San Diego's Best Martini

Hip downtown loft restaurant is cool by association to celebs, a locally renowned chef and top DJs spinning into the wee hours.

Reviews:

• “great service!”
• “Great customer service, fun atmosphere”
• “Posers stay away!”
• “Wow!!!!!”
• “Only REAL lounge in Gaslamp”

Tips: The upstairs lounge appears off limits, but all it takes is a request to your server for an escort to a table above.

Confidential

Martinis Above Fourth

Arterra’s outdoor lounge gets a facelift with private poolside cabanas and an eclectic menu of small plates and cocktails.

Tips: There’s plenty of space for a large gathering. Their patio area can be rented out for parties of 200-400 people.

Arterra Outdoor Lounge or email Arterra Outdoor Lounge

Traditional yet contemporary Latin jazz adds rhythm to the Gaslamp’s beat.

Reviews:

• “Worst Restaurant Experience Ever!”
• “DON’T EAT HERE”
• ""
• “A bar, not a restaurant”

Tips: If you dine on a dinner entree in Croce’s neighboring restaurant, admission to the jazz bar is free.

Croce’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar

Corner bar known for maritinis and well-heeled weekend crowds is one of the few Gaslamp haunts to offer dancing seven nights a week.

Tips: There are two entrances. The one on F Street has typically shorter lines and gets you into the bar, while the velvet-roped corner door admits you straight onto the dance floor.

Shaker Room

Grill your own steaks with fellow in-the-know locals at this venerable, retro dive that separates South Park and Golden Hill.

Reviews:

• “I approve”
• “Best local joint”

Tips: Old-school piano crooners Kevin Cavanaugh and Richard Johnson tickle the ivories to a packed house on alternate Sunday evenings.

Turf Supper Club

Exclusive retro lounge hyped for swank decor, innovative airport location and top local DJs.

Tips: The bar’s patio is directly in the flight path of Lindberg Field. Every two minutes or so, a 757 swoops overhead. Loud, but cool.

The Airport