Thursday, March 26, 2015

Looking For A Night Out? San Diego Has You Covered

(Image courtesy of Pixabay)

It's been a tough week. Now that the weekend is almost here, you're ready to hit the night scene and blow off a little steam. That's why we couldn't not share the best news we found on the internet this week - San Diego boasts 7 of the top 100 nightclubs in the United States, according to Nightclub and Bar. This article, from JustLuxe, has all the details, so we'll let them fill you in. Keep reading to find your next club adventure.

San Diego is known for its beaches, craft breweries and fresh, farm-to-table restaurants sprinkled around town. But it isn’t as celebrated for its booming nightlife, especially when compared to places like New York City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. However, seven of its local watering holes made Nightclub & Bar’s Top 100 list for highest revenue-generating properties in the US. Look who's playing in the big leagues now!

Based on total annual revenue, the Nightclub & Bar Top 100 worked with T.G. Mayer & Co., P.C. to review and verify the data submitted for each establishment. Making the cut for 2014 are Fluxx, Float, 207, Sevilla Nightclub, Sidebar, The Wood, and La Puerta.

Known for its Vegas-like atmosphere, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and world-renowned DJs, Fluxx made the list at No. 25 with $10-$15 million in revenue last year. Located downtown in the Gaslamp district, the nightclub changes its interior themes on a regular basis as to make sure its guests are never bored. It also attracts a notable celebrity presence with names like Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher and Justin Beiber stopping in during their SD getaways. Snoop Dogg, Moby and Brody Jenner have all spun their beats at the DJ booth, while its live performers include shows by Macklemore, Nas, Big Sean, Dirty South and Ice Cube. With bottle service and VIP tables, this is definitely the place to go all out in your best nightlife attire and favorite heels.

Coming in at No. 29 was Float at the Gaslamp Quarter’s Hard Rock Hotel, registering a $10- to $15-million annual revenue. Sitting atop the 4th floor of the property, the rooftop bar offers both a chill afternoon vibe and a high-energy atmosphere at night. Poolside cabanas are available to rent with flat screen TVs and bottle service available at each. In the evening, guests can warm up by fire pits with specialty cocktails in hand or hit the dance floor to the beats of the city’s best DJs. Until this year, the bar was also known for its pool parties during Intervention Sundays attracting around 1,500 partiers each week. While it brought in DJs such as Deadmau5, Paul Oakenfold and Kaskade, the venue will no longer be holding the summertime events (which could possibly mean a revenue loss in 2015).

Along with their rooftop parties, Hard Rock Hotel’s 207 nightclub also made the list at No. 40 with an annual revenue of $10-$15 million. Located on the ground floor, 207 is a sports bar daily and a lively nightclub Friday through Sunday nights. Boasting a central dance floor, celebrity DJs spinning the latest hip hop, and state of the art LED screens, the venue is a pulsating experience in the heart of downtown. Celebrity guests have included Paris Hilton, Lil Jon and the Black Eyed Peas.

Rounding off the $10- to $15-million category for San Diego, Sevilla Nightclub is listed at No. 42. Sevilla is known among locals as the spot to go for salsa dancing during the week (lessons included) after a tasty meal upstairs at their tapas-style restaurant. On the weekends, Latin/Euro, Top 40, hip hop and EDM can be heard at the downstairs nightclub. There are three VIP booths available for bottle service, including prime seats behind the DJ booth. Sunday nights heat up with Club Brazil featuring the hottest Brazilian music.

Downtown’s Sidebar and The Wood, a Pacific Beach hotspot for the college crowd, made the list at numbers 57 and 69, respectively. Both earned an annual revenue of $5-10 million. Finally, La Puerta (No. 82) had the lowest yearly revenue of the bunch with only $3-5 million.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Batter Up!

(Image courtesy of slgckgc)
Now that Spring Training is well underway, there are a few things San Diego Padres fans need to keep in mind when planning a trip Peoria to visit the boys while they train. San Diego Magazine has all the information you need to get the most out of your visit to the sports complex. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Look forward to new stadium renovations.

This year the Peoria Sports Complex will have 1,000 brand new stadium seats, more field level seating, and additional seat improvements (cupholders and more!). In a new 4,900-square-foot building, the first floor will have a team store, and the second floor will include an open terrace, bar, concession stand and additional restrooms. An event pavilion in the outfield will have a bar for up to 300 people.

2. Sit in the shade and eat buffet-style.

Consider watching from the All You Can Eat Deck on the right field concourse. For a $20 ticket upgrade, enjoy unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, peanuts, chips, sodas, and more (but not beer). Seating and shade is first come, first served, FYI.

3. Taste Arizona’s local craft beer.

It’s time to branch out from Ballast Point and Stone. While you’re in AZ, taste a beer from the six-months-oldFreak’N Brewing Company, a microbrewery right in Peoria. Also try to get your hands on a brew from Arizona Wilderness Brewery, which is based in Gilbert. RateBeer.com ranked it number one out of the ten best new breweries in the world (of the 2,600 that opened in 2013). It also got a write-up on Esquire.com.

4. Sneak in a brewery tour.

Get picked up at your door for Road Dog’s Phoenix Brewery Tour and get the chance to taste the best craft beers that Phoenix breweries offer. Visit three to five breweries in three hour’s time.

5. Get outside.

Waiting for a night game? Don’t waste the day inside. Lake Pleasant is one of the one of the most scenic water recreation areas and is the second largest lake in central Arizona. Go hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, fishing, boating and more.

6. Stay in a nice hotel.

Sure, there are motels near the stadium, but if you want a little more pampering, check out Cibola Vista Resort & Spa, which has huge pools, slides, a premier spa, and horseback riding on the property.

7. Make the most of an away game.

When the Padres are scheduled to play in Mesa at Hohokam Stadium, you can look forward to cheap tickets in the shade. It’s also the only stadium designed for food trucks to be able to be rolled in. Feast on Maine lobster, Chicago or Sonoran hotdogs, and Chinese food.

8. Let the kids run around.

Hohokam Stadium in Mesa has a mini-dugout for kids to play in and the park next to the stadium features a splash pad, climbing wall, and the world’s largest climbing tower at 75 feet!

9. If you want an away hotel.

The Sheraton Mesa Hotel in Wrigleyville West is a brand new resort that provides luxuries like a swim-up pool bar, massage salon, steakhouse, and a wine cellar.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Image courtesy of Fabio Gianesi
Whether you were born with the luck of the Irish or you're just in it for the kegs and eggs, there are plenty of celebrations to keep you occupied this St. Patty's Day. If you're still scrambling for plans, Discover San Diego has you covered. So, deck yourself in green, grab your friends and stop by one of the many celebrations that will be happening on the big day!

ShamROCK in the Gaslamp – March 14

Get your jig on at the 21st annual ShamROCK event, taking place in the Gaslamp from 4 p.m. to midnight. 80,000 square feet of downtown will be covered in green astroturf, and three stages will feature live bands and top DJs. Party perks include a 150-foot bar, food and drink specials at over 30 Gaslamp nightclubs and restaurants, plus access to the free designated driver program.

General Admission: $40 through March 13th, $45 on the day of the event

sandiegoshamrock.com


Hooleys Irish Pub - March 13-17

Anyone in East County knows that the Hooleys bars in Grossmont Center La Mesa and in Rancho San Diego Towne Center always get a little crazy on St. Patrick’s Day. This year, they’re taking the full weekend to celebrate, starting with live music on Friday, March 13, Saturday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 17. Expect drink specials and shenanigans throughout both locations. Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. Rancho San Diego Towne Center, 2955 Jamacha Road, El Cajon.

hooleys.com


Harrah’s Resort Southern California – March 14-17

The resort is going all-out with a full St. Patrick’s Day weekend at Corked, the wine and beer bar. Guests can enjoy Irish dancing, live music, Guinness beer and a whole lot of green. On Saturday, March 14, an Irish band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m., and on Tuesday, March 17, fiddlers and Irish dancers will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Both events are free.

777 Harrah's Resort Southern California Way, Valley Center

harrahsresortsoutherncalifornia.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Image courtesy of Steven Pisano
Spring is almost here and it's time to get out and begin getting ready for beach season. Whether you're looking to get into shape, or you simply want to give yourself a new challenge, there are plenty of events to choose. This list from San Diego Magazine outlines the biggest running events in San Diego this March.

UNDY RUN/WALK 5K & 1-MILE FUN RUN
March 7 | Mission Bay Park
ccalliance.org

FINISH CHELSEA’S RUN/WALK 5K
March 7 | Balboa Park
chelseaslight.org

BLACKLIGHT RUN 5K
March 7 | Qualcomm Stadium
blacklightrun.com

KILL THAT 5K
March 7 | Ski Beach Park, Mission Bay
goruck.com

SAN DIEGO HALF MARATHON
March 8 | Petco Park
sdhalfmarathon.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY 10K & 2–4 MILE RUN/WALK
March 14 | Mission Bay Park
kathyloperevents.com

POLE TO POLE FUN RUN 5K
March 15 | SeaWorld San Diego
seaworldparks.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY HALF MARATHON, 5K & GREEN MILE FUN RUN
March 15 | Downtown El Cajon
stpatricksdayhalf.com

RACE FOR AUTISM 5K
March 21 | Balboa Park
raceforautism.org

HOT CHOCOLATE 15K/5K
March 22 | Petco Park
hotchocolate15k.com

ACT TODAY! FOR MILITARY FAMILIES 5K & 10K
March 28 | Tecolote Shores Park
acttodayformilitaryfamilies.org
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