Every time we're in San Diego, we make it a point to stop by Gossip Grill, usually 2-3 times per trip. It's one of the few lesbian bars left in the US, so that alone makes it a must-visit, but the experience keeps us coming back. The vibe is always energetic, and the staff genuinely make it special, their personalities suit the place perfectly. Even though we're just visiting, they make you feel like a local who's been coming in forever. It has that neighborhood bar feel every single time. Food-wise, this last visit we had the steak sandwich and it was delicious. Their chicken fingers and fries are also excellent and as a self-proclaimed chicken finger connoisseur, that's saying something. Also a great spot if you're nursing a rough "morning" (or afternoon depending on when you roll out of the house) after. Gossip Grill is a staple every time we're in town, and Hillcrest in general just has such a great energy. Highly recommend. read more

Gossip Grill - Interior - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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First time having Sunday Brunch here. I would drive by it all the time, but with limited parking I don't come unless I can find a spot. All the staff was super duper friendly and they were playing my jams the whole time. We were a group of 3 adults and 1 medically fragile pup in stroller. I ordered Avocado Toast with chili oil on the side with a side of fruit, So . . . About last night subbed eggs over easy, Shrimp and Grits and soft scrambled eggs for our pup. My friend ordered some green drink too. Avocado Toast was delish, the bread was killer and avocado to veggie ratio was on point. So . . . About last night was a very generous portion and definitely on the heavier side but very yummy. Shrimp and Grits was full of flavor and cheesy grits were so velvety smooth. Stitch gobbled up his eggs and my friend thoroughly enjoyed her drink too. Definitely coming back for music and trying their regular menu items. read more

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Came during pride weekend and definitely figured out it's not always love especially here. Paid for VIP bathrooms and treatment yet got treated like we were trashed. Started off going through TSA security, cameras and all, then was denied entrance due to a "large bill unpaid". My friends go here once in a while and it is always just them two. They pull out the receipt for the bill and not only was it not enough for my two friends, who always pay together but the price wasn't enough for one of their pretty expensive drinks. $8!! I understand wanted to get your money but we just dropped $60 each to get in do you think we will not pay an $8 tab!! I am not sure what they have going on here but it is amazing how and why an $8 tab would be connected to my friend if she did not pay... how did they get her name? read more

This review is for the Bingo Bonkers event that runs every Wednesday from 6-8 pm. I've always been a fan of Gossip Grill, and while the atmosphere for bingo night was great, the logistics were a bit of a rollercoaster. The decor is absolutely stunning. They have a cute flamingo neon lamp at every table when you're ready to order, you just turn it on! It's a great touch. Our host was Strawberry Corncakes and she was hilarious! She was very engaging and shared a lot of funny stories about herself that kept the crowd laughing. This felt like cashless event, so have your Venmo ready to tip the host. My friends arrived 15 minutes early, but the server didn't mention the 4-6 PM Happy Hour; when we asked at 6:00, we were told we'd missed it and the next one wasn't until 8:00. We ordered right at 6:00 PM, but food didn't hit the table until 6:45 PM. The room seemed understaffed with what seems like only one waitress and one server. Once it arrived, the food was actually very good. Our favorites were definitely the devil eggs of the month: Spam Musubi Deviled Eggs and the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. They advertised a $5 "Pussy Punch" special, but we were charged the full $7 on the bill. It's a small discrepancy, but it felt a little dishonest. Also, note that a 22% gratuity was automatically added for our party of six. Overall, I love the aesthetic and the talent, but I'm not sure if I'd come back specifically for bingo. read more

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Came here after the gym. Got a table outside. Waitress was friendly and patient. We both ordered the poke. Loved that it came with the deep fried sticky rice. The portion was filling without being too much. Have also had the burger in the past. Would definitely come back again read more

Gossip Grill - Poke - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

FUCK FOX NEWS! Cmon guys! Great time, great staff. Sometimes seizure-esque lights lol read more

The food here is EXCELLENT! Dont forget to add ranch to everything. Their ranch is made in house and basically addictive. The staff is super awesome and friendly. They have something to do all the time and something for everyone. They take security and consent very seriously. The atmosphere is always welcoming, whether you're coming for a bite to eat early or partying later. My fav place to go by far! 20/10 would recommend. read more

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Safe place for everyone who loves strong drinks, good vibes, and delicious food! There are so many fun events throughout the month and there's never a dull moment at Gossip! Best bar in Hillcrest! read more

Gossip Grill - So... about last night (brunch) - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Everything about this place is awesome and amazing you don't have to be LGBT they accept you for who you are. read more

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Great pride celebration at gossip grill, drinks err on point and my friends and I had fun. The DJ was great and security and entrance were clear, easy and worth the wait. The flamingos on the ceiling were so cute. read more

Gossip Grill is always a good time, I've been coming here for years. I've been here plenty of times to party, but a lot of people sleep on the food! The oven baked spinach dip is to die for and is the best thing there. It's always lively and the people there are fantastic. I'm only a little sad that they stopped serving shark bites in their signature fish bowl that came with a plastic shark. That use to be my go to drink. read more

Gossip Grill - Oven baked spinach dip, ahi poki wonton salad, Philly cheesesteak and fries, carne asada fries. - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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First timer here, came with my girlfriend. We arrived right for happy hour and got two orders of wings, a white wine, and a massive bud light. $40. The wings were sauced up, a little undercooked. A good keto option, however. 6/10 I love the outside area, super cute. Our server was polite. Our food came out immediately too. Would come back. Loved the live music. read more

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IDK if I'm just old now but places like this just don't seem fun. I came here to celebrate a bachelorette party on a Saturday night. I entered the line around 9:50 PM and I didn't get in until 10:20. 30 mins in line is kinda wild when all that needs to be done is an ID check and a cover after 10PM? I love to dance and get rowdy but when we all decided to get to the dance floor, it was packed like sardines. I'm talking... both sides of your body will be fully pressed against another human. The crowd was kind, although, it was tough to hold a conversation over the music. The music consisted of old segments of popular songs from various generations. There were multiple water stations around which was nice. The bathroom line was roped off which provided some semblence of organization. Getting a drink at the bar was close to impossible due to the length of the bar and the amount of other people clamoring for attention. The space could be bigger based on the amount of people there or they should limit the amount of people who do get in due to sheer amount of bodies! read more

Gossip Grill - Fun sign above a funny sign - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My go to bar and eatery. The best gay bar and lesbian bar around. Bartenders are amazing and always accommodating with my allergies and my fiancees sobriety. Servers are so nice, attentive, and quick. They have such a wide variety of events that we love going to! We always show up for drink specials and let me tell you, this isn't your regular bar food. We are big foodies and everything here is delicious! Shout out to the Philly Cheese steak and the wings, a must try. A safe space for so many of us and you definitely feel the vibe here. Highly recommend! read more

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I love this place! Frida is awesome and has been there since day one! She makes the best drinks and provides such great service! WE LOVE HER! Food is good. I've tried some things I really enjoyed and others not so much, but I'll keep coming regardless! I enjoy coming here more than WeHo. There is a more chill vibe here. You can meet lots of people and make friends. You can also find free parking around the area. Happy Hour from 2 - 6 PM. No admission before 10 PM. read more

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I came with my fiancé here on a little weekend getaway for our anniversary. It was honestly great and gave me hope for lesbian bars. The atmosphere was lively, it was packed, and the music was great on a Saturday night. It felt really comfortable. It looked and felt trendy, especially with part of the bar being outdoors. The line was a bit long to get through, as I saw another review mentioned. This seemed normal though for any bar/club at a peak time on Saturday for us. When we got inside and saw another line though, which was for the bathroom, it was very long and seemed slow-moving. It honestly seemed ridiculously long. Given how packed it was though, it also made sense. The music felt as you would expect, but in a good way. That was the best part for us, coming out of town and pushing to give this place a try on a Saturday night. My partner and I were completely sober and still felt comfortable dancing and singing along to the music. It did feel packed like sardines, so I found myself paying attention to elbows and people constantly sifting through the crowd. If you can't stand crowded places, I would recommend coming earlier, or maybe not going at all to avoid any frustration. It's something I'd rather not deal with myself too, but got used to it festivals and concerts. I would definitely come back if I was in the mood next time I'm down here. I might want to visit while it's more chill and just grab a drink to chat with my fiancé or others. If I was tired and didn't want to deal with the crowd though, I can see myself skipping on going here and going another night. Unfortunately, I got pickpocketed and had my phone stolen on the night I happened to come in from out of town. The staff did their job to make sure they put in effort to take my information down incase my phone showed up. It was clearly stolen from me though, as my crossbody bag was behind me while dancing, and was fully unzipped when I left the bar. When I asked if this was common at this bar, they said it's just common at bars in general. They made an announcement about the pickpocketing soon after and I felt like they responded appropriately with consideration. It definitely made me feel better after having my phone stolen. read more

I came here right around opening on a Thursday and could have not asked for a more perfect experience. I highly recommend their expresso martinis! Quimy our server was sweet and informative. I definitely would want to return when there's more of a crowd. Ambiance is very open minded friendly with plenty of signage to indicate what won't be tolerated. read more

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Coming from a place that doesn't have a lesbian-specific bar, this was possibly the most amazing nightlife experience I've ever had! I felt incredibly safe, staff were so so friendly, and the drinks were reasonably priced. They curate a really open and welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people. The next time I'm in San Diego I will definitely be returning for brunch! read more

Look at the menu alone. Such fun play in drinks and bites. Great vibes all around. Service- everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Shoutout to Aubrey who took great care of us. Security- very intentional About creating a safe space for lgbtqia women. Taking Live Photos to make sure everyone acts right. Food/drinks- we got chicken tenders and fries and fish tacos. Well seasoned and good portion size. Drinks were pretty standard. Specials- I went on a Thursday and drinks were $4. What a great deal. Space- love the outdoor and indoor space. Nice amount of room for sitting and eating, dancing, or hanging around. Comedy- got to join got their inaugural comedy show. It was hysterical. $15 plus $20 food/ drinks. read more

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I've been going to gossip grill for years with no issues until Kyla the security guard gave us a problem coming in. She was extremely emotional and ruined our experience. read more

Oh my god. I love you Gossip Grill. Finally visited my first gay bar at the ripe old age of 24. I am a transgender man with a cis male partner, I was nervous to enter a sapphic space because I didn't want to intrude. At the same time, Gossip Grill looked the most inviting to newbies of anywhere else in the area (to me personally). The plan was to eat and get a drink, then bar hop around the area on a nice full stomach. We were treated with nothing but welcoming kindness! I was happy to see how woman-forward the space is while at the same time being a safe space for even non-queer allies. The all-gender bathrooms were clean, and as a trans person, made the entire public restroom experience feel so much less intimidating than it normally would be! Now the food. I am in love. We got the Ghost Tequila BBQ wings, the Topped & Loaded Buffalo Chicken Fries, and the Cheeseburger eggrolls. They didn't take long to get to the table, and everything was so fresh, crispy, and perfectly sauced. I've been to so many places here in SD where you get food that is half the quality of GG & almost half the price. I normally don't order wings from anywhere because I'm used to getting skimped on size, but ours had so much meat on the bone! The topped & loaded fries made me want to get topped & loaded by the beautiful hands that sauced them up. Chicken was indeed incredibly crispy! The cheeseburger eggrolls were the wild card for us. Packed with meat, the flavor was super interesting & not what I was expecting-- without the sauce they were a 7, but the sauce brings them up to an 8.5! Drinks were also so good! My partner is obsessed with the Pussy Punch, I found myself falling in love with the Sultry Snatch Smash. The muddled blackberries & mint created a beautiful balanced flavor, and the isn't overwhelmingly sweet by any means. Embarrassing to say, but we enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service so much that we came back the very next night with friends and ordered the exact same things again. Food was consistent which is so important. I am definitely looking forward to my next visit read more

Gossip Grill - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Such a wonderful thing to be around so many queer women enjoying themselves! I loved my time here and will definitely come back any time I'm in the area. The chicken strips were great and the drink selection was pretty wide! read more

Came here to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends and Harley made our experience here!! 10/10 recommend. Great drinks, music, and the best vibe. My first time in Hillcrest and I'll definitely be back! I felt so safe here as a female (which is rare in San Diego). read more

The space is nice, but the food--mediocre. Tastes like it's mass produced by a food distributor, like Sysco and US foods, then cooked and/or warmed up. Given this place multiple tries but it's the same thing every time. read more

Every time I'm in San Diego with my girl, we come here. It's always a good time, we either hang out on the swings or the tables by where the dj plays. I love the atmosphere. Definitely gotta come here on karaoke night which I think is on Thursdays? I'm too shy to get out there and sing, but it seems San Diego has some pretty good talent out there. read more

Gossip Grill - Us enjoying karaoke night - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I wanted to check this place out specifically to order one of their funky-named cocktails, lol. Ended up getting a virgin instead, the Part Time Lover. Surprisingly, I didn't miss the alcohol. The Tomato Basil Soup with Foccasia Grilled Cheese was just okay. The soup was pretty damn salty, and my motto is "don't waste," but I kind of had to waste this time. =/ I shared it with my friend and we both thought the soup was too salty. The Foccasia Grilled Cheese wasn't the greatest either, but it wasn't bad. We came at a good time before the night crowd rolled in and it got busy. We ordered our food at the bar, then moved to one of the open tables in the back near the restrooms. They have nightly specials and shows, so be sure to check their website or call ahead to see if there is a cover charge. Usually there is one if you watch a show inside. The quirky menu will bring me back, and next time I'll order something else.. like maybe the Pussy Punch, Nip Slip or Camel Toe Mojito?! Lol Their menu is hilarious and definitely makes for an interesting dining experience! Heads up! They only allow clear bags on weekends (Friday - Sunday). I'm not sure if that's all the time or of it was just during Pride Month when we went. Anyway, have fun! read more

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Went there for a friend's bday celebration. DJ wasn't the best. Drinks were good and were a descent price. Service was good. The bathroom wasn't the best. There was no toilet paper and always a line. But overall it was a good time. read more

I was meeting here with some friends. The place was busy, but it was a Friday night. If you're looking to catch up with friends you haven't seen in a long time, this is not the place. The host tried to sit us in the most quiet spot, but it was still very loud, but we appreciate the effort. The food and the drinks were good! read more

Was in town to visit some friends for dinner. We got a reservation to Gossip Grill (reservation is a must!) on a Saturday night. It is a bar that also has a small sit down eating section, so the noise volume is that of a bar - keep that in mind. We got here at our reservation time and the place was already full with people and laughter. We were seated and right away our server took care of us. We ordered an assortment of food and drinks. We were in the seated eating section so I did not get to explore the rest of the bar, but was happy with the service and kindness of the staff. Ordered Ahi Tuna salad and it was delicious and very filling. The rest of the party also got food and raved about how delicious everything was. 100% would come back to grab a beer and explore the rest of the bar. read more

Aubrey was iconic and the arnold palm-her was absolutely delicious definitely check this out! Total vibes, great service, and great drinks! read more

Gossip Grill - Arnold Palm-her - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

So after grabbing a bite to eat we went walking around for a spot to grab drinks. My gf and her friend decided ok this spot. The vibe is upbeat and the bar moves quickly. Also, you get tokens to redeem drinks which is kinda cool and helped us to decide to hang around a little longer. read more

Gossip Grill - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I didn't get to stay long (out of towner) but I got there right before it got poppin and I had a great time, the music was fly & fire and had me on the dance floor fosho! most importantly it felt so safe to be here, I really appreciate that as I am not regularly in a place with likeminded souls. I'll be back Mai Thai was yummy restrooms don't have many stalls as night went on that line was impossible , what can ya do tho. read more

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The Gossip Grill is the best bar in Hillcrest! Hands down. Also, it's menu and good is super tasty, making Gossip Grill one of the best restaurants in Hillcrest. Kudos GG! read more

This is such a fun place! As a first timer in San Diego I had a blast here. We came for bingo night and had so much fun. Food and entertainment were top notch. Recommend if you are in the area! read more

Gossip Grill - Bingo - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I love this bar, I love the staff. I love the energy and atmosphere. I just LOVE you Gossip. Thanks for being a home away from home. Your food is bomb too. Toodles! read more

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I've been coming to this bar in Hillcrest for the past 3 years, and it's consistently one of my favorite local spots. The drinks are solid, the atmosphere is always welcoming, and ALL the staff really makes it stand out--especially our favorite bartender Harley! I met Harley not long after I moved to San Diego, and they were one of the very first people to make me feel truly welcome here. They are in tune with the energy of the room. They have a dry wit that cracks me up every time, and a way of making everyone--whether it's your first time or your fiftieth--feel like they belong. They're more than just a bartender--they're part of what makes this neighborhood feel like home. If you're in the area and want a space that's queer-friendly, full of heart, and has a familiar face behind the bar, do yourself a favor and stop by. It's worth your time! read more

As always, we were treated right from the start. Walked in only to be greeting by none other than Freda. She already knew what my gf wanted and started it after a hearty greeting. If you want a great time in a wlw safe space, come say hi to Freda and the gang at Gossip Grill! read more

I rarely leave bad reviews but this experience was so unwelcoming I had to! I came with a small group of friends who were wanting to explore the area. When we walked in, the place was empty. We ordered some drinks and sat outside. Keep in mind, we were the ONLY ones out there. After 30mins or so, we get approached by an employee saying they're going to have to ask us to leave if other people come in. Instead of asking us if WE'D like to be served, as already paying customers, it's all of a sudden we'd have to leave if they 'happen' to get more people come in. Even though we are being nice, quiet, respectful and spending our money there. A few mins later, one of my friends and I walked to the bar to get another drink. We heard loud music inside so we looked in the door to see what was going on, if it would be something that would interest us. The second the door was barely cracked, a male sever standing there said "um do you have a reservation" and I said "oh no I was just taking a peak to see what the show was". And NO JOKE, without saying another word, he literally shut the door RIGHT in my face. I was actually in shock because I've never been treated like this anywhere by restaurant staff. Idk if it was because we didn't "look" like their typical crowd, but you can DEFINITELY tell they were discriminating. After looking at other reviews, this seems to be a common thing here. What's funny is if we were treated with respect, we absolutely would have bought drag show tickets and come back with a group. I'll be sharing this experience with everyone I can and will definitely never be back. Do better!! read more

I really enjoyed their food here and will definitely come back again! Love the music they play, and the bartender and servers are also extremely kind read more

I love this place, but I wish the music was better. Drinks and happy hour are good tho . Pleaseeeeeee better music like that I can shake my buttt or something even at 7pm read more