A couple months back, Adam from Bay Hill Tavern told me that the folks from BHT had taken over the spot that used to be a check cashing shop next door and it was going to be a bar called Side Piece....of course, I didn't quite hear things clearly and said "what, you're calling the place cod piece?" Regardless, I still think a name like "Side Piece" is, well, a bit "interesting". Anyway, Cod Piece Side Piece quietly opened last week and I wanted to check the place out. The Missus was busy, so I recruited our good friend "Alle" for a quick visit. Right now, from the street, you really can't tell that Side Piece is open.
In fact, I was told that the door signs just went up.
I was told that Side Piece was to be a 21 and up bar that features "sports" whatever that means along with an abbreviated drink and food menu. To me, it sounded like a more hipster version of Champs?
Still the place is spacious and there's a pool table those who want to partake.
There are eight pulls for beer and two pulls for "wine".
And a list of house cocktails. It's definitely a smaller selection than BHT. I was told that the "selling point" was that this was a place for "grown ups only".
I decided on a La Buchona.....
Our recent trip to Tequila has given me an appreciation for Tequila Blanco and this worked fine.
There's a very tight menu of food available, with total "bar food" items like potato skins that aren't on the menu at BHT.
And the "pretzels" here are pretzel balls ($12). Which I got with some Habanero sauce.
After all, one does need something in their belly when consuming "la buchona".
Overall, it was an interesting visit. I'm hoping that Side Piece will eventually accommodate a good amount of folks making seats/tables more available at BHT. Right now, there's an interesting "speakeasy" feel to the place....which "Alle" and I thought would have been an interesting concept here.
Side Piece
3010 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117
Current Hours
Daily 5pm - Midnight
interesting hmm
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 at 10:14 PM
Looks like a cool place, but I wouldn't recommend bringing a date of any kind there. Last thing you want is to explain why you're bringing someone of importance to a place called "Side Piece".
Posted by: Loren | Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 08:41 AM
I know Kat!
Lol! Good point Loren! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 09:40 AM
They are open already. I need to try them out
Posted by: Som Tommy | Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 09:04 AM
Man I haven't been there since it was still Blackthorn. They used to have good deals during burger week.
Posted by: Junichi | Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 10:53 AM
Hope you enjoy ST!
If you drop by I think you'll find BHT quite a bit different from what Blackthorn was Junichi!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 05:03 PM