Moonshine Beach — Restaurant in San Diego

My new neighbors were regulars at InCahoots for years. Now that it's closed, they are looking for a new place to line dance. We decided to check on Moonshine Beach since that's where a lot of their friends were going to go as well.

We went on a Friday night around 8 PM. Since it's PB, we were a little nervous about finding parking, but found a spot about 3 blocks away on Grand Ave. We probably could have parked closer, but it wasn't too far of a walk.

There was no cover when we got there and the place was pretty much empty, but quickly filled up by 10 PM, which is when we left. Upon our departure, we saw a line and assumed there was a cover, but since we're old people, we were happy to leave early.

The dance floor was empty when we arrived other than the two dancers that lead the line dances. They are happy to point the direction to go and are very clean on their steps, so it's pretty easy to follow. Not wanting to waste time, we decided to get out on the dance floor pretty early and had a great time learning some new dances. Some of the dances were pretty difficult. Just a disclaimer - I am absolutely new to line dancing, so I couldn't tell you the difference between all the dances, but they do have a giant screen behind the stage that tells you what dance goes with the song. About an hour in, the songs started to become more "club" dances instead of country music, and then the live band started, which really killed the dancing vibe. There was only one couples dance in the middle of everything.

As far as the "lessons" go, they do really easy dances and teach you the steps really fast, so don't expect to learn anything complicated. I'm not sure if that's just a Friday night thing. The first lesson was okay since the dance floor was only partially full, but by the second lesson, the dance floor was packed and everyone was drunk and running into each other.

The dance floor is a nice wooden floor, but it is much more slippery than the one at InCahoots. You are allowed to bring your drink with you out on the dance floor, but all the liquid makes the dance floor that much more slippery. I had a lot of fun sliding around, but I can see where more serious dancers wouldn't like this.

I liked the bar here - the tequila shots were super cheap, $3 each, and water is free! I think that's super reasonable pricing. However, since you're allowed to bring your drinks with you and dance, I feel more comfortable ordering a normal drink to sip on. We usually get shots because we don't trust leaving our drinks on the table while dancing. The bartenders were all super nice too.

Overall, Moonshine Beach was A-OK in my book. I'm a little old to go out clubbing, so while I really enjoyed the line dancing at the beginning, it really became your typical PB bar/club by the time we left. My neighbors had the same impression and weren't sure if an hour of good dancing was worth the...

Top 5 Coolest SD venues to go and perform at!! I haven't been to Nashville yet, but I feel like I have now. Moonshine Beach in Pacific Beach was incredible. Every inch of the place made me feel more country.

Let's start with the games. Outside is a big open patio with 2 bars and tables to eat or drink at. They have the biggest and best selection of FREE games to play I've ever witnessed. My band and I played them all!!! ( Of course I won most of them 😆) They have cornhole, ping pong, giant connect four, foosball, and more. Inside they have a few paid games too, which we also had a blast with. They even have a mechanical Bull!!!!

Next up the FOOD!! Ya, they nailed it here. Just look at the pics. I got the vegetarian option of course which was the fried and smoked Portobello mushroom burger stuffed with mozzarella (DAYUM!!), the guys got a variety of brisket french fry nachos, pulled pork sandwhich, and roast beef sub. Everyone was more than pleased with their meal! There was alot of other tempting options on the menu like jalapeno poppers, salads, flatbread pizzas and more.

I'm big on customer service, especially when I perform at a venue. The security team was similar to an NFL defensive line, so don't come here looking for trouble. They guys were all cool tho with no ego or power trippin. The bartenders were on it! Fast and accurate service, with a smile. I have a girlfriend so I didn't notice if they were attractive or not... you'll just have to see for yourself. The sound and lighting team/stage crew were top notch!

Which brings me to the venue as a whole for live music. This place was AWESOME to play at. The stage was huge, and they had a riser on the stage for the drummer (me). The light show was epic, and they even had a nice Yamaha house kit which is always a treat. (This means I didn't have to haul my gear). Behind us was a huge screen with our bands name in light's, and of course they sealed the deal with fog! The dancefloor fits a couple hundred people, and sits underneath a skull and disco ball. There is a bar in the stage room and plenty of seating to watch the show from too. The green room was better than most with its own bathroom and couches for pre/after show prep. (This is the backstage area for bands).

The vibe of Moonshine was great. It is a legit country bar that is expanding its horizens to being a bit more versitle. I will definatly be going back, and will also happily play the venue again.

The last thing I always like to address is parking. Not too shabby! I found several spots right away. Most are 2 hour spots until 6pm, so thats good for evenings. There are lots as well, and neighborhood spots a block over. If you are going to drink, please take an uber or lyft, or bike. There are plenty in...

Background on me, I am a San Diego born and raised local who is a 23 year old master's student that enjoys going out to PB on the weekends.

Moonshine is very "Yeehaw" between 8:00PM-:30/10:00PM. It's not my vibe. However, after YeeHaw hours it get LIT. The music and lights are insane. It gets very House/EDM/Throwbacks club scene and that is the Moonshine I LIVE FOR. I am continuously impressed by the music and environment after 10:00PM. The line also goes fast even though it looks like it is wrapping around the corner.

For those not interested in that scene, between 8:00pm-10:00pm you can enjoy country music at the large stage area in the back, karaoke in the front, Fooseball, an outside lounging area with cool fire places. It is chill and nice.

However, there are some things I do not like about Moonshine.

1. The Yeehaw crowd that stays for the club scene is... how do I say this, a bunch of spatially unaware, rather rude and intoxicated bunch that seems to not know the words "excuse me". Even the young women act as if it is okay to push through people. So, not a huge fan of that...
2. My girlfriends are sometimes... taken back and disgusted, although unfortunately not surprised, by the crude, straightforward, and untasteful comments that the men at Moonshine make at them... I have heard some pretty shocking comments made toward them. Is this part of the Yeehaw factor? Maybe? Idk.
3. The floors are basically soaking wet because of the spatially unaware Yeehawers holding drinks as they push through crowds of people who are also holding drinks

Overall, HUGE fan of moonshine and some of the negatives I am describing are a product of having a club/bar, and are not really the business's fault. I am just a reviewer giving you honest feedback of what I have observed in the 10+ times going there. But hey, me and all my friends are still going this weekend so...