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We visited The Gutter on a Wednesday afternoon about 30 minutes after they opened. There were guests playing pool and a bowling game getting started. They also have basketball and ski ball. I ordered from their happy hour menu which is designed like a bowling ball, so cute. Super cheap prices! Their regular menu had nice choices as well. The highest priced cocktail was $17 and it included a test tube of champagne. It was very tasty. Sweet and refreshing. The 4 star is because it was sooooo cold. I had to move over a few seats to avoid the blasting a/c. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were all very nice.
The bar tender made the best mocktail mules I've ever had. It wasn't too sweet, which as an Asian person is the best reward for a drink. Also my friend and I don't really drink a lot of alcohol so having an alternative that wasn't just juice was amazing. The ambiance was candle light gothic game room. 10/10 would go again
I thought we were bowling, but just ended up with a gutterball of a time. Came out with some friends to celebrate a MOMENTOUS occasion. I'm talking a huge accomplishment. My friend had reserved both lanes for us to enjoy some bowling and drinks to commemorate the occasion. Unfortunately, both bowling lanes were absolutely buggin' out and really made for a disappointing bowling experience. While we still know how to have a good time, one of the lanes couldn't even put all of the pins up. It was so bad, it was worse than all of the podunk bowling alleys I've ever been to, and I've been to some podunk bowling alleys. At one point, the lane tried like 20 times to setup the pins and they just kept falling. I kid you not. When the lane would set the pins up, it would often miss 1-3 pins, thereby giving you a couple points every frame. WTH? Even when I brought it to the attention of the associate, they were like 'Yeah, there's really nothing we can do. We'll have to have someone fix it tomorrow ". Say whaaaaaat? Both lanes had numerous issues, and forget the "reset" because that was useless. Yeah, it was a crappy bowling experience to say the least. But how about the bar you ask? Well that also was kinda bunko. The drinks were delicious, which I greatly appreciated, but ducking and dodging pool cues for 15+ minutes while we waited for our drinks was not the bizness. I really just think there's a little bit too much stuff under one roof. Nobody wants an accidental pool cue in there rear. Ya know. I'd like to come back another time, because I do think this spot has potential. Thanks to the bartenders for making some delicious and pretty cocktails.
My friends and I love going to this bar every time we visit Lafayette hotel! It was holiday time and Lafayette was well decorated and we couldn't wait to check out both the bars. First off, finding parking is usually hard. I recommend finding a spot further away and walking or taking a super short uber. As soon as we entered the bar, we were blown away by the crowd. It was crazy. Long lines at the bar. After waiting for 30ish minutes, we finally got our drink. We were a big group and we all got different drinks from the menu because they all looked exciting. And I must say, all the drinks were spectacular. The presentation could have been improved but flavor wise, they were perfect and had the right amount of alcohol in them. We were able to grab a spot to play foos table and had a great time. They also have other games like bowling, basketball etc and all of them looked super fun. However, there was a long line for everything unfortunately! Given that it was Christmas season, there was Santa and we had a great time taking pictures with Santa! All in all, we had a lovely time. The only drawback were the long lines. But overall, Lafayette is a special spot!
The Gutter is a unique bar inside the Lafayette Hotel. It's pretty large, with 2 bars, 2 pool tables, shuffleboard, arcade games and two lanes for bowling. As most people have mentioned, it does get packed. And it takes quite a while to get a drink. We planned ahead and booked a lane for bowling on Open Table. For $50 you get the lane and shoe rental for up to 6 people for one hour. You can also put your name down on a waiting list at the bar if you're not able to get a reservation. It's pricey but you're paying for the vibe that's unlike a traditional bowling alley. I'm not from SD, so personally I find The Gutter a cool place to come spend a few hours because it's not like anywhere else in the area. The cocktails are tasty, they have a good beer selection including NA beers and my recent favorite Donna's Pickle Beer, and the atmosphere is vibrant. There's plenty to do other than sit around and drink but it's also a solid spot if you want to do just that.
I always have a fun time here!! Some games tend to be broken from time to time but otherwise, this spot is always super entertaining. The decor is gorgeous and there's lots of seating and room. Tends to get busy on weekends and chiller on weeknights. I love the pool table and skeeball
I'd give The Gutter 5 stars for ambience, decor, and fun factor. We love that there's a vintage wood paneled bowling alley, a shuffleboard table, and plenty of other games to keep you active. Atmosphere is definitely fun. And it's appreciated that tons of water pitchers are available for designated drivers. But it's next to impossible to get served a drink here, as in the parent Lafayette Hotel. I was one of the first in the door and to the bar when Gutter opened at 5pm, and bartenders ignored me for 20 minutes. Would come here to play games, but I'd rather drink elsewhere.
We had so much fun! It's an old school alley, so not ideal for professional practice, but it's great for some intimate rounds with delicious drinks! I had the chai noir and I definitely would go back for more!
The only strikes here are on the ACTUAL bowling lanes in this bar! One of the coolest concepts with amazing drinks! Probably my favorite spot in North Park. It gets loud and fun later in the evening which awesome. Bartenders are so nice too! NOTE: they card religiously here (as they do at all Lafayette venues) so keep your license on you whenever you order
The bartender Hunter was so sweet and attentive! He recommended pretty good cocktails and was super enthusiastic. Thank u for making our birthday celebration nice
The Gutter is a play area at The Lafayette: It has a two lane bowling alley, billiards, arcade basketball, and free skeeball. It also has one of the seven bars on the property. At this point in the evening, I needed a break from hard alcohol, so I had a beer. The bar is very cool, as is the rest of the space. There were a lot of pretty people, and I felt myself instantly being upgraded from a 5 to a 7 - LOL. The bartenders are super nice and friendly. TG is a nice playground to visit while you are at TL.
I really dig the concept of this place. It's located within the hotel along with a few other bars and speakeasies. This one is separated by a mini courtyard from the others. This place however is always packed. I came a few times and each time on a Saturday night. It's bustling after 8pm until close. If you're lucky to grab a spot to sit. You should be okay. If you're lucky enough to get a pool table you'll be okay. If you wait out the long line for bowling, you're golden. The problem is, is that you might be waiting 1-2 hours. If this is your only stop of the night. It might be worth it. But if you're looking to just stop in and have an activity and drink, think again. Drinks are ~16 dollars per cocktail. Pretty tasty. I had the Midnight Mischief which was super smooth. Highly recommended. There's far more people than seating. And with the amount of people there, it's pretty noisy so you'll most likely be shouting over folxs. Haven't had any of their food. I like to categorize this as a perfect one drink spot to end the night.
This review is piggybacking on my review to Beginner's Diner. As I said it before, any establishment / human willing to serve people as they debauch themselves into the wee hours of the night are worthy of sainthood and much respect. I can't speak to the games and activities but I can speak to the sneaky luxury of wandering around a beautiful manmade dreamworld with a cocktail and the urge to reflect on every detailed square inch.
2 months ago
I originally visited this spot and shared some feedback about the slow service, wine selection, and overall experience. I have to say, the owner's response really stood out. She personally reached out, genuinely cared about my feedback, and even let me know that they updated their wine menu. That definitely says a lot about a business. Based on my previous comments, they updated their wine menu and added better options. Obviously, this isn't meant to be a high-end wine bar, but it was nice to come back and see the improvement. The new selections were a much better fit for the atmosphere and experience. I also tried the "No Strings Attached" drink, which was such a fun and unique cocktail. It's made with Champagne poured into a tube, and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't overly sweet. It was refreshing and definitely something different. I also gave the espresso martini a try, but it was a little too sweet for my personal preference. If you're not someone who enjoys sweeter cocktails, I'm sure they'd be happy to adjust it. This is definitely a younger crowd, with most guests appearing to be in their 20s, but it's a really fun and energetic spot. The space itself is beautiful, and there are plenty of activities to keep a group entertained. The complimentary basketball is still one of my favorite things about this place and seems to be a huge hit. They also have shuffleboard, pool tables, and bowling. You can reserve bowling through OpenTable, but keep in mind it is on the pricier side at around $50 per person for an hour. If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, I'd recommend coming on the weekend. If you want something a little more relaxed where you can enjoy the space without as much of a crowd, I'd suggest visiting during the week. Overall, I really appreciate a business that listens to customer feedback and takes action. This is a unique spot with a lot to offer, especially if you're looking for games, drinks, and a fun experience with friends or visitors from out of town. read more
This bar is one of many options within the Lafayette Hotel. Interesting decor, cool vibe and lots to do. What I enjoyed was the freedom to go about your way once you get your drinks. Whether you want to stand and chat it up with friends or lounge in a posh chair, it's up to you. Cool and attentive bartenders as well as cocktail waitresses make this place work. There are basketball hoops, pool tables, foosball and bowling. It does get packed but still worth the visit if you find yourself nearby. I just found it to be too dangerous having to stand elbow to elbow with patrons while trying not to get bonked on the head as people played billiards. I'd be back again for sure though. It's fun to get out once in a while and live a little. read more
8 months ago
Such a cute bar with tons of great photo spots. The drinks were good, and I loved that they had activities like pool and foosball. Ordered the paid in pleasure and glass of Cabernet read more
19 days ago
1 year ago
We visited The Gutter on a Wednesday afternoon about 30 minutes after they opened. There were guests playing pool and a bowling game getting started. They also have basketball and ski ball. I ordered from their happy hour menu which is designed like a bowling ball, so cute. Super cheap prices! Their regular menu had nice choices as well. The highest priced cocktail was $17 and it included a test tube of champagne. It was very tasty. Sweet and refreshing. The 4 star is because it was sooooo cold. I had to move over a few seats to avoid the blasting a/c. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were all very nice. read more
3 months ago
The bar tender made the best mocktail mules I've ever had. It wasn't too sweet, which as an Asian person is the best reward for a drink. Also my friend and I don't really drink a lot of alcohol so having an alternative that wasn't just juice was amazing. The ambiance was candle light gothic game room. 10/10 would go again read more
I thought we were bowling, but just ended up with a gutterball of a time. Came out with some friends to celebrate a MOMENTOUS occasion. I'm talking a huge accomplishment. My friend had reserved both lanes for us to enjoy some bowling and drinks to commemorate the occasion. Unfortunately, both bowling lanes were absolutely buggin' out and really made for a disappointing bowling experience. While we still know how to have a good time, one of the lanes couldn't even put all of the pins up. It was so bad, it was worse than all of the podunk bowling alleys I've ever been to, and I've been to some podunk bowling alleys. At one point, the lane tried like 20 times to setup the pins and they just kept falling. I kid you not. When the lane would set the pins up, it would often miss 1-3 pins, thereby giving you a couple points every frame. WTH? Even when I brought it to the attention of the associate, they were like 'Yeah, there's really nothing we can do. We'll have to have someone fix it tomorrow ". Say whaaaaaat? Both lanes had numerous issues, and forget the "reset" because that was useless. Yeah, it was a crappy bowling experience to say the least. But how about the bar you ask? Well that also was kinda bunko. The drinks were delicious, which I greatly appreciated, but ducking and dodging pool cues for 15+ minutes while we waited for our drinks was not the bizness. I really just think there's a little bit too much stuff under one roof. Nobody wants an accidental pool cue in there rear. Ya know. I'd like to come back another time, because I do think this spot has potential. Thanks to the bartenders for making some delicious and pretty cocktails. read more
My friends and I love going to this bar every time we visit Lafayette hotel! It was holiday time and Lafayette was well decorated and we couldn't wait to check out both the bars. First off, finding parking is usually hard. I recommend finding a spot further away and walking or taking a super short uber. As soon as we entered the bar, we were blown away by the crowd. It was crazy. Long lines at the bar. After waiting for 30ish minutes, we finally got our drink. We were a big group and we all got different drinks from the menu because they all looked exciting. And I must say, all the drinks were spectacular. The presentation could have been improved but flavor wise, they were perfect and had the right amount of alcohol in them. We were able to grab a spot to play foos table and had a great time. They also have other games like bowling, basketball etc and all of them looked super fun. However, there was a long line for everything unfortunately! Given that it was Christmas season, there was Santa and we had a great time taking pictures with Santa! All in all, we had a lovely time. The only drawback were the long lines. But overall, Lafayette is a special spot! read more
The Gutter is a unique bar inside the Lafayette Hotel. It's pretty large, with 2 bars, 2 pool tables, shuffleboard, arcade games and two lanes for bowling. As most people have mentioned, it does get packed. And it takes quite a while to get a drink. We planned ahead and booked a lane for bowling on Open Table. For $50 you get the lane and shoe rental for up to 6 people for one hour. You can also put your name down on a waiting list at the bar if you're not able to get a reservation. It's pricey but you're paying for the vibe that's unlike a traditional bowling alley. I'm not from SD, so personally I find The Gutter a cool place to come spend a few hours because it's not like anywhere else in the area. The cocktails are tasty, they have a good beer selection including NA beers and my recent favorite Donna's Pickle Beer, and the atmosphere is vibrant. There's plenty to do other than sit around and drink but it's also a solid spot if you want to do just that. read more
I always have a fun time here!! Some games tend to be broken from time to time but otherwise, this spot is always super entertaining. The decor is gorgeous and there's lots of seating and room. Tends to get busy on weekends and chiller on weeknights. I love the pool table and skeeball read more
I'd give The Gutter 5 stars for ambience, decor, and fun factor. We love that there's a vintage wood paneled bowling alley, a shuffleboard table, and plenty of other games to keep you active. Atmosphere is definitely fun. And it's appreciated that tons of water pitchers are available for designated drivers. But it's next to impossible to get served a drink here, as in the parent Lafayette Hotel. I was one of the first in the door and to the bar when Gutter opened at 5pm, and bartenders ignored me for 20 minutes. Would come here to play games, but I'd rather drink elsewhere. read more
7 months ago
We had so much fun! It's an old school alley, so not ideal for professional practice, but it's great for some intimate rounds with delicious drinks! I had the chai noir and I definitely would go back for more! read more
1 year ago
The only strikes here are on the ACTUAL bowling lanes in this bar! One of the coolest concepts with amazing drinks! Probably my favorite spot in North Park. It gets loud and fun later in the evening which awesome. Bartenders are so nice too! NOTE: they card religiously here (as they do at all Lafayette venues) so keep your license on you whenever you order read more
The Gutter is a play area at The Lafayette: It has a two lane bowling alley, billiards, arcade basketball, and free skeeball. It also has one of the seven bars on the property. At this point in the evening, I needed a break from hard alcohol, so I had a beer. The bar is very cool, as is the rest of the space. There were a lot of pretty people, and I felt myself instantly being upgraded from a 5 to a 7 - LOL. The bartenders are super nice and friendly. TG is a nice playground to visit while you are at TL. read more
2 years ago
I really dig the concept of this place. It's located within the hotel along with a few other bars and speakeasies. This one is separated by a mini courtyard from the others. This place however is always packed. I came a few times and each time on a Saturday night. It's bustling after 8pm until close. If you're lucky to grab a spot to sit. You should be okay. If you're lucky enough to get a pool table you'll be okay. If you wait out the long line for bowling, you're golden. The problem is, is that you might be waiting 1-2 hours. If this is your only stop of the night. It might be worth it. But if you're looking to just stop in and have an activity and drink, think again. Drinks are ~16 dollars per cocktail. Pretty tasty. I had the Midnight Mischief which was super smooth. Highly recommended. There's far more people than seating. And with the amount of people there, it's pretty noisy so you'll most likely be shouting over folxs. Haven't had any of their food. I like to categorize this as a perfect one drink spot to end the night. read more
3 years ago
This review is piggybacking on my review to Beginner's Diner. As I said it before, any establishment / human willing to serve people as they debauch themselves into the wee hours of the night are worthy of sainthood and much respect. I can't speak to the games and activities but I can speak to the sneaky luxury of wandering around a beautiful manmade dreamworld with a cocktail and the urge to reflect on every detailed square inch. read more
1 year ago
This is located within the Lafayette Hotel and has a different drink menu than the Lobby bar. You have to order your drinks at the bar. I didn't see any servers. We loved the free basketball and ski ball . The bowling was super expensive at $50 per person/hour It got super busy by 8pm on a Friday night so I recommend going early. We loved checking out the different bars within the hotel it was like bar hopping within one location read more
6 months ago
Such a nice and chill experience to have a drink or two. I noticed as a younger person who usually goes to dive bars the vibes are off most of the time but here the vibes were chill everyone seemed like they were having a good time. No one was there being belligerent or starting any fights, which was nice. The bartenders had a good attitude and I was watching the bartender handle our drinks with precision and passion. Drinks had just the right amount of liquor they weren't super sweet it seems like the drinks are made with good quality ingredients. read more
We were able to bowl for an hour at The Gutter during our Holiday Night getaway. Front desk reception told us The Gutter opens at 5pm and we could check in at the bar area for availability. One hour is $50 and was told up to 6 people. During our dinner at Quixote (across the hallway)- I walked inside The Gutter to inquire about rates/ times and check in policy. Wish I remembered the guy's name that helped me set our time up. And it worked perfect since the next slot available was 7pm. I was told our card wouldn't be charged til we actually checked in. There's 2 sides to sit at to enjoy your libations. The side where the 2 bowling lanes are- which also has air hockey and/ or foosball, I believe. And the adjoining side that has Ski ball and other games. I don't recall food being available at The Gutter- but, we did bring our leftovers from Quixote to nosh on while we enjoyed our drinks. Thank goodness we arrived a bit earlier than our 7pm slot. I received a text message saying our lane was available. And to follow the prompts via text to let our lane concierge know if we wanted to continue with our visit or cancel. I accidentally hit cancel. But, when I walked up to the lane concierge- he took care of us right away. And since we were the first party to check in at that time slot- he gave us the lane closest to the wall and bowling ball rack. On the bowling monitors- there's a Call for Service button. And on our Wednesday night- it was super hectic inside. I walked up to the bar area to order our drinks after waiting 10 minutes. And the bartender mentioned she would definitely let the bar back/ lane concierge know that we've requested service. There is a strict policy in ordering drinks. Photo ID will be asked for if one person is ordering more than one drink. And the additional person needs to be present for the drink to be ordered. The group in the next lane over had well over 6 people. Felt like 15. They were celebrating a birthday. It was all good vibes. We all took turns taking photos of another. And sharing the coveted 8 Ball. Music created an amazing atmosphere and can't wait to stop by again. read more
9 months ago
Very fun place! Love all the free games that's this place has to offer. Although they break often. I personally haven't really like their specialty cocktails but their bartenders can make anything you'd like. read more
9 months ago
10 months ago
9 months ago
Decided to head to "The Gutter"after playing trivia elsewhere. Wanted to chill at another "play" spot and this was at the Lafayette. What a cute place! Neat back in the day games and the decor was cool inside as well. A great hangout spot. My hubby and his friends got some drinks at the bar and I just had a coke. Someone has to be the designated driver just in case. lol read more
1 year ago
Decent selection of cocktails, some beers, wine and other drinks. Looks like they recently adjusted (or rather increased the prices of the cocktails) such that all cocktails have the same price (all became the most expensive price previously). I had the Mississippi Jones (it was alright) and Midnight Mischief (yum! Very much like Old Fashioned). All the games are free, but for bowling, you need to make a reservation. They have basketball, skeeball, foosball and shuffleboard. They are dog-friendly. Someone brought their dog and it was barking the whole time we were there. read more
So much fun!! This bar is amazing! Really love the cocktail selection. They have a really vast array of drinks, a nice selection of beers and a very very lively crowd, there is two bowling lanes in the back, Skee ball and two basketball hoops. The bar is two sided, very fast service and the drinks are too notch! Erin is one of the best bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing! She's so knowledgeable also Kenzi is also an ABSOLUTE delight! These two are the coolest chicks. Make your way there! Enjoy the whole place and play some games and just enjoy the vibe. read more
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More info about The Gutter
2223 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104-1103
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