“Living In The City” is The San Diego Sun’s feature Q&A with downtown San Diego residents. It’s a way to get to know the city by meeting the people who live here. This is number 54 in an ongoing series.
Name: Tiana Selvin
Neighborhood: Gaslamp Quarter
Describe Downtown SD in 3 words: Energetic. Fun. Diverse.
Personal deets: I’m a military brat and lived all over but I’ve been in San Diego since 2004. It’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere. I have an amazing fiance who’s originally from England. He’s been in town for five years and we hope to make our planted roots official.
Work deets: General manager at barleymash in the Gaslamp Quarter. I started as a bartender back in 2012.
Why move downtown: Like a lot of San Diegans I’ve lived in lots of different areas and it mostly related to my age at the time. I started in Pacific Beach in my early 20s. Then migrated downtown by way of Hillcrest and Bankers Hill. Each part of town has its own vibes and that’s what I love about the city.
Best aspects of living downtown: Being central and walking distance to so many amazing bars and restaurants. If they can just bring back a movie theater I’ll be set.
Worst aspects of living downtown: So many visitors have the idea that no one actually lives downtown. They leave their trash and other undesirables all around the city, making it not so nice sometimes.
Most surprising part of living downtown: How many people actually call downtown their home. And the community we’ve built. Those of us who live down here are committed to making it an area not only for fun but also safer and more suitable for living.
☀️Check out the entire “Living In The City” Q&A archive!☀️
Funniest downtown memory: Chatting with Hulk Hogan during Comic-Con and not realizing it was the real Hulk Hogan. I’m not a huge wrestling fan and just assumed he was some guy dressed up. He was very kind and very funny.
Love or hate Comic-Con: Love! It’s so exciting to see all the costumes. I love that we can be a safe haven for so many people to live out their cosplay dressing-up dreams.
Transportation breakdown: Walking, 95%. Driving, 5%. I hate driving! People are wild out on these streets!
I’m watching: I watch the same movie over and over again: Independence Day. Seen it more than 400 times. No exaggeration. I put it on before I fall asleep most nights. I may need help. Some newer stuff: Foundation, Silo and Ted Lasso. And I always end up back at Bob’s Burgers.
My take-out place: Lotus Thai is always fresh and flavorful. They have the best Tom Kha soup in all of San Diego.
Fave coffee shop: Spill the Beans. Best coffee in town. And the bagel flavors are so good, with the perfect amount of crispy and chewy. My hat goes off to head chef Karina. Such a baddie. Always coming up with new and innovative ideas.
Let’s do lunch: Honestly, barleymash (I know I’m biased). Downtown doesn’t have a ton of spots open for lunch hours. We have our full menu available, a rad bar and some of the best and most welcoming bartenders in town. Strong second: Water Grill. Great seafood and an upscale vibe.
Top dinner spot: Cowboy Star. If you haven’t been you haven’t lived. I love to sit at the bar for Happy Hour with Garth (one of their many talented bartenders). Always the same order: Start with the Tartare. Then seasonal soup and split the ribeye with extra mash. End with the bread pudding. I’m drooling thinking about it.
Best bars: Obvi…barleymash. We’re just so welcoming to every type of person from every walk of life. Insider tip: come to barleymash’s speakeasy Ginger’s on a weekend night. The vibes are immaculate and the drinks are delicious! (Again, biased.) A few others: Noble Experiment and Grant Grill (a hidden gem I’m nervous to mention because I kind of want to gate keep).
Best downtown place to take visitors: Topsail at Portside Pier for an Aperol Spritz. Such a beautiful view. They really did an outstanding job with that part of the Embarcadero.
Padres: I go to a few games every year. They are so fun and you can score some super-great, not-too-expensive seats if you wait until the day of.
The city needs more: People that care about the community. If we all work together we can keep the streets clean and nice which will drive business and bring a better vibe to the area as a whole.
The city needs less: Luxury high-rises. I don’t understand how they can build these places in a month but the pothole at the Route 163 freeway entrance has been there for two years. *big eyeroll*
Parting advice: For safety, call Clean and Safe if you ever see anything that gives you pause. They are quick to respond and available 24/7. SDSun
