“Bar, grill, bay.” That’s the slogan for Bridges, a Bay Area- themed sports bar and grill in San Diego’s College Area. If you’re a San Diego sports fan and native, you may wonder why there would be such a place for a Bay Area sports fan base in Southern California.
But that isn’t the case at all. Not only does Bridges feature Bay Area sports games—it also shows the remaining local and nationally televised games on the 22 high-definition TV’s located throughout the restaurant. Operations consultant Heather Thomaselli said, Bridges shows all of San Diego’s games too.
“We also cater to the local, being next to San Diego State and the Chargers being so close to us down the road,” Thomaselli said. “If you come in here, you’re not going to not be able to wear a Chargers jersey or SDSU … this place is for everyone.”
On Oct. 6, Bridges opened up as a new hangout spot for sports fans to mingle, primarily focused on showing all Bay Area sports games. Located approximately one mile south of SDSU, Bridges sits on the corner of Art Street and El Cajon Boulevard. Bridges co- owner and Monterey native Nate Ford explained why he felt a venue for Northern California fans was necessary in San Diego.
“We loved the location … my co-owner and I had a vision for it of turning it into a neighborhood bar and grill that had an undertone of Bay Area professional sports,” Ford said. “There are such a large number of people from Northern California down here.”
Ford also mentioned what differentiates Bridges from other San Diego sports bars.
“There are other bars in San Diego that feature specific Bay Area sports teams such as the 49ers, Raiders or Giants games, but we’re the only bar that has committed to showing all of the Bay Area sports games from hockey, basketball to football,” Ford said.
Whether you are a Bay Area sports fan or not, Bridges may be worth a try for its food menu, which incorporates some of the sights, sounds and taste of the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of the burgers on Bridges menu include Fisherman’s Wharf crab slider, The Haight/Ashbury burger and the mission burger, all named after neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Bridges features more than 3,000 square feet of seating inside with a 40-foot bar and 1,500 square feet of outdoor patio seating along with a 10-foot bar. At night, patio heat lamps are turned on to cater to those who choose to hang out, eat, drink or enjoy a game on Bridges four outdoor TVs. Thursday through Saturday nights, an age restriction kicks in along with a live DJ and music, only allowing people 21 and older in after 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Bridges’ daily specials are another feature. On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $8 can get you a fulfilling lunch of a sandwich along with fries, soda and one side order. Wings are available for50centsfrom5–10p.m.on Mondays and for $5, two tacos and a Mexican beer can be ordered for dinner on Wednesdays.
Wearing a San Francisco 49ers jersey, SDSU kinesiology alum and Palo Alto native Jordan Mojica loves Bridges so much he decided to return to watch “Monday Night Football” for the food and atmosphere.
“This is my second time here, I actually came here yesterday for a couple games, got a burger which had nice soft grilled buns, and I came back today for the wings which were also on point,” Mojica said.
Mojica emphasized how much he feels at home at Bridges.
“A Bay Area-themed bar in San Diego, you can’t get much better than that,” Mojica said.
