SO HOT: Conflagration of Chic Fire Pits in San Diego

Just because the winter air is getting cold doesn’t mean your nightlife has to chill. Out of all the décor details at San Diego bars and clubs, fire pits are by far the hottest ticket items on our winter radar. 

As the cool air blows through our city, savvy party-goers are first in line to grab a front row spot at the conflagration of chic fire pits in San Diego. From Float atop Hard Rock Hotel to Ivy Rooftop, Bleu Bar at L’Auberge Del Mar, Wave House and more, we found all the best fire pits to keep your nightlife blazing all winter long.

Rooftop Lounge – Ivy Hotel
A stunning circular fire pit is first to greet guests as they enter the elevator onto Ivy’s Rooftop Lounge. Next to window walls overlooking downtown San Diego, the Ivy’s fire pit is filled with rough sand and shimmers with changing colors as the night goes on. Lounge seating is on either side of the giant fire pit, but we recommend standing near the edge, admiring the view and striking a pose with your friends. (pictured main)

Float– Hard Rock Hotel
The Hard Rock’s glamorous outdoor lounge, Float, boasts multiple VIP tables complete with private fire pits. Along the western glass wall, guests lounge on plush sofas that seat five to 20 people, soak in sparkling views, and stay warm by a central, circular fire pit. Big groups opt for the south west corner spot, the ultimate VIP destination, with an extended rectangle of fire running between two discreet lounges. The fire pit areas are coveted by visiting celebrities and have kept the following A-list bodies warm: Jaime Pressly, Tim Burton, Alexander Skarsgard, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush, Beverley Mitchell, Kendra Wilkinson and Brody Jenner.

Fun Facts: 7th Heaven and Saw II star Beverley Mitchell and hubby Michael Cameron reserved a fire pit area at Float to throw a birthday celebration for a close friend.  Actress Jaime Pressly spent her own birthday at Float’s fire pits. (pictured)

Bleu Bar – L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa
There are plenty of blazing beach-side attractions at L’Auberge. The stunning outdoor Bleu Bar offers a high-end, glass-stoned fire pit, as does KITCHEN 1540, the hotel’s premiere restaurant. Guests can enjoy the warmth of the fire, yet still feel the cool, ocean breeze while watching the waves at Bleu Bar. Or, guests can mingle in their own private cabanas with the added ambiance of the fire pit at KITCHEN 1540.

Wave House – Mission Beach
A tourist-trap that is way too cool to be overlooked by locals, the expansive 30, 000 sq. ft. Wave House sits on the boardwalk in Mission Beach, is inspired by California’s surf history, and features 3 wood burning fire pits. Though rough around the edges, similar to public fire pits you’d find on the beach, the Wave House comforts flames with a sandy floor and vibrant colored benches. Surrounding the fire, Wave House guests enjoy tropical palms, hammocks and cabanas, unobstructed sunset views, Kava bars, open air barbeques, and the famous simulated surfing wave. (pictured)

Stingaree– Gaslamp Quarter
This three level super-club may be all chic modern surfaces inside, but the outdoor Rooftop at Stingaree features some of the most alluring fire pits in town. Flame-flirting guests can grab a seat in one of the retro modern orange chaise lounges, cozy up close on one of the chocolate brown leather sofas, or relax atop the perched plush king size beds near the roof's signature satellite bars. Grab a seat in the heat, sit on your date’s lap, or peer through the glass and admire the brilliant Gaslamp glow.

Tower Deck – Tower 23 Hotel
Located on the second floor of everyone’s favorite modern beach hotel, the Tower Deck boasts stunning ocean views, crisp white plush seating, and a central square fire pit that radiates with the waves at night. The fire pit atop Tower Deck is for hotel guests and pre-planned event guests only. However, there is also a public fire pit on the restaurant JRDN's Sunset Patio downstairs.  Adjoining this fire pit is a colorful LED [Light Emitting Diode] water feature that sparks its own visual inferno. (pictured)

Fun Facts: A wedding couple elected to cook s'mores over the fire pit for guests and provided everyone with an engraved s'more stick as a wedding favor. A car company had a mold made so that the fire in the fire pit burned in the shape of their logo during a product launch event.

ALTITUDE Sky Lounge – Gaslamp Quarter
Located twenty-two stories atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp, it’s known to get quite chilly at this ALTITUDE. One large, 6 ft. wide fire pit sits in the center of the outdoor lounge, and is surrounded by plentiful patio chairs that guests can move and arrange at their will. Though once made out of lava rocks, the fire pit has been upgraded to small jewel-like glass crystals for a more elegant vibe in recent years. Flames transform hues as the DJ starts spinning and lights flash into the late night. Whether enjoying the ledge seating or lounging by the crystal fire pit, ALTITUDE Sky Lounge allows guests to sit atop of the world in style. 

Fun Fact: During the USA Sevens World Rugby Tournament in San Diego, the entire Fiji national rugby team decided they wanted to walk on top of and through the fire pit at ALTITUDE, to celebrate their victory San Diego style.

Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge – Pacific Beach
This locally famed two story spot attempts to bridge the gap between swanky Miami-style lounges and laid-back cozy bars in Pacific Beach, and we think their fire-warmed rooftop setting epitomizes this meeting point. Positioned on the low bar, where guests can sit and have drinks and food, the fire is an interactive part of the Firehouse experience. As the flames rise in a circular, hypnotic motion and the nearby DJ starts to play, the red umbrellas and matching red lounge chairs toy with the ambience hues and set the rooftop scene on fire.

BEACH Bar – W Hotel
One of the original rooftop lounges in downtown San Diego, this trend-setting sandy floored BEACH keeps hotel guests and in-the-know locals warm with mobile gas-flamed fire pits paired with comfy lounge chairs. You won’t find any charcoal or smoky firewood on this sandy beach; in true W Hotel standards, BEACH Bar is a chic lounge that never cools down.

La Jolla Brew House – La Jolla
This casual restaurant and bar greets guests with the outdoor, covered patio that is loved by locals for pet-friendly service standards and the blazing hot fire pit. Stationed in the center of the patio and framed by stone and tile accents, this fire pit is the focal point of many events at the Brew House, including happy hour, holiday parties and even Q&A brewer discussions.

Lei Lounge – University Heights
This local spot is a true tropical oasis in the heart of University Heights. Opt to drink and dine on the plush back patio known for its refreshing white cabanas, abundant tiki torches and petite fire pits perfect for cozying up with a date after dinner. Every girl agrees, an island inspired adventure at Lei Lounge is one of the best dates in San Diego.

Where are your favorite fire pits? Tell me, or comment below!

Photo credit: Ivy and Hard Rock photos by Tim King