By Kevin Wilkeson, PubClub.com San Diego Nightlife Blogger
San Diego Crimson Tide fans are rolling over to The Smoking Gun as it is the new San Diego Bama Fans official alumni bar.
It is on Market between 5th & 6th in the Gaslamp Quarter (okay, technically East Village) just a couple of blocks from the previous alumni bar Bootlegger. The latter was home to the San Diego Bama Fans for 10+ years but bar suddenly ended after football season when it closed, presenting the organizers with a monumental task: finding a place that can come close to replicating the “Tuscaloosa West” atmosphere of Alabama football – and now, perhaps basketball – games.
“We’ve teamed up with Gary, Randy, and the entire Smoking Gun team to make this spot our official game-day headquarters… aka Tuscaloosa West!,” the organizers posted on its Facebook Fan Page, San Diego Bama Fans.
Smoking Gun, which also owns the popular barleymash on 5th & Market, was (no longer) home to the Florida Gators. Alabama does not play Florida in the 2025 football season, so they would only meet if both teams make it to the SEC Championship game. The bar is an open-air establishment with a patio leading to a front section which was the Gator hangout (San Diego’s version of The Swamp tho considering UF hasn’t been very competitive of late it was more like a den of disappointment), a large square bar with tables on one side, more tables along with a couch and pool table on the other and more tables in the back. It also has an arcade, which might get some use during halftime or during blowouts.
It also had drink specials during Gator games, including $5 for a very drinkable Salty Crew lager from Coronado Beer Company. During Alabama games, it will feature its Happy Hour menu which has a few pretty good San Diego craft brews for $6, along with food specials one of which is a pretty nice-looking burger for 10 bucks. Bootlegger did not have any specials but some drinks there were cheap enough anyway; my go-to was Coors Banquet bottles for $6 and during close games the awesome bartenders would hand them to me as if they worked on an assembly line. Smoking Gun bartenders, take note.
“We’re excited to bring the Alabama alumni into the mix and give them a home here,” said The Smoking Gun General Manager Randy Wagener. “We know they’re coming from a great spot, so our goal is to make this transition seamless and show them what makes us the right choice moving forward. We’re all about building a strong game day experience, and this is just the start. Roll Tide!”
In order to replicate the “Tuscaloosa West” atmosphere that Bootlegger nailed, Smoking Gun needs to have the sound on during the games (this is non-negotiable) and then before, during commercials, at halftime and after the game play the “Alabama songs.” The management and DJ must learn those songs and why they are important to Alabama fans. There is the fight song, “Yeah Alabama,” plus “Sweet Home Alabama,” the “Rammer Jammer” cheer (but only after wins!) and the unofficial anthem of Tuscaloosa, “Dixieland Delight.” Alabama version, of course. A video is embedded here to help out the management learn and understand this very important song.
Plus Smoking Gun needs to play other country tunes that are music to the ears of Alabama fans, among them Toby Keith’s “Oasis” song (although the Oasis bar is on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas), Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman,” Shania Twain’s “You Make Me Feel Like A Woman” and Kenny Chesney’s “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” The DJ needs a quick finger to do all this and not miss a play.
The bartenders need to be lively and engaging, just as they were at Bootlegger. One or two other key games need to be showing on other TVs, tho most should be on the Bama game. And management had better be ready to keep the party going if/when Alabama wins big games (Tennessee, LSU and Auburn every year and also Georgia this year). The season starts Labor Day Weekend at Florida State.
I do think Smoking Gun is up to the task. But it will be louder and more lively than what it was for Florida games because more than 100 people show up for the biggest games and they – or we, I should say – are an enthusiastic and cheerful group. But we’re not obnoxious, either, and often welcome fans of other teams to watch the games with us.
It is certainly off to a good start. Several Bama fans showed up for a big basketball game right after the announcement and management immediately pivioted to launch Happy Hour for the entire bar. Bartenders Taylor and Manny both told PubClub.com they are quite excited to be San Diego’s official Alabama game-watching bar.
It is also serving up “Alabama cocktails” during games, including what at least from the description loooks like a pretty good replica of the famous Yellow Hammer at Gallette’s in Tuscaloosa.
- The Joseph: Stoli Raspberry, Starry ($10)
- Yellow Hammer: Vodka, Rum, Italian Liqueur, pineapple, orange ($12)
- Alabama Slammer: Southern Comfort, Sloe Gin, Italian liqueur, and orange ($12)
It also has these food specials during Alabama games:
- Roll Tide Twists: soft pretzel sticks brushed with butter, topped with smoked salt, and served with roasted poblano beer cheese and honey mustard ($8.49)
- The Big Al Burger: double wagyu cheeseburger with American cheese, roasted garlic aioli, pickles, and a brioche bun ($10.50)
- Saban Stack: corn tortilla chips topped with cheddar cheese, poblano beer cheese, sour cream, and pickled jalapenos ($10)
- Additional proteins available for $6-7
- Bama Blaze Wings: pickle-brined chicken wings tossed in sweet and spicy maple sriracha sauce ($10.61)
- Crimson Clucker: crispy ghost chile buttermilk-battered chicken thigh with pepperjack cheese, bacon, pickles, and secret sauce on a brioche bun ($10.50)
The Smoking Gun is located at: 555 Market St, San Diego, CA
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