Undercover at the Grand Opening of Bar West

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Because it's our duty to boast about the best of San Diego nightlife, DiscoverSD.com went undercover at the grand opening of Pacific Beach's Bar West, the newest nocturnal addition from the owners of Stingaree.

Despite the hype of Bar West's much anticipated arrival, Saturday night in Pacific Beach seemed surprisingly normal. A Garnet-centric scene maintained crowd control. Moondoggies and Pacific Beach Bar and Grill grouped generous lines, while a trickling heap of flip-flopped gals and drink specials-seeking guys paraded the avenue. Intrigued by the air of ordinary, I exited my Garnet comfort-zone and headed southeast to Bar West.

External Impressions:

As the clock tiptoed toward 9pm, I joined the growing line outside Bar West. While a few folks joked about the pretension of contrived lines, dress codes, and a rumored cover charge at a club neighboring the Frazee paint store, other attendees voiced skepticism in a more physical way.

Bar West claimed two parking spots with reserved VIP parking signs. As I watched, bandana-clad girls in a ford explorer expressed opposition by wildly driving over the signs, crushing Bar West's VIP attitude into a myriad of plastic pieces.

At long last, black suits began to let the crowd in.   

Insider Insight:

After escaping the battle scene outside, I quickly digested the word of the night: TEN. Cover charge was $10. Drinks were $10. And ironically, the number of guests inside the large, roped-off VIP lounge was also ten—including the cocktail servers.

Bar West seems to center upon this emphatic lounge, where aforementioned servers in tight ‘n tiny dresses offer bottle service to an exclusive entourage. VIP guests can recline on black leather sofas that circle an open central space beneath a bubbling glass chandelier. This circular area is the only dance floor—and a makeshift one at that—available in Bar West.

Outside the ropes, average attendees were forced to strut the sleek corridors between two green-tinted full-service bars and additional VIP back booths. Without wide passageways, open seating, or a dance floor to offer, Bar West guests either packed together in people-watching cliques, or squeezed through the masses with Sun Burn Martinis and Pears Hilton Cocktails in hand.

The Scene:

Bar West guests truly did dress to impress. Maybe 95% appeared in Gaslamp code. Ladies flaunted couture dress and heels, shined in eccentric makeup, and feigned facial expressions a la Paris Hilton. Gentlemen sported collared shirts, pinstripes, designer denim, and eager eyes. And although few nightlife photographers followed the scene, interested parties posed in preparatory anticipation.

The other 5% of guests represented a real Pacific Beach vibe. These ladies fashioned summer dresses, strappy sandals, and sun-splashed hair. Gentlemen wore casual collars, camouflaged skate shoes, and low-profile attitudes. The blend was forced, the contrast obvious. Although this 5% can be found out-and-about at other Pacific Beach staples such as The Tavern or Typhoon Saloon, the other 95% is rumored to have only migrated from the Gaslamp for the Bar West opening.     

The Word:

Throughout the evening, gossip danced through the chic new club much more than the guests. General attendee commentary includes:

"We just stood around. There's no dance floor, nowhere to go, and nothing to do. We kept looking for other rooms, like Belo, or a second floor, like On Broadway, but found nothing."

"Bar West makes you feel like you're Downtown, but that's it. It would just be an average club in the Gaslamp. It looks and feels out of place in PB."

"Pacific Beach isn't ready for downtown drink prices or cover charges! People who go out in PB, go out for the PB prices and PB vibe—not $10 covers and $10 drinks."

The Consensus:

Perhaps the grand opening of Bar West was less-than-grand. Bar West successfully brought the upscale class and style of Downtown nightlife to Pacific Beach—but what it may not bring is a steady flow of Pacific Beach scenesters. With too much emphasis on the VIP lounge, and not nearly enough emphasis on comfort and entertainment options for the general crowd, Bar West may immediately lose its anticipated big buzz.