People from all over the world travel to San Diego to experience La Jolla’s luxurious ambiance. There is something magical about window shopping along Prospect Street while the coastal breeze caresses your skin. But, for all of us locals who live in La Jolla or love to frequent the area, we’re looking for a more lifestyle stimulation.
Barfly is a brand new all-encompassing lifestyle venue that brings the best of Prospect inside, and is served with a side of breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour and a variety of entertainment options. Never before has La Jolla been home to a true neighborhood restaurant and bar before Barfly landed in the scene in August 2010.
Perched directly on Prospect, Barfly offers both locals and visitors a modern refuge perfect for any time of day or night: restaurant, sports bar, nightclub – all in one. My personal favorite element of Barfly is the wide-open windows that breathe fresh air into the spacious restaurant, connecting the bar and dining area with the huge dual outdoor patios set amid the busting coastal community of La Jolla. Most notable, however, is that Barfly is actually just one of two venues that operate in sync to service your every need. Aroma Café sits adjacent to Barfly and is the only full bakery in La Jolla, complete with a full staff of bakers arriving at 5am every morning to hand craft fresh bread, pastries, croissants, pizza dough and more. Dynamic duo Aroma and Barfly collectively boast far over 50 delicious menu items presented with enough style and poise to pair with every moment’s preference.
Grand Opening Alert: If partying is your preference you don’t want to miss the Grand Opening of new Thursdays at Barfly, hosted by DiscoverSD.com on Thursday, August 19th! Hosting with us will be local industry favorites Zach Carr, Pablo Aguilar, Jason Wolter, Scott Diel and Joel Siam. On the one’s and two’s will be DJ Sid Vicious and MacLuv, and to get you in the party mood, Barfly will offer hosted champagne, open bar and free appetizers from 9 – 10pm and no cover before 11pm. Sign-up now to be a DiscoverSD Insider to get all the RSVP details first!
Barfly La Jolla
Barfly guests have the option to grab a stool at the stone-finished central bar, hang out at a cluster of understated tall tables, recline in oversized booths that punctuate the large dining room, or head outside to chill in fire pit lounges that occupy the large outdoor patio. No matter where you sit, you are sure to soak in the ocean breeze and catch a view of at least one of 24 high-def TV screens spaced throughout the venue. Sports bar and upscale lounge by day, Barfly transforms into a high-energy nightclub, boasting local DJs and dancing until 2am. Barfly is now officially the ultimate La Jolla hotspot with parties Thursday through Saturday every weekend. Starting this summer, locals-favorite DJ Sid Vicious will be the resident DJ and promotional powerhouse Encore Entertainment will be hosting Saturday nights. Don’t expect any rowdy Pacific Beach trends or ritzy Gaslamp price points, Barfly’s nightlife scene will remain sexy and sophisticated to reflect the unique atmosphere of La Jolla while providing affordable drinks served in a variety of sizes and styles.
While dark wood framing, chocolate brown hues, and simple stone accents define the interior décor, Barfly somehow remains incredibly coastal chic, as Prospect’s natural charm flows freely throughout the signature open-air windows. From house specialty cocktails to a global fusion of Mediterranean-influenced appetizers, salads, sandwiches, steak, seafood, pasta, and pizza, Barfly’s lunch and dinner menu is incredibly generous in size and price point, and is sure to please every palate. And bonus, Barfly’s menu is also surprisingly affordable – with lunch and dinner combo specials, catering to La Jolla professionals, you can have a fresh, local meal in a swanky atmosphere for under $15.
Refreshing house specialty cocktails range from La Jolla’s Lemonade with Stoli Raspberry, Triple Sec, Sweet & Sour, 7-Up and a splash of Chambord; to Shark on the Beach with Stoli Vodka, Melon & Bols, black raspberry, orange, cranberry and pineapple juice; I Love This Bar with Jack Daniels, Disarrono Amaretto and coke; The Shores Margarita with Don Julio Blanco, Blos Blue Curacao, lime juice and a float of Grand Mariner; and the Pomegranate Mojito with 10 Cane Rum, Mount Gay Rum, fresh mint and pomegranate. If you’re feeling aggressive, opt for a daring Shot of Respect with Jose Cuervo, Bacardi and a dash of hot sauce. Good luck! Barfly also offers a large wine list and a series of San Diego craft beers on tap, including Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard and Ballast Point Yellow Tail.
Now that you’ve drank up a serious appetite, let’s eat! But beware, Barfly has one of those massive menus where you could seriously get lost for hours and never know how to choose just one dish. Be patient and check out all the goods before you commit! Start with such global favorites as the Hummus Falafel Plate, Babaganoush, or Labane Zaatar – Mediterranean soft creamy cheese dip served with pizza crust, topped with zaatar and extra virgin olive oil. Salad sections include the Insalata Caprese, Chicken Mango Salad, and Exotic Ahi Tuna Salad with pineapples, seared Ahi tuna strips in sesame seeds, mixed peppers and parmesan cheese in a orange vinaigrette dressing.
Straight off the grill are Chicken, Ahi Tuna, Shrimp and Steak Skewers served with hummus, Mediterranean salad and pita bread; as well as T-Bone Steak, Filet Mignon, Ahi Tuna Steak and a variety of sliders and burgers all served with French fries. If you want to embrace Barfly’s global flavor, order one of the true specialties, such as the Beef Stroganoff – beef strips sautéed with mushrooms and green onions served in a creamy sauce over rice; Schnitzel – boneless chicken breast, breaded and seasoned, served with fries, hummus and Mediterranean salad; and the oh-so-alluring Coca-Cola Chicken – chicken breast marinated in Coca-Cola and grilled to perfection, served with mashed potatoes and mixed green salad.
Must-try pasta dishes range from the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine to Asparagus and Spinach Capellini and the classic Jambalaya – a spicy blend of shrimp, chicken, Andouille sausage, red and yellow onion, and mixed bell peppers, served with your choice of pasta. Tasty pizza varieties include BBQ Chicken, Prosciutto, Spicy Italian Sausage and Spicy Thai Chicken with Thai sauce, Mozzarella cheese, scallions and peanuts, topped with carrots and cilantro. I know what you’re thinking: no way there’s room for any dessert! But, what about just one bite of the Apple Crepe, Lava Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, or the bakery fresh Profiterolles – 3 puff pasteries filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with melted hot chocolate. OK, maybe two bites…
Aroma Café & Bakery
Aroma Café bakes a variety of cakes, breads and desserts onsite from scratch, every day. The incredible outdoor patio is one of the best places in all of La Jolla for people watching amid stunning scenery. While you relax in the sunshine, peruse the menu for your favorite breakfast or brunch delight. But first, start with a Wake Me Up spirit, such as the Black Forest Coffee with Bailey’s, Kahlua, Grand Marinier, coffee and whipped cream; or the Godiva Cappuccino with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, espresso, streamed milk and a sprinkle of chocolate. Signature breakfast egg specialties range from Eggs Benedict and Eggs Florentine to Croissant Sandwich, Brie & Bell Pepper Omelet and the Jerusalem Breakfast – two eggs any style served with Mediterranean salad, choice of Feta cheese or Labane, pita bread, olives and jam. In the mood for something sweet? How about some Fruit Crepes, Waffles, Pancakes or Aroma French Toast – brioche bread marinated in egg batter, grilled crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
La Jolla’s New Hot Spot
While people come from all over the world to visit La Jolla, we have this incredible community right in our backyard. In the space formerly known as the Hard Rock Café on Prospect Street, the new Barfly and Aroma Café have quickly become La Jolla’s all-encompassing neighborhood bar and restaurants. From an incredible diverse menu selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner to sports bar appeal and nightclub-style entertainment, you have our word that Barfly will soon become your new seaside obsession. See for yourself at the Grand Opening party!
Grand Opening Alert: If partying is your preference you don’t want to miss the Grand Opening Party for all new Thursday Nights at Barfly, hosted by DiscoverSD.com on Thursday, August 19th! Hosted alongside the DSD Crew will be local industry favorites Zach Carr, Pablo Aguilar, Jason Wolter, Scott Diel and Joel Siam. On the one’s and two’s will be DJ Sid Vicious and MacLuv, and to get you in the party mood, Barfly will offer hosted champagne, open bar and tray passed appetizers from 9 – 10pm. If you RSVP on the DiscoverSD guest list you’ll get hooked up with no cover before 11pm. Sign-up now to be a DiscoverSD Insider to get all the Grand Opening RSVP details first!
For more details and restaurant reservations, please call 877.825.9141 or visit Barfly in La Jolla.
