San Diego, California: The Tower Bar
110-foot-high Zig Zag Moderne Art Deco pylon was built atop a soda fountain -- now a bar -- in 1932. Taken down in 1999, restored and painted in garish colors in 2009.
- Address:
- 4757 University Ave., San Diego, CA
- Directions:
- I-15 exit 5A. Drive east one mile on University Ave. On the right. Can't miss it.
- Hours:
- Bar open daily 4 pm - 2 am. Must be 21. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 619-284-0158
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The Tower was built as a drive-in soda fountain in the fall of 1932 in the Zig Zag Moderne Art Deco style. The most distinctive feature of the Tower is the 110-foot-high hollow monumental pylon which crowns the top of the building and resembles a model of the Empire State Building. It originally had a clock on each of its sides, but these were removed because children repeatedly shattered the plate glass on the clock faces with pellet guns and slingshots. The Tower began to lean and in 1999 it was removed. In 2009 it was replaced due to popular demand.
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