Took my gf here for a surprise and she was so stoked. She loved the decor and ambiance of the…read moreplace. We had the pleasure of being served by Jonah. This dude knew his stuff and answered any questions we had. He made us 4 different drinks in total and all were so good. Not to mention he kept the coconut shell constantly full of complimentary goldfish and pretzels. He also let us know that they got karaoke there (I think Thursday-Saturday)! Shoutout to Jonah and the Luau for making our first visit there a memorable one. It definitely won't be our last time being there

Was visiting San Diego because of a friend's theatre performance at The Moxie Theatre. After the…read moreshow we mixed and mingled with the cast who suggested going to tiki/surf bar called The Luau. This place was great. Bright, vibrant and full of tropical decor. The bar was packed. We got a four high top seater in the main area. Glad we did because it was karaoke night! In between songs the dj would play pop star music videos. There was a back patio with more seating. Surprise of the night was when Sterling the security guard sang a song from "Wicked". Will definitely go back again!

"A Retro Gem with a Modern Kick!" From the moment you walk…read morethrough the doors, you're transported back to the golden age of the 1960s. The vibe is effortlessly cool--think red leather booths, vintage neon, and a mood that feels like Frank Sinatra might walk in at any moment. The highlight of the experience is the unique "Grill-Your-Own" steak concept. There is something incredibly social and fun about seasoning your own hand-cut steak and hanging out around the communal grill with friends or neighbors. If you're not in the mood to grill, their kitchen menu is equally impressive; the Turquoise Tots, Brisket Corn Dogs, and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are legendary. Don't skip the Turquoise Room for drinks. The craft cocktails are expertly made (the "Art Snob" is a personal favorite), and they have a fantastic selection of local beers. With live music playing most nights, it's the perfect spot for a date night or a lively evening out with a group. Between the top-notch service and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere, the Riviera is easily one of the best spots in San Diego's East County. Highly recommended!

For two parents temporarily liberated from the chaos of domestic life, dinner was nothing short of…read morea revelation. We began with the deviled eggs--a classic reimagined with such precision they served as the perfect structural opening to the meal. The true showstopper, however, was the Filet Mignon. Topped with a vibrant, hand-cut chimichurri, the steak didn't just meet the knife; it surrendered. The sauce provided a brilliant counterpoint: fresh, crisp, and possessing a light, tingly spice that dances on the palate rather than overwhelming it. Even the greens were a celebration; the "weed salad" arrived as a kaleidoscopic "rainbow of happiness," proving that even the most virtuous courses can be indulgent. Pair this with a cocktail program defined by their house-made syrups, and you have a destination that understands the assignment: total sensory restoration. Salud.

Honestly can't remember her name but same server we always get. She's amazing! Bartender,I never…read moreremember names either. It's like what I do remember people for certain things and she was like hey haven't seen yall in a while! Recognized my girlfriend and I by our tattoos. One of the best places ever. Amazing food, amazing service and the family vibe I just love!!! Everybody here is so nice and welcoming. Think it was the owners daughter that was in tonight also. Absolutely sweet they all say thank you for coming in and appreciate their customers. Great food. Great atmosphere and just great people. Can never go wrong with this place. I love it!

Delicious, nutritious, and filled with ambiance! This place is absolutely authentic in everything…read morethey do. From the decor to the flavors, it all sings Italian! Our waitress, Francesca, was an absolute delight and helped my wife navigate their menu to suit her several dietary restrictions without any judgement or hesitation. She had great recommendations and was an absolute delight to chat with throughout the night! We had a wonderful time treating ourselves to all kinds of delightful dishes - especially the fried brie special. So, so good. I highly recommend this plane for a fancy date night. It's not the cheapest, but you definitely get the quality that you pay for. 10/10 will date night here again

Came for drinks one day back in 2018. The drinks were good but it was the burger that brought me…read moreback. It's now 2026 and I keep coming back for the burger. It's my favorite. The great service is a bonus. Everyone is always in a great mood. It's now my go to spot to watch the Padres and SDFC. My wife highly recommends "Puff the Magic Dragon"

This place is'a changin! It's always been a great little hometown bar/ watering hole. It's growing…read morethough and while that means prosperity it also means a different feel. The bathroom remodel is nice...not like a bar but like mini-Vegas nice. Weird that they closed the garage doors out front at 815pm! I understand noise ordinances but like 9pm would be cool. Or a light speaker would be cool. The music just kinda ended. Drinks were great and the staff are always kick @ss! It would be nice to have the little kids outta there juuust a bit earlier.

My husband and I came here with a few friends to celebrate his birthday this year. This was my…read morefirst I figured it was like most arcade bars. What was really new for me was how you buy your game and drink credits there. you give your debit/credit card at the register when you check in and you're given a play card in return. At the end of the fun, you trade the play card back in and they give you a total and you check out. It was super easy! Just be careful how much you tap that card! lol We didn't get any food, but we did try a lot of the different drinks! They had a spicy mango margarita, a blackberry mojito, lots of beers and seltzers on tap! The games were so nostalgic and fun! We went in a group of 5 and all enjoyed playing pac-man, beer pong, Halo, and Mario Kart! There's so many we didn't play, like Mortal Kombat and Frogger LOL. I am definitely going back and I recommend it to anyone looking for a chill and fun night out!

Such a cool spot! Their self-serve beer station is one of my favorite things--you can try whatever…read moreyou want, pour a little, and switch it up until you find your favorite. The chocolate espresso one is SO good. It's a smaller place, but they did a great job designing it so it never feels crowded or cramped. The arcade games make it even more fun and give it a really playful vibe. It's perfect for a double date or a girls' night--especially sitting outside on their bar booth patio where you can relax and actually have good conversations. I've gone for both, and every time has been such a great experience. The staff is always super friendly too. Definitely a go-to spot!

Was looking for a local Jazz Lounge to take my boyfriend for his 30th. I didn't want to go…read moresomewhere crowded or rowdy since he prefers a more relaxed and serene atmosphere. I found out this lounge does late night jazz which worked perfectly for our evening plans and is near where we live. I noted that they just sold beer and wine when booking the ticket so I wasn't expecting a full bar. Tickets were available online and you had the option to select your seats. We arrived for the show and were immediately greeted by Leonard, one of the staff and musicians. He showed us our seats, pointed out the musicians, let us know they'd be starting shortly, and brought us menus with beer, wine, and a few canned cocktail options. The space was small and intimate. The musicians introduced themselves and spoke directly to the crowd before and during their show. It was awesome to feel really immersed in the experience. They did a fantastic job riffing off of each other and giving space to one another for an engaging and entertaining performance. We were really happy to find this gem and hope they can keep putting on these shows.

You have to pre order your food before you get there online. It's ok the best because it's ordered…read morefrom another place. You can also bring your own wine but they will charge you a corking fee.

We had an incredible date night at Starlite! The different…read moresections each had a cool vibe, we got sat in the mirrored seating area right next to the waterfall. I enjoyed a delicious mocktail and my husband had one of the house cocktails. The twice baked potato was amazing! Honestly couldn't go wrong with anything off there menu. Would highly recommend. (Definitely get reservations)

I wish I had the capacity to let y'all get the full experience that I did. I booked my reservation…read morethrough the Opentable app (highly recommend). Please keep in mind, if you do book through Opentable that they ask you to put a card down on file. The reservation was for 5:30, luckily a block away there's a parking lot (you do have to pay) as their personal parking lot fits 5-6 cars. The hostess was a sweetheart and super accommodating, as we were a few minutes late due to the parking situation and we had a great seat that showed the open layout with the chandelier, the back panel by the entrance with all the stars, etc. Overall: Service, exceptional. (5/5) Our waitress: Kelly, was a sweetheart, informative, mindful on consistent check-in's for refills, drinks, going over steps of the menu (e.g. - small bites, entrees, dessert, didn't feel rushed or too pushy, and considerate on time, and promptness). The waiter that came by mid-video to do the torch component of the butters we added on to our meats was great, I love that it's table side because it enhances the experience to the ambiance and you can squeeze a little video in. If you do go for your birthday, as I did, they provide you with a dessert outside of their choices, however, we did overindulge a bit. Overall, I had a phenomenal experience for my birthday dinner, the music/ambiance was great, service was great, and the food quality for both the meat choices we got, sides (caesar salad, broccoli, and macaroni) we're all SO yummy! I will definitely be back!

This was a very cool experience…read more Highly recommend making reservations as they only have a couple of tables inside. We tried a couple of the menu options and everything we ordered was delicious. Our server was extremely friendly and explained everything.

Every once in a while you stumble onto a place that completely catches you off guard. ALCHEMY was…read moreone of those places. From the outside, you'd never expect what's happening here. It's this hidden little outdoor nook tucked into the middle of urban grit with eclectic art, concrete walls, moody lighting, and this weirdly cool energy that feels equal parts underground gallery and secret dinner party. Then the food arrives... and suddenly none of your surroundings make sense anymore because the dishes coming out of that kitchen are on another level. The menu is small and intentional -- which I personally love. Every plate felt thoughtful, layered, and beautifully executed instead of overloaded with gimmicks. The mole sauce on the braseado was insane. Deep, smoky, rich, velvety... one of those sauces that makes the entire table go quiet for a second. The seared tuna crudo was fresh and balanced perfectly, the crema de poblano was silky and comforting, and even the cocktails felt crafted instead of just poured. And the service matched the vibe perfectly -- warm, attentive, relaxed, Just really good food, cool atmosphere, and people who clearly care about what they're doing. Honestly one of the most unexpectedly memorable meals I've had in a long time.

Bloodies and breakfast shots for Saturday brunch with my girl! We popped into Pete's Place for some…read morepost-Record Store Day bevvies and the service and vibes were perfectly enjoyable and chill as always. If you're in Downtown La Mesa looking for a great, cheap Bloody Mary on a Saturday morning, check out Pete's!

I've been here several times and it's always a great time. However I just called to confirm and…read morethey are NOT dog friendly. Just wanted to let anyone know in case they were wondering. We have a big "drinking club with a running problem" (hash house harriers) and depending on the day of the run/trail we start at a bar and we often like to find ones that are dog friendly so it attracts more of our members to come out. It's a good bar but not if you want to run and drink with your dog haha! The location of this bar is great though! Right on La Mesa Blvd, city tacos is near by and they are drinking persons heaven! Also a running persons heaven! Haha! Recommend for sure.

The design of this place is really cool. It feels like you've walked into a back alley and are in a…read morecompletely different part of town. Everything is so clean but it has a very good rustic and real feel to it. The drinks here are my favorite because to be honest, I'm a sours beer kind of guy and they have a whole building dedicated to it. The amount of variety when it comes to sours is great a prices are fair. Flavors pop but theirs also a good enough selection if you want a more chill sour that won't punch you in the face. The other building (not sure which is considered the main ones) has a large selection of your typical IPAs, lagers, you name it. The flavors are good and they seems to have some deals going on from time to time for cans to take home which I can appreciate. They also have a few board games to keep you entertained and seem to consistently have some options fora food vendor as well as many times having live music. Definitely worth the visit on a day you see them having one of these vendors or live bands you may be interested in. The people here seem to be very friendly with their regulars and greet you as if you're a friend. I think this bodes well with breweries considering you're usually here to have a good time and chill. I wouldn't say it feels like the reason I'd come back at all but no complaints here. Just didn't feel like out of this world service by any means.

Was here on a Friday night for a friends birthday. There was a food truck and a band, adding to the…read moreambiance of a beautiful fall Friday night on a patio adorned with string lights and open concept. The staff member that helped me was friendly. I am a cider girl usually, and she was so patient asking follow up questions to give me her best recommendation. I opted for her suggestion and tried Fun Times. It was really good!