There are no strict seasonal guidelines when it comes to beer styles, but certain recipes just taste better during different times of the year. Light, crisp, refreshing lagers hit all the hot spots during summer—both literally and figuratively—while rich, full-bodied, malt-forward brews tend to warm us up during the chilly winter months. But autumn remains an especially unique season for beers, thanks in large part to Oktoberfest celebrations that usually start in late September and run through October. 

Lots of places that celebrate Oktoberfest tend to offer the classic trio of fall beers—Oktoberfests, Marzens, and Festbiers. Don’t get me wrong—all of these are deservedly iconic styles that are some of my favorites to drink. But there are many, many more fall-centric beers out there to discover. Here are a few options from around San Diego that may expand your mind and please your palate this fall season. 

Smoked Maibock

Kilowatt Brewing

This 7.0 percent ABV beer has already earned both gold and silver medals at the Great American Beer Festival, and for good reason. It’s complex and crisp, highlighting both a malty backbone and balanced smokiness from beechwood smoked malts and a hint of Vermont maple syrup. Ironically, the word maibock actually translates to “May beer” and is typically brewed at the start of spring, but this smoky take on the seasonal style makes it an ideal option for the increasingly shorter San Diego days. 

The Debutante Amber Ale

Societe Brewing Company

Yes, their Festbier is an excellent pick for the season. But once you’ve had your Festbier fill, take a chance on Societe’s amber ale, The Debutante. While the style has largely fallen out of fashion over the past decade, amber ales are some of the most balanced brews out there (if you can even find one in cans or on draft nowadays) and Societe is wise to include one in their portfolio. It’s delicious, too—and at 6.5 percent ABV, it hits all the high notes without going too far. 

Meister Northern German Wheat Ale

Eppig Brewing

Wheat beers are another criminally underrepresented (and often very misunderstood) style that deserve much more of a spotlight. Eppig knows exactly how to handle their lagers, and with a beautifully round mouthfeel, clean finish, and pleasantly restrained 5.3 percent ABV, Meister goes down smoothly and tastes great the whole time. Try it with a salted Bavarian soft pretzel to contrast against the light sweetness, and please—don’t ask for an orange slice on the rim. 

Legion’s Revenge ESB

Deft Brewing

The name Extra Special Bitter can seem off-putting to those unfamiliar with the traditionally English style. Hop bitterness is held in check against a malt personality that’s full of biscuit and toast—a quintessential British brew. Deft’s founder Mo Nuspl is an expert in brewing traditional styles and often includes a rotating portfolio of uncommon brews like kellerbiers, altbiers, and dark milds. Even the most rabid hazebois will find something to salivate over. (Pro tip: if it’s available during your visit, try the ESB on cask for an ultra smooth and creamy pour.) 

Roll It Rauch Helles-Style

South O Brewing Company

Bamberg, Germany is the world capital of rauchbier (“smoked beer”) and this Bamberg-style helles lager is a true European-style crossover with all the smoky delight of a rauchbier and all the crispness of a helles lager. With smoked malts giving intense aromatics and Noble hops providing the Old World hop flavor, rauchbiers can be a bit of an acquired taste. However, if you’re at all interested in walking on the smoky side, this is a great place to start.

Baesic Batch Pumpkin Ale

Helix Brewing

If you don’t like pumpkin beers, don’t drink them. But if you do, head to Helix Brewing’s La Mesa taproom and beer garden for their seasonal fall release, a 6.0 percent ABV easy-drinking ale packed with pumpkin spice flavor. It’s a fun, if not somewhat obvious, elixir that celebrates the changing of seasons, and I’m all for it. If you’re still on the fence, just know their beer garden is very dog- and kid-friendly, and you can count on food trucks, live music, trivia, or some combination of those three virtually every day it’s open. 

Clucktoberfest

Hopynonymous Brewing and The Crack Shack

Okay, fine, I’ll include one Festbier. But only because I love collaborations! The Crack Shack teamed up with Hopnonymous Brewing to make Clucktoberfest, a Festbier brewed with pilsner and Munich 1 malts, Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hops, and a German lager yeast. It’s the ideal seasonal brew to pair with The Crack Shack’s fried chicken and it’ll be available at all Crack Shack locations and the Hopnonymous taproom through November. Grab a pint to keep the Oktoberfest vibes going, and going, and going…

The post 7 Of The Best Local Beers to Try This Fall (That Aren’t Just Oktoberfests) appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Nationally, beer’s share of the alcohol market is down 5.1 percent as more drinkers diversify their imbibing between beverages like wine, hard kombucha, and spirits. Locally, there have been plenty of storm warnings over the past year: brand closures like Second Chance Beer Company, shutterings like Thorn Brewing’s Mission Hills taproom, and reshufflings like Ballast Point and Eppig Brewing. However, there have also been a few bright spots—Sunny Grove Brewing Company opened in Santee, North Park Beer Company expanded to Crown Point, and Protector Brewery entered The InterContinental San Diego. 

However, none of these brewhouses have been around as long as Mission Brewing, officially launched in 1913. (Sure, it took a long break between Prohibition and the brand’s relaunch in 2007, but it’s still pretty OG.) Aside from taking over the former Kensington Brewing Company’s tasting room in August 2023, Mission has pretty much minded its own business in East Village, making IPAs, lagers, kettle sours, and even some hard seltzers. 

But now, the business is turning to expansion. Mission Brewing has officially acquired Rough Draft Brewing’s Miramar brewing facility and two satellite tasting rooms in Del Mar Highlands Town Center and on the UCSD campus. The announcement auspiciously coincides with the 17th anniversary of Mission’s relaunch this weekend. 

Aaron Long, vice president of sales and marketing for Mission Brewing, says this expansion was possible thanks mainly to Rough Draft founder Jeff Silver’s work over the past 12 years. “Jeff put together a special set of taprooms, and we’re beyond excited for the opportunity to take the torch and further expand Mission’s brick-and-mortar presence around San Diego,” Long says. “Every site has a unique community that will be super fun to integrate our brands and get involved in, [and we] can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working on.”

The acquisition officially finalizes at the end of June. Still, Mission has already begun taking over the Del Mar and UCSD locations and announced plans for special events at all locations in the coming months. Long also says that when Mission’s current lease inside the Wonder Bread building ends in October, the company will transfer brewing operations to the Miramar facility, adding that the Mission team plans to continue renting the East Village taproom space to keep that portion of the business open. 

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Mixed Grounds Coffee Opening a New Location in North Park

AAPI-owned Mixed Grounds Coffee will be a part of North Park’s AMP 30 building at 4555 30th Street when it opens later this year. The 202-unit infill development stretches between Madison and Monroe Avenues (right across from Fall Brewing Company and The Friendly). Still, coffeeheads don’t need to wait that long for one of Mixed Grounds’ specialty drinks, including Vietnamese iced coffee and lychee matcha lemonade—its Logan Heights location at 2920 Imperial Avenue is open daily. 

Beth’s Bites

• USA Today’s 10Best list named Normal Heights scoop shop An’s Dry Cleaning the country’s number-one indie ice cream shop. It’s offering $1 gelatos on July 1 (until supplies run out) to celebrate. Scared of what promises to be a crazy line? Try your luck at the shop’s other location, An’s Hatmakers in Del Mar. Either way, you get ice cream! (Or gelato, whatever you want.)
• Despite Sicilian Thing Pizza unceremoniously shuttering earlier this year, North Park doesn’t have to mourn a lack of ’za for long. Hillcrest standby Sisters Pizza is taking over the 30th Street space and says it hopes to launch this second outpost by the end of summer. 
• The 23rd annual Taste of Adams Avenue kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. It runs until 3 p.m., which means there are only four hours to try and taste everything from more than 40 restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and wine bars, including An’s Dry Cleaning, Hayes Burger, Trattoria Da Sofia, White Rice Bodega, and many more. Good luck!

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Mission Brewing Takes Over Rough Draft Brewing appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Sports Bars in Downtown & Little Italy San Diego

Time Out Sports Tavern

Going out in the Gaslamp often requires a certain tolerance for purgatory-like lines and $20 well drinks, but this locally owned sports bar is an unabashedly divey antidote home to 29 rotating beer taps, a late-night menu for when the game goes into overtime, and a couple of pool tables (plus deals on mimosas for those daytime matches).

Hours: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m. | Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: 3–6:30 p.m. | $5 Michelob Ultra, wells & beer of the day | $6 house wine | $8 Tito’s & Tullamore Dew | $2 off select food options
Address: 634 Broadway, Gaslamp Quarter

barleymash

Whether it’s game day or not, barleymash is one of the liveliest spots downtown. A runner-up for best fries in SDM’s 2024 best restaurants list (they’ve got a bunch of toppings for ’em), this spot also serves four different varieties of loaded mac n’ cheese. Maybe that’s part of why it nabbed a place on Sports Illustrated’s 2019 list of the best places to watch the Super Bowl. 

Hours: Monday–Friday, 12 p.m.–2 a.m. | Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: 3–6 p.m. | $4.50 draft beer | $7.50–$8 cocktails 
Address: 600 Fifth Avenue, Unit 6916, Downtown

Bub’s @ the Ballpark

Located less than a block from Petco Park, Bub’s is the ultimate afterparty for Padres home games during the season. Friar faithful file in after a W to celebrate with a round of beer and remarkably unathletic feats of athleticism in the bar’s novelty basketball court. Bub’s gets packed on game day and is known for screening every Padres away game. For pigskin fans, the bar offers generous NFL and college football game-day drink deals. 

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday, 11 a.m.–12 a.m. | Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 a.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Happy Hour: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday, 3–5 p.m. | $1 wings | $5 select drafts & wells | half-off appetizers
Address: 715 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Nason’s Beer Hall

An upscale watering hole located in the Gaslamp’s swanky Pendry hotel, this retrofitted space dating to the 1900s is a great place to cheer on the Padres and feast on game-day specials like a $9 Wagyu hot dog. This must be the only spot in SD where you can chow down on $40 caviar while watching the Chargers play. 

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3–10 p.m. | Friday, 3 p.m.–12 a.m. | Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 a.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Friday, 3–5 p.m. | $5 draft beer | $6 wine | $7 well cocktails | $11 cheeseburger | $10 giant pretzel | $9 chips & guac | $9 buffalo chicken fries 
Address: 570 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Shakespeare Pub

San Diego is increasingly staking its claim as a destination for soccer, but many local sports bars are lacking a dedicated space for fútbol fanatics. When FIFA rolls around, Shakespeare Pub in Little Italy is the place to be. Opened by a pair of British expats in 1990, this second-story bar on India Street tunes its TVs to Europe’s Premier League and offers the eats to match (think a full English breakfast or a plate of fish and chips).

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday, 10:30 a.m.–12 a.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 a.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m–10 p.m.
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. | $1 off draft pints | $5 house wine | $1 off all bottled beer | $5.50 well liquor
Address: 3701 India Street, Little Italy

Sports Bars in Pacific Beach

The Duck Dive

While sports are the main attraction at this PB hot spot, the food and drinks hold their own, especially when early weekend games draw fans for brunch and $19 bottomless mimosas. University of Nebraska alumni (all two of you) will be happy to hear that this is a certified Nebraska Husker bar, so enjoy hogging the TVs all season long. 

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday, 10 a.m.–12 a.m. | Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 a.m. | Sunday, 9 a.m.–11 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Tuesday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. | $6 cocktails | $6 select wines & drafts | half-off select appetizers
Address: 4650 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach

Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill

Sandbar is the place for Boise State fans to cheer on the Blue each week—or for any deals-seeking diner whose team is playing on a Tuesday, when the rooftop watering hole overlooking Belmont Park offers $3 street tacos, $5 Estrella Jaliscos, $6 house margaritas, and half-off all tequila (of which they have more than 50 types). 

Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday–Monday, 9 a.m.–11 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: 3–6 p.m. | $6 14-ounce Estrella Jalisco | $8 Margarita | $9 22-ounce Estrella Jalisco
Address: 718 Ventura Place, Mission Beach

Sports Bars in Mission Valley

Home & Away

Tucked into the heart of Old Town, this bar is home field for Kansas City Chiefs fans during the NFL season. The patio provides plenty of space for fans to catch every play on a massive outdoor screen while kids stay busy with games like cornhole and ping pong. It’s dog-friendly, too, so make sure Fido has his KC bandana on. 

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m. | Friday, 11:30 a.m.–2 a.m. | Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–1 a.m.
Address: 2222 San Diego Avenue, Old Town 

McGregor’s Bar & Grill

There’s nothing like rooting for the Fighting Irish during college football season in an old-school Irish pub. Located a few blocks from Snapdragon, this 28-year-old Mission Valley bar is a popular spot for post-game partying following Legion rugby matches and SDSU football games. Several pool tables, live music weekly, and shuffleboard offer a welcome distraction from agonizing SportsCenter recaps. 

Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Thursday, 4–6 p.m. | $1 off draft beer, house wine, well liquor & select appetizers 
Address: 10475 San Diego Mission Road, Mission Valley

Novo Brazil Brewing

Novo Brazil has four expansive venues across San Diego County, but their newest location in Mission Valley is a true sports fan’s paradise, with 8,000 square feet of space, 64 taps, 100 feet of LED video walls, and a 3,500-square-foot fire pit—a perfect spot for strategizing your fantasy league draft picks. Sip refreshing kombuchas while supporting our local sports teams with Novo’s La Ola Dragon Fruit or Azteks Raspberry flavors, created in partnership with Wave FC and SDSU Athletics, respectively.

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Address: 1640 Camino Del Rio North, Unit 341, Mission Valley

Sports Bars in North Park

Fairplay

Whether you spell it “football” or “fútbol,” Fairplay has you covered with plenty of screens to catch the action. The spacious gastropub is also the home field for the Red Devils of San Diego, a local Manchester United fan group. Keep an eye on Fairplay’s Instagram page for their weekly TV guide to ensure you don’t miss a single play. 

Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. | Thursday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–12 a.m. | Saturday, 6 a.m.–12 a.m. | Sunday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Address: 4026 30th Street, North Park

Pretzels & Pints

Philly fans, assemble! Pretzels & Pints is the spot for tuning into every Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers game. This tucked-away North Park bar specializes in pretzels, offering oversized Bavarian, pillowy Philly, and classic NY-style options with its signature beer cheese. You’ll also find a selection of pizzas, sandwiches, and subs to fuel your game day—but you’ll need to leave your Giants and Celtics jerseys at home.

Hours: Monday–Friday, 12–10 p.m. | Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday-Friday, 1–6 p.m. | $1.50 off drafts
Address: 3812 Ray Street, North Park

Sports Bars in Clairemont & La Jolla

The Bullpen

This old-school sports venue provides more than 60 TVs and bar bites at reasonable prices. The Bullpen isn’t the place for quiet, contemplative sports discussions—instead, grab a beer and join the hooting and hollering on Padres game nights and at fight night viewing parties. Check their website for their daily TV schedule to plan your night.

Hours: Saturday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Address: 8199 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont Mesa

Nautilus Tavern

During Padres season, Nautilus has game day specials, including the Machado Platter, featuring wings, onion rings, tots, and mozzarella sticks (which I’m sure Manny always eats before first pitch). Stick around after the game as the sports tavern transforms into “Club Nauti,” where you can actualize your dreams of popping Champagne after your team (San Diego FC?) wins a national championship.

Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. | half-off draft beers, well liquor & house wine | $5 Daily Sunset
Address: 6830 La Jolla Boulevard, Unit 103, La Jolla

The Spot La Jolla

The Spot is truly the OG San Diego sports bar, with a history dating back to 1915. The space was purchased in 1978 by owners who wanted to relocate their Chicago watering hole to San Diego. This is the ultimate hangout for Windy City transplants wanting to watch da Bears, da Bulls, da Cubs, and Blackhawks games each week. Like any authentic Chicago hangout, it’s filled with decades of spilled beers, the scent of deep-dish pizza, and the accumulated tears of fans.

Hours: 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. | $4 drafts & wells | 25 percent off appetizers
Address: 1005 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Sports Bars in North County San Diego

PRK 101

PRK 101 is Disneyland for North County sports fans. This two-story complex features large outdoor TVs, a spacious dog-friendly patio, and a menu full of savory barbecue. The spot is home base for the handful of loyal Chargers fans, and it also offers half-off beverages every Monday to locals with a Carlsbad address.

Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 4–10 p.m. | Thursday & Sunday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–12 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. | $5 off house cocktails | $2 off draft beers | $5 house wines | $5 house calls 
Address: 3040 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad

Draft Republic

The name certainly holds up: Draft Republic vends more than 100 beers on tap. Meet up with your squad and catch the game on one of the bar’s 70 TVs while you stuff yourself with wings or buffalo cauliflower (for plant-based friends). Games aren’t just onscreen at this sports bar’s two locations, which offer golf simulators (Carlsbad), eight lanes of bowling (San Marcos), shuffleboard, and plenty of arcade cabinets to help you cool off after your team drops the ball in OT.

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 4–9 p.m. | Friday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. | Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: 4–5:30 p.m. | $6 Draft Republic Beers | $8 select wines & well cocktails | discounted appetizers
Address: 5958 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad & 255 Redel Road, San Marcos

Sports Bars in East County San Diego

The Hills Pub

The Hills Pub is a popular watering hole for sports fans in La Mesa with its dog-friendly patio, zillion TVs, and kitchen that stays open until midnight daily. This makes it an ideal spot for post-game festivities and sprawling armchair game analysis with that pal who swears he could have gone pro if he’d only made the JV team. The joint hosts bingo every Tuesday, offering an opportunity to net yourself tickets to upcoming Gulls games.

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–12 a.m. | Friday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m. | Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m.–12 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Friday, 2–5 p.m. | Sunday–Thursday, 9 p.m.–12 a.m. | $5 drafts, wells, house wines & Dangerdorf liquor
Address: 8758 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa

Main Tap 

Main Tap is a rare destination showing every NHL game in sunny San Diego. This cozy East County tavern is known for its collection of rotating taps from local microbreweries, and it offers plenty of cheap eats to keep you going until a game-ending shootout. On Tuesdays and Fridays, this El Cajon locale moonlights as a karaoke bar, perfect for belting out tearful ballads after the Anaheim Ducks lose yet another game. Time to invest in a Kings jersey. 

Hours: 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Wednesday, 3–7 p.m. | $6 Reuben sandwiches
Address: 518 E Main Street, El Cajon

Sports Bars in Chula Vista

3N1 Sports Bar

Score a hat trick at this triple-threat sports bar in Chula Vista. The name 3N1 refers to the venue’s restaurant, bar, and smoking lounge concept, making it a go-to for folks who enjoy a stogie while watching sports. The bar also offers karaoke on the weekends and regularly hosts PPV boxing and UFC events. 

Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Thursday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. | Friday, 11 a.m–2 a.m. | Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 a.m. | Sunday, 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Thursday, 4–7 p.m
Address: 2330 Proctor Valley Road, Unit 101, Chula Vista

The Canyon Sports Pub & Grill

The Canyon is a popular dive in Chula Vista serving homemade ’cheladas and wings that locals (and even SDM food critic Troy Johnson) have raved about. The bar screens Padres games weekly and holds special viewing parties for the most anticipated title cards in boxing and UFC. 

Hours: Monday–Tuesday, 3 p.m.–2 a.m. | Wednesday–Sunday, 12 p.m.–2 a.m.
Happy Hour Specials: Monday–Friday, 4–7 p.m. | 20 percent off wells, draft pints & appetizers
Address: 421 Telegraph Canyon Road, Chula Vista

The post 20 of the Best Sports Bars in San Diego, by Neighborhood appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Whisknladle Hospitality knew this when the group designed and opened Gravity Heights’ 12,000-square-foot brewpub in Sorrento Valley five years ago. Investing in the beer from day one, Whisknladle managing partner Arturo Kassel partnered with brewmaster Skip Virgilio of AleSmith fame to develop a world-class beer program.

Kassel also built an elevated food program with culinary director and business partner Ryan Johnson, crafting a menu that far outshines the bowls of dry pretzels and microwaved hot dogs ubiquitous with the bars of yesteryears. Gravity Heights has pops of color and natural light. It has sleek wood and iron patio furniture. There are ferns in macrame hangers and quippy sayings spelled in neon lights. It has kale on the menu, for Pete’s sake. It’s nice. 

That investment is paying dividends. On Wednesday, April 17, Gravity Heights will open its second location at in Mission Valley. Kassel says the expansion has always been the goal, despite the three years it took to find the right next space. Opening three, four, or five locations may one day be in the cards. “No question, we have long-term aspirations of filling that void of the small, independent, Southern California brewpub,” he adds.

Gravity Heights Mission Valley sprawls over 9,000 square feet with seating for 260 guests. Half of the space is the outside patio—an intentional choice. “That’s where the magic happens,” Kassel says. Unlike in Sorrento Valley, there’s no brewhouse at the new location. However, Whisknladle worked with architecture firm PGAL for the seventh time to create a space from the ground up and hone in on every detail. “Wherever you are, the energy will be great. It’s just really well-laid-out,” he promises.

The menu is largely the same at both locations, but executive chef Jordan Beall (Whiskladle, PrepKitchen) heads up the kitchen in Mission Valley. Kassel says they plan to tweak the offerings over time as they get a feel for what the neighborhood wants. One big difference, he notes, is the move from a wood-fired pizza oven in Sorrento Valley to a gas-powered one in Mission Valley.

“That’s kind of forced us to change the style of pizza, so we’re doing more of a New Haven–style, and we’re really happy with the results,” he explains. Expect the same craft beers, too, especially the Hazy IPA June Gloom, which Kassel says is a best-seller. “At this point, Gravity Heights is synonymous with June Gloom,” he laughs. “It’s definitely a standout.” 

He hopes the new location provides an oasis in a sea of primarily corporate chain restaurants. “We’re just happy to add to the conversation regarding independent restaurant hospitality groups in the area,” he says. Reservations are not required, but they are now available for both locations. 

Gravity Heights Mission Valley opens Wednesday, April 17, at 525 Camino de la Reina, Suite 101.

The post First Look: Gravity Heights’ New Mission Valley Location appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Lee Doxtader and Scott Stamp revived the defunct brand in 1993, back when we could count the number of local breweries (or, in the parlance of the times, microbreweries) on one hand, and over the next 30 years, they watched the Chargers leave, housing prices rise, and the number of breweries increase. 

But SDBC remained. And remained. And remained. I remember the last time I visited SDBC before this week. It was probably 10 years ago, if not more, and there wasn’t much to say about it other than giving kudos for their SEO-savvy company name. Still, I’m a sucker for nostalgia and a good story, and finally, SDBC has something fresh to talk about. 

On November 1, 2023, Doxtader and Stamp handed the keys to the four new owners: Tyson and Kristina Blake and Bob and Lisa Townsend. Do their names sound familiar? They should. The Blakes have a hand in other beer-centric destinations around town, including O’Brien’s Pub, The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca, and West Coast Smoke & Tap House. The Townsends took over another San Diego institution in 2016: North Park’s San Diego Chicken Pie Shop. 

If there was ever a team to breathe new life into a beloved icon, it’s this quartet. But they assure me their intention is to protect the legacy while also building a new, fresh future. 

“It’s all about improving what already exists,” Lisa says. They’ve already started working on some changes, getting rid of a (very-dated) wooden bar and replacing it with quartz and adding a sleek patio rail, fresh subway tile, plenty of new TVs, and a new stainless steel tap system with 50 taps.

The small brewhouse remains, but Tyson says they are running it more efficiently. Plus, he adds, guests can expect new recipes that modernize some of SDBC’s old favorites, like a “Pale Ale 2.0,” as well as collaborations like the Pink Boots Society double dry-hopped double IPA that comes out this week. Classic menu items like pizza, wings, and burgers will remain, but Kristina says they plan to improve their wine, cocktail, and beer menus so that there’s something for everyone. 

They also plan to roll out a refreshed brand in the next month and hope to mesh beer history with the new look by adding a San Diego Beer History wall with help from Judith Downie, San Diego beer historian and archivist at California State University, San Marcos. 

Revamping a beloved, if not somewhat antiquated, brand always risks alienating longtime customers. But Tyson says they’ve had many longtime regulars come in, see the changes, and get excited. 

“There are people that came here 10, 15, 20-plus years ago that have revisited and been like, ‘Oh my God, this place is great again!’” he says. “Now we get to be a part of the new stories.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Boogie Your Butt Off at This Silent Disco

Starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 5, The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach will host a silent disco party with four DJs; drink specials from Harland Brewing, Mate Maker Hard Kombucha, and Roku Gin; and plenty of Instagram fodder. Tickets are $5 and include a half-hour headphone rental. 

Matsu Hosts Benefit Dinner For Local Chef Aarti Sanghavi

On Tuesday, April 16, chefs William Eick (Matsu), Davin Waite (Wrench & Rodent, The Plot), and Keith Lord (Strateje Fourteen, The Shed) will come together at Matsu for a six-course Baja-Indian dinner to raise money for local chef Aarti Sanghavi (Urban Kitchen Group), who is currently in recovery for breast cancer. Tickets are $225 and available here. 

Beth’s Bites

After devastating bread lovers all over the city by closing last year, Izola Bakery is reopening at 1429 Island Avenue in East Village in mid-May. Formerly occupied by Amplified Ale Works and ModBom, the space overlooks Fault Line Park, which boasts a dog park and playground. Dogs and croissants? Hell yeah.

Look out, An’s Dry Cleaning—there’s a new laundry-themed eatery in town. The Laundry Pub is now open inside the Hotel Del’s restored laundry building, with an 1880s-era bar and pub fare like a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, gochujang glazed pork nuggets, and chicken and waffles. 

The Convoy District suffered a massive blow when dim sum icon China Max was completely destroyed in a fire in 2020. But word on the street is a new iteration is coming this year, as well as another concept called Midnight Skewers at the same address. 

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post San Diego Brewing Company Gets New Owners & a Refresh appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The 3,200-square-foot location formerly housed Bitter Brothers Brewing Company from January 2016 until what they described as a “temporary closure” in August 2022. Despite no formal announcement, Bitter Brothers never opened again.

Latchkey will take control of the 15-barrel brewhouse and tasting room and start operating as a brewpub with a food element in the coming weeks. With on-site food, plenty of parking, and an established place in the San Diego beer scene, Latchkey seems set up for success after a long slog through uncertainty. I, for one, am glad the latchkey kids have finally found themselves at home.

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

O’Brien’s Pub Named #1 Beer Bar in The U.S.

San Diego beer bars are something special. Now that O’Brien’s Pub has been named the best beer bar in the US by USA Today, the whole country knows it.*

The Kearny Mesa craft beer icon opened in 1994 by Jim O’Brien before he sold it to Tom Nickel of Nickel Beer Co. O’Brien’s second co-owner Tyson Blake also owns and operates The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca with his wife Kristina and Nickel, as well as San Diego Brewing Company, which is open during renovations.

To celebrate the win, O’Brien’s is throwing a party on Saturday, March 9 with beer and food specials, and have plenty of events lined up for the coming months, including a Pink Boots Society Tap Takeover in April, a floral event for Mother’s Day and more.

Pizza Port Is Officially An Elder Millennial

Pizza Port opened its first location in Solana Beach in 1987, long before San Diego became the beer powerhouse it is today. On Saturday, March 23 from noon to 5 pm, they’re celebrating 37 years of cold beer and tasty pizza with a Cardiff Crack Tri-Tip special from Seaside Market (I mean, how could they not), a cornhole tournament, a tie dye station, and oh yeah, probably some beer.  

Beth’s Bites

Bonjour Patisserie is now open at 320 West Cedar Street in Little Italy. Bring on the danishes!

San Diego has yet to hit peak hot chicken, and there’s more coming. Houston Hot Chicken is coming to Gaslamp in the coming months. 

I’m a huge fan of meat markets (not that kind—get your mind out of the gutter). La Carniceria in Chula Vista caught my eye recently, but I wonder: is there anything specific I should pick up? Let me know at [email protected]. 

*USA Today did tap me for the initial nomination process in multiple categories, but I did not personally vote or solicit votes on anyone’s behalf.

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Latchkey Brewing Finds New Life in Bay Ho appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

But, whether those remarks will actually give you belly laughs or leave you wondering why you even bothered abandoning the couch, depends on a number of variables that go from the night of the week and the lineup of the show, to who produces it. No matter what, however, I assure you that watching live comedy is a risk worth taking. I would know. In the almost 10 years I have been around it, both as a performer and as an audience member, I found nothing better to occupy my nights and my mind. 

This guide will help you discover  your next favorite spot to laugh and help you navigate the intricate and somewhat daunting map of shows that populate weekly and weekend nights all over town.   

Stand-Up Comedy in San Diego: The Signature Clubs

Mad House Comedy Club

The Mad House Comedy Club has been a staple among locals for over a decade, thanks to its signature open mic nights (currently on hold) and the comedy shows that, from Wednesday to Sunday, offer a platform to up-and-coming talent and out-of-towners. After Midnight host Taylor Tomlinson graced the stage here before catapulting to celebrity status, and I might have stumbled on that same stage for open mics and shows alike once or twice, too, which basically puts me at the same level as the second-most famous Taylor in show business. 

American Comedy Co.

Just a couple of blocks down the road is the American Comedy Co., with its weekly Tuesday-night open mic that attracts hundreds of audience members and dozens of young comics hungry for three minutes in the spotlight. Big Jay Oakerson, Natasha Leggero, and other big names from Los Angeles and New York regularly pay visits to the venue. Locals get to open the act, and if you particularly like any of them, you will find them working the door in between shows. Strike a conversation, and you will make their night. 

Mic Drop Comedy

Downtown isn’t the only comedy hotspot! Out in Kearny Mesa, Mic Drop Comedy makes it a mission to feature diverse and unforgettable lineups, as well as themed shows where comedians draw from holidays, movies, and music to deliver side-splitting jokes (picture a Taylor Swift–inspired midday brunch show). Sip cocktails while you get lost in pop culture references or discover witty, new LGBTQ talent and brilliant women headliners.

Stand-Up Comedy in San Diego: The Indie Shows

Comedy Heights

If you think comedy merely belongs to clubs, think again. San Diego’s best stand-up shows sometimes happen in bars, breweries, and even yards. Comedy Heights—which called the recently shuttered Twiggs Bakery Cafe home for 12 years—found a new permanent residence in Normal Heights at Lestat’s on Adams, hosting PG-13 comedians every Friday and Saturday. Make sure to grab a complimentary coffee next door and bring your own booze to enjoy the show!

Duck Foot Comedy Night

Comedy is serious business in Miramar, where you can savor an expansive comedy show experience at the familiar Duck Foot Brewery. This monthly event takes place right outside of the brewery and is consistently packed thanks to a good mix of local and nationally touring comics who are funny enough to grab the attention of a sea of people, despite—or maybe thanks to—the unusual location.

Going Dutch Comedy

If you are a fan of crowd work and want to join in the fun of creating comedy magic, head to Going Dutch Comedy’s monthly evening event. Participating comics pick prompts out of a bowl and riff on them then and there to deliver hilarious dating advice. The trick? Audience members get to come up with the prompts. Going Dutch Comedy recently partnered with Don’t Tell San Diego, the national franchise that brings Netflix-approved comedy faces to unexpected secret venues.

Laugh Outside

Every month, Quartyard San Diego transforms into a comedy-filled garden where beer and laughter flow to the sound of seasoned comics and up-and-comers who have learned how to master a major stage. This outside show in the middle of the East Village is ideal for smart audiences who appreciate diverse humor that isn’t overly obscure or edgy.

The post A Guide to San Diego’s Stand-Up Comedy Scene appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Fishery owners Annmarie Brown-Lorenz and Nick Lorenz first met Townsend during Long Story Short’s tenure at Vino Carta in Solana Beach before he (briefly) took the concept to North Park. Despite plenty of buzz, he closed down at the end of 2023. 

“We were really sad to see Long Story Short North Park close, but I mean, it worked out for us,” she laughs. The Fishery has had a rotating cast of chefs over the past few years, starting with Executive Chef Mike Reidy, who moved to Callie in spring 2023. Chef Jon Bautista (formerly of Kingfisher) assumed the reins until early this year, leaving a vacancy that Townsend hoped to fill, approaching Brown-Lorenz and Lorenz just a week ago.

It felt like fate, Brown-Lorenz says. “What he does with his connections with local farms and local fishermen—it’s everything we stand for, so it just seemed like the perfect match.” 

Today is Townsend’s first official day in the kitchen, one that has a well-established reputation already. Brown-Lorenz’s parents Maryanne and Judd Brown opened The Fishery in Pacific Beach in 2007, where they made a name for themselves by offering some of the freshest, most seasonal, well-prepared seafood in the region. Today, Brown-Lorenz says practically the entire leadership team comes from the area, something she says sets them apart. 

“Our GM [Nick Gergen], our bar manager [Eddie Avila III], our CdC [chef de cuisine Noah Newhart], and now Elliott, we’re all natives, which is pretty amazing,” she says. “We all really have a vested interest in local, because we love San Diego.”

Brown-Lorenz says The Fishery’s commitment to supporting local farmers and fishermen and using seasonal ingredients will remain as it has for 27 years, but she’s excited to see what Townsend brings to the kitchen. 

“What Elliot does that we love is he really just plays the local terroir. His vegetable dishes are amazing, his seafood dishes are amazing, and he brings kind of a playfulness and a lightness,” she says. “We can still have Mr. Brown’s fish tacos—and I’m not gonna speak for what he’s going to create—but I know that he will authentically do service to whatever is coming from Chino Farms, or Schaner Farms, or JR Organics. He really believes in that and that is very important to us.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Stone Hires First Woman Head Brewer in the Company’s History

For the first time ever, a woman is at the head of Stone’s brewing operations. Last week, Stone named Sarah Kaneshiki the new head brewer of Sapporo-Stone Brewing in Escondido, where she now runs the day-to-day operations with Senior Director of Brewing Operations Nicole Williams. Kaneshiki joined Stone as an assistant brewer in 2019 and worked her way up through supervisory and specialist positions before making history in the brewhouse. 

In fitting fashion, Stone will host its annual International Women’s Day beer dinner on March 8 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. at their Liberty Station location to celebrate women working in the beer industry. The menu includes an amuse bouche and welcome beverage (Stone’s Manami, a cherry and peony tea Blonde Ale), followed by two mains and a dessert course. Each comes with a preselected beverage pairing that, for the first time, expands beyond Stone beers and includes a wine from Mia Maria Vineyards in Escondido. Tickets to this 21+ event are $75, but supporting women in the beverage alcohol community is priceless. 

Beth’s Bites

After making the rounds at farmers markets from Oceanside to Ocean Beach, Bombom Bakehouse is opening in Barrio Logan. I firmly believe the more doughnuts that exist, the better off the world will be.  

It sounds like a couple new spots are coming to the Aztec Food Hub in College Area, including Mama’s Bowls (concept TBD) and Val’s Vegan Kitchen. I still don’t know how they squeeze all those concepts into that building—it’s like the Mary Poppins magic bag of kitchens over there.

Goodbye Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, hello Poki Poki. Looks like the poke chain is squeezing in between a 7-11 and Board & Brew in Carlsbad, making that line of suites two-thirds of interest to me.

Have breaking news, exciting scoops, or great stories about new San Diego restaurants or the city’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].

The post Long Story Short Chef Takes Over The Fishery’s Kitchen appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Gibbons has been in the local fish business since he was a teenager, first working as a busboy at El Pescador Fish Market in La Jolla before eventually moving up to fishmonger. It was there that he realized he’d found what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

“This is my dream—to open up my own fish market restaurant,” he says. After attending business and film school at UCLA, all the while coming back for shifts at El Pescador on school breaks and holidays, Gibbons departed for Mexico City to work under the acclaimed seafood Chef Federico Rigoletti (Contramar, Puntarena, Primos) and eventually moved back stateside to work at Hawaiian Fresh Seafood. 

There, “I got to know the supplier side,” he explains, working with restaurants to get a sense of what it would take to open his own. He always had an eye out for a possible location, but when he couldn’t find the right fit, he decided to launch a pop-up business in early 2022 to cultivate a following as he continued his search.

Nico’s Fish Market started doing pop-ups at local bars, restaurants, cafes, and other locations. “Slowly but surely, the word of mouth kind of just started spreading,” he says. “We always had the regular locals coming over for their fish fix on the weekend, and people being stoked about the food and such.” After a sold-out pop-up at Wayfarer Bread & Pastry in Bird Rock, he knew he had to find a brick-and-mortar to meet demand.

Fate works in strange ways sometimes. Gibbons lives in Pacific Beach, and would walk his dog past La Perla Cocina Mexicana on Emerald Street all the time, often stopping for a bean and cheese burrito and quick chat with the owner. When La Perla closed, Gibbons’ relationship with the owner meant he was able to sign a lease right away.

“Now, it’s like having Nico’s Fish Market right in Pacific Beach half a block from the water,” he laughs. “We really struck gold with it.”

He estimates they’ll open at 745 Emerald Street in late summer as both a restaurant and fish market over 1,500-square-feet and indoor/outdoor dining. He envisions it running like a “1950s dish market deli,” where customers can place orders to eat onsite as well as fresh cuts of fish to take away from the same counter.

The menu will be similar to the pop-ups, with favorites like ahi tuna poke bowls, local catch burritos, their signature habanero-guava-carrot hot sauce, and fresh oysters, but Gibbons says he plans to add some soups, salads, and sandwiches as well. But he stresses that it’s “transparency, quality, and freshness” that sets him apart from other seafood vendors. “Everything is cut to order. What you see in the fish case is what you are going to eat that day… no shortcuts.”

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Julian Beer Company & Cyclops Farms Launch Seasonal Dinner 

On March 16, Cyclops Farms and Julian Beer Company will team up for a “collaborative, seasonal dinner” at the farm’s property in Fallbrook starting at 5 pm. Tickets to this rain-or-shine, 18+ event are $100, and guests are encouraged to bring their own wine to pair with a yet-to-be-announced multi-course menu spearheaded by Vince Marsaglia (Pizza Port, Port Brewing, The Lost Abbey) and Mike Aubuchon (Pizza Port, Heritage Barbecue).

Launched in 2014 in Oceanside, Cyclops Farm moved operations to four acres in Fallbrook in 2020 and now hosts monthly collaborative farm dinners with guest chefs. Their focus is to serve seasonal dishes made with local ingredients from their farm, as well as nearby farms, and the menu tends to be a surprise based on ingredient availability and chef vision.

“I don’t really require the chefs to tell me what they’re going to cook,” laughs Luke Girling, owner of Cyclops. “They come and do their thing.” He says guests can expect around five courses related to an Irish and St. Patrick’s Day theme, with an unfussy vibe. “It’s a big awesome part, not too fancy… it’s like ‘bring your wine if you like wine, go get your keg beer, and don’t miss some courses, because we’re flying.’”

Marsaglia opened Julian Beer Company in 2018, after renovating the space and adding a brewhouse to brew craft beer onsite. Their menu ranges from pizza to barbecue and hosts an impressive tap list of local craft beers, cider, and some NA options as well.

Aldea Opens This Week in La Jolla

Aldea, which means “village” in Spanish, will open this Thursday, February 22 at 1251 Prospect Street in La Jolla. Founder Steve Horowitz, a native of La Jolla, brought on chefs Alex Reznick and John Villalba to create the California-Mexican menu featuring plenty of seafood, like locally-caught red snapper, mahi-mahi, fresh ceviche, and more, as well as meat dishes like pork belly, ribeye, short rib, and a robust cocktail menu. Guests may recognize Reznick from shows like Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay, and Villalba from New York City icon Tavern on the Green. 

The 3,200-square-foot space will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., with brunch hours starting March 9.

Beth’s Bites

Puffer Malarkey Collective’s forthcoming Le Coq will open in La Jolla this spring, but with la poule heading up the kitchen. Tara Monsod, executive chef at Animae and semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: California 2024 award, has been named executive chef for the French-inspired steakhouse in addition to her position at Animae. Get it, queen, get it!

More burgers are a’coming—Encinitas-based Eat Crispy Burger is planning on opening new locations across San Diego throughout 2024, including Convoy District, Oceanside, Downtown, and Eastlake. I haven’t had a burger with a crunch yet, but I’m always down to try something new.   

More coffee, too. The Living Room Coffeehouse has been a San Diego coffee and live music institution since 1991, and just opened a new location on 2512 Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego. 

Even more coffee. Achilles Coffee is opening this year in Carmel Valley, their second spot in North County and fifth overall. I haven’t tried their “real New York bagels” yet—can anyone confirm the realness? [email protected].

The post Nico’s Fish Market Docks in Pacific Beach This Summer appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

On Thursday, NVRL FT Hospitality Group and Lamplighter’s Frankie Sciuto will open Gaslamplighter, a cocktail-focused karaoke bar at 536 Market Street. Sciuto—a San Diego native, fourth generation bar owner, and owner of Side Bar—used the Lamplighter, his family’s karaoke bar, as a jumping-off point for the concept. 

“The Lamplighter has been a staple in the San Diego community for decades, known as a place to come together and share good times,” said Sciuto in a recent press release. “I’m confident that Gaslamplighter will mirror its legacy.”

Arianne Virsunen, marketing director for the NVRL FT, explains that the Gaslamplighter team “wanted to bring 1920s mixed with a little bit of 1960s New York-style flair” to bring a sense of “timeless nostalgia” to the former Ciro’s Pizzeria space. “A lot of people know the location because that was people’s drunk slice,” she laughs. 

But the 1,600-square-foot suite won’t be quite so recognizable now. GTC Design Studios, who most recently redesigned multiple Rare Society locations, did a complete overhaul, installing speakeasy-inspired accents as well as historical details and photographs provided by the Gaslamp Quarter Association that show what the corner of 6th and Market looked like in the early 20th century. 

“We wanted to pay homage to the Lamplighter, but really create a contemporary iteration,” says Virsunen.

Other recognizable names include beverage director David Tye (Kingfisher, The Crab Hut, The Lion’s Share, Sycamore Den) and Stevie Latona, who Virsunen calls “a huge player in the industry for a long time,” adding that “David actually started his career at Side Bar, which is a very cool circle moment.”

If you’re the type of person who needs liquid courage to belt it out at karaoke, the cocktail menu promises to deliver. Virsunen says the focus is classic cocktails with a modern flair, “everything from a classic Manhattan with a little bit of a twist, to an amazing Martini that’s been taken to a new level with truffle and caviar.” There may or may not even be a Negroni topped with 24K gold. It’s a whole vibe.

Gaslamplighter will open to the public on Thursday and hours will run Thursday through Sunday, 6 pm to 2 am.

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and there are a ton of events to attend and reservations to make. (Seriously, if you haven’t made a reservation yet, time’s a-fleeting!) A few that I’m eyeballing include The Rose’s dinner for two with optional wine pairings (South Park), Monarch Ocean Pub’s “Bottle & Board” special (Del Mar), Bivouac’s cider and dessert pairing (North Park), and Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s prix fixe menu for two (with childcare available? Yes please!) in Carlsbad.

The best part of Super Bowl Sunday is the food (don’t @ me). Luckily for all of us, there are plenty of places to either watch the game or pick up some tasty snacks to impress. See our full list of places to catch the game or just eat some good grub here.

Beth’s Bites

When former New Yorker and SDM managing editor Jackie Bryant vouches for pizza, you know it’s legit. Angry Pete’s Pizza just opened their latest spot at 5335 Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa, and you can’t miss it—the space’s history as a former Taco Bell is pretty obvious. (No shade, I’m always ready to eat más.)

I’ve never eaten better than when I was in Japan. When that craving hits, I head to Ichiban Sando for one of their sandos on the silky-soft milk bread I haven’t found anywhere else in San Diego. 

More Millennial pink! The Sasan is coming soon to Mission Hills, and with it are two delicious-sounding concepts: Communion, a rooftop restaurant and bar, and Paradis, an outdoor sidewalk cafe. I’m definitely keeping my eye on the Nakhshab Development & Design Instagram page for updates (which I’ll share here, of course).

The post Fancy Karaoke Hits the Gaslamp appeared first on San Diego Magazine.