Pacific Beach’s latest nightlife addition is a celebration of food, community and music.
The Pacific Beach Night Market opened in mid-February and is hosted every Thursday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at 875 Garnet Ave.
Jay Michaels, a San Diego native and Pacific Beach resident, said he opened the market in hopes of bringing a casual yet curated attraction to the area. Michaels owns the business next to the market, Fitness Collective – a fitness and social hub, and the idea came to him after a casual gathering with fellow business owners and local restaurateurs.
“It started as a group of business owners and local residents as a barbecue in our business’ private parking lot,” Michaels said. “From there the idea just blossomed.”
Feeling that a lot of San Diego markets lack a casual feeling that makes attendees want to stay and hangout, Michaels said he brainstormed a way to provide that, curating a space with tables, ample walking and sitting room, live music and great food.
“People started walking by and seeing and asking if it was a thing,” he said. “It naturally became a thing, and we reached out to some local vendors to bring food. Our friend, Ryan ‘Cappo’ Kelley, who plays Acoustic guitar and reggae music, said he would come and play weekly, and he has every week.”
Ryan “Cappo” Kelley plays acoustic guitar and reggae music each Thursday evening during the Pacific Beach Night Market. (Madison Beveridge)
Like Kelley, other local business owners were eager to join in on PB Night Market and have shown up every week since it began. Sandbagger BBQ and Casanova Fish Tacos have become regulars at the market, with other newer additions like Mamamia Pizza Bar, Lia’s Lumpia, The Local Lemon, Bonehead Burger Company and more.
“There are certain shops who have been with us since the beginning, while others come and go on rotations, which is super fun,” Michaels said. “We had a woman come the other week who was serving Korean bowls, and she sold out of everything she bought, which made her so happy.
“It is all about finding vendors that share the same energy as us,” he said. “Our vendors share food with each other and collaborate like a family which is so much fun.”
Zane Curtis, who’s non-alcoholic bottle shop Monday Mornings was set up at the market, spoke about his brand and what brought him out.
“Monday Mornings is redesigning San Diego’s drinking culture,” Curtis said. “We have two physical bottle shops, one of which is here in PB, and we partner with several different bars and restaurants. We distribute 95 different bottles, and we fully train our staff to promote education.
“We are here to exist and create a new drinking culture, so when you don’t want alcohol, you don’t have to sacrifice a good time,” Curtis said.
Another vendor, Hector Casanova, owner of Casanova Fish Tacos, has been serving up his spin on fish tacos for the past several weeks at the market.
“We have grilled sweet ginger fish tacos, grilled red curry fish tacos, baja style fish tacos and more,” Casanova said. “We were also voted San Diego’s best fish taco.”
PB Night Market attendees eat and visit while listening to live music each Thursday evening. (Madison Beveridge)
Armani Prieto, owner of Mamamia Pizza Bar, is new to the market but said he loves nothing more than sharing meals with locals.
“I typically do catering but I was invited to this market and realized it was a great growth opportunity with how many people are around,” Prieto said. “I have been in business for five years now, and about a year ago I started doing events like these.”
For Michaels, the excitement from vendors and community members alike is what drives him to keep hosting the PB Night Market.
“It will be organically successful because it’s for the community, by the community,” Michaels said. “I think we will only continue to expand the offerings, like more food options and even non-food offerings. I want to see even more family-friendly vendors.
“There are so many mini-stories within the market,” he said. “Each vendor and visitor has a different reason and story, but overall I have heard such great feedback.”
With many vendors appreciative of a collective space to host their food, drinks and offerings, Michaels said he is pleased with the turnout so far and excited to continue sharing a third space for locals.
“The sentiment from both visitors and vendors coming has been ‘thank you’ and ‘we are so happy this is happening.’ It feels like someone should have done this a long time ago,” Michaels said. “Whether you are a parent with kids who want to swing by for a post-school or class meal or maybe you walk upon this I think there really is something for anyone.”
For more information on the market and upcoming vendors, visit @pbnightmarket on Instagram.
Want to visit?
PB Night Market
Address: 875 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
When: 5 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday
Instagram: @pbnightmarket