El Dorado Cocktail Lounge celebrated the “official” Grand Opening on Thursday, February 19, 2009. Though this new-again downtown spot has been open for a few months now – this February shows El Dorado is here to stay.

Two years ago, three brothers and their best friend (lead singer of the local band Dirty Sweet) were presented with the challenge of renovating and rejuvenating a rundown bar in the midst of an economic dead-end and an over-saturation of new and hip bars in the Downtown scene. And now, two years later the men of El Dorado reveal their American gold rush-esque masterpiece infused with a healthy dose of good old rock n’ roll.

For 30 years, El Dorado was known to San Diegans as Hong Kong Night Club. It was a family owned and operated bar that catered mainly to transients and daytime drunks. Infested with cockroaches, it had a less than appealing aura in the up-and-coming East Village. Yet, these four men saw it as gold in the rough, a location for the goals they've dreamt over years of friendship.

Complete with a gold-flaked floor, a vintage jukebox and live music on selected nights, this intimate space is the epitome of a good time, with the perfect mix of sophistication and eccentricity. Décor inspired by musical legends and a 1940s vibe, El Dorado takes you back in the day to show you a fun and rugged night on the town. The bar offers an extensive menu of specialty cocktails and fine crafted beers, all available at a refreshingly affordable price.

For a laid-back dive bar with a swanky twist – and the best juke box in town – visit El Dorado Cocktail Lounge in East Village.

View San Diego nightlife photos from the Grand Opening party here.