fine... 		Wine Bars Downtown
 
Ché Café
This good old-fashioned bastion of counterculture at University... 		Music Clubs La Jolla
 
Chuck Jones' Studio Gallery
This gallery, often crowded at night with after-dinner strollers... 		Art Galleries San Diego
 
City Ballet
The ballet holds performances at the Spreckels Theatre and other... 		Dance San Diego
 
CJ Gallery
This gallery in the historic Whitney Building specializes in... 		Art Galleries San Diego
 
Claire de Lune
On a corner in artsy North Park, this café is revered... 		Cafes Uptown
 
Clay's La Jolla
Clay's is a new version of one of San Diego's most famous jazz... 		Music Clubs La Jolla
 
Comedy Store La Jolla
Like its sister establishment in Hollywood, this club hosts some... 		Cabaret, Comedy Clubs La Jolla
 
Copley Symphony Hall
The great acoustics here are surpassed only by the incredible... 		Music San Diego
 
Coronado Playhouse
This cabaret-type theater near the Hotel Del Coronado stages... 		Theater San Diego
 
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
The largest concert venue in town (and another victim of corporate-supporter... 		Music San Diego
 
Croce's
Restaurateur Ingrid Croce (widow of singer-songwriter Jim Croce)... 		Music Clubs Downtown
 
Dick's Last Resort
The surly waitstaff and abrasive service at this dive bar are... 		Bars Downtown
 
Diversionary Theatre
San Diego's premier gay and lesbian company presents a range... 		Theater San Diego
 
Dizzy's
This is one of the few venues in town that's totally devoted... 		Music Clubs Downtown
 
East Village Tavern & Bowl
This laid-back hot spot has 12 lanes for bowling, which means... 		Bars Downtown
 
El Agave Tequileria
Named for the agave cactus, whose sap is distilled into tequila... 		Bars Old Town
 
El Dorado
El Dorado means "The Gold," and that's exactly what this hip... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
ENO at the Hotel Del Coronado
ENO at the Hotel Del Coronado, at the Hotel Del, is a stylish... 		Wine Bars Coronado
 
Eveoke Dance Theater
San Diego's major avant-garde dance company performs a regular... 		Dance San Diego
 
Extraordinary Desserts
Not just a delicious visual treat, with its lacy, laser-cut metal... 		Cafes Downtown
 
Extraordinary Desserts
This café lives up to its name, which explains why there's... 		Cafes Uptown
 
Firehouse PB
Firehouse PB goes for Miami chic in the heart of Pacific Beach... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Pacific Beach
 
Flagship Cruises and Events
Flagship Cruises welcomes guests aboard with a glass of champagne... 		Entertainment Cruises San Diego
 
Flicks
A hip video bar that's popular with the see-and-be-seen crowd... 		Bars Uptown
 
Fumari Hookah Lounge
This relaxed café is a dark and cozy spot for smoking... 		Cafes Downtown
 
Gelato Vero Caffe
A youthful crowd crowd gathers here for authentic Italian ice... 		Cafes Uptown
 
The Grape
Swing by this pleasant place before or after dinner. The narrow... 		Wine Bars Downtown
 
Hamilton's Tavern
More commonly called Hammy's, this bar has one of the best beer... 		Bars Uptown
 
Hard Rock Hotel
Hard Rock Hotel draws A-list wannabes (and a few real celebs)... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Hornblower Cruises
Take a dinner-dance cruise aboard the Lord Hornblower—the... 		Entertainment Cruises San Diego
 
House of Blues
This branch of the renowned chain of clubs is a cavernous space... 		Music Clubs Downtown
 
Humphrey's by the Bay
Surrounded by water, Humphrey's is the summer stomping ground... 		Music Clubs Shelter Island
 
In Cahoots
With a great sound system, large dance floor, and DJ, Cahoots... 		Music Clubs Mission Valley
 
Inn at the Park
This lounge at the Park Manor Suites offers large booths to settle... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Uptown
 
Ivy Nightclub
A cavernous downstairs space with a decidedly naughty feel, this... 		Dance Clubs Downtown
 
Ivy Rooftop and Ivy Nightclub
These two bars offer a chiller version of nightlife for Andaz... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Jean Isaacs' San Diego Dance Theater
The company has earned serious kudos for its diverse company... 		Dance San Diego
 
Jimmy Love's
This combination dance club, bar, and restaurant occupies two... 		Bars Downtown
 
Jose's Court Room
Jose's Court Room is a hit with yuppies from La Jolla and other... 		Piano Bars / Lounges La Jolla
 
JRDN
This contemporary lounge occupies the ground floor of Pacific... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Pacific Beach
 
Karl Strauss' Brewing Company
San Diego's first mircobrewery now has two locations, the original... 		Bars Downtown
 
Karl Strauss' Brewing Company
This microbrewery is a pleasantly casual escape from the more... 		Bars La Jolla
 
Kava Lounge
This free-spirited underground dance club is a favorite of the... 		Dance Clubs Middletown
 
Kettner Arts Complex
Several fine-art galleries are in this building, including Perry... 		Art Galleries San Diego
 
La Jolla Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
The Athenaeum is a membership-supported, nonprofit library with... 		Music San Diego
 
La Jolla Playhouse
The playhouse crafts exciting and innovative productions under... 		Theater San Diego
 
Lamb's Players Theatre
The theater's regular season of five productions runs from February... 		Theater San Diego
 
Landmark Theatres
Known for first-run foreign, art, American independent, and documentary... 		Film San Diego
 
Lei Lounge
This fabulous tropical-theme lounge is like a minivacation, with... 		Bars Uptown
 
Lips
Patrons enjoy their dinner while drag queens entertain (a $3... 		Cabaret, Comedy Clubs Uptown
 
Live Wire
This hip hole-in-the-wall, lures the pierced and tattooed kids... 		Bars Uptown
 
Living Room
This coffeeshop is in an old house with creaky wooden floors... 		Cafes Point Loma
 
The Local
Flip-flops are totally acceptable at this kick-back beach bar... 		Bars Downtown
 
LOUNGEsix
This trendy poolside bar on the fourth floor of the swank Hotel... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Lyceum Theatre
Home to the San Diego Repertory Theatre, the Lyceum also presents... 		Theater San Diego
 
Lynx Performance Theatre
This progressive theater space is known for presenting often... 		Theater San Diego
 
Lyric Opera San Diego
A variety of operas, operettas, and other musical theater productions... 		Theater San Diego
 
Malashock
The city's esteemed modern dance company, presents edgy, intriguing... 		Dance San Diego
 
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre
Amateur and professional puppeteers and ventriloquists entertain... 		Theater San Diego
 
Martinis Above Fourth
This swank lounge presents live piano and cabaret on weekends... 		Bars Uptown
 
Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts
In the historic Brunswick Building, the Gaslamp's oldest art... 		Art Galleries San Diego
 
Moondoggies
This relaxed hangout welcomes Gidget wannabes, as well as a mixed... 		Bars Mission Bay and the Beaches
 
Museum of Photographic Arts
In its 226-seat theater, the museum runs a regular film program... 		Film San Diego
 
National Comedy Theatre
Comedy fans stop by for competitive improv comedy contests on... 		Cabaret, Comedy Clubs Uptown
 
North Coast Repertory Theatre
A diverse mix of comic and dramatic works is shown in the 194-seat... 		Theater San Diego
 
Nunu's
It might be the most popular mainstream bar in très gay... 		Bars Uptown
 
O'Brien's
Billed as "the Hoppiest Place on Earth," Obrien's makes up for... 		Bars Northern San Diego
 
O'Hungry's
This landmark saloon is famous for its yard-long beers and live... 		Bars Old Town
 
Old Globe Theatre
The oldest professional theater in California presents classics... 		Theater San Diego
 
Old Town Theatre
A 248-seat theater operated by Cygnet Theatre Company, this is... 		Theater San Diego
 
On Broadway
This huge club in a former bank building used to be the hottest... 		Dance Clubs Downtown
 
Onyx Room/Thin
Although Onyx and Thin are separate clubs, they share the same... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Open-Air Theatre
Top-name rock, reggae, and popular artists give summer concerts... 		Music San Diego
 
Orchestra Nova San Diego
From September to May, a 30-plus member ensemble performs classics... 		Music San Diego
 
Over the Border
Cover bands usually play here on the weekends, but some of the... 		Music Clubs Chula Vista
 
Pacific Beach Bar & Grill
Only a block away from the beach, this popular nightspot has... 		Bars Mission Bay and the Beaches
 
Pacific Shores
This bar isn't going for classy with its acid-trip mermaid mural... 		Bars Point Loma
 
Pannikin
This bright coffeehouse with indoor and outdoor seating attracts... 		Cafes La Jolla
 
Patrick's II
Patrons enjoy live jazz, blues, and rock in this intimate Irish-themed... 		Bars Downtown
 
The Pearl Hotel
Step into late '60s Palm Springs, with shag carpet, clean lines... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Point Loma
 
Prohibition
Prohibition is an underground jazz lounge with a slinky speakeasy... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Prospect Place Fine Art
Etchings and lithographs by 19th- and 20th-century masters include... 		Art Galleries San Diego
 
Red Fox Steak House
Typically referred to as Red Fox Room, this lounge is dearly... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Uptown
 
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Movies about space, science, and nature are shown on the IMAX... 		Film San Diego
 
Rich's
The dancing and music here are some of the best in the city... 		Bars Uptown
 
RT's Longboard Grill
A young, tanned crowd comes to schmooze and booze under the indoor... 		Bars Mission Bay and the Beaches
 
San Diego Ballet
The ballet brings a vast repertory of classic and contemporary... 		Dance San Diego
 
San Diego Civic Theatre
In addition to being the home of the San Diego Opera, the theater... 		Theater San Diego
 
San Diego Film Festival
The festival screens local, national, and international entries... 		Film San Diego
 
San Diego Opera
Drawing international artists, the opera's season runs January-April... 		Music San Diego
 
San Diego Repertory Theatre
San Diego's first resident acting company performs contemporary... 		Theater San Diego
 
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
The orchestra puts on special events year-round, including classical... 		Music San Diego
 
Shakespeare Pub & Grille
This Mission Hills hangout captures all the warmth and camaraderie... 		Bars Uptown
 
Sherwood Auditorium
The 500-seat auditorium at the Museum of Contemporary Art hosts... 		Film San Diego
 
Sherwood Auditorium
A 500-seat venue in the Museum of Contemporary Art, the auditorium... 		Music San Diego
 
The Shout! House
Dueling pianos and rock-and-roll sing-alongs make for a festive... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Side Bar
Shuttered for more than a year, Side Bar has reopened with new... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Siren
On the fourth floor of the posh Sé Hotel, Sirens brings... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Soma
This all-ages club has been associated with the San Diego music... 		Music Clubs Chula Vista
 
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
This is the home of a giant outdoor pipe organ donated to the... 		Music San Diego
 
Spreckels Theatre
A landmark theater erected in 1912, the Spreckels hosts comedy... 		Music San Diego
 
Starlight Musical Theatre
A summertime favorite, the Starlight performs a series of musicals... 		Theater San Diego
 
Starlite
Bar-goers are dazzled by Starlite's award-winning interior design... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Uptown
 
Stingaree
In the posh Gaslamp Quarter, Stingaree occupies an old warehouse... 		Dance Clubs Downtown
 
Stone Brewing Co.
The Big Daddy of San Diego craft brewing, Stone Brewing Co. was... 		Brewpubs / Beer Gardens Escondido
 
Sushi Performance & Visual Art
This nationally acclaimed group provides an opportunity for well-known... 		Theater San Diego
 
Tavern at the Beach
Drink specials and socializing draw fun-loving college students... 		Bars Mission Bay and the Beaches
 
Tio Leo's
Contained inside a Mexican restaurant, Tio Leo's is a throwback... 		Music Clubs Bay Park
 
Tivoli
Established in 1885, this is the oldest bar in the Gaslamp. Rumor... 		Bars Downtown
 
Top of the Hyatt
This lounge at the Manchester Grand Hyatt crowns the tallest... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Top of the Park
Held only on Friday evenings, this festive after-work cocktail... 		Bars Uptown
 
Toronado
Named in honor of the San Francisco beer bar by the same name... 		Bars Uptown
 
True North
Many long-established locals hate this sports bar, eyeing its... 		Bars Uptown
 
U-31
U-31 ratchets up this neighborhood's nightlife potential with... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Uptown
 
Upstart Crow
In downtown's charming Seaport Village, Upstart Crow is a bookstore... 		Cafes Downtown
 
Urban Grind
This coffeeshop is popular with San Diego's gay community. It's... 		Cafes Uptown
 
Urban Mo's Bar and Grill
Mo's rounds up cowboys for line dancing and two-stepping on its... 		Bars Uptown
 
Valley View Casino Center
Big-name concerts are held here with room for 13,000-plus fans... 		Music San Diego
 
Viejas Arena
Formerly known as Cox Arena, the Viejas Arena attracts big acts... 		Music San Diego
 
Vin de Syrah
This "spirit and wine cellar" sends you down a rabbit hole (or... 		Wine Bars Downtown
 
The Vine
Alongside a small-plates food menu, this romantic little wine... 		Wine Bars Ocean Beach
 
Voyeur
This tiny club will leave you gasping for air—and loving... 		Dance Clubs Downtown
 
W Hotel
The W Hotel has two bars, and even after several years on the... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
The Waterfront
It isn't actually on the waterfront, but this was once the gathering... 		Bars Downtown
 
Westgate Hotel Plaza Bar
The old-money surroundings, including leather-upholstered seats... 		Piano Bars / Lounges Downtown
 
Whiskey Girl
The happy-hour sports crowd loves Whiskey Girl for its 23 flat-screen... 		Bars Downtown
 
Whistle Stop Bar
This is the place to get your groove on to indie, electro, and... 		Dance Clubs Uptown
 
The Wine Cabana
This small bar opens to spacious outdoor patio has semiprivate... 		Wine Bars Old Town and Uptown
 
Wine Steals
This room crackles with excitement on busy nights—you can... 		Wine Bars Old Town and Uptown
 
Winston's
In a former bowling alley, this Ocean Beach rock club hosts local... 		Music Clubs Point Loma
 
Yard House
It's a chain, yes, but you can't really go wrong with more than... 		Bars Downtown
 
Zanzibar Coffee Bar and Gallery
This cozy, dimly lighted spot along Pacific Beach's main strip... 		Cafes Pacific Beach
Nightlife Overview »

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