Temecula Valley High School had their Junior/Senior prom last Saturday night. It was held at the Hyatt on Harbor right near the Gaslamp. The wife and I were going to pick up our Daughter after the prom. We thought we would go down early and have a few drinks before we went home. I am responsible and do not drive impaired.

The Yard House seemed like an obvious choice. Upon conferring with friends that was quickly discounted. No where to sit and 5 deep to get to the bar. No thanks. Then, I started thinking about how terrible any other place in the Gas Lamp would be on a Saturday.

I went online. I looked up the San Diego Brewers Guild for a bar that I could hang out at for a while. They had lots of options but none that really fit. Most were either too far away or would be too crowded. Then I saw it. I found what could possibly be Utopia in a vast wasteland of crowds, noise, and bad beer. That place is Downtown Johnny Browns. I am not a big San Diego guy so I may seem a bit ignorant about this, but, I was completely flabbergasted when I got there.

Downtown Johnny Browns is by no means easy to find. It is situated inside the San Diego Civic Center. When I say inside I mean INSIDE. There is no way to see it from the street so that keeps out the riff raff. Access it from B street which is the North end of the Civic Center. Go down the ramp at the light and it will be on your left. Downtown Johnny Browns is only 3-4 blocks from the Gas Lamp so you could go to Gas Lamp for Dinner then a short walk later beat the crowds for some good Beer enjoyment. DTJB has good food too so you could enjoy a nice meal and good drink without all that pesky walking.

Here is the part that makes me write this entirely drawn out review. Every and I mean EVERY San Diego Craft Brewer had at least 1 Beer on tap. Pizza Port, Lost Abbey, Alpine, Coronado, Green Flash, Lightning, Stone. I mean they were all right there. I thought I would have to drive around to all the breweries to sample the fine San Diego brews. But, in the 1 special place there they were. Now, if they don't have it on tap they have it on deck in bottles. Sorry to say I only had time and need to drive to be able to pick 2 Beers. I had a Lost Abby and an Alpine. Both were really good.

The atmosphere was as regular as you can get. Full sized shuffle board table, pool table and decor that looks like if I was going to put a bar in my house this is what it would look like. There was no crowd. Maybe 10 people in the whole place. On a Saturday night that is unheard of. Don't feel sorry for them though. Remember, they are IN the Civic Center. After a play or a concert I am sure they are filled to capacity so keep that in mind if you go. As soon as the event lets out this place will fill up fast.

I would say the next time you go to San Diego drop by, have a fine San Diego Craft Brew and check it out. You will find like I did that a place just out of the way can be O' so much better.
Downtown Johnny Browns