A new bar, restaurant, speakeasy, and day club concept called Enlitenment is expected to debut by the end of the year in Gaslamp, located at 827 Fifth Ave.
Owner Carmen Lindinger hopes to open this new concept in the former home of Inka’s Bar and Grill. She tells What Now San Diego that she expects to open in late December, with renovation scheduled to be completed in November. Lindinger plans to start rolling out these different faces of the establishment in phases, starting with a soft opening with a limited menu, then a grand opening with a full lunch and dinner menu, and eventually developing the day club and speakeasy aspect once the basement is built.
Once everything is completed in the 4,500-square-foot building, visitors can expect a lively interior with a custom Zen garden with a swing set, commissioning art from Austria, and plenty of space to lounge with friends. While not much information has been revealed regarding the speakeasy, Lindinger has offered some hints, telling San Diego Magazine, “Imagine a zen garden at night, but lit up by trees.”
If the interior concepts weren’t enough to get people in the door, Lindinger has high expectations for the dining menus. After living and traveling to Asia often, the owner wants to bring these flavors to San Diego. Some Asian-fusion items expected to be on the menu include Korean crispy chicken sandwiches, bao bun tacos, ube mochi brownies, pina colada cream cheese wontons, and more. Lindinger also hopes to eventually add a brunch menu to the restaurant.
As for drinks, Lindinger will rely on her craft cocktail management experience to add a whimsical flair to the Asian-inspired drink menu, with ideas floating around, such as alcoholic boba tea, matcha pina coladas, and old fashions topped with ube foam. While this all may seem like a lot, Lindinger is hopeful that this concept will bring a new social aspect to downtown San Diego, one where a beach and pool are not required for lounging.
“San Diego has a really fun nightlife, but as soon as pool and beach season is over, there is not much day clubbing going on, and I want to change that,” Lindinger tells What Now San Diego. “Who doesn’t want to dance the day away with some friends by a zen garden or enjoy some delicious brunch, and tasty cocktails in our comfy lounge? Enlitenment will be very light and bright and airy, so I think it will be the perfect spot to go for some daytime fun.”
