By Kevin Wilkerson, San Diego Blogger
It’s a sizzlin’ September in San Diego and I just don’t mean the heat. There’s a lot going on here.
First, it is the start of college football and the NFL. This being Southern California there are a lot of transplants and with alumni bars and fan bars for nearly every NFL team there’s plenty of action happening at those places on weekends.
So read on for the latest news and information about San Diego’s restaurants, bars and nightlife scene.
San Diego Bar Openings
The Gaslamp Quarter has two new bars, side by side on Fifth Ave. One is Bang on 5th, a sushi restaurant that turns into a small nightclub at night. I’ve been in there and it’s cool with a good DJ. Drinks are priced the way you may think – $17-18 mostly – but my Sapporo beer was only $8.50, which is a lot less than I expected to pay in the Gaslamp club-type atmosphere. Bang Bang, by the way, on 6th & Market, is closed so this is a new location in a smaller venue. It’s next door to Tipsy Crow on 5th & F.
A couple doors down, El Perron has opened in what used to be Metl. It has an ingenious way of getting people in the door: offering a free shot for making a basket in a Pop-a-Shot game. Ladies only, of course. It’s open for now on Fridays and Saturdays with some Thursdays.
El Chingon at the main corner of 5th & Market in the Gaslamp is giving out complimentary sides of guacamole on National Guacamole Day, Tuesday, Sept. 16 and queso on National Queso Day, Saturday, Sept. 20.
There’s a new sheriff in (Old Town) and it’s called Doc Holliday’s in Old Town. Leather booths and wood make up the decor along with cocktails brought out in flasks. It’s “a Wild West saloon” according to its Instagram page.
What’s Happening In San Diego’s Restaurant & Bars
Lionfish, the upscale restaurant in the Pendry, has a new cocktail menu for the fall. For $19 there’s the the Golden Hour, made with Santo Reposado, Aperol, passion fruit puree, house-made ginger syrup and lime; Smoke and Velvet, crafted with Jefferson’s, Amaro Montenegro, Giffard’s black currant liqueur, demerara syrup and lemon; Twist of Noir, a combination of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Suze, Chambord, lemon and demerara syrup; Sun Kissed, a vibrant mix of Código 1530 Blanco Tequila, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, mango puree, mango foam and a Tajín rim; and Salt and Silk, made with Flecha Azul Blanco, Cointreau, lime, Liquid Alchemist coconut syrup and caramelized pineapple.
There’s more than football happening in September. There’s soccer and Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill in Mission Beach next to the Big Dipper roller coaster is official home of the Red Devils of San Diego Manchester United Supporters Club. There’s deals on Guinness and Boddington cans, along with other food and drink specials. Upcoming game days for September are: Sunday, Sept. 14th, Saturday, Sept. 20th and Saturday, Sept. 27th.
Smashburgers are a smashing success in San Diego and former French bistro owner Santos Uy has opened For The Win, in Pacific Beach at Garnet & Cass. “This is a great city, and our laidback vibe and simple menu of smash burgers and fries has been well received by the residents of Pacific Beach and beyond,” said his brother and partner Ronald Uy. “We’re so grateful to everyone who has given our burgers a try and shared their experience. So much has been word of mouth.”
La Mesa Village “beercade” Coin Haus is hosting Extra Credit Happy Hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from September 2-30, featuring back-to-school specials of $3 Coors Banquet bottles, $3 Twisted Tea cans, and $4 BuzzBallz. The promotion is from 6-close and with a minimum purchase of a $5 game card. School ID must be presented as well. Coin Haus is located at 8361 Allison Ave., near San Diego State.
Fonda del Barrio featuring “ancestral Mexican cuisine” according to a press release, is open in the cultural district of Barrio Logan in the former Barrio Dogg space. The concept from City Tacos and Tour de Tapas founder Gerry Torres offers dinner service Tuesdays-Sundays and there is live entertainment in the bar area. To celebrate, it hosting a free event for Mexican Independence Day on Tuesday, Sept. 16, starting at 3:30 in partnership with Barrio Logan Association. This involves complimentary bites from Executive Chef Eduardo Baeza and tasting sips from Lead Bartender Rudy Corona, along with live music. Its it located at 2234 Logan Avenue ane its website is Fonda del Barrio.
Table 509 Bar & Kitchen in the Gaslamp Quarter’s Hotel Indigo San Diego has expanded its breakfast menu. New items include steak and eggs for $29 and a breakfast poke bowl foe $28. Breakfast is served daily, 6:30-11 a.m.
Top San Diego September Events
• The 9th annual East Village Oktoberfest is Saturday, Sept. 20. It is all outdoor at Quartyard and involves picnic tables with people drinking large beers. Music and events such as stein-holding contests take place on stage. It goes from 3-8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
• The spectacular San Diego Spirits Festival is Sept. 27-28. Held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla overlooking the bluffs adjancent to Children’s Pool, this mult-level, multi-entertainment, multi-spirited event features unlimited tastings of various spirits in a classy yet casual event. Tickets are $90 on Saturday and $80 on Sunday.
• The 2nd Annual Taste of College Area is happening Sunday, September 28. Taking place from 11 a.m.- to 3 p.m., it features food from from local spots Kinchana, Charoen Krung Thai Cuisine, ESSNTL Coffee, Himalayan Yak & Yeti and Joyee’s Dumpling House.
The Savannah Bananas Come To San Diego
The Harlem Globetrotters of baseball, the yellow-clad Savannah Bananas, are in San Diego for two “games,” Sept. 5 & 6. Sorry, both games are sold out (and the Bananas do NOT make tickets available on the secondary market, so watch out for scalpers) but you can watch at local bars while having creative themed cocktails at these places in the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village:
• Banana Margaritas for $14 at El Chingon. A Havana Banana rum drink (a twist on the classic daiquiri) for $15 next door (literally; they share the same restrooms) at Havana 1920. The Banana Balk with banana and peach liqueur at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails for $17. If you get the right seat on the balcony, you can look directly into Petco Park’s outfield and get a glimpse of the shenanigans. The Peelin’ Good, a bourbon cocktail, for $10 at Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine.
Adams Ave. Street Fair
This free-two-day music festival returns the weekend of Sept. 20-21. There are 75 musical acts on seven stages with beer gardens and food and arts vendors on the street. It’s in the Normal Heights neighborhood. You can learn all about the Adams Ave., Street Fair in this PubClub.com article.
Urban Pickleball In San Diego
This is really cool: urban pickleball! Each Thursday thru Sept. 25, a group is setting up pickleball courts in the Gaslamp Quarter and inviting people to play. Just show up and pay $25. You can also register in advance at the Gaslamp Urban Pickleball website. The courts are on 4th Ave., between Market & Island. I asked a friend who plays this sport on a frequent basis is pickleball players party and she said, “of course they do!,” so I’m expecting a pretty good bar scene after the games.
Meet Our San Diego Featured Bartender of the Month!
Name: “Cute” Kate Sogge
Occupation: Bartender
Bar/Restaurant: Miss B’s Coconut Club, Mission Beach
Hometown: Seattle, WA
How Long Have You Been In San Diego? 8 years
Personality: Lively! Funny, funky and always smiling or laughing with a bit of a don’t-take-her-too-seriously side to her. “I’m a little sarcastic and sassy,” she said. True!
Favorite Drink To Make: “Something that I would like to drink, like a Tequila Old Fasioned or a margarita.”
Favorite Drink To, Well, Drink: Anything with tequila. (I can personally confirm she likes tequila shots.)
Things You Like To Do When Not Bartending: Going to the beach, relaxing, being with my friends. I love the Farmer’s Market. I do have a bike. I don’t ride it very often. I did just buy rollerblades.
Available For Hire For Private Parties & Events? Absolutely!
Instagram: @katevstheinternet
San Diego Happy Hour Deal Of The Month
Since it’s football season, PubClub.com is highlighting football specials and one of the best is at Hideaway in PB. Rather than list all the multiple food and drink specials, here are the flyers with all the game-day deals for college and NFL games.
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