By Kevin Wilkerson, San Diego Nightlife Editor
One of the top restaurant/bars to gather for the San Diego Padres pre-game scene, as well as staying to watch the game, is Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails on the 9th floor of Hotel Indigo (9th & Island).
When I say top, I mean top as in a rooftop. Altitude Lounge at the Marriott is nice for peering into Petco Park from above but at Borrego you look straight through Gallagher Square to the outfield and all the way to home plate. Bring binoculars and you can get a pretty good view of the action on the field. That is, if you can divert your attention away from what’s happening around you.
I sat at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails one fine evening in a chair that overlooked that view. Then when the night air cooled after sunset, I relocated to a spot around one of the firepits. It was then that my interest in the game faded as quickly as had the twilight moments earlier. A DJ took over the music. Suddenly, I was in nightlife lounge mode.
My drink of choice was a nice blonde lager (this gentleman prefers blondes, by the way), which cost $10. Other beers are 8-$12. Borrego Rooftop in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter also has several cocktails, including a unique house margarita ($18) and wines and sparkling ($14-16).
The food is equal to the setting. The Borrego Quesadilla ($19) is stuffed with chicken and can easily feed two. The steak-loaded fries ($23) is a home run. There is also ceviche ($24), sliders, tacos and burgers, all the way up to a 24-ounce ribeye big enough to feed a bullpen ($68).
@pubclub.com Borrego Lounge looks straight through to home plate abd is s hot spot before, during and after Padres games. #rooftop #rooftopbar #rooftopbars #sdrooftops #watchingthegame #pubclub #sandiegobars #sandiegobar ♬ original sound – PubClub
But really, what truly makes a place is the setting, atmosphere and the people. At Borrego Rooftop, this is a belt-high fastball. The bar area has a large table for putting down drinks and striking up conversations. High chairs look out toward the ballpark. The firepits make for an excuse to come back after the game. Or not leave at all.
Of course, all this makes Borrego Rooftop a place to go when the Padres are not in town, too. It’s like a multi-skilled baseball player: it covers all the bases.
For more places to eat and drink, check out PubClub’s guide to the top San Diego Padres bars.
PubClub.com is a San Diego-based website featuring articles on food & drink, restaurants and nightlife.
