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    The Lamplighter

    4.0 (1k reviews)
    Mon 6:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Tue 6:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Lamplighter Photos

    Business Info

    THE LAMPLIGHTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Karaoke
    Divey
    Casual
    Loud

    Recommended Reviews - The Lamplighter

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    Reviews With Photos

    Part of the bar
    Christina L.

    I really honestly like this bar. It's open quite early, I went for myself to see if it was lol. They have a pool table inside. Their a CASH ONLY BAR just word of advice! They do have an Atm Machine available inside by the main front door. They have some seating available in the back of the bar but also in the front. The staff here is really nice. The prices are really good. Just a great bar in a great spot.

    Tequila sunrise toast--here's to another 50+ years, Lamplighter!
    Wendy G.

    You can't miss this cornerstone of SD dive bar history on the Hillcrest/Mission Hills border. Gotta be doing something right to be open since 1957! BF and I enjoyed a few pre-dinner drinks here and had a good time. Bartender had been there 10+ years and took special care of her regulars. Drinks were strong and affordable (appreciated the extra Malibu pours to take our Adios over the top), and the vibe was down to earth. Left right when trivia night was heating up, but might return to check out the karaoke sometime.

    Harper M.

    Now this....this is a place. From the cheap drinks, to the karaoke, all the way to the air cannon/smoke machines. A fever dream all around. 10/10.

    Great bar....
    Robert P.

    Walked into this little cool bar in San Diego The Lamplighter. Great atmosphere dark wood, leather seats. Jennifer whips up a mean old fashioned. Stop by! Have a drink enjoy the ambiance......

    Armida R.

    Jessica!!!! Great bartender for a great bar! I love lamp! The vibe is divey, just the way I like it!

    The barq
    Nemesis R.

    Amazing bar, vibrs are amazing, awesome atmosphere, and I love the pours! Awesome song selection

    The stage
    Yulia K.

    Best fucking place on earth ! Disney land for adults really ! Everyone is so welcoming !!!

    Kelsey R.

    Bouncer 10/10, Hostest 10/10, karaoke 10/10, vibes emaciate. Music good. Drinks good.

    The Lamplighter bar love the registers....

    Found this little gem in San Diego The Lamplighter. So old school the dark wood, leather seating large screen tvs. Ask for Jennifer makes a mean old fashioned. Will be returning next road trip.

    Sir Quentin H.

    Small, "quaint" place... I went by my lonesome because I needed a karaoke relief and I had a great time! It's an awesome crowd, the RJ was great and the bartenders were good as well! The security was chill and it all made for a great night!

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    6 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    6 days ago

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    3 days ago

    They are always so friendly. The vibes are always so high. Love lamplighter. Bartender are on point.

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Such a fun time at the lamplighter. Good times. Great times. Kareoke and drink. Keep it up.

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    1 month ago

    We had so much fun here! Great Karaoke! We recommend everyone to join the party !baby Joe is the best bartender! Come join on a Saturday!

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Great service love it here!!! Landon, Jess and JJ are the best bartenders!!! I always have a fun time!

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Love this place. Good drinks, good vibes and kareoke nights are litty like a titty. Cash only bar keeping the dive bars alive

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    This place is so much fun! Karaoke with some great dancing music mixed in by the DJ. Remember to bring your debit card or cash!

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

    First time, loved the vibes and the music was great!! The bartenders were friendly and quick. Def recommend.

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Love the music and front staff everyone is so nice and friendly! Lamplighter forever!

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    10 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Fun atmosphere. Good drinks and reasonable prices. Cute location and plenty of street parking.

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    4 months ago

    Awesome vibe very chill, it is cash only and we had a 5 dollar cover on a Friday night, karaoke stage!

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    3 months ago

    Best bar in mission hills hands down! I've had the best time every time I've come here.

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    3 months ago

    Awesome and friendly security!!!! Super nice place and karaoke is always a blast here

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    3 months ago

    Best place ever for a great karaoke night! I love coming to The Lamplighter with my friends or bringing people here for the first time.

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    1 month ago

    Buy a drink get one free. 5 stars. Good karaoke and friendly vibe. Everyones having a great time here.

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    4 months ago

    Best bar in San Diego!!!! Mariah and James at the front door are such a vibe!!! Can't wait to go back!!!

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    3 months ago

    The drinks were really yummy and Landon was very kind! The karaoke was super fun and diverse genres!! 10/10 recommend

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    Mariah and James at the door were amazing. Great vibe and atmosphere's and excellent services

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    Page 1 of 26

    Ask the Community - The Lamplighter

    What time does karaoke start every night? 8? 9?

    9pm

    I assume it's 21 and up correct?

    Yep

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Lamplighter

    It is family owned and the people are great, although I'm partial to JJ because he sings Michael Buble.

    Mentioned in 27 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Aero Club Bar - Burns Vista

    Aero Club Bar

    4.5(887 reviews)
    0.9 miMiddletown, Mission Hills
    $$

    If you're reading this, it's because you're desperately hunting for a place that lives up to (or…read moreoutlives) what you thought was your old favorite spot. We've done the rounds. Everywhere. And nothing touches this scene. Great drinks. Even better people. The kind of place where you walk in for "just one" and somehow look up three hours later wondering how you got so comfortable, so fast. Whether it's your first stop of the night or your last, you'll spend the entire time grinning like you're exactly where you're supposed to be and nowhere you're supposed to be. Pro tip: mention the name Lee at the door for free popcorn all night. (Okay, fine. The popcorn's already free. But now you've got an excuse to say Lee's name with confidence.) Get yourselves down here and plug into the energy. We're officially hooked. See you at Aero Club.

    Aero club has been a decently good place to visit when you want to drink & have some snacks, up…read moreuntil my last visit this past Friday. I visited with my roommate, my cousin,& his girlfriend. He went to the restroom and us girls went to ours, they're in the same hallway & you have to pass the women's restroom to get to the men's. As I was exiting the girls bathroom he walked directly past me and I trailed behind him, then all of a sudden I hear one of the girl bartenders ask him to leave because she said she saw him exit the women's restroom. She was LOUD & reactive, like she was 100% sure she saw that, she grabbed 2 of the security guards & asked to get him out because she saw him come out of the girls restroom. WHICH WAS A LIE!! It was humiliating & if she would've just ran back the cameras she would see that is absolutely NOT what happened. It was unprofessional, ridiculous,& tasteless. I get you have to be aware in these situations but she was SO WRONG in this particular instance I was appalled. Therefore if the manager or owner would like to run back tapes on January 30th around 12 am, they will see he did not exit the women's bathroom. I really hope there's some type of repercussions for type of accusation.

    Photos
    Aero Club Bar
    Aero Club Bar - After wedding tings

    After wedding tings

    Aero Club Bar - Outdoor bbq area

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    Outdoor bbq area

    The Silver Fox

    The Silver Fox

    3.8(319 reviews)
    5.2 miPacific Beach
    $

    If you're ever sitting at home asking yourself important questions like:…read more "Do I want to spend more money on TouchTunes than actual beer?" "Would I like to open a bar at 6 a.m. beside men who look like they know three different ways to lose a fishing boat?" "Should I buy a cheesesteak at Jersey Mike's and proudly eat it at the counter cuz the Fox can't be trusted with a fryer?" "Do I enjoy low inhibitions, lower beer prices, and conversations with cougars named Tammy who smoke Misty 120's and call everyone 'baby'?" Then the Silver Fox is not just a bar, it's a sanctuary for the gloriously untethered. Like a Robert Frost poem if Frost had chain-smoked cigarettes and played pool until sunrise. When you come to the fork in the road, and to the left lies reclaimed wood, Tulum inspired bars, and rosemary craft cocktails, and to the right lies the cold silence of your apartment. Dare to go straight. Straight into the Silver Fox, for one last five more beers.

    I actually really love this bar and would be a 5, but I HATE Alex. I'm a local and frequent here…read morejust to play a couple games of pool, and every-time he truly makes it the most unenjoyable experiences every time- from him being rude to us personally & telling us disrespectful slurs to be waiting for our beers and hearing him shout similar slurs + racist remarks to young girls behind bar!!! I wish I could say it was just him, but sadly this is NOT a safe space, which is so sad being that we literally live around the corner:( frankly there have even been occasions where strangers have spoken up for us in situations where we were not being left alone, and the staff has refused to do anything and even made remarks back towards us, super disappointing. shout out to Jason(i think) super pleasant experience every time he's working, keeps it cool

    Photos
    The Silver Fox
    The Silver Fox
    The Silver Fox

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    The Loft - View in from the front patio

    The Loft

    4.3(198 reviews)
    0.7 miHillcrest
    $$

    It's really known as a local gay dive bar, and that's exactly what makes it so special - it's…read moreauthentic, unpretentious, and just overflows with good energy. What I truly appreciate is how inclusive it is; when they say "all are welcome," they genuinely mean it. You feel like part of the community the moment you step through the door, no matter who you are. The folks working behind the bar are absolute superstars. They're not just great at mixing up a delicious drink, but they're also super friendly and always up for a bit of banter. It's the kind of place where striking up a conversation with someone new at the bar is effortless. There's a constant buzz of friendly chatter and laughter, making it such a wonderful place to just relax and be yourself. And let's talk about value - they truly know how to pour a proper drink, and their prices are incredibly fair. You definitely get a fantastic drink without feeling like you've splurged. It's just an all-around great spot to unwind, meet some cool people, and enjoy a top-notch beverage in a relaxed, friendly setting. Highly recommend giving The Loft a visit!

    When I visit San Diego, The Loft is at the top of my "must visit" list and is normally one of the…read morefirst places I go after getting settled in. Situated on 5th Avenue in beautiful Hillcrest, The Loft is a small, but mighty place that is near and dear to my heart for a variety of reasons. From the bartenders, to the patrons, and of course the drinks...this spot is an absolute vibe! Everyone is beyond welcoming and fun here. The space is a great combination of indoor/outdoor. The drinks are strong and well priced, which is not a combination you can find many places these days! They don't serve food, but they are fine if you want to bring your own, which many folks do. We have enjoyed a cocktail and UberEats'd something so we didn't have to leave. Overall, while I am not a San Diego local (yet), I consider The Loft my local spot. Love this place!

    Photos
    The Loft - $8 Bloody Mary

    $8 Bloody Mary

    The Loft
    The Loft - Inside

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    Inside

    Old Town Saloon - Cheers

    Old Town Saloon

    3.4(208 reviews)
    1.4 miOld Town
    $

    This is a great spot to grab a drink when there is a crowd outside. We were waiting for the Whaley…read moreHouse tour and stopped in for a drink. Liz was awesome and even made recommendations for restaurants for us. She was talkative and engaging while also serving everyone quickly. Looks like a great spot for the evening, but we were just starting out the lunch drinkers for the day!

    We vacationed to San Diego back in March and we were only there for about 2.5 days. In those 2.5…read moredays we visited Old Town Saloon TWICE, so that should tell you how much we liked it here. My husband and I are sucker for divey spots and the Old Town Saloon looked EXACTLY like our vibe. It definitely was a cool spot and not sticky or on the dirty side like a lotta dives, but still had that classic dive feel to it. We had different bartenders both days we came, and both of them were great. Not too talkative but still really nice and quick to get our drink orders. Like most of Old Town, the Old Town Saloon is themed to fit the rest of the area. They have TouchTunes here so you can play plenty of music, and also at least one pool table (I only saw one, not sure if there were more around the corner). Only "downside" is that they don't have any food here, but you're allowed to bring food in (which we did from a local vendor). If you're in the area it's definitely worth it to stop in for a drink or two - we could've spent all day here and would definitely stop in again when we're back in town.

    Photos
    Old Town Saloon - Corona, Midori sour

    Corona, Midori sour

    Old Town Saloon - Dive bar hopping

    Dive bar hopping

    Old Town Saloon - Been a rough week. Time for Tito's !!!

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    Been a rough week. Time for Tito's !!!

    The Lamplighter - karaoke - Updated May 2026

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