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Along your nightlife journeys through the "known" districts of San Diego, like Pacific Beach, Hillcrest, and the Gaslamp Quarter (to name a few), you might get lost in the middle of the "unknown."

These are the areas of San Diego that either lie on the border of two districts or really have no definitive name, and if they do, the locals will be the only ones to inform you on the proper nomenclature. This is certainly not a bad thing, because you could, perhaps, find yourself in a place like The Waterfront, located west of the hustle and bustle of Little Italy.

Being San Diego's oldest bar is The Waterfront's local claim to fame. Apart from the old photos that line the wall, featuring several generations of The Waterfront's "crew," and scattered remnants of fishing expeditions, the Waterfront appeal is modern with little reminders of its beginnings which still linger in the air. The bar itself seems new, proudly representing the venue like a fortress, extending from one end of the entrance to the other; as if beckoning stragglers to come on in and pull up a stool.

Unlike at some San Diego bars, where the patron feels like it's too crowded if there isn't a chair in between them and next person, The Waterfront's elongated bar and large open windows create an airy and spacious atmosphere, allowing guests to breathe easy and enjoy their pint, regardless of their neighbors and the amount of space between. For the restless, The Waterfront has another small stand up bar around the corner where patrons can order drinks while keeping an eye on their pool game. The Waterfront also has an outdoor patio along the sidewalk, which is a great escape on Friday and Saturday nights when this place gets popping. It also makes for good people watching and cigarette smoking, any time of day or night.

To be warned, The Waterfront is definitely a local attraction, and is not the type of place where one arrives hoping to hear a deep-house DJ set. But the neighbors are friendly, the multiple televisions around the bar are constantly displaying sports and the music is always enjoyable for the classic rock fan that resides inside all of us. In addition, The Waterfront has a working popcorn machine and a personalized photo booth, and who can resist that?

Insider's Tip: The Waterfront serves some of the best burgers in the downtown area, coming in a really close second to the famed Rocky's burger. Ya, we said it.