Darlynne and Marc Menkin | Downtown News
When it comes to live music, there’s no question that San Diego has an abundance of diverse venues. Whether you’re into hip hop, country, rock or reggae, there’s always something going on. And the best part is that you don’t have to wait until midnight to experience our cool music scene.
As a matter of fact, there are plenty of places that have live music before nine p.m. That’s good news if you’re the type of person who likes to get out but can’t stay up too late because you’re an early riser.
In Little Italy on Kettner Boulevard, there’s a chic little spot called 98 Bottles. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is because they’re always offering some sort of entertainment from Sunset Trivia to Painting and Vino (stay tuned for more about this growing trend in an upcoming column) to yes, live music. If you’ve never been to 98 Bottles, head to The Back Room. This is a super cool area where all the live music takes place. It’s a large space so there’s plenty of room to hang out and get comfortable. The concerts are a good mix from local musicians to national headliners, and the tickets range from $8 to $15. The concerts start early, either at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. For those looking to end their weekend on a high note, there’s always their “Sunday Funday” that features free acoustic music in the afternoon. 98bottlessd.com.
In the Gaslamp Quarter, one of our favorite new hangouts is The Commons Bar on Fourth Avenue. They recently added a live music component called Acoustic Thursdays. If you’re
in the mood to hear live music but want to be able to have a quiet conversation with your date, this is a good choice. It’s typically one musician so the ambiance is low key and relaxed. The music starts at 7 p.m. and it fits in perfectly with its friendly, neighborhood bar theme. Don’t forget to ask about their Thursday specials. While you’re at it, you might want to try out their chicken wings. The lemon pepper is our favorite. thecommonssd.com.
Just up the street is the Grant Grill at the US Grant Hotel. Although some people may not think of a hotel as a happening live music venue, the Grant Grill is an ideal place to unwind and listen to music after a long day. Plus, the décor is stunning and because of the hotel’s historical significance, it adds to the charm. Local musicians from jazz, blues, pop and rock bands can often be heard jamming at the lounge Thursday through Sunday nights, starting at 8 p.m. Our tip? Go on Thursday and catch their happy hour from 4 – 7 p.m. before grooving to some live tunes.
Deserving Couples Contest
Every year, our company looks for ways to give back. Whether it’s underprivileged children, the homeless, or military families, our mission is to inspire others and bring people to a better place. This time, we’re looking for a deserving couple in need of a fun date night. If you know a couple that works hard but never has time to relax, we want to hear about them. Email us at [email protected] and tell us why they deserve to be treated to a day of fun. The winning couple will receive two tickets to our Urban Challenge Scavenger Hunt and our Rent-a-Local Adventure. Email us by October 4.
Marc & Darlynne Menkin are the co-owners of “Where You Want To Be Tours.” Many of their tours and team-building scavenger hunts feature secret Downtown areas. They can be reached at [email protected]. For more info about their walking, bicycle and bus tours of San Diego, visit wheretours.com.
