The Lamplighter (aka "The Lamp") is one of those old school neighborhood
bars that kind of outgrew its original roots. After it was bought by the
current owner, Karaoke became a main focus and it's seemed to work. This
place has one of the most random mixes of people you have ever seen: it's
in Mission Hills, originally predominantly an Italian/Portugeuse small
neighborhood, but it's also right next to Hillcrest, the focal point of
the San Diego "art" community. What this means is that strewn around the
bar itself are older neighborhood stalwarts who have been going there for
years mixed with college students, tweakers, potheads, and the random birthday
group. For some reason 90% of the people who know this place take their
friends there for birthdays.
Honestly, since the Karaoke explosion of '95 this isn't really your
typical dive bar. It still has that feeling to it, but it's become so crowded
on weekends it's hard to find a place to sit down. If, however, you want
to meet 75 year old fishermen and 22 year old coeds on the same night,
this is the place for you (make sure that the fisherman isn't her father
first.)
Voted best Karaoke in San Diego by San Diego Magazine 1997
Fun Stuff:
The main bartender, Rick, does the splits and sings Led Zeppelin.
Bar Specialty: Mensu Mensu (half and half) is a shot of V.O. and Kahlua.
Touch Screen video games...if you can drag the regulars away from them.
Two pool tables (50 cent).
Karaoke runs Tuesday through Saturday nights 9:30 til close. All other
times check out their jukebox. Rumor has it they've started on Sundays now as well. The locals won't be too happy.
Comments:
"This is my favorite bar, hands down. You have a lot of the same people
in during the week and it's a friendly bar if you're not looking for trouble.
If you are, of course, you WILL find it there."
"Not really a dive bar anymore. That's a good and a bad thing."
