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If you do not live in the downtown area and are left with the obstacles of parking or "cabbing it," the downtown excursion can feel like one big Oregon Trail. The Gaslamp, for those of us who reside in the safety net of beach towns or lay tucked away behind the flawless clipped shrubberies of the suburbs, presents all the dangers that go along with a night in the city.

Sure you can't wear sandals into most places, baseball caps are generally not permitted and the lines are a bit longer than your local bar on a Friday night; but in sacrificing your Flojos for a less relaxed pair of shoes one can encounter more than an average night spent with a pint and a pool table.

Start the evening early at Soleil @ K where happy hour is generously offered from 3pm to 8pm Monday through Friday and, yes, all day Sunday. Guests can choose from an assortment of delectable appetizers at half the price like the Oysters with cucumber nage and wasabi caviar or for those meat and potato types, the "Star Ranch" Beef Sliders with Soleil's signature herb fries.

Margarita worshippers everywhere will want to indulge in Soleil's five dollar Corralejo Margaritas. Don't stumble out of the place until you've tried one with infused star fruit, pineapple or watermelon. For those of us keeping a firm watch on our waistlines, but still enjoy a stiff drink, opt for a five dollar you call it with Veev and Soda on the rocks with a wedge of lemon. If the feel of a European side walk café paired with the surroundings of 6th street are not enough, escape to Altitude on the 22nd story and devour the sights of downtown San Diego for the same price tag, as Soleil's happy hour also applies to Altitude as well.

Insider Tip: The valet at Soleil @ K will allow its patrons three hours free if you remember to get your card stamped by one of the bartenders or servers.

Two blocks from Soleil on 6th is Stingaree with three floors of pure exotic luxury guaranteed to swallow you up and trip you out with music from notable performers to headlining DJs that spin a variety of music to satiate any music snob's audio cravings.

Cheers with a Veev Kamikaze. Health nuts, eco-crusaders and naughty sugar-loving drinkers alike will all want to get their slink on after this shot. With the power of super-fruit Acai and a dollar from every bottle of Veev going to the Rainforest, everybody is certain to win this one (and it sure beats the heck out of wheat grass).

Stingaree, to be warned, is definitely not for the faint of heart. So if you feel the need to take it down a notch and be an observer instead of a perpetrator head on over to Anthology tucked away behind Little Italy. Everything about Anthology is inviting and comfortable yet the interior boasts opulence with silky dark cherry wood tables and balmy hued lighting bouncing off intricate mosaics weaving subtle patterns throughout the venue.

Kick back in the front row, lay low in a plush leather booth along the second story or swagger on up to the lounge and warm your cheeks by the fire. Survey live music from the stage on one of Anthology's multiple plasmas while reclining on the balcony overlooking India Street. If you happen to pass by the bar on the third level ask "Cloud" (no joke, this is California, folks) to make you a Veev Cucumber and Blueberry Martini, and allow prickly pear's antioxidants, a natural ingredient in Veev, to help you avoid a much despised hangover.

Insider Tip: For all the Jazz without the price, get online and check out Anthology's music calendar for No Cover nights.

VeeV it Up for Valentine's Day with his-and-her VeeV Valentini and Love on the Rocks cocktails, available at Soleil @ K, Stingaree, and Anthology.