The Gaslamp’s newest sports bar, 1919, held its grand opening on Friday, April 1st for a packed house of invite-only guests. Taking over the location of Nicky Rottens and the passageway to neighborhood speakeasy Prohibition, 1919 is already serving up more than just burgers and drafts. Named after the infamous “Black Sox” baseball conspiracy to “throw” the 1919 world series, the bar is doing things on its own terms, but standing out for all the right reasons.
Sleek fixtures and dozens of flat-screen TVs pop out of aged brick walls to give the place an era-blending spark. The nostalgic atmosphere is coupled with modern technology, allowing patrons to listen along via smartphone to any of the games been shown.
Craft cocktails and a “pickle back program” at the bar teams up with a full kitchen that serves everything from jalapeno poppers to chicken and waffles until 1:19 a.m.
While located close enough to feel the energy from PetCo Park on game days, the real scenes to focus on here won’t just be what’s on screen. The two-story, multi-sectional bar offers an upstairs lounge with a backstage feel and a New Orleans-style lookout onto 5th Ave.
It’s been worth the wait for the Treehouse Hospitality group, who purchased NickyRottens two years ago and spent the last 13 months on renovations before adding 1919 to its list of San Diego hotspots. With local staple Prohibition and the newly minted Music Box gaining popularity, it’s clear that while 1919 may be the best place to watch a sports scandal unfold, this ownership group isn’t throwing the game for anyone.
For watching your favorite team at a table or planning a conspiracy of your own on a couch upstairs, 1919 is San Diego’s best new dugout.
1919
560 5th Ave., downtown. (619) 501-1919 or 1919SanDiego.com
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Corey McComb is a local writer covering the San Diego music scene and life in general. When he's not surfing or playing music, he can be found staring at lunch menus, completely confused.