Meet Mike Alvarez | Business Owner & Operating Manager: San Diego Nightlife Tours

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For the past several years the goal of San Diego Nightlife Tours has remained the same: make San Diego’s nightlife easy & fun for guests. As a company we recognized that it can be a challenge to choose which of the city’s many lively bars and nightclubs is the worthwhile decision, especially-so in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. It’s with this in mind that we curated a list of the most popular and buzzworthy destinations. We took the activities that we like to engage in (such as mingling, karaoke, riding a mechanical bull, watching a live band, and of course dancing) then designed tours that guests can easily select from, based on their goals for the night. Once the tour is selected, our guests need only to focus on one thing: letting loose and enjoying themselves to the fullest!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart from the competition is our desire to truly want to make a positive, memorable experience for our guests. Of course there’s a motivation to impress; however it’s also being humbled by the fact someone has put their faith in us -total strangers to them – to provide a fun night for them, and to not let them down. Each night, with each tour, we understand we’re the host of the party – and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. I’m proud to say that each person on the team shares that understanding and excels at being that professional smile giver!

As for getting to where I’m at today, I can sum it up in two words: confidence & perseverance. Belief in oneself comes easy for some, but in our case it took time to build the confidence to venture out on our own. There’s been success, but definitely some stumbling blocks as well. As we’ve encountered each though, we’ve learned. We’ve built a culture of acceptance there’s always room to learn something new and therefore improve. We feel it’s that sort of ongoing desire to be the best version of ourselves that our guests will ultimately benefit from.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Having been born and raised in San Diego, saying I have an appreciation for the city would be an understatement. There are so many of pockets of the city to discover and enjoy, but a short-list of must-see areas & attractions include:

For SD eats: Mexican food (too many to mention), Little Italy, Callie, Seneca’s, Born & Raised, Anime, Grand Ole BBQ, California Fish Grill

For an awesome view: Kate Sessions Park, Cabrillo National Monument, Coronado Ferry Landing, Mister A’s

Family friendly: Balboa Park, Belmont Park, Sea World, Legoland, Hornblower Cruises

For nightlife: Gaslamp Quarter, Pacific Beach, North Park, Encinitas

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many that have contributed to the motivations – both in the beginning and continuous through this journey – that have kept me grinding through the years. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my loyal partner in life & tender mother to our three beautiful children, Kristine. We’ve ridden this roller coaster of adulting together and throughout she’s been a constant source of support; and I’m forever thankful for her. Another thing that comes to mind is a quote from Jim Carey during a commencement address he recently gave: “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”. These words have served as a reminder not only to keep moving forward, but to also not be afraid to do what you love and take risks. Being a part of the hospitality industry, and more specifically San Diego’s nightlife offering, is not easy. However the faith from those around me and the consistent reminders that the universe sends that I’m on the right path is what gives me the drive to keep striving to put smiles on faces.

Website: sdnightlifetours.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sdnightlifetours

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdnightlifetours

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/san-diego-nightlife-tours-san-diego

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sdnightlifetours?lang=en https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60750-d20266528-Reviews-San_Diego_Nightlife_Tours-San_Diego_California.html

Image Credits
Brian Fontaine Oscar Acquino Isiah Jones