LA JOLLA
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Burgundy Grill & Wine Bar
830 Kline St., La Jollawww.burgundywinegrill.com
This converted geranium cottage from 1904 is pretty ritzy, so don’t come in with a wad of dollar bills looking for a cheap glass of vino. But we’ll be damned if the menu doesn’t look delicious.
Che Café
9500 Gilman Drive, Bldg. 161, La Jollawww.checafe.ucsd.edu
UCSD’s token meeting place for activists, punks and vegans looks like an abandoned house, but it still holds the torch for obscure young acts needing a forum for their music.
Clay’s La Jolla
7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jollawww.clayslajolla.com
If you can brave the rickety elevator ride up to the top of Hotel La Jolla, Clay’s is an upscale destination, without the snooty service. Come during happy hour to try the delectable food for less, listen to live jazz music, check out the stunning view of the La Jolla cove and impress your date.
Jack’s La Jolla
7863 Girard Ave., La Jollawww.jackslajolla.com
At this point, it nearly takes up half a block with four floors, five lounges, a new steakhouse (as if the sushi bar and Jack’s Grille weren’t enough) and the distinction of being pretty much the only nightclub in La Jolla.
Jose’s Courtroom Cantina
1037 Prospect St., La Jollawww.joses.com
Jose’s feels like a fun little party scene straight from Tijuana, though the prices don’t let you forget you’re still in La Jolla. Hit up the margaritas on a hot day, but don’t expect much from the guacamole.
La Jolla Brew House
7536 Fay Ave., La Jollawww.lajollabrewhouse.com
La Jolla Brew House is a relaxed, local hangout. For those who can’t part with their furry friends, the patio is pet-friendly.
The Loft @ UCSD
At the Price Center, UCSD campuswww.artpwr.com
The antithesis of the neighboring Che Café, but not in a bad way. The cozy venue has an amazing design and decent sound and serves beer and wine at certain shows. You’ll almost never see moshing or stage-diving; The Loft books under-the-radar buzz bands of the mellower persuation and also hosts local art and poetry readings.
Manhattan of La Jolla @ The Empress Hotel
7766 Fay Ave., La Jollawww.empress-hotel.com
Locals know this hidden gem inside a steakhouse for its dark, relaxed atmosphere, live jazz on weekends and bartenders who know your name (and your drink) by heart.
Nine-Ten
910 Prospect St., La Jollawww.nine-ten.com
Step inside the classy Grande Colonial Hotel in order to get to Nine-Ten. It’s pricey, as one should expect in La Jolla, but at the bar you can sample the same inventive flavors (and fancy plating arrangements) of the restaurant for less dough.
Porter’s Pub
UCSD Campus, La Jollawww.porterspub.com
What would UCSD be without a makeshift, wood-paneled hangout that serves up a nice little variety of local brews and occasionally hosts live bands? More productive, probably.
Prospect Bar and Lounge
1025 Prospect St., Suite 210, La Jollawww.prospectbar.com
On the weekends, Prospect Bar and Lounge attempts to infuse a Downtown vibe by bringing club beats to a crowded dance floor. Fans of salsa dancing should check out the free lessons on Monday.
The Shack
6941 La Jolla Blvd., La Jollawww.myspace.com/theshacklj
Don’t let the surfer dudes scare you away—The Shack is as mellow a bar as you’ll find in La Jolla, with a beach cantina vibe, decent drink specials and friendly bartenders.
The Spot
1005 Prospect St., La Jollawww.thespotonline.com
A giant picture of Hot Curl, the famous San Diego surfer sculpture, cheerfully welcomes everyone into The Spot—and we mean everyone. Families, La Jolla’s industry workers, wedding parties and famous folk like Clint Eastwood and Robin Williams all come here for its quality food and drink menu.
The Whaling Bar & Grill @ La Valencia Hotel
1132 Prospect St., La Jollawww.lavalencia.com
Open for more than a half-century, this is known for being the place where ’50s movie stars once flocked (just look at those autographed pics on the wall) and a classic, self-serve martini that comes in a small carafe on ice. So old-school it’s just dying to be rediscovered.
Whisknladle
1044 Wall St., La Jollawww.whisknladle.com
Almost across the street from the mega Jack’s is this cool little lounge inside a restaurant. The interior borders on bourgeois and the drinks might be pricey at $10 or more a pop, but master barkeep Ian Ward offers up some of the most unique concoctions in town.
Burgundy Grill & Wine Bar
830 Kline St., La Jollawww.burgundywinegrill.com
This converted geranium cottage from 1904 is pretty ritzy, so don’t come in with a wad of dollar bills looking for a cheap glass of vino. But we’ll be damned if the menu doesn’t look delicious.
Che Café
9500 Gilman Drive, Bldg. 161, La Jollawww.checafe.ucsd.edu
UCSD’s token meeting place for activists, punks and vegans looks like an abandoned house, but it still holds the torch for obscure young acts needing a forum for their music.
Clay’s La Jolla
7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jollawww.clayslajolla.com
If you can brave the rickety elevator ride up to the top of Hotel La Jolla, Clay’s is an upscale destination, without the snooty service. Come during happy hour to try the delectable food for less, listen to live jazz music, check out the stunning view of the La Jolla cove and impress your date.
Jack’s La Jolla
7863 Girard Ave., La Jollawww.jackslajolla.com
At this point, it nearly takes up half a block with four floors, five lounges, a new steakhouse (as if the sushi bar and Jack’s Grille weren’t enough) and the distinction of being pretty much the only nightclub in La Jolla.
Jose’s Courtroom Cantina
1037 Prospect St., La Jollawww.joses.com
Jose’s feels like a fun little party scene straight from Tijuana, though the prices don’t let you forget you’re still in La Jolla. Hit up the margaritas on a hot day, but don’t expect much from the guacamole.
La Jolla Brew House
7536 Fay Ave., La Jollawww.lajollabrewhouse.com
La Jolla Brew House is a relaxed, local hangout. For those who can’t part with their furry friends, the patio is pet-friendly.
The Loft @ UCSD
At the Price Center, UCSD campuswww.artpwr.com
The antithesis of the neighboring Che Café, but not in a bad way. The cozy venue has an amazing design and decent sound and serves beer and wine at certain shows. You’ll almost never see moshing or stage-diving; The Loft books under-the-radar buzz bands of the mellower persuation and also hosts local art and poetry readings.
Manhattan of La Jolla @ The Empress Hotel
7766 Fay Ave., La Jollawww.empress-hotel.com
Locals know this hidden gem inside a steakhouse for its dark, relaxed atmosphere, live jazz on weekends and bartenders who know your name (and your drink) by heart.
Nine-Ten
910 Prospect St., La Jollawww.nine-ten.com
Step inside the classy Grande Colonial Hotel in order to get to Nine-Ten. It’s pricey, as one should expect in La Jolla, but at the bar you can sample the same inventive flavors (and fancy plating arrangements) of the restaurant for less dough.
Porter’s Pub
UCSD Campus, La Jollawww.porterspub.com
What would UCSD be without a makeshift, wood-paneled hangout that serves up a nice little variety of local brews and occasionally hosts live bands? More productive, probably.
Prospect Bar and Lounge
1025 Prospect St., Suite 210, La Jollawww.prospectbar.com
On the weekends, Prospect Bar and Lounge attempts to infuse a Downtown vibe by bringing club beats to a crowded dance floor. Fans of salsa dancing should check out the free lessons on Monday.
The Shack
6941 La Jolla Blvd., La Jollawww.myspace.com/theshacklj
Don’t let the surfer dudes scare you away—The Shack is as mellow a bar as you’ll find in La Jolla, with a beach cantina vibe, decent drink specials and friendly bartenders.
The Spot
1005 Prospect St., La Jollawww.thespotonline.com
A giant picture of Hot Curl, the famous San Diego surfer sculpture, cheerfully welcomes everyone into The Spot—and we mean everyone. Families, La Jolla’s industry workers, wedding parties and famous folk like Clint Eastwood and Robin Williams all come here for its quality food and drink menu.
The Whaling Bar & Grill @ La Valencia Hotel
1132 Prospect St., La Jollawww.lavalencia.com
Open for more than a half-century, this is known for being the place where ’50s movie stars once flocked (just look at those autographed pics on the wall) and a classic, self-serve martini that comes in a small carafe on ice. So old-school it’s just dying to be rediscovered.
Whisknladle
1044 Wall St., La Jollawww.whisknladle.com
Almost across the street from the mega Jack’s is this cool little lounge inside a restaurant. The interior borders on bourgeois and the drinks might be pricey at $10 or more a pop, but master barkeep Ian Ward offers up some of the most unique concoctions in town.
