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    The Lamplighter

    4.0 (1k reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    The Lamplighter Photos

    Business Info

    THE LAMPLIGHTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Karaoke
    Loud
    Divey
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - The Lamplighter

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    Established 1957
    Amy M.

    Street parking is available pulling up to the long time establishment. I have been coming to this Karaoke kingdom for decades! It has a dive feel (cash only!!) but as of late, has gotten a face lift with a huge back covered patio,updated booths and a stage! It still has a pool table and booths but on weekends there's reserved tables only which is kind of a bummer. The staff is kind and make stiff drinks! Great people watching!

    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.

    I was visiting from LA and had an amazing time on a Friday night. Great crowd but not overwhelming and the karaoke was so much fun. Pool table is a big plus. Note that it's cash only!

    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......

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    4 days ago

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    10 days ago

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    2 days ago

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    6 days ago

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    10 days ago

    such a fun bar! usually cash only so prepare for that, but it's really good time. Karaoke bar so you gotta sing!

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    2 months ago

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    12 days ago

    AMAZING! Fantastic drinks and atmosphere. So good. I loved every minute. The staff was great.

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 month ago

    So fun! Great for cheap drinks & karaoke & a fun Friday or Saturday night! Loved the singers & vanilla vodka soda

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    Photo of Sam W.
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    1 month ago

    Ella and Joante were the nicest and sexiest ever! Love this bad super fun ambiance is awesome and the drinks are amazing

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    2 months ago

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    11 days ago

    Best bar ever. The music and the drinks are top tier. Bartenders are highly attentativr. Vibes are amazing and fun. Highly recommend.

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    10 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    11 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Cant say enough great things about James & Mariah, super sweet and a great vibe for your night

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    6 months ago

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

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    5 months ago

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    7 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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    6 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    3 months 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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    1 year ago

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    2 months ago

    Marwa and James were so fun! awesome place. Great drinks and fun vibes , was disco night

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    Photo of Mana A.
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    4 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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    5 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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    Page 1 of 27

    Ask the Community - The Lamplighter

    Do I need to make reservations?

    No, you do not. It’s just an option for an elevated experience.

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

    9pm

    I assume it's 21 and up correct?

    Yep

    View All 5 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

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    The Cordova Bar

    4.7
    (223 reviews)
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    Stopped by here after dinner and had a blast. This place is a vibe…read more They had a DJ. There's plenty of seating, both indoors and outdoors. Service was awesome from start to finish, and the drinks were reasonably priced, which is always a plus. They're dog friendly, which is awesome. Overall, it had a great crowd and an easy, laid-back atmosphere. Definitely a fun spot to hang out.

    Dope cocktail bar in Morena area. Just dropped in on a routine Saturday night for 1 cocktail and…read moreended up having many lolol They had a DJ in playing which was cool and kept the vibes right for the night (although I think the volume could have been a bit lower as I felt like I had to yell to talk or do the awkward lean in to hear). Bartenders were cool. Nick was our fave though for sure. He made some mean cocktails. Solid liquor selection plus a list of cocktails to choose from. I initially ordered the something and picante (can't remember the full name) and found it to be way too sweet. Then switched to a basic Lalo with soda and lime to cleanse my palette. After tried their version of an espresso martini which was quite good but made with nitro brew and kahlua so a bit on the sweeter side. I ended the night with my fave drink though which was a Hugo spritz and it was perfectly balanced. Definitely will be going back, especially for the love band Sundays. Parking is all street parking.

    Photos
    Happy Hour 5-8PM features specials on Martinis, Craft Beer on Tap, Wine and Wells.
    Happy Hour 5-8PM features specials on Martinis, Craft Beer on Tap, Wine and Wells.
    Peanut Butter Espresso Martini
    Peanut Butter Espresso Martini
    Classic Martini $10 During Happy Hour 5-8PM

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    Classic Martini $10 During Happy Hour 5-8PM
    Oculto 477

    Oculto 477

    4.2
    (306 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    I plan to come back to San Diego every few months, and since I'm a creature of habit, I'm looking…read morefor something that I can do every single time. I'm really glad that I found Oculto because it has been one of the highlights of my San Diego trip. First of all, the concept of the seven deadly sins is really cool. The space is absolutely moody, intimate, and thoughtfully designed. It has an atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and enjoy your drink rather than rush through it. And since I don't really drink, I was definitely going slow. And I was alone, but the good part was I found myself just taking it all in instead of reaching for my phone. I started with an espresso martini-style cocktail that was smooth, balanced, and the perfect way to ease into the evening. For my second drink, I asked for the bartender's choice, and it ended up being one of my favorite cocktails I've had in a long time. It featured lychee, strawberry, and cardamom, and was garnished with a beautiful little rose. It was creative, elegant, and every flavor worked together perfectly. The cocktails were outstanding, but what really made the experience stand out was the service. Devin was an excellent bartender and an amazing conversationalist. He was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaging, making me feel welcome from the moment I sat down. He took the time to craft a drink based on flavors I enjoy, and it was clear he cares about creating a great experience, not just serving drinks. If you're looking for a cocktail bar with incredible drinks, a gorgeous atmosphere, and exceptional hospitality, I can't recommend Oculto enough. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in San Diego.

    The self-appointed king of speakeasies is back at it with another one. I stopped by Oculto 477 on a…read moreWednesday evening an hour before close. Located in Old Town San Diego, we had dinner at a restaurant within walking distance from Oculto. I parked for free on the street and made a reservation day of. It's a pretty small speakeasy so if you're going on a weekend, you're probably going to have to make a reservation in advance. Ambiance (4.5/5): Oculto has the seven deadly sins theme going which is pretty cool. I've been to a similar speakeasy in St. Pete, Florida. Once you arrive at the mezcal bar that houses Oculto, check in with the host, and he will bring you to a "confessional." There, you must confess one of the seven deadly sins before the door to the speakeasy is opened for you. Naturally, I went with "lust." Once you get inside, it's a charming speakeasy. Service (2.5/5): This is one of the areas that leaves a little to be desired. There was only one bartender working when I was there. Since speakeasies have elevated cocktails, service was quite slow. They definitely needed two bartenders there to speed up the process. They also have a two-drink minimum which I was annoyed about on principle. I often have multiple drinks at a bar, but I never feel like I'm forced to do it. Food (N/A): I'm not sure if they have food, I don't believe they do. Regardless, I was on a liquid diet. Drinks (4/5): Pretty interesting menu of craft cocktails. When I'm at a speakeasy, I look for unique drinks that have an interesting combination of ingredients and flavor profiles. In addition to a nice list, they also have a dealer's choice cocktail where you can tell the bartender what you're into and they will craft a custom cocktail for you based on your taste. Another cool thing about Oculto is that it's located next to the cemetery in Old Town. That adds to the spooky theme.

    Photos
    Seat at the bar
    Seat at the bar
    La Llorona
    La Llorona
    Oculto 477

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    Starlite

    Starlite

    4.1
    (2.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    Our first visit to Starlite was very memorable. It was a great way to celebrate our wedding…read moreanniversary. Exceptional service by all staff. Food and ambiance was AMAZING!! What we ordered: * Wagyu & Local Yellowtail Tartare * Dry-aged Half Duck * Herb Scalloped Potatoes * Roasted Broccoli Kristina was our waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. We felt very welcomed. We even got complimentary champagne for our anniversary dinner (special touch). Our food was a special culinary experience. Everything was so full of flavor. Nice shareable portions. This business really shined..... Just like their name Starlite. This is a must try place. Especially for a special occasion. #DiningWithTheAndersons #TryingNewPlaces #ExceptionalExperience #CelebratingUs #WeFancyNow

    Absolutely ridiculous that their 21+ age requirement isn't listed anywhere except a third party…read moresite at the VERY BOTTOM, where absolutely no one has to look to make a reservation. Made reservations for my birthday. I thoroughly reviewed their website. This age requirement is NOWHERE on their website, so we booked a reservation with Open Table. No problems. We drive an HOUR to this freaking place to get turned away at the door because it's technically "a bar" even though they have a full dinner menu. When I point out none of this is advertised anywhere, I'm informed it's on Open Table, and that we should've seen it there, and were dismissed. They said they could give us another restaurant recommendation and then proceeded to just dismiss us without even that courtesy. We go back to verify this age limit, and it's there... one TINY line 2 scrolls down on the page, WAY beyond any of the information needed to just book a table, which is the only thing Open Table is used for. Complete waste of time for a poorly advertised bar with zero helpful staff on a dumpy street by the airport.

    Photos
    Bar area after entering
    Bar area after entering
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!
    The Gärten

    The Gärten

    4.6
    (80 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    This biergarten is awesome. As soon as you walk in, there's a food truck immediately to your left…read moreserving wood-fired pizzas that are absolutely phenomenal. They also offer a great happy hour special Tuesday through Friday with $5 off pizzas. I don't remember the exact hours, so you'll want to check those before visiting. One of the things I love most about this place is the variety. There are three different brewery stations throughout the venue. I got a flight from the back room, where they serve mead, which is tough to find around San Diego. I ordered a flight, which came with six selections, and every single one was excellent. The staff here are fantastic. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and one of the chefs even came out to give the pups some pepperoni, which was a nice touch that definitely stood out. The space itself is huge with plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. It's a great place for groups to gather, relax, and enjoy a few drinks without feeling cramped. Overall, this is a fun and unique spot with great food, excellent drinks, and outstanding service. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back.

    This is a great space! Love meeting friends here - locals and tourists are always pleasantly…read moresurprised by this literal 'hidden' gem tucked in the middle of an industrial area (parking may take a bit to find). The main food available is from Pizza Cassette, which has delicious sandwiches and wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza pies. Drinks are available from a brewery, a trendy and unique wine spot, and a meadery! Truly something for everyone. It's dog friendly and great for groups to still feel intimate with standing areas, barrel table tops and picnic style tables. There's usually always something happening like trivia night or live music, but heads up, they don't stay open too late - won't be an issue for most, but in case you're looking for a spot at 8pm, double check the hours, especially for food.

    Photos
    VIP flight from Lost Cause Meadery
    VIP flight from Lost Cause Meadery
    The Gärten
    The Gärten

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    The Lamplighter - karaoke - Updated July 2026

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