John Anderson, Entertainment Editor

One would be hard-pressed to discover The Living Room not bustling with students, and for good reason.

Located just two miles from San Diego State and open until 2 a.m. every day, The Living Room offers customers a spot to study, hang out or simply drink coffee without breaking the bank — for coffee or for gas.

Offering a full drink menu featuring everything from hand-packed teas to more advanced drinks such as the Café Suizzerra and the iced banana cappuccino, The Living Room offers something for everyone. But for those who aren’t the coffee-drinking type, don’t fret: The Living Room offers a full food menu for those feeling the hunger.

Allie Daugherty, Editor in Chief

Standing tall among the numerous buildings of San Diego State, the stark-white testament to knowledge that is the Love Library has come to be a second home to many world-weary Aztecs.

Between oceans of dimly flickering computer screens and worn tomes lie these inhabitants: red-eyed 20-somethings staring blankly at pages that seem as never-ending as the rows of lights that shine overhead.

However, despite the mental conditions many travelers to the library endure, there is a sense of comfort found within its walls.

As the gears inside of students’ heads continue to grind, a sense of camaraderie begins to wash over them as the soft squeak of another student’s intellectual brain-machine cranking away is heard from a nearby cubicle.

It is then that it becomes clear: No student is alone here.

File Photo

Whether it’s for work, food, living or a night out, Pacific Beach has always been a second home to San Diego State students.

Delectable scents from award-winning restaurants such as Firehouse American Eatery and Lounge and Fred’s Mexican Café permeate from every few feet of sidewalk.

And on Taco Tuesday, locations such as Cabo Cantina and World Famous dish up fresh fish tacos at prices even the average Top Ramen-consuming student can afford.

But the true benefits of PB are only seen at night. When darkness hits and streetlights begin their twilight glow, the din of Pacific Beach comes alive.

Girls with short dresses link arms and stumble from bar to bar, and the fierce clacking of pool balls is heard in the crowded streets late into the night.

Antonio Zaragoza, Photo Editor

SOMA has become a favorite venue in San Diego for more than just the part it plays in the music scene: It also gives back to the city that supports it

The venue, which gets its name from being south of Market Street, wants to work with youth using the music medium.

“SOMA is committed to teaching new talent how to market and progress through the industry while offering a safe and energetic environment for those affiliated with the scene,” SOMA’s website states.

“We are also committed to showing people, through example, that having a good time does not require the use of drugs and/or alcohol.”

The all-ages venue also sells its tickets through a service called Lunatiks, which takes a portion of every ticket and donates it to Stand Up For Kids, an organization that supports homeless teens in San Diego.

Allie Daugherty, Editor in Chief

 Grass on a college campus is a strange anomaly.

It’s the one place students can groggily flop onto a vacant patch and not be perceived as homeless by passersby.That’s what makes grass to sleepy college students what ponds are to ducks.

“Grass has suspended man since the early days of the hominids. It suspends your body as if floating in clouds,” Eric Long, a television, film and new media junior, said. Think about it — the turtle pond has grass, Campanile Walkway has grass — these great things would be significantly less conducive to sleep if it weren’t for them this amazing green plant.

“Through the process of photosynthesis, the grass releases oxygen and carbon dioxide, which helps the cycle of life between nature and me,” Danny Andrews, a theater senior, said.

So when in doubt, when you’ve got an hour between classes and you’ve got nowhere to go, find the grassy knoll. Just make sure it’s not too wet before you sit down.

John Anderson, Entertainment Editor

With locations at colleges across California, Woodstock’s Pizza has begun to epitomize what it means to be a college pizza joint.

Featuring a variety of complex and interesting pizzas in addition to the classics, Woodstock’s uses quality ingredients to ensure it makes the best pizza possible.

True, pizza lovers will pay more at Woodstock’s than they would at other places around State, but the difference is clearly reflected in the taste.

Woodstock’s hosts weekly events that keep Aztecs flooding through the doors nearly every night. In addition to Trivia Tuesday nights, Woodstock’s hosts Pint Night on Thursdays, meaning pizza and beer enthusiasts pay regular price for their first pint and a substantial discount on every pint thereafter.

Even better, participants get to take their pint glass home with them at the end of the night. Woodstock’s also screens Aztec away games and fans usually pack in to make the pizza joint a truly special place to watch a game.

Antonio Zaragoza, Photo Editor

Undoubtedly, Burger Lounge has some of the best-tasting burgers around.

This hip eatery has a modern, minimalist look and feel but when observed closely, Burger Lounge is a throwback to early diners of the ‘50s.

Quick service and a friendly, lighthearted atmosphere make it easy to relax and enjoy some company and a great meal. A simple menu of burgers, fries, onion rings and milkshakes makes it easy for a patron to decide what to eat.

Frosty bottles of soda pop or a refreshing glass of beer compliment dishes on the menu. Fresh ingredients, grass-fed beef and organic cheeses contribute to the creation of Burger Lounge burgers and are the cornerstone of the brand.

Burger Lounge can be found in La Jolla, Hillcrest, Kensington, Gaslamp, Little Italy and Coronado.

Antonio Zaragoza, Photo Editor

Sushi Deli is a no-muss, no-fuss place to grab excellent sushi at affordable prices.

At just about any time of the day, any one of Sushi Deli’s three locations has a line headed out the door.

Not because of the atmosphere or cocktails — because Sushi Deli doesn’t have either — but because of the fantastic sushi rolls this restaurant serves.

Special selections range from the pico de gallo roll, a tasty blend of cucumber, mango, shrimp tempura and avocado with a 7-spices mango sauce, to the smokey salmon roll, a grilled salmon and gobo carrot roll topped with seared smoked salmon drizzled with lemon juice. That’s only the beginning to this impressive list of more than 50 special rolls, none of which cost more than $7.99.

And whenever it’s raining, Sushi Deli offers each table one free serving of edamame, California roll or small sake as an extra incentive to brave the weather.

Antonio Zaragoza, Photo Editor

Home to the San Diego Zoo, The Old Globe Theatre and 15 major museums, Balboa Park is a culture geek’s date-night delight.

Lovebirds can enjoy a day of sophistication roaming the photo-lined walls of the Museum of Photographic Arts or channel their inner Bill Nye while admiring larger-than-life IMAX movies at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Considered the nation’s largest urban cultural park, Balboa Park’s picturesque plant life and architectural alcoves provide a Jane Austen-esque alternative to bustling city nights.

Enjoy an afternoon observing the way the waters of the gardens reflect the azure wonder of a lover’s eyes. Then, indulge in inexpensive drinks and appetizers during happy hour at the park’s award-winning restaurant, The Prado.

With so much to do, don’t forget to show Freckles some canine love at one of Balboa Park’s three playgrounds for fluffy friends before date time commences.

Thinkstock

Whether single, taken or keeping it a secret, Voyeur is the perfect place to have a night out with the girls.

This Gaslamp-area nightclub offers the best in new and exciting electronic music, with talented DJs frequenting the booth Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The main dance floor features a floor-to-ceiling wall of lights that bump to the music. During the weekends, seductively dressed dancers keep just out of arm’s  reach, adding to the voyeuristic feel of this San Diego hotspot.

For those wanting an extra-special treat, Voyeur has several secluded VIP lounges with top-of-the-line bottle service.

While it can be a bit on the pricey side, Voyeur said it does take every group’s budgetary needs into consideration. It also doesn’t hurt to be a party of mostly female guests, because nightclubs tend to like having women around.

Antonio Zaragoza, Photo Editor

What better way to spend an evening with buddies than in North Park drinking toward oblivion?

North Park has a bar scene comparable to Pacific Beach or the Gaslamp District, just less expensive and without the headaches.

Whether it be True North Tavern, Bar Pink, U-31, The Office Bar, Live Wire, Pecs, Toronado, Splash Wine Lounge, URBN Coal Fired Pizza Bar, The Foundry or any of the other bars nearby, a North Park bar crawl is a great time and an inevitable hangover waiting to happen.

Many North Park bars feature a wide selection from the best local San Diego breweries. The SD Drink About is every third Wednesday of the month and offers free bus services between the bars located around University and 30th Avenue and those on the outskirts of North Park.