Here's a look at the best new San Diego restaurants, corporate event venues, hotels, conference centers, and private and party rooms to open this spring. These new and renovated San Diego venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, conferences, meetings, weddings, business dinners, teambuilding activities, cocktail parties, and more.
Parq Restaurant & Nightclub opened last fall in downtown San Diego. The indoor restaurant and nightclub with dramatic tall ceilings, a moss-covered entryway, and sparkly lit trees replicating a park-like setting has an expansive 38,000-square-feet footprint and holds 1,000 guests for receptions.
As part of a hotel-wide renovation, the Manchester Grant Hyatt updated its 130,000 square feet meeting space. Among the refreshed spaces are the 30,000-square-foot Seaport Ballroom—one of the largest ballrooms in the city—which holds 3,000 for receptions; the 25,000-square-foot Harbor Ballroom, which holds 2,800 guests; and 32 Bayview Terrace, a 2,700-square-foot space on the hotel's 32nd floor that offers views of the bay. It seats 90 guests banquet-style or holds 150 for receptions.
Altitude Sky Lounge at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter offers views of the city from the 22nd floor. By day, visitors can lounge on sleek modern furniture in the open-air venue. In the evenings, fire pits add to a lively club setting. The space, which opened in early 2014, accommodates 238 guests for receptions. Buyouts are available for private events.
The newest concept in the Cohn Restaurant Group, Draft Republic opened in December. The split-level space with open views of the surrounding UTC area is filled with long communal tables, foosball, pool tables, and several flat-screen TVs. The spacious eatery places an emphasis on house-made sausages, cured meats, and condiments, plus it has 36 beers on tap. The venue hold 485 for receptions. Buyouts are available for private events.
The restaurant Double Standard Italian Kitchenetta & Bar opened in December, serving modern Italian fare using locally grown California ingredients like house-made agnolotti and spaghettini uni. The 120-seat dining room has a funky vibe with chalkboard art and a wall of artfully strewn books. A wraparound bar is the centerpiece of the space.
East Village gem Bottega Americano opened in August and features several food islands including a wine bar, crudo station, and pizza oven, all specializing in authentic Italian dishes. The 8,000-square-foot space features rustic design touches and copper lights hanging from the ceilings; it seats 229 guests.
Oceanside’s Hello Betty Fish House cashes in on the beachside scene with roll-up garage doors to expose the restaurant to the sun and sights. Offering a selection of casual bites like tacos, burgers, and cocktails, the 3,400-square-foot upstairs patio holds 150 people for receptions. Buyouts for the patio are available for private events.
After losing its lease for Croce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar in the Gaslamp district, the family of singer Jim Croce opened Croce’s Park West on Bankers Hill in early 2014. The cozy restaurant serves modern Californian cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients, and it regularly schedules live music. For private events, the entire space holds 210 for receptions, or the private Expatriate Room holds 60 for receptions.
Tin Roof restaurant in downtown San Diego specializes in Southern food and live music. The 11,000-square-foot space, which opened in April, has a mix of decor including photos of regulars and found art. Its two floors plus a stage hold 300 for receptions. Buyouts are available for private events.
Opened in October, S&M Sausages and Meat caters to carnivores. The University Heights space is part beer and cocktail lounge, part restaurant, and part meat counter serving unique eats and exotic game. The 3,200-square-foot eatery has eclectic design features such as images of Mr. T and Nicolas Cage on the walls as well as pig-centric paraphernalia. It holds 87 guests for receptions.
