Here's a closer look at San Diego's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated San Diego venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Lavo
New York City-based Tao Group Hospitality landed in San Diego in June, bringing buzzy midtown Manhattan's Italian restaurant and nightclub Lavo to the Gaslamp Quarter. The 4,435-square-foot space seats 208 and is outfitted with an open kitchen, DJ booth, a three-sided bar, and outdoor seating. Olive trees, antique wood floors, mirrors, and glowing pendants give the dining room a romantic feel. And on the menu, guests can expect Lavo's famous one-pound Wagyu meatball and entrees like brick oven pizzas and made-in-house pastas, with customizable menus for events.
Photo: Courtesy of Lavo
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
In September, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina unveiled a multi-million dollar, phased refresh encompassing rooms, suites, and the M Club Lounge, with more debuts to come. The waterfront hotel overlooks its own private marina, with two towers modeled to resemble sails flying above boats in the water. And in a nod to the architecture, the property's new look involves a blend of beachy hues with clean lines and edgy, dark metal accents.The hotel offers nearly 271,000 square feet of hotel function space, with ballroom spaces next on the renovation list. For a pool view, consider the 2,577-square-foot Temecula Room, which can accommodate up to 200 for a reception and is divisible into four separate spaces. Other highlights include the expansive, 14,359-square-foot San Diego Ballroom for 1,100 seated or 1,500 standing guests; the 2,426-square-foot Rancho Santa Fe Room for 50 conference style overlooking the water; and the intimate, 432-square-foot Laguna for 40 seated or 50 standing guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Johnny Wahoo! Golf Bar
In August, San Diego-based hospitality group RMD Group opened Johnny Wahoo! Golf Bar, bringing interactive full swing golf simulators to the Gaslamp Quarter. The playful sports entertainment bar includes an outdoor patio on 5th Avenue and is walking distance from the San Diego Convention Center. The menu is equally fun, with options like a glazed donut grilled cheese, potato chip nachos, and truffle fries. Johnny Wahoo! accommodates up to 200 guests for reception-style events or as many as 95 seated guests. There's also the potential to combine this venue with RMD Group's outdoor Tiki Hut bar and next-door venue Rustic Root for multi-venue block party events.
Photo: Courtesy of Johnny Wahoo! Golf Bar
Villa One Tequila Gardens
Following a joint venture with Villa One Tequila, pop singer Nick Jonas and fashion designer John Varvatos opened their first restaurant in San Diego together in September. The rooftop destination—Villa One Tequila Gardens—is located in the Gaslamp Quarter, with views of downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bridge. Spanning more than 5,000 square feet of open-air seating, the restaurant is accented with fire pits and shades of green inspired by agave fields. The restaurant can seat up to 125, while the bar can seat 20. And thirsty patrons are invited to sample one of more than a dozen margaritas are on the menu, incorporating unique flavors like Creamsicle and blood orange, or a house signature margarita that combines prickly pear puree, house infused Castile rose simple syrup, Crème de Violette, and Villa One Tequila. For food, offerings include tostadas, tacos, and Mexican-inspired sushi rolls. There's already rumblings that Jonas and Varvatos plan is to expand Villa One Tequila Gardens' footprint throughout the U.S., with upcoming locations in LA, Miami, and NYC.
Photo: Courtesy of Villa One Tequila Gardens
Mingei International Museum
The Mingei International Museum underwent a three-year transformation, revealing its $55 million renovation in Sept. 2021. The museum, which is devoted to folk art, craft, and design, is now significantly larger while managing to maintain the former building's historic charm. The renovation added upper-level terraces with sweeping views, a new Commons level, and an adjoining courtyard. Now a three-story museum, it offers space for an event of any caliber with a theater—dubbed La Atalaya Theater—that can accommodate up to 165 guests for receptions, 115 for performances, and 100 for a seated dinner and features a retractable, 40-foot glass wall. Mingei's main floor can also be combined with the Neely Courtyard to host 315 guests for receptions or 220 for seated soirees, and smaller gathering spaces include the new Education Center, the Smoyer-Dickinson Terrace, the Presbys Terrace, the Founder’s Gallery, and the Library. Lastly, the museum also offers an on-site, full-service restaurant, called Artifact.
Photo: Courtesy of Mingei International Museum
