Two clubs in one, Onyx Room and Thin occupy two floors of the same space, with Thin at street level and Onyx below. Both are trendy spots that draw the ultra-cool who want to party with inventive cocktails in hand and plenty of eye candy located throughout the room. Different nights feature different music styles, from jazz to hip-hop and old-school. One cover charge gets you into both. As an upscale nightclub, Onyx and Thin a dress code so skip the beachwear. Onyx is more loungey with a wider variety of music. Register online for the guest list which may feature a discounted or no cover charge.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: It's two clubs in one and has been popular with locals for years.
Katie's expert tip: There's no kitchen so eat before you arrive! Also, this club tends to close a little bit later than the rest.
207 and Float are the two bars inside the Hard Rock Hotel. 207, named for the hotel's address, is located on the ground floor and designed to be a glamorous, laid-back place to chill over a cocktail during the day but turns into a hot nightlife spot with DJs spinning tunes Thursday through Sunday nights. Float is the outdoor venue located next to the pool, which boasts spectacular Gaslamp views with cabanas, fire pits and plush seating. The same concept applies here--Float also converts into a place to see and be seen at night. Intervention Sundays during warmer weather are where the young and beautiful party throughout the day in opulent style.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: It's literally steps from the stadium inside the Hard Rock Hotel.
Katie's expert tip: This is for the younger, hipster crowd.
FLUXX is Downtown San Diego's high-end dance club. Just as its name implies, FLUXX nightclub's mood and motif will be kept in a constant state of change, designed to create a unique experience with every visit. The venue incorporates organic decor amidst bright, bold colors and playful design elements including a large-scale adult tree house, circular dance floor, a 15-ft custom rope chandelier and eye-catching art. FLUXX offers a Vegas-style VIP bottle service and centrally located VIP tables. Or, reserve the tree house which also has a private bar. It's the most unique nightlife experience in town, created by top professionals in the nightlife business.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: When A-list celebrities visit San Diego, this is where they go.
Katie's expert tip: Have a look at the website prior to going to see if you can get on the list in advance or reserve a table.
When the Padres playing at nearby PETCO park, you can actually watch the game from Altitude. Hailed as offering the most spectacular rooftop view in San Diego, Altitude Sky Lounge is located on top of the Marriott Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. The rooftop location features gardens and a waterfall, 22 stories above street level. The airy rooftop bar has plenty of open space to mix and mingle along with a fire pit and lounge chairs. Dress to impress as a stylish crowd is always in attendance. Bottle service is available as is a new lounge area with a glass-walled balcony.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: Altitude is chic and better suited to those who want to party late but don't want a nightclub scene.
Katie's expert tip: This is also one of the best place sin San Diego to watch a sunset.
Evoking an Asian street market feel, Bang Bang features three separate concepts in one space - one part asian fusion restaurant, one part sushi bar and one part "theatre" which hosts live music, DJs, movies, and is home to the largest disco ball (5.5 feet wide) west of the Mississippi. Guests are transported through Bang Bang via a tunneled staircase entrance reminiscent of a Tokyo subway, complete with Tokyo subway sounds streaming through hidden speakers. Backed by nightlife impresario, Johnny Shockey and LED, Bang Bang offers unparalleled entertainment with some of the hottest up and coming DJs, inviting guests to come for dinner and stay the rest of the night. A full list of upcoming DJs can be found on their website.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: This spot wins for creativity and decor, plus the food is excellent.
Katie's expert tip: Try the Bangwich, which is an ice cream sandwich with bacon cookies. They get major props for the Ryan Gosling ladies bathroom stall.
The multi-level OMNIA San Diego is a new local favorite. Housed in a refurbished warehouse that sits square in the midst of the once notorious Red Light District, this trendy nightspot draws an ultra-chic crowd. It's the part of the same group who owns the OMNIA in Las Vegas. Therefore, the DJs they bring in here are outstanding. Live like a celebrity and reserve a secluded table where staff caters to your every need with a VIP package. Celebrities, world-renowned DJs, and VIPs are often in attendance. This is the place to see and be seen.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: This OMNIA is affiliated with the OMNIA in Las Vegas, really bringing Vegas-style nightlife to San Diego.
Katie's expert tip: You may even order food from sister restaurant Searsucker as an add-on.
Rooftop STK is Andaz San Diego's newly refreshed and rebranded poolside lounge that offers incredibly picturesque views of the Downtown San Diego skyline. It is a sexy, swanky and scenic spot to enjoy handcrafted cocktails, and delicious dishes from a menu specially created by Executive Chef J.C. Colón. By day, The Rooftop by STK will sweep you away with stunning views and creative regional cuisine for breakfast and lunch. By night, The Rooftop by STK is San Diego's ultimate rooftop destination and nightlife experience high above the city, with live DJs spinning underneath the star-lit San Diego sky at the see-and-be-seen nightclub and lounge.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: Recently renovated, Rooftop by STK is now the place for an elevated lounge experience under the San Diego stars.
Katie's expert tip: Skip the drive and book a room at the Andaz Hotel.
People come for the cocktails and say that you'll never drink a better one. This San Diego speakeasy is found via a somewhat secret door near the door to the kitchen at The Neighborhood. Reservations are by text message only and Noble Experiment is always full, as there are only 32 seats. Cocktails are made with premium spirits and all natural, sustainable ingredients. There isn't any food for sale so go to The Neighborhood if you're hungry. A wall of gold-plated skulls lines the wall of this speakeasy and service is top notch. There isn't another drinking experience like this in San Diego. It's special.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: Some people claim these are the best cocktails in the nation. Really.
Katie's expert tip: Even the ice is hand-carved to fit neatly into each glass.
Moonshine Flats offers a ton of fun in the Gaslamp Quarter and is one of two places in San Diego to dance to country music. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout (including the longest bar on the west coast spanning 80 feet) San Diego's largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a 6' x 6' raised "dance pod" and a moveable DJ booth, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen. Drink from old school barber "shot" chairs (drink and spin!) or play pool and arcade games like Buck Hunter and a Boxing. You'll love it, even if country music isn't your thing.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: The reviews are stellar and you don't have to like country music to have a good time at this hot spot.
Katie's expert tip: Alcohol slushie machines and classic cocktails have an emphasis on whiskey, bourbon and moonshine.
If there's a Padres game happening, Basic, in East Village near PETCO Park, turns into quite a scene. Foodwise, Basic serves up authentic Italian with a simple approach void of frills and fancy ingredients. Guests rave about the thin-crust pizza (try the mashed potato pizza) cooked in a brick oven. The restaurant is a huge 5000 square-foot space in a converted warehouse with a simple, contemporary design. There are two bars and a lounge area where festive Padres fans like to gather to enjoy the no-nonsense drink list (basic, right?) and beer. Get there early as there can be a line.
Recommended for Nightlife near Petco Park because: It's just a few blocks from PETCO Park and a very popular gathering place before and after games.
Katie's expert tip: Drinks here are better and cost way less than concessions inside the park.