Imagine what would happen if your favorite Pacific Beach bar
grew up a little bit and moved over to Mission Hills — but still had a drinking
problem. You get the Lamplighter.
The Lamplighter opens at 6 a.m., and happy hour lasts for
the next 12 hours. Go in at 10 a.m. and you might feel just a little out of
place — serious alcoholics really do go there for early-morning cocktails. Come
back at 10 p.m. and the place will be packed with a bizarre mix of drunks —
North Park hipsters, East County bros, college students, professionals and your
regular run-of-the-mill San Diego douchebags.
The drinks are cheap (ask for a Lamplighter Ale), but the
real draw is the karaoke sideshow that goes on all night, every night. The song
list is seriously encyclopedic and eclectic — have you ever wanted to sing Ja
Rule on karaoke?
Runner up: Pink Elephant Lounge
