Best of 2001: Best Hippie Hangout

Winston's
1921 Bacon Street, Ocean Beach
Box office/schedule: 619-222-6822
Event information: 619-222-3802
Talent booking: 619-223-8609

Demographically speaking, any event promoted or perceived as a "Deadhead" happening is sure to attract a specific customer base, if not the exact same customers. Winston's recognizes that its OB locale has a concentration of residents best described as hippie holdouts -- 1960s fashion, ideals, and music; hairlines, head shops, and Volkswagens. Bands booked by the club cover most genres from punk to reggae, but it has managed to keep a few nights set aside every month for psychedelic jam bands in the Grateful Dead tradition. With so many sandal-clad customers living within walking distance, the venue is often packed with devoted, die-hard, dyed-in-the-wool, tie-dyed, glassy-eyed disciples of all that is/was/will ever be Dead, accompanied by the smell of patchouli incense, burning sage sticks, and other smoking substances less legal.