Gossip Grill — Restaurant in San Diego

I recently moved to Hillcrest, so looked up some bars/hangouts to check out. Gossip Grill was almost always one of the first to crop up on any list, plus it's less than a five minute walk from my place so I made it my first stop.

I showed up on a Saturday at about six and the place was busy. Even so, the hostess showed me to a table within minutes. I waited a little longer for someone to come by to take my order, but they were really apologetic about being so busy. The server had my drink and food out to the table really quickly after that, and someone on the staff always came around to check if I wanted anything.

There was a drag show at 8 that night and when I asked about the cover charge my server did something really cool: she just let me go into the stage/dancefloor area and have a table. The show did not disappoint.

Neither did the drinks. I had three Ginger Snatches (their Moscow Mule), each one as strong as the last. Their claim of having two finger pours isn't an empty one. They also brought me ice water constantly so I could keep drinking. A win-win for the bar and me.

There are two main areas: a large outdoor bar/dining area with smoking and non-smoking areas, then an indoor stage and dancefloor with another bar. The atmosphere is laid back and fun. Lots of pin up art and sassy signs, all female focused. Torches and fire pits keep the outdoor area cozy enough for our winters here. Strong LGBTQ presence with all sorts of other people mixed in and welcomed. Definitely plenty of interesting people to see and meet.

They're pretty clear about posting their rules (only one person in a bathroom stall at a time, no harrassment, etc.), so no excuses there. The drink prices are a little up there, but no worse than other places that make them half as strong or without the friendly service. They also have Happy Hour every day--all day on Wednesdays. Lots of lunch and brunch specials too. Apparently there's a rewards card you can sign up for as well.

All in all, I'll definitely be coming back, especially...

I went to Gossip Grill over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and a male “regular” called me profane names and stole my drink in which I purchased from the bar without any type of provocation on my end. I politely asked the guy to give me my drink back without causing a scene or sinking to this man’s level. Frieda (a bartender) and a bouncer, (rest on the solid alibi) without even actually witnessing the event, that the timing of this liar purchasing more beer while playing “I’ve never” for hours (drunk), coupled with the the hard science behind the purchase to beer time ratio, meant that the “regular” could’ve never taken my drink. He replaced it with his half empty can and the bar treated me (the person who had been wronged) like a common thug.

The guy literally took my drink and handed me his half empty one saying that he was going to keep my drink. Instead of actually hearing the truth and listening to me, the bouncer was highly aggressive and threatening to kick me out for no reason.

There is also an increasing number of transphobic instances happening amongst staff and patrons. Gossip and the gay community is supposed to be warm, inviting, and HONEST. I am a second year law student and despite also being a “regular”, I was treated with extreme hostility without cause. I was both, appalled and embarrassed by both these issues. I actually love Gossip as a bar. The ladies who go there also enjoy when I frequent this establishment, but how I was treated when someone can thieve from me and the bar will play favorites, that’s not okay. Really second guessing the quality...

Located in the Hillcrest area this place is a real sleeper by that I mean it's has great food and great people people that work there, but you would never know it by just looking at it. I stumbled on this place because I had a busy morning and I forgot to eat . I saw a sign that said half price lunches. I thought this was too good to be true! So I said I'd take the risk. They had a variety things on the menu and all but two items were half price. I was able to eat in a outdoor setting and had a very pleasant server. When my server brought my meal I was quite surprised, Not only was the food good but it was presented well on the plate. After eating the meal with my eyes first I began to eat the meal for real. From the first bite which I savored to the last bite which I scarfed down I enjoyed every morsel of food. I enjoyed it so much I found myself eating there the next day! Top Notch service Pleasant people and a very enjoyable lunch. If you're in the Hillcrest area even if you're not I'd recommend this place highly. Who knows you might even see me there because I promised myself I would try each and everything on the menu, a place you can't beat. This place is so good I'd even pay full price because I enjoyed it so much. But remember weekdays after 12 it's...