If you’re looking for a wild and exciting night on the town in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, there are many amazing and one of a kind nightlife experiences to enjoy.
From drinks and dinner at one of the many unique bars to live music and dancing the night away at one of the hottest San Diego nightclubs. Here are a few of the most unique nightlife experiences in “America’s Finest City”
The Gaslamp Quarter
Located centrally in the heart of downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is the home some fantastic restaurants, bars, and boutiques. It is comprised of 16 city blocks, which are home to more than 80 shops and outlets offering accessories, apparel, art, books, music, and more.
Shop for the perfect outfit at the eclectic Bubbles’ Boutique, and visit A Style Concierge to trade in your tired old style for a fabulous new look and a shining new you!
Fresh Seafood
Lionfish is located in the Pendry San Diego. Specializing in sustainable, responsibly sourced seafood, Lionfish is an elegant and modern restaurant located on 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter that features fresh-catch cuisine and seasonal ingredients, all prepared and served up with creative flair by native San Diego chef JoJo Ruiz and his staff.
The luxe two-story space has a distinct charm to it that is not present in other San Diego seafood restaurants and captures the very essence of the city’s lifestyle with a hip and creative menu that explores new culinary territory without going overboard.
Having studied under Michelin star and celebrity chefs, Ruiz has developed a network of fisherman and produce growers to provide the Lionfish kitchen with freshest, highest quality ingredients.
Some popular menu items include:
- Fresh Caught, Pan Roasted Swordfish with chanterelles, smoked carrots, puffed quinoa and fragrant saffron butter
- Seared Diver Scallops with endive, parsnip puree and sweet apple salsa verde.
- 20 Oz Prime N.Y. Strip Steak with bordelaise, sunchoke lyonnaise and miso sunchoke puree.
This menu is an exercise in elegant extravagance with an exotic flair that will not disappoint.
Drinks and Dancing
The Oxford Social Club, a San Diego Night Club is a most distinct nightclub. Located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, it’s motto: “Be Sophisticated, or Don’t.”
This posh nightclub features live music performances and headliners from the today’s top DJs and performers, as well as a huge dance floor where you can dance away your cares late into the night. VIP bottle service means the drinks keep flowing all night long.
At the Oxford, you’re likely to rub elbows with actors, musicians, and debutantes alike. The top notch service will have you feeling like royalty, and a night at this unique nightclub will be one of the best experiences you’ll remember, even if a few too many cocktails blur your memory slightly.
The signature cocktails at the Oxford are top notch, flavorful and strong. Some favorites among patrons include:
- Into the Great Rye’d Open: Knob Creek Rye, Lemon, Demerara, Amaro Montenegro, Allagash White and Orange Bitters.
- California Sling: California Honey Wine, Brandy, Ceylon-Green Tea Elixir, Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters
- Pineapple Honey Margarita: Tequila Blanco, Fernet-Branca, Pineapple, Lime, Rosemary-Honey Elixir, Corazon & Blackstrap Bitters
But if you’re more of a “vodka on the rocks” kind of person, the Oxford’s wide selection of this potent spirit will no doubt include your preferred brand.
After Hours Hookah
Keep the party going until the morning at the Premier after hours spot in San Diego. The Area 51 hookah lounge is open until 4:30 AM and is the number one spot for night owls in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Offering a wide assortment of sweetly flavored aromatic tobaccos, a vibrant party atmosphere, great music, this is a great place to give into the party and go along for the ride. There’s nothing wrong with living a little bit. Life is short. Enjoy yourself. “We’re up all night to get lucky.”
Best Hangover Breakfast
After a wild night, you’ll probably want a hangover remedy in the form of tasty breakfast foods. Look no further than the Lazy Hippo. This establishment is probably the best breakfast joint in the Gaslamp District. Proclaimed as a “new concept in breakfast and lunch with exotic, modern and traditional dishes,” the Lazy Hippo is a one-stop location for all your favorite breakfast dishes.
Nothing cures a hangover quite like a breakfast sandwich, and the bacon egg and cheese, on a freshly baked everything bagel is one of the best that you can get anywhere in town.
If you need a little “hair of the dog” to get your gears turning after a night of hedonism, you won’t be disappointed by their selection of sparkling wines and champagne. A couple of bubbles in your orange juice makes a mimosa. And a mimosa is a great way to start your day….so long as you plan to hire an Uber to take you to your next destination.
Conclusion
These are just a few great places to make your time in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter memorable and fun, but there are so many more amazing shops and establishments that make this historic neighborhood so unique. Have you been to San Diego before? What were some of your favorite attractions and sites to visit? Leave us a comment and share your San Diego story in the section below.