Inside Ironside Fish & Oyster

An octopus ice bucket on the bar chills bottles of Champagne, and ceiling-high shelves maximize limited space behind the bar.

Five remote-control, garage-style doors open to the sidewalk. Their panes also flip open for a breeze and to minimize glare.

“Every seat in the house is an opportunity for a new visual,” says Basile. Many elements, such as this tentacle light, are custom.

A wall (also see No. 5) covered in hundreds of faux piranha skulls gives a nod to seaport city San Diego’s fishing industry.

Above the piranha wall and long banquette, vintage suitcases and a golden mermaid statue evoke a ship’s cargo hold. 

“People [are] turning toward eating more at bars,” Basile says. Ironside has over 50 cocktails, including this Golden Rivet. 

A ballsy light installation on the ceiling near the bathrooms and inlays in the floor convey the laid-back-yet-provocative vibe.

At the raw bar, where shuckers have served 6,000 oysters in one weekend, stools swing out of the way to free up space.