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San Diego Nightlife

Downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy neighbourhood are at the epicentre of San Diego's nightlife scene. New clubs open with amazing frequency, while older standbys constantly refresh their vibe. Rooftop bars with day beds and firepits are all the rage in Downtown, as are small jazz clubs and exclusive lounges. The beach towns all have casual local hangouts, many with outdoor seating. La Jolla, approximately half an hour north of Downtown, is well known for its classy nightlife.

The minimum legal age for drinking in California is 21 years and photo ID should be carried. Alcohol licensing stops at 0200.

Listings and information for nightlife in the city are available online at http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com and www.gaslamp.org.

Tickets for cultural performance and events are available for purchase from Ticketmaster (tel: (619) 220 8497; www.ticketmaster.com). Half-priced same-day tickets are available from Arts Tix (tel: (619) 497 5000; www.sandiegoperforms.com). Cultural listings are available online at San Diego's performance and events website (www.sandiegoartandsol.com).

Bars in San Diego

Altitude Sky Lounge

This is a casual, fun rooftop bar overlooking Petco Park. Crowds assemble early for a bird's eye view of baseball games and brilliant sunsets.

660 K Street
www.altitudeskylounge.com/enter

Eden

The above-it-all poolside rooftop bar at the ultra-chic Ivy Hotel.

600 F Street

Moonstone Lounge

The Hard Rock Hotel's outdoor Moonstone Lounge and street-level Sweetwater Saloon rock late into the night.

207 Fifth Avenue

Clubs in San Diego

Café Sevilla

This is a popular Gaslamp Quarter club featuring Latin, Brazilian, and Spanish rock. Regarded by many as the place with the best ambience in the Gaslamp Quarter, Café Sevilla has been visited by many notable musicians, such as the Gypsy Kings and Grace Jones.

555 Fourth Avenue
www.cafesevilla.com

Stingaree

Covers all the bases with six venues including a members-only VIP club and Rooftop Oasis.

454 Sixth Avenue
www.stingsandiego.com

Tipsy Crow

This is famous for its unusual California martinis and its live music in the Underground nightclub, with a full stage for live music, a dancefloor and a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system.

770 Fifth Avenue
http://thetipsycrow.com

Live Music in San Diego

Anthology

Top jazz, blues and classic rock musicians delight in the intimate supper-club setting at Anthology, at the juncture between downtown and Little Italy.

1337 India Street
www.anthologysd.com

Croce's

Undoubtedly one of the city's most famous dining and lounge establishments, famed for its live jazz, blues and folk, is named after the American blues artist Jim Croce. Croce's was opened by his wife, Ingrid and often stars the couple's son, A.J. Croce. The venue hosts a wide and changing variety of musicians throughout the year.

802 Fifth Avenue, corner of F Avenue
www.croces.com

House of Blues San Diego

Houses a multi-level music hall featuring national and local live entertainment and a full-service restaurant.

1055 Fifth Avenue
www.hob.com

Humphrey's

A long-time favourite venue, Humphrey’s hosts blues, folk, jazz and rock concerts at its outdoor theatre beside the bay.

Shelter Island, 2241 Shelter Island Drive
www.humphreysconcerts.com

Culture in San Diego

Copley Symphony Hall

The San Diego Symphony is known as much for its versatility as for its excellence. Its concerts range from classical symphony pieces to indigenous cultural music and summertime pop concerts at the seaside. Its indoor events are generally held in the Copley Symphony Hall.

750 B Street
Tel: (619) 235 0804.

Spreckels Theatre

The Spreckels Theatre is a magnificent theatre-palace from 1912 with nearly 1500 seats and a programme ranging from classical theatre pieces to musicals and opera to rock and rap.

121 Broadway
Tel: (619) 235 9500.

The Lamb's Players Theatre

Offers an intimate character and is one of San Diego's oldest venues for professional theatre.

1142 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Tel: (619) 437 0600.
www.lambsplayers.org

The Old Globe

Tony-award winning theatre produces a wide range of plays on three stages throughout the year, including a summer outdoor Shakespeare festival.

Balboa Park
Tel: (619) 234 5623.
www.oldglobe.org

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