7 New Options for Business Entertaining in San Diego

Sea & Smoke opened last July, offering responsibly sourced meats, seafood, and vegetables from its focal point wood-fired oven. It is the third restaurant from chef Matt Gordon following Urban Solace and Solace & the Moonlight Lounge. The Del Mar restaurant seats 220 and is 7,000 square feet spread over three spaces: a dining room, a patio, and a sunken bar.

A new addition to San Diego's craft beer scene, San Diego Brew Project is nestled in the 57 Degrees wine bar in Mission Hills. The bar serves 31 local taps including popular beers such as Ballast Point and Stone. The 10,000-square-foot venue seats 250 for dinner. For smaller events, the space also has a 700-square-foot patio and is available for buyouts.

Craft beer producer Stone Brewing Company capitalizes on the beer-meets-business trend with the Stone World Bistro & Gardens–Liberty Station, open since April 2013. The 22,000-square-foot, beer-centric venue holds 450 and has several private dining areas, an outdoor theater space, lush gardens, and a boccie court.

Located in a historic brick building, the unpretentious Southpaw Social Club is an American restaurant and bar that opened in June 2013 near Petco Park. Its three patios all have a different feel for entertaining—one with a fire pit and and lawn chairs covered in bright fabrics, another with picnic tables, and a third with bistro tables and chairs. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant seats 150 or holds 250 for receptions.

Atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, the rooftop Altitude Sky Lounge has opened an indoor venue called City Sights. With nearly 360-degree views of downtown San Diego, events at the space can take advantage of the view or use blackout shades. The hotel caters the event space, which holds as many as 68 for meetings or 80 for receptions. The entire rooftop complex is 4,000 square feet. The space debuted in December.

One of Harbor Island's architectural landmarks reopened its doors in May. The new Tom Ham's Lighthouse features a fresh interior, new menus, and a bayfront bar that serves 32 beers on tap as well as craft cocktails. Tom Ham's Lighthouse has four meeting rooms that accommodate groups of as many as 250 guests, including a 2,100-square-foot space with a view of the downtown skyline.

Morada opened in July at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The 2,230-square-foot restaurant has a main dining room and patio, which seat 96 guests combined, while a lounge seats 38. Guests may also choose to reserve the Vintage Room, which seats 18 and features antique decor, or the Library, a private room that seats 36 and includes a fireplace.