Mezcal

There's magic in Mezcal's off-hours, when it's just a quiet little neighborhood spot for simple, traditional Tijuana street food in a comfy-funky atmosphere (thanks to an extensive remodel in 2015). Friday night? That's different. That's when the kids come -- backflow from the Bluebird Theater and shock troops of the local hipsterati in their weekend best -- and crowd the bar. Here, lucha libre fighters plaster the walls, and there are more tequila choices than you can shake a tamale at. The late-night menu certainly is an attraction, with a moonlit happy hour famous for more than just beer. After dinner, the folks bellying up are, as is typical along this stretch, on the younger, hipper side of things. There's also a decent amount of traffic before and after (and during set breaks from) shows at the Bluebird Theater, which is across the street.