Starlite: Mission Hills

3175 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 358-9766
www.starlitesandiego.com
Open Mon-Sat 5 pm-2 am; Fri 4pm-2am;  Sun 6 pm-2 am
FULL BAR
Outdoor Patio
Organic/“slow” food
Dress code: Be yourself
*Hipster*

While walking up the north end of India Street, you might be a little more concerned about having a flashlight and/or pepper spray than enjoying a stiff drink and organic cuisine. Luckily, there is a little place called Starlite, where you can slip out of the dark and into the, well, a little less dark. This cavernous delight opened in 2007 and has since been a Mission Hills go-to joint; just minutes away from Downtown San Diego.

The entrance is decked out with a multifaceted, cherry-stained, oak hexagon that acts as a portal ushering you into a sultry fantasyland.  Once inside you can’t help but notice those kitschy, stacked stone walls that were ever-present in the mid-70’s, and an overall art deco flair that would give James Bond a hard-on. And that’s before he even perused the drink menu.

Starlite features tasty cocktail concoctions with ingredients more likely to be found in biblical times than in this modern day watering hole: Lillet, saffron, ginger beer, elder-flower, and cardamom- among other Godly creations. These distinct libations add to the pre-existing mismatchy vibe of the place.

One cocktail, however, stands out from the rest. And that, my friends, is the Mule! If you’ve ever heard anyone talk about Starlite, I can guarantee they’ve mentioned this snappy little bev, served in a copper camping mug. But be warned! You can hardly taste the organic vodka and ginger beer that’s churning inside its chilly tin: But after one too many you will wake up feeling like you’ve been kicked in the head by the animal that shares this drink’s name. Ouch!

Every aspect of this establishment, down to the various eclectic tapas, provides a sense of style, and era-merging that makes you feel as though you’re in the past, but somehow also experiencing the future. They offer Amstel Lite and Duchess de Bourgogne…’nuff said.

Get “Starlit” nightly (except Sunday) at their 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Happy Hour.

$3 draft beers
$3 well drinks
$1 off regular drinks
Early Bird Food Specials