Originally founded in 1997 as Martinis Bar & Grill, Martinis Above Fourth was operated since late 2011 by James Simpson and Dumitru Tifui. The restaurant was known for its nightly live entertainment and menu of more than 100 specialty martinis. In October 2020, Martinis Above Fourth ownership announced its closure and the plan to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection.
The second story space in San Diego's Hillcrest community has been taken over by Oceanic Enterprises, a company that has several other hotels, restaurants, and bars in the San Diego area. Oceanic Enterprises was founded in 2011 by Managing Partner Manoj Chawla and has over a dozen properties around the country. Chawla has been on a buying spree around San Diego during the pandemic. In the past year, in addition to Martini's Above Fourth in Hillcrest, Chawla has acquired Mikami Bar & Revolving Sushi in Clairemont, Banzai Bar in Midway District, Star Bar in downtown San Diego, and is in the process of opening Cormorant Boutique Hotel in La Jolla. Former ownership of Martinis Above Fourth Table + Stage have been outspoken that the revival is in no way connected with them.
"It is not Martinis Above Fourth," responded former owner Dumitru "Doru" Tifui to our request for comment. "Some corporation was trying to use our name and the logo to open a new business. Now they changed and it is called Martini’s. We and our staff have nothing to do with it."
Martinis Lounge grand opened over this past weekend. Like other incarnations within the perched space above 4th Avenue in Hillcrest, the restaurant will offer frequent live music performances, a globally-influenced food menu, and a full bar with a dedication to the property's namesake cocktail.
Martinis Lounge is now open Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to midnight and Friday & Saturday from 4pm to 2am at 3940 Fourth Avenue in San Diego's Hillcrest. For more information, follow Martinis Lounge on Instagram.
