Night Clubs in Downtown - Center City (San Diego)

Jimmy Love's

This vibrant hot spot provides both food and entertainment to the young business crowd. Chef Larry Banares turns out a contemporary "California American" cuisine that is long on flavor and somewhat shorter on fat and calories. Seafood, steak, pastas and chicken all make appearances adorned with fresh vegetables and unusual garnishes. Jimmy Love's is a night club too, with live bands and dancing. The bands change weekly, call for who is playing that night.

Sevilla Restaurant & Tapas Bar

This intensely romantic restaurant offers outstanding Tapas—small, savory dishes served as appetizers or as an entire meal. The salmon, pine nut and cranberry empanada is particularly good, and the rich melted mancheco cheese in the Fundido smears over the crusty bread in a very satisfying way. Enjoy the Tapas in the music-filled bar or dine on a full Spanish meal in the adjacent dining room. The downstairs nightclub is a big draw and also offers dance lessons some nights.

Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar

Named by the late, great singer Jim Croce, Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar is an ideal place for people-watching, while enjoying live jazz entertainment. From time to time, the late performer's son (now known in his own right), pops in with his friends to jam. The food is good, unpretentious American and you cannot go wrong with the selection of steaks and seafood, particularly the Grilled Ahi or Swordfish. Dinner entrees range from USD24.95 - 32.95.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Visitors to this trendy restaurant and brewery will be hitting one of the highlights in the downtown scene. Offering contemporary styling inside, this sidewalk restaurant is best enjoyed by dining outside on the patio. Lunches feature salads, burgers and appetizers. Try the titan toothpicks, rolled tortillas stuffed with smoked chicken, jack cheese and seasonings for they are truly delicious. Dinner includes many of the same items plus specialty pastas such as Southwestern shrimp and chicken pasta. Be sure to tour the brewery and partake of the beer sample.

The Bitter End

This bar is housed in the oldest building in the Gaslamp Quarter. Come and mingle with beautiful people and groove to either live music or a disc jockey with tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s. Hardwood floors, soaring ceilings and a 40-foot long mahogany bar create elegance and class. There is a full bar with a 28-page drink menu, including a notable Black Martini. Before visiting this hot spot, check out the Web site for dress code details.

Laurel Restaurant & Bar

Starting out a few years ago as the latest "in" spot for dinner, Laurel Restaurant & Bar has matured into a permanent San Diego favorite. Located just off of Balboa Park, it is a popular theater dinner choice, with a lively after-five upper-echelon business crowd in the bar. The food note struck is southern French, and the Provencal dishes still dominate much of the menu. The menu changes twice per week. Chicken in Crock and Venison with a dried cherry crust and onion confit are just to name a few items.

The Gathering

This downtown hot spot is a magical place, literally. At The Gathering magicians provide exciting entertainment, Thursday through Sunday evenings, while you enjoy the cheery casual setting of the inside dining room or relax al fresco on the patio. Prime rib, fish, pasta dishes and nightly specials have been satisfying hungry diners since 1986. The popular venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as an entertaining time. A full bar is also available.

The Casbah

This club is a prime spot to hear new and cutting edge music in San Diego. Bands such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Alanis Morisette have been among the previous guests. Local bands play here as well, primarily featuring a punk-rock flavor. In addition to music, the club offers pool tables, an enclosed smoking patio, vintage pinball and video games. A stage provides plenty of room to dance. Meanwhile, the full bar serves a long list of beverages.

Waterfront Bar and Grill

This popular venue has been serving adult refreshment since 1933. The food is well-prepared, and the drink prices are reasonable. The casual atmosphere is enhanced with live music on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Breakfast and lunch entrees include a fairly simple selection of meals, such as eggs, French toast, salads and sandwiches. Burgers and fries are available until 1am. Saturdays and Sundays feature a lovely Mexican Brunch.

Princess Pub & Grille

An unabashed British pub, this spot serves fine ales and spirits. Live entertainment is offered most nights, featuring British, Scottish and Celtic music. Traditional English specialties are unfortunately overshadowed by the ale and beers, but the grub is good! The Traditional Sunday Roast Dinner is meant to assuage homesickness for the big expatriate clientele, but it is delicious even if you are not British. Fish & Chips? Of course beer battered, big portions are available.

Grant Grill

This long-standing venue has an interesting and controversial history. In its early days, women were only allowed to enter if escorted by a man. Since that time, Grant Grill changed its policy so everyone can enjoy the restaurant. Menu items include a grilled New York Steak Sandwich, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Lobster Paella and the grilled 16-ounce Prime Angus Cowboy Steak. There is live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations are requested.

The Brass Rail Nightclub & Lounge

Originally opened in the 1930's, The Brass Rail is considered the oldest gay bar in San Diego and has seen many changes in its day. The most recent renovations bring a modern lounge feel to this historic bar. Plush raised platform seating and VIP rooms with bottle service blend with updated original fixtures such as a 1940's phone booth turned “cell phone booth” and stained glass ceilings for the perfect mix of old ambiance and modern cool. Featuring live music on Thursdays, house music on Fridays and Latin Night Saturdays, there is something for everyone.