If You Don’t Know, Don’t Go: Thrusters in Pacific Beach

Far from your usual crusty, bro-sef vibe throughout PB dive bars, Thrusters Lounge strives to be your haven of eclectic comfort.

Skateboards line the walls and surfboards or “thrusters” (hence, the revamped meaning for its name-sake) hang from the ceiling – each one showcasing colorful design crafted by local artists. A photo booth makes for remembering (or perhaps just reminders of) great nights and Pac Man arcade and bar games make for good laughs. The bar is almost the length of the whole space, making easy accessibility to refreshments, while a decent-sized dance floor helps guests to relieve their work-week stress.

One great feature Thrusters has, perhaps the most important one to the vain some, is thec hands down most attractive and personablecollective of people serving as its staff. Stingaree’s top VIP hostesses by weekend, dress down and become your local friendly bartenders – pigtails swinging as they pop open your tall boy. Body builders and local surf rats by day also transform to become charming smiles behind the bar and handsome doormen by night – far and away from the standard mess of frowns behind clipboards and the undeserved pretension you find along the strip of Garnet in Pacific Beach.

Its locale off the heavily treaded path of Garnet helps to shelter Thrusters from a mess of college students and Zonies, which allows a lot of freedom in terms of atmosphere. The self-established permit for locals-only exclusivity creates a unique sense of orderly conduct with just the right amount of misbehaving.

After teaming up with the emerging style-cultish San Diego born clothing label, BLKHRT, the bar always seems to be attracting San Diego’s most prominent nightlife figures. Those who run the Gaslamp by weekend, find themselves letting loose midweek to drink specials and dance to electro beats.

Sure the bar isn’t in the sexiest of locations, but its intimate and social vibe make this dive a top choice for lounging, casual networking, and of course, relieving that built-up thrustration.

Insider Tip: If you are looking for a quick buzz for your whole crew or a great icebreaker, order the Scorpion Bowl – boasted as PB biggest shot. It tastes like a delicious yet more alcoholic Mai Tai, and is meant to be shared between 3 or more people, or an extra-strength shot of courage for the first one on the dance floor.

Best of Thrusters Lounge: Smoove Beats on Tuesday nights featuring the electro/old school hip hop mixed beats with local celeb DJs Craig Smoove and Mikey Beats; DJ Schoeny and guest bartenders on Wednesday Nights; Electro Thursday Nights; Industry Night every Sunday. On select weekend nights, Thrusters is your pick-up spot for free rides aboard Cali Party Bus from PB to special events downtown.

Discover more of the best Pacific Beach bars and clubs.