Hoffer’s Cigar Bar in La Mesa is easy to miss, but that’s what locals like about it.
March 20, 2013
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Stories by Chad Deal
Hoffer's Cigar Bar
Unique animals
Indian mystic Meher Baba defined involution as “the inner path of the human soul to the Self,” in which the ecstatic rapture of realization is the highest and ultimate purpose of the illusory material world. …
Octa#grape gives the garage an long-overdue cleaning
Can we all agree that garage rock has reached an impasse? Don’t get me wrong. I love fuzzed-out guitars, lo-fi drum tracks, and retro vocals as much as the next guy — and San Diego …
March 6, 2013
Now you know: Emerald Rats
When Wild Wild Wets frontman Mike Turi released the debut EP Everyday Obstacle from his solo project Emerald Rats last month, he opened a window into a cerebral world of psychedelia. “It’s been exciting to …
March 6, 2013
East County deserves good beer, too — welcome to Brody's
It’s no secret that San Diego has become world famous for its craft-beer culture over the past few years. Our county is home to several landmark breweries and brew pubs that have garnered praise from …
March 6, 2013
Issa tries to rescue Drakes Bay Oyster Company
North County GOP congressman Darrell Issa is among the leaders in a fight against the closure of Drakes Bay Oyster Company in Northern California. Issa, current head of the House Committee on Oversight and Government …
February 27, 2013
Progamundo
After a five-year hiatus, Baja Prog 2013 will take place from April 3 through 6 in Mexicali.
February 20, 2013
Is San Diego bait for a nuclear attack?
Interview with Bobby Bray of Innerds, who has a series of shows booked on the outskirts of San Diego, his “pre-postapocalyptic” tour that suggests San Diego is a military target.
February 13, 2013
On the Rocks
On the Rocks in Chula Vista -- a good place to find out if your date is a bedwetter or cheapskate.
February 6, 2013
Bonanza of bands
Desert Daze Music and Art Festival returns as a one-day camping jamboree near Desert Hot Springs, on the same weekend as Coachella Music and Arts Festival.
January 30, 2013
The appeal of 98 Bottles
Taking their name from a twist on the drawn-out folk song (the 99th bottle presumably being the one in your hand), 98 Bottles lends its own flourishes to the bottle-shop/beer-lounge arrangement that is on the …
January 9, 2013
Borderphobia in Tecate
"I don’t know what you know about big cats,” Emilio says as he reclines in his chair and draws from a glass of whiskey, “but one thing you have to know is to always look …
Mike Gao's Beta World Peace
Elaborating on textures from his 2011 debut, Sun Shadows, Beta World Peace sees a continuation of Mike Gao’s signature lurching bass lines, asymmetrical percussion, and glowing synth leads, orchestrated, in part, by his brainchild, Polyplayground …
December 29, 2012
Charcoal House
Charcoal House Restaurant in La Mesa offers the Wrinkle Room, full of cougars and saber-toothed tigers.
December 26, 2012
Claudeo's goal to eat ice cream across America
Indie electro-pop duo Claudeo recently returned from their first U.S. tour.
December 26, 2012
Author & Punisher Tristan Shone's got a Human Cud Bag
The deafening, complex roar of urban movement finds kindred company in Tristan Shone’s homespun sound machines.
December 19, 2012
Copalis Beach
There’s only one place to drink in Copalis Beach. The river winds through a short slough to the ocean and, just south (as "just south" as it could be), sits Green Lantern Tavern. The nondescript …
December 17, 2012
Behind the vinyl curtain at El Uno Bar
If you’re not ready for Tijuana, try El Uno Bar in City Heights.
December 12, 2012
Pat's punted
"It's a mom-and-pop operation with just Mom," says Pat (last name withheld) of North Park antique-and-collectible shop Pat's Corner. The boutique has been at its current location on 30th and Upas for eight years, offering …
December 6, 2012
The Press Box
Rancho San Diego’s Press Box Sports Lounge has a beer selection that outshines any sports bar for at least ten miles in any direction.
November 20, 2012
Tijuana artists, musicians, filmmakers –"destined to be ignored by our own country"
Few have captured Tijuana's cool new vivacity like filmmaker Aaron Soto.
November 14, 2012
Lopez Island, Washington
Z and I arrive by evening ferry at the nondescript dock of Lopez Island. A sign by the terminal advises that “All at large dogs will be detained” – curious, to say the least. We …
November 10, 2012
Now you know: Penis Hickey
All about Penis Hickey, “an anarchic steel-toe to your earballs.”
November 7, 2012
They'll spank you at Babycakes
Babycakes is a good place to start the day with a cocktail, a pastry, and a spanking.
November 7, 2012
Bands Across the Border
Tijuana’s All My Friends fest goes international this year, inviting bands from Long Beach, Brooklyn, San Diego...
October 24, 2012
Whidbey Island, WA
A hot sun overhead, we roll into Coupeville in the early afternoon and stop in at Toby’s Tavern on the town’s historic port waterfront. The bartender, a raspy woman in a Harley-Davidson vest, lists off …
October 22, 2012
Now You Know: Wild Wild Wets
You have every right to instantly like WWW when you read their Facebook bio: “Sounds like Elvis on acid buttf!!!ing Brian Wilson in the face.” Then you see the genre listed as “Rolling down a …
October 17, 2012
Boyish Bravado
I’m Sure, the newest effort from La Jolla–via–Mexico City bedroom-dreamer Twin Cabins (Nacho Cano), is the definitive soundtrack to star-crossed late adolescence. While Cano’s earlier releases explored more introspective, ambient textures, I’m Sure finds footing …
October 10, 2012
Aero Club's 600 Whiskeys
The Aero Club on India Street offers 600 whiskeys and 1 apple-pie moonshine.
October 10, 2012
Manuok Traps Ghosts
Interview with Manuok’s Scott Mercado, whose résumé includes recording/touring stints with Black Heart Procession, the Album Leaf, Tristeza, Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects, and Ilya.
September 12, 2012
Normal Heights the New Gaslamp?
Kadan to close after ten years in Normal Heights; here come the Neighborhood (gastropub) people to take over the space.
August 15, 2012
Who doesn't want some Freak Sauce on a first date?
Makeout Weird helps bridge the gap between new media at UC San Diego and down-and-dirty experimental performance in the real world.
July 18, 2012
Picture Jeff
Fundraiser for guitarist Jeff Winterberg, diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in late 2011.
June 20, 2012
Here's the Deal: Porter's Pub
Porter’s Pub at UCSD, known for its underwhelming vittles and exceptional all-ages music venue.
June 13, 2012
The Go Lounge
Leopard-print pool table and a temporarily dismembered mannequin at the Go Lounge in La Mesa, a part of the dive-bar scene.
May 30, 2012
Boys Are Petty
Gamer Girl at Nerdcore night says, “We all grew up on Nintendo and Star Wars.”
May 23, 2012
Bad Music Night in Logan Heights
It was a sad day for clowns when, last July, antiquated zoning regulations forced Technomania Circus to shut down their backyard performance space in Barrio Logan after seven years in business. Determined to continue juggling …
May 23, 2012
Desert Daze
Desert Hot Springs offered an unexpectedly cool alternative to Coachella’s music fest.
May 23, 2012
Metaphorical Maren
Maren Parusel’s revamped synth-driven sound is revealed on her new album, Tightrope Walker.
May 16, 2012
The Dragon Room at Wong's Golden Palace
You’ve probably seen Wong’s neon towers glowing along the University Avenue corridor through La Mesa. You probably mistook the place for a drug front or maybe the entrance to a theme park. The truth is …
May 16, 2012
May Star’s Diamond Dust Debuts at Kitty Diamond
After nearly seven years of curating the monthly Fashion Whore (largely at the Ruby Room), Club Pop, and other club parties, promoter May Star is dropping her usual dance nights to initiate a new monthly …
May 16, 2012
Dose of Bass
For the past year and a half, electronic music collective Liquid Geometry has been cultivating San Diego’s beat scene with a monthly showcase at the Kava Lounge, curating local and out-of-town genre luminaries, including Free …
May 9, 2012
Ye Olde Plank Inn, Imperial Beach
Chad Deal went looking for a drink (not a fight!) in SD’s second-oldest bar.
May 2, 2012
Tectonic Temple at Telemagica
“I have the habit of making seemingly insurmountable goals for myself,” says Joe Mousey, an art student, musician, and promoter who will be constructing a 20-foot-tall pyramid and six 4-foot pyramids for an upcoming outdoor …
April 25, 2012
The Hole
“A pretty much world famous dive,” the Hole is a bar in its full glory on Thursdays — $4 Stoli and Bacardi all night. And on Mondays — $2 wells and the weekly wet underwear contest. And...
April 18, 2012