We locals are privy to the staple Saturday night institutions scattered throughout the bustling streets of the downtown San Diego GaslampWe savor a Sting of exhilaration, envelop ourselves in a world ofEnvy or sit back and SWAY with the crowd until just before Two-o-Seven in the morning. But before these clubs came to fruition, downtown was home to a trendsetting spot
that is said to have originally ignited theGaslamp glow.
The scintillating San Diego nightlife scene is about to switch gears with the homecoming of an age-old friend: Side Bar.
Want to party at Side Bar? Get on the guest list for Industry Wednesdays,
Rock Bar Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays!
Side Bar first acquired acclamation when it opened its doors five years ago as the first New York style hangout in San Diego, upping the ante on bottle service and superior entertainment. Co-owned by local businessman David Laurent and veteran e
ntertainment entrepreneurs, Mike Georgopoulous and Rodrigo Iglesias, who have recently joined forces to create RMD Group, the 5,000 square-foot Gaslamp venue has undergone a $1 million remodel under the direction of interior designer, Davis Krumins to transform Side Bar into a glamorous art deco and modern destination.
“Side Bar was the first nightclub in San Diego to offer the VIP service and ambiance nightlife aficionados had come to know and love in other metropolitan cities,” said Mike Georgopoulous. “After a successful five years in the Gaslamp, it was time to revitalize the signature style and unrivaled entertainment that Side Bar became known for and we are excited to debut the new stylized space and focus on service which were the foundation for Side Bar’s success from the start.”
The new Side Bar now abides as both a lounge and nightclub, providing for a blasé yet dynamic aesthetic with classic sex appeal, all underneath one roof. Entering through the bold black doors and into the front lounge, I suddenly felt as if I had been encapsulated in one of Mr. Hefner’s exotic Playboy Mansion parties, minus the acres of land engrossed by real-life animals you’d expect to find on a safari and blonde bombshells dressed in bunny costumes, that is.
A quick glance over of the artwork displayed on the black brick walls and you will be suddenly seduced by the dozens of canvases emblazoned with inviting half-naked women. Oh and of course, I can’t forget to mention the lone emu donning a chic pearl necklace surreptitiously thrown into the seductive mix.
mismatched array of velvet burgundy couches set beneath black sheathed crystal chandeliers and a cluster of thirty maroon birdcages dangling from the lofted ceiling are far from the once audacious lime green aura of the former Side Bar. But do not let this prominent facelift deter you – the façade may have been slightly modified, but the quintessence of Side Bar still holds true to its original conception.
Step through the side swept deep gray curtains of the lounge and guests will find themselves immersed in Side Bar’s club element. From Thursday through Saturday night, the ceiling-high LED lit DJ birdcage will house local aural mixologists to provide an ethereal entertainment haven for avid party-goers.
Alongside the dance floor an elongated black bar dons glass shelves of milky ceramic Greek busts flawlessly flanking brimming bottles of alcoholic substances to sedate your senses. The unique drink menu is chockfull of savory martinis such as The Sweetest Taste of Sin – a mix of Stoli Strasberi, Cointreau, fresh lemon, strawberries, soda, ginger ale and Sprite – and signature cocktails like the Absolut Side Bar, featuring Absolut Peach, Absolut Vanilla, fresh strawberries and pineapple juice.
Outlining the glossy, black linoleum dance floor, VIP guests can take refuge in the crimson cushioned couches set beneath massive wash-lit mirrors and oversized custom crystal chandeliers. Being astute in avoiding discrepancies, Side Bar offers two savvy conveniences at the bottle service tables to accommodate us girls. The customized sofas include hidden purse compartments in order to avoid the matter of lost or misplaced clutches and to top it off, the customized sofa cushions are remove
d at 11:30 each night to avoid those pesky stiletto imprints our shoes are apt to leave behind.
Tactfully taking into account the syndrome known as “late night drunken munchies,” Side Bar has found a means to placate our undulating cravings. Teaming up with Derek Dinublia, known for his savory New York style slices of pie at the neighboring Ciro’s Pizzeria (moved west to accommodate a larger club space), Side Bar will now offer a traditional late-night bar menu with a twist including carefully hand-crafted artisan pizzas until the wee hours of 4am.
Suffice to say, one cannot simply applaud the chic apotheosis of Side Bar without having personally experienced the opulent comfort residing within the walls of its mystical veneer. Go on. You’re guaranteed to get hooked…again.
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