With a bar or nightclub in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter for almost every possible taste, it’s often tough to choose where to go. Proving how a single night in the Gaslamp promises endless possibilities for a nightlife experience, find out how three venues within three blocks of one another distinguish themselves from the pack. Contrary to popular belief, a night downtown doesn’t have to begin at midnight. For early birds arriving with hopes of finding street parking and enough time to eat dinner before a night of drinking, Analog, located at 801 5th Ave., is a great place to start. “Analog is like ‘That ‘70s Show’ basement-chic,” said karaoke host, Teddy Fantastico. “Plus, you can’t beat the prices.” Fantastico and local band, The Sidekicks, perform during live karaoke every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. For amateurs wanting to feel like a rock star but discouraged by a lack of star-quality vocal talent, the live band offers backup vocals to karaoke participants. A genuine performance quality is brought to life with a three-piece band of professionals behind the microphone — not the case with the standard karaoke practice of following the cursor on a computer screen. “Analog is very authentic to the atmosphere,” said Fantastico, “including the ‘white trash’ take on bottle service.” When guests order a bottle of liquor or beers for a group, waiters bring out a large cooler full of ice to keep their alcohol cold. Food menus are presented inside manila folders and checks are distributed in Velcro wallets. For the gamers, tables are stocked with Magic 8 Balls and video game controllers connected to TVs overhead. For those wanting a true nightclub experience, Red Circle houses a seductive lounge filled with go-go dancers in lingerie atop platforms. With high ceilings, dim lighting and a large VIP section, Red Circle, at 420 E St., delivers a sense of exclusivity. House music pulses through the air as cocktail waitresses light up the room with sparklers, promoting bottle service. “We’re like the nightclub version of ‘Cheers,’ where everybody knows your name,” said Moses Carrillo, director of VIP services. “Our staff is very welcoming, which is why we have so many regulars.” When 2 a.m. eventually rolls around, it doesn’t have to mean the party is over. Hosting the true after-party of the Gaslamp, Onyx Room and its adjoining club, THIN, stay open until 4 a.m. on Saturdays. Combining three different vibes under one roof at 852 5th Ave., Onyx Room is located underground and is divided into a lounge area that plays everything from deep house to dubstep and a dance club that offers progressive house and trance music. “We always try to stay ahead of the game with new music,” said Charlissa Dodge, director of sales and marketing. “Here, we celebrate local DJs and musicians — often the mecca of where big name talent like Kaskade get their start.” At street level, THIN delivers an open format of Top 40 mash-ups and hip-hop. On March 5, the club will feature 12 disc jockeys, and John OO Fleming will be spinning on March 12. For more information on these and other Gaslamp destinations, visit www.gaslamp.org.
