The Loft: La Jolla (UCSD Area)


Wedged away on the third floor of UCSD’s corporate cafeteria, The Loft is where scraggly dorm rats and Downtown socialites alike can kick it to some of the freshest artists in the scene. The fluorescent green lounge bumps everything from indie pop (Jens Lekman, Friendly Fires) to psychedelic rock (Health, Dengue Fever) to folky songbirds (Zee Avi, Suzanne Vega) to chamber music (Calder Quartet, Swarmius) to underground hip-hop (People Under the Stairs, P.O.S) to DJ whiz kids (Shark Attack, Kraak & Smaack) — the list goes on. In its one-year lifespan, the lil’ nightclub has undoubtedly become one of La Jolla’s best-kept secrets.

Even in light of recent budget cuts, The Loft continues to fire up dance euphoria on pretty much every night of the week; sometimes even offering additional shows during the day. Past the wafts of Burger King grease and Windex, it’s a hole-in-the-wall haunt that’s worth the trek — if not for its gigs, then for the recently opened Zanzibar Café inside, which boasts a drool-worthy menu. Dishes like the Mediterranean Mezze Platter- serving up pita bread, hummus and olives- and the Bombay Turkey Sliders compliment their extensive wine and beer list. Overall, Zanzibar Café the perfect bite-sized nibbles for group lounging.

During daytime hours, The Loft becomes a buzzing coffee shop with free wi-fi and plush seating- an idyllic nap spot for lazy days (if you don’t mind surrounding herds of college kids). Patrons swap tunes on an iPod jukebox, so the playlist is constantly updated — none of that “perfectly-tailored” elevator crap you hear at every street-corner Starbucks. And a gallery exclusively showcasing student art gives cred to local no-namers, so the place feels like an organic extension of San Diego culture.

Did we mention all the other brilliant stuff besides music at the Loft? Whether you’re craving comedy (Upright Citizens Brigade), film (Asian Film Festival), or even a food-and-wine tasting, there’s something here for everyone — so take your mom!

MIX TIP: What about the infuriating UCSD parking restrictions?! No sweat: The closest parking available is at the Gilman Parking Structure (free on weekends, holidays, and after 11 p.m.); or, if you’re willing to walk a couple blocks, you can usually find free parking on the residential streets around La Jolla Shores Dr.

Lost?! Here’s a Map.


By: Sonia