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The Gutter

3.6 (64 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

The Gutter Photos

THE GUTTER ATMOSPHERE

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The bar
Leticia C.

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.

Shay M.

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.

Two bowling lanes.
Morgan H.

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.

Chai Noir
Raine S.

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!

Hallway

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.

Cocktails
Eva B.

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

Nilanj D.

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.

Sasha A.

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

Connor P.

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

Michael B.

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.

Bar
Joe P.

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.

No Strings Attached

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.

Sabrina T.

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.

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Great service, hospitality and bartenders who really know what they're talking about. DEAN is a gem!

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1 year ago

Dean is the absolute worst bartender. (Blond hair) Extremely rude. Would not recommend this place. Horrible customer service.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

sooo fun!! drinks seem to take longer compared to other bars but this bar always has a great energy

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Chris was so amazing, he recommend so many great drinks to me and my girlfriend. If you are ever at the gutter, request chris

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Loved it! Drinks were great and the Atmosphere is perfect. Service was friendly and fantastic.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

If you want to wait 30 mins for a drink, great spot. Seriously it takes an entire basketball game half to get a drink here.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Takes literally like 40 mins to get a drink. They need to hire more bartenders. Very annoying not going back

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3 years ago

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Page 2 of 2

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Review Highlights - The Gutter

Every part of the Lafayette Hotel is beyond impressive, but the gutter is next level.

Mentioned in 7 reviews

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We met up with a friend out here. This place has been on my list for quite some time so I was glad…read morewhen she recommended it. As soon as you walk in, you are captured by the beautiful parade of cherry blossoms and flowers. It definitely felt like spring when you're in there. Everywhere you look it's a beautiful scene. The bar is beautifully set up where you look through a waterfall. There's open air seating, surrounded by towering buildings. It is multilevel, so it is neat to see the layers of the space. Our server was very welcoming and pleasant. He was on it. He checked on us often. Our drinks tasted great. Perfect balance of a cocktail. I really enjoyed my lychee Martini. We ordered a charcuterie board with meat and cheese, and it was a perfect amount for three of us to enjoy with our drinks. I would recommend coming to this spot to enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather in a beautiful space.

The restaurant is beautiful with an amazing ambiance and many great photo opportunities. I found…read morethe drinks to be fun and tasty, and the food was delicious. However, I did find the bathroom setup quite unusual; the coed design lacks privacy as the interior is visible from the outside. Additionally, the parking situation was very frustrating. It took me 25 minutes to find a spot, and I eventually had to park quite far away to ensure I wasn't late for my reservation. Moving forward, I would recommend that guests use a rideshare service instead of driving.

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I am honestly surprised I have not written a review for this place yet, I found this place in 2021…read more I bring visitors here all the time, and it has become my ultimate comfort food spot. I tend to keep it simple and order the same items every time. My go to is the crispy Brussels for $14 and the chicken sandwich for $16, and I usually rotate in the parmesan fries for $10. While they do offer other dishes that are worth trying, these favorites always keep me coming back. The service and ambiance are consistently great. It is located in Hillcrest, so the area is always lively, which adds to the overall experience. The energy, combined with the quality of the food, makes it a reliable choice whether I am dining with friends or hosting out of town guests. Parking can be a bit challenging, but that is typical for Hillcrest. I usually plan ahead and look for street parking nearby.

3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the drinks, so I gave em 4 stars. Got the brussels sprouts and…read moreartichoke hearts and they were doused in far too much sauce and insanely salty. I love the vegetables for what they are and want sauce and seasoning to enhance them, not be the star of the show. Got the hot honey chick and pork belly bao buns which were pretty good, nice and fluffy. Drinks wise, I got the blueberry bramble as well as the berries & cream (both vodka drinks). they were fantastic, so refreshing. Old fashioned was also top notch! server was wonderful and kind. the ambiance is amazing and is a great spot for a date or cozy evening with friends.

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Common Stock - Great food & drinks ....friendly welcoming service !!! Thank you HARVEY !!!!

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Good News Bar - Cool main bar with the best BARTENDERS!

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Good News Bar - They have merch here. My friend loved it so much she bought a sweater.

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Good News Bar - Bar area

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The Gutter - bowling - Updated May 2026

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