Phantom Lounge and Nightclub

**What makes this different:** While La Puerta shifts personalities from brunch to nightclub and The Waves keeps things mellow, Phantom never pretends to be anything but a late-night spot built for sections and bottle service. This isn't the place you wander into at 6pm for tacos. It's where groups post up after midnight, claim a VIP area, order bottles, and settle in with hookahs while the DJ runs through hip-hop and rap sets. Most of the floor plan is carved into those semi-private sections, so even when it's packed, you've got your own little territory.

The vibe skews clubby without tipping into Vegas-level excess—luxe decor, bottle sparklers, the whole routine, but scaled to Gaslamp's walkable downtown energy. If you're rolling deep (think 10+ people), reserving a section makes sense. Solo or small groups can still post at the bar, though the real action is in those roped-off zones where the music hits hardest and the hookah smoke thickens.

Practical notes: Management charges per-head once your group crosses 30 people, which annoys the big spenders but keeps the fire marshal happy. Expect to wait even if you reserved—operational kinks show up in the reviews, especially on packed Saturday nights. The music and atmosphere land solidly if hip-hop bottle service is your lane; if you're here for craft cocktails or quiet conversation, you've chosen poorly.

This is the Gaslamp joint for groups who want sections, hookahs, and a soundtrack that doesn't apologize for the bass. Go late, bring friends, and don't expect subtlety.