|
Address Universal
1220 University Ave.
San Diego, CA
92103
619-692-1900
|
Hours Fri-Sun 9 pm-2 am |
By Derrik Chinn
And so it came to pass that Gaslampers would finally sniff their way north to Hillcrest with hopes of fresh faces and better parking. They baptized their new nighttime home not New Stingaree but Universal and dubbed it an "omnisexual" bar, a new-millennium term to assure all that it's neither a gay nor a straight bar, regardless of its location. Too bad the beefy bartenders, Marine-of-the-month calendar material, totally blow the place's cover.
Universal comes equipped with three bars, two indoors and one out. Gold-slathered tree roots that grow toward the sky anchor the largest of the trio in the center of the club. The smaller satellite edition in the corner doubles as a shrine to three ceramic pink flamingos, surrounded by black glass. Around the bend awaits a fleet of semicircle booths (including the DJ's), a wide dance floor, possibly the longest faux fish tank known to man and a mini stage whose wall of flashing light panels makes for a LCD wonderland. Picture a half-finished "Wheel of Fortune" board that dropped 20 hits of acid before ditching Vanna for the dance floor.
The upper end of the Life Saver spectrum -- orange, red, pink -- dresses most everything, from the baroque wallpaper to the UFO lights that hover above the main entrance. Gold finishes off the job, from the lamé that covers the padded walls to the candelabra sconces that jut out of them. Black ceilings and floors cause the entire scene to pop. HGTV would call it classy-kitschy chic or classically kitschy chic or something along those lines.
Outside sits a patio the size of a small runway that exits onto University Avenue, complete with the third bar, a fire pit, a row of booths and a door leading directly to Dish, the neighboring restaurant.
last modified July 7, 2008Reader reviews
Average reader rating:
7 Reader Reviews
Awful
I agree with some of the reviewers (the ones not posted by universal staff) that this club is trying to tap into the LA nightlife scene. Unfortunately it fails. LA and NYC clubs don't have to pander as "omnisexual." Diversity is a biproduct of a diverse culture - not a lame marketing ploy.
I don't mind paying cover or for drinks, but nothing in this club warrants the price. The interior design is tacky as all hell (flamingos, gold leaf, and flashing led squares? C'mon). Just like Stingaree, this place is lacking and taste and sophistication despite trying to market itself as such.
The music is awful. I can't remember the last time a DJ did a call and answer with the crowd. Both times I've gone the DJ wasn't actually mixing anything, just playing songs like a juke box (purple rain, the twist, ice ice baby?) and hollering for the crowd to "get hype."
On the upside, the bartenders are friendly.
The W or Jacks would be a better bet.
report this
Finally..a club with no drama!
This is one of the most beautiful clubs in san diego that i love....not only its in hillcrest but its an OMNI-SEXUal club. If u want to get out of the house, listen to great music, cheap drinks, meet gay guys, gay gurls, straight guys, straight gurls, this is the best place to be in San diego..LUV>>>LUV>>>>LUV!!!
report this
SEXY and FUN!!
The staff is HOT and so is this club!!
Comparing it to LA clubs is just stupid. Universal is a great new place for the gays and straights to party in a beautiful atmosphere. The people who go here are ready to have fun!! I've been 4 times and I look forward to my next visit. The clubs dancers are very sexy and since the gays know how to behave in public there are no fights unlike some other Gaslamp Bars. Go Universal!!!
NICE!
Been to Universal 3 times and enjoyed it more each time. Personally, I believe it's a much needed boost to the nightclub scene here in Hillcrest. I've experienced litle to no attitude (which is a refreshing difference from the pretentious L.A. scene) and the music is very interesting...in a good way. I have only one suggestion: get MORE bartenders because getting a drink can take way too long. Love the new club and hope it lasts!
report this
Seriously
Having moved from LA to escape this kind of mess, it's a sad sight.
SD will never be like LA, which is a GOOD thing! SD is a sleepy town filled with hippies and stoners and surfers.
But hey, if you just HAVE to be seen, this place is for you!
report this
Not Another One
Not another one of those... Tired of "trying too hard to be LA" scene. I'm sure I'm not part of the majority. Why don't you guys just form a cult?
report thisTerms of Use
By Diavega on 9/19/2008
It is very obvious that many of those messages before me are written buy the club owners. I am living in area and club looks like some kind of positive refreshment.
report thisMixed club with much variety of drinks and friendly stuff. However this is my first time experience. Second time that I was over there drinks were extremely expensive (rum and coke about $10.00 or close).
That is not the point. But the point is that many people walked in got first drink and walked out, I heard some comments outside about scam regarding overpriced drinks or comments such as "I am not coming in this hole again" or "This palace is way to fake"
And I agree… Imagine go in that type of just regular club and 3 of us may spend up to $200/$300.00 just for drinks. Is that stupid or what? And then once inside you are sitting alone looking at few couples managing one drink for a half a hour and then they will live and… you got the picture. It is usually uninterestingly empty except on Friday night, otherwise looks like Universal like to keep people out with very expensive drinks and on the end you end up dancing alone… Let's see how long this place going to stay open…