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Uptown Tavern

4.1 (704 reviews)
Closed • Closed

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UPTOWN TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

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Casual
Trendy
Loud
Outdoor seating

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Veggie sliders
Christina H.

This place does not have very many vegetarian options. However, the veggie patty sliders, they had beats in the patty and I LOVE BEATS. The sliders were a bit dry but the flavor was delicious. The noise levels were a bit high. There was indoor and outdoor seating but there wasn't much of a divide from inside to outside so I feel like there was still a nice breeze inside. The decorations were very fun, I liked the energy of the space. Plus there is no parking lot, it is all street parking. Jerad our server was and he was kind and attentive. Our food came out very quickly.

Lauryn M.

I always come here for happy hour food and the atmosphere. It is a LBGTQ bar that surprisingly serves not only great drinks but also good food. We had the buffalo chicken Cesar wrap and the LGBLT sandwich or something like that. They were both really good. We have also had their 5 spice wings that are also good. Fair warning it can get crowded as it gets later in the night so be aware of that if that's not your thing. They also serve seasonal specialty drinks as well which are usually tasty and super cute.

Drinks with my sister
Michael N.

Great place to unwind after a long day. My sister took me here. The drink pours are generous if you know what I mean. For munchie foods I ate fries and veggie sliders; they were both good. The service is exceptional and in a great location. My only critique was that I was underneath an A/C vent so I was a little cold as the evening wore on. Besides that, I loved it!

Potatoe skins
Taelyr V.

Ambiance is great, I love the set up! We sat and looked over the menu, which we loved! Between the brussel sprouts, pretzel, and the steak frites it was hard to choose. I ended up getting a unicorn mule, and a virgin one for my partner. Both were really good! We also got the pretzel with house cheese dip, which may have been the best pretzel and cheese I have ever had in my life. No joke, I am a connoisseur after all. We also got the potatoe skins! My only complaint with the food was it was a tad greasy, but also what do you expect for fried and bar foods. The only reason this isn't a five star review, was the service. Our waitress looked less then pleased to be waiting on us and just us Since she was friendly with so many others. Will return for the food and drinks, but maybe lower our expectations for service.

Stay hydrated.
Bertolucci S.

It was our first time back at Uptown Tavern in a while, and it did not disappoint. We grabbed seats at the bar, and Mulan ( Spelling) was our bartender the MVP . Even with the Sunday Funday crowd packing the gayborhood, she kept the drinks flowing, the energy high, and the service on point. The food was great, the service was even better, and the vibe was absolutely vibing thanks to the DJ.

Andy V.

I come here often and it's always a fun, reliable spot. The drinks are consistently good, and the steak and eggs is one of my go to orders. Portions are generous and satisfying. Sundays get very busy, but that adds to the energy and makes it feel like a true day spot. Service keeps up well with the crowd and the vibe stays lively. It's somewhere I enjoy returning to and bringing friends for an easy, social meal.

Charles C.

I had dined at this restaurant located on University Avenue in Hillcrest a number of years ago. However, recently i re-visted on several occasions to see what was on the new menu that I had heard about from friends. When I have gone to the Uptown Tavern recently, I have decided to dine at tehthe bar each time. The bar is a big square located in the center of the dining room. I was also told about a new lounge in the back. However, I understand the back lounge is designated for private parties, so I have not yet been back there. The menu is more comprehensive than I had expected. There are a number of salads and sandwiches, all of which sounded very interesting. There is also a Happy Hour Menu if you dine early. One of the bartenders told me also that the brunch at the Uptown Tavern is very popular with locals.

Randall B.

We were a bit parched so we tried Uptoen Tavern on a Friday night. It was busy but we were seated very quickly. We wanted refreshing and a splash of fruit. The server asked us to let him pick the drinks so we did. Yummmm-eeeee. Both we're amazing. We enjoyed our drinks and wanted just a bit more but we didn't want two full drinks. We asked if we could order one drink and split it and wahoo, they did it. All around a great place for food and drinks. Enjoy!

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Jane A.

"I'M WITH THE BARTENDER..." (5 stars) The Hillcrest place you go to pregame before stepping out to the scenes. - FOOD: good bar food - PRICE: fair - SERVICE: spectacular - VIBE: fun and lively We stopped in during prime time (around 8p) and it was busy! Lots of hot gay boys filled the bar - predominantly male scene. I'm not gay but them boys would make me wish I was a gay boy. Everyone seems like a regular here and everyone was so darn friendly and welcoming. I felt the positive fun vibes here and foresee myself coming through more often. A friend is a bartender here and I see why she loves her work. Decided to do a surprise visit - it's my first time in the scene outside of pride. :: FOOD :: TRADITIONAL BUFFALO WINGS ($14) - Served with pickled celery and house made buttermilk ranch. Got the sauce on the side. I love me some chicken wings! They were average but delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAVERN SLIDERS ($15) - 3 Angus patties with cheddar cheese, house-made pickles, ketchup, and garlic aioli served on Hawaiian rolls. Plumpy little bite size burgers served with a thick patty. The fries it came with were seasoned well and crispy. RECOMMEND CHICKEN STRIPS BASKET ($17.50) - Crispy, hand-battered chicken strips and fries, served with house made ketchup and buttermilk ranch. Our friend recommended this, although a lot of food was already ordered and yet to be consumed this was ordered on top of that because it's the "popular" item many people order. It came with 3 gigantic very breaded pieces of chicken. While popular amongst everyone else who orders this it was just ok for me. Very giving potions doesn't always make up what lacks and I felt that something in this dish lacked and didn't wow me. I think I prefer naked chicken wings. BERRY DRINK - I asked for "something fruity, cocktaily... with gin" and was served a big drink that tasted refreshing and fruity!!! I will leave the mixology up to the pros, I trust their judgements. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Will def be back. JABA APPROVED. Until the next time...

Nikki R.

Started coming here a few months ago after the gym. We were hooked after our first Friday happy hour. Their specials are perfect. Always get a seat at the bar. Everyone we have met is so friendly, whether is a random person sitting next to us or a member of the staff!

Steak And Eggs

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the flavorful food, strong drinks, and lively atmosphere. Service is generally friendly and attentive.

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Photo of Raymond F.
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5 months ago

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Scott B.

Thanks Raymond! See you next Friday?

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19 days ago

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Scott B.

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3 months ago

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2 months ago

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Scott B.

Thanks, Jacob. Hope to earn that 5th star someday!

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1 year ago

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Scott B.

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6 months ago

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Scott B.

Thank you so much, Lauryn!

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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8 months ago

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Scott B.

Thank you so much Andy, look forward to your next visit!

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1 month ago

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Scott B.

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2 years ago

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Scott B.

Helpful 5
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5 months ago

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Scott B.

Thanks so much, Chelsea. Look forward to your next visit!

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5 months ago

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Scott B.

Thank you so much Allan!

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1 year ago

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Scott B.

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2 years ago

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6 months ago

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Scott B.

Thanks, Dash (how about one more star?)

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2 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks so much Randall and look forward to your next visit!

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1 year ago

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Scott B.

Thanks, Andrew. Look forward to your next visit!

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3 years ago

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Scott B.

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2 years ago

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Scott B.

Thank you Nikki!

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3 years ago

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Scott B.

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5 months ago

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Scott B.

Thank you Alex!

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5 months ago

Our server is always amazing! He is why we return every week for happy hour. They have a pretty good happy hour too

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Scott B.

Thanks so much!!!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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Scott B.

Thank you Tammy!!

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2 years ago

I love this spot. Food is good, the drinks are great and the staff is always friendly. I love the patio, it's giving what it needs to give!

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4 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks Luis, see you again soon!

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3 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks, Mai!

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9 months ago

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Scott B.

Thank you so much!

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3 years ago

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Scott B.

Thank you Morgan!

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5 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks, Teresa!

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2 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks so much Ebony….see you again soon!

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6 years ago

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Scott B.

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3 years ago

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Scott B.

Well Okay, I guess

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5 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks Caron. Hope to see you again soon!

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2 years ago

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Scott B.

Wow, we’re blushing—thanks so much!

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4 years ago

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Scott B.

So kind of you Tracee, look forward to your next visit!

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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Scott B.

Thanks so much Tyler. Look forward to your next visit!

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Page 1 of 18

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Great vibe and speedy service!…read more We loved the Vinyl room and security was very attentive to their surroundings.

I came to Part Time Lover last year after eating at a restaurant nearby. I don't drink alcohol in…read moregeneral so I had asked if they could make a drink virgin... They told me no. The only options then were "a fruity drink, a chocolate drink, or a bubbly drink" and so I asked for a fruity. It tasted like juice in sparkling soda. I honestly was underwhelmed and turned off by the fact they hadn't put any effort in thinking about customers who come for the vibes but don't actually drink alcohol. It was also a jam packed Saturday night and it was incredibly loud so when trying to talk to my friends sitting next to me I had to shout. Ended up straining my voice by the end of the night. This experience last year was probably 2-3 stars, not good. But fast forward a year and some months later, they have a "Free Spirited" section on their menu now!!! This time I also went with a fruity drink and it was actually really good!! I'm glad Part Time Lover has turned a new leaf and actually put conscious effort into their mocktails. We also came here earlier on a Thursday night so it wasn't packed, was very easy to get a seat and just hangout. This better experience bumped up my impression of the place, so 4 stars!

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Mothership - Amazing decor

Mothership

4.3(1k reviews)
1.8 mi•South Park, Golden Hill, North Park
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We've been wanting to check out Mothership for a while, so we finally made it happen during our San…read moreDiego trip. Definitely make a reservation. It's a pretty small place, and I can see how it could fill up quickly. We lucked out with a great corner seat where we could pretty much see everything happening around us. The whole space is themed like you've stepped onto another planet or into some kind of spaceship. The lighting, the decor, even the cocktail menu fits the theme. Make sure you check out the hallway and restroom area too. They really put some thought into the details. We ordered a few cocktails and appetizers, including the bao buns, and just hung out enjoying the atmosphere. The drinks were fun, especially the Mindkiller, which came in this crazy-looking glass. The staff was friendly, and we had a good time. I will say, I was expecting a little more to happen based on some videos I'd seen online. There wasn't really anything extra going on during our visit. It was more of a cool themed bar where you sit, have drinks and some food, and enjoy the surroundings. Nothing wrong with that, just a little different from what I expected. Would we go back? Absolutely... It's a fun spot, especially if you love themed bars. I'd definitely give it another visit and see what the experience is like next time.

I'm so torn on what to rank this place because food and drinks- amazing 9/10. Service on Saturday…read morenight 5/10 unfortunately. Servers were very attentive but the drinks took 30 min and one of them was forgotten. On the bright side, the interior is so unique and fun! The drinks were strong and tasty- definitely on the sweet side but all delicious. I was very pleasantly surprised with the food. Bread, delicious. Rice, flavorful. Potatoes, amazing. Would def go back!

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Mothership - Deceiving Exterior

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Mothership - Mindkiller

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Starlite - Starlite Burger

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I've been here twice now, both for birthday dinners & it does not disappoint! Gorgeous restaurant…read moreand the food/drinks are divine. Last August, I went for my best friend's bday and the experience inspired me to have my birthday dinner here a couple days ago. Our server, Jay, was on top of it and friendly without being too overbearing & letting us girls.... YAP! There was 4 of us ladies & we shared: steak platter (medium rare chefs kiss), short rib, scalloped potatoes, mac & cheese, carrots, wedge salad & 2 French onion soups. I don't normally care for French onion soup but the one at Starlite is what the kids call "BUSSIN'!" Highly recommend. I appreciate the complimentary personalized birthday dessert and the round of pineapple rum shooters. Both so yummy & made this birthday gal very pleased. I recommend this place to anyone celebrating a birthday, anniversary, date night or simply...life! NOTE***They validate ID at door so no one under 21 y/o and parking can be hit or miss--usually miss if it's prime time, so give yourself ample amount of time to get there.

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Starlite - Bar area after entering

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Side Bar

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4.3(213 reviews)
2.6 mi•Gaslamp
Luxury
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Uptown Tavern - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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