Number One Fifth Ave., a gay neighborhood bar in Hillcrest

A great all-around neighborhood gay bar with a central location in Hillcrest, Number One Fifth Avenue (3845 5th Ave., 619-299-1911) succeeds because it balances an intimate ambience and friendly atmosphere without the sometimes tired, dive-y feel that sometimes dominates in smaller lounges. You can easily carry on a conversation here (and the staff is pretty chatty, on the chance you can't find a nice fellow patron to dish with), and there's pool, darts, and other diversions. It's a little inconspicuous - the sort of place you could walk by a dozen times without noticing, but it's a fine place to kick off a night of bar-hopping.