MELANIE SLOCUM
PRIDE STAFF WRITER

If you like the idea of going out in downtown San Diego but aren’t so much into the club scene, check out El Dorado Cocktail Lounge. Since its opening in 2008, El Dorado established itself as downtown’s hipster haven, with its outlandish décor and even more outlandish customers.

The owners named El Dorado for the enchanted and mythical “Lost City of Gold” and this bar plays a similar role in San Diego as it’s a little hard to find, but once you do, it’s like striking gold in the rush of downtown.

El Dorado hosts an array of live musical performances, ranging from bluegrass to electro, and has a dance floor packed with goofy and groovy 20-somethings who seem to care more about having a good time and less about getting in your pants. The crowd seems like an Urban Outfitters catalogue came to life, threw a dance party and everybody’s invited. This Thursday, March 31 the bar hosts a “Mustache Party” featuring live bands, and Friday, April 1 is ‘90s night.

The bar offers Happy Hour specials (including $5 cocktails and discounted draft beers) every night until 9 p.m. El Dorado serves its customers a selection of seasonal cocktails, well drinks, beer on tap and in the bottle and much more. For all you natural foodies out there, the bar doesn’t use mixes, but instead pours its delicious natural ingredients and alcohol right in front of you.

This place is perfect for a feel-good night downtown without the bourgeois status typically associated with downtown clubs. The bartenders dress a little bit like grown-up newsboys, but their get-ups only contribute more to the eccentric atmosphere of El Dorado with its retro booths, funky chandeliers and unusual wall hangings.

El Dorado occasionally charges a $5 cover and accepts booth reservations emailed to [email protected].

Located at 1030 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: (619) 237-0550. Open Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday-Thursday at 7 p.m., closing every night at 2 a.m.

Photos Courtesy of eldoradobar.com