50 Best Bars near Imperial Beach

“Great karoake on the weekends!! Bingo and trivia throughout the week.Make sure you get some fries. Also have food specials daily. The owners are in the building frequently and make everyone feel welcome regardless of race, sex or creed. There's room for everyone at this bar!!“

“Had a lot of fun. Highly recommended“

“Great place, love the atmosphere...but 30 dollars for a hat is a bit outrageous!
Bartender Tom was awesome!
The sign on the bar said 25 dollars for a hat but the owner happened to be there and told Tom that it's 30 dollars now. Shouldn't have the price advertised on the bar and then change it willy nilly. That part kinda sucked but otherwise I really loved the place!“

“Food & Folks are always Fabulous“

“Fun crowd, ample drink selections so much space to sit down and drink with friends or family. Pool tables are available as well, although I’m not sure how much the price to play is, or if it’s free. Bartenders are friendly and cool. Couple of food spots in the immediate area to eat at after, definitely worth a visit in the area. Their bullpen token concept is also very cool!“

“Amazing! We have a place on Seacoast and I highly recommend this Grill! We give it a 10!!!! We we are so happy with the food and service. Two nights in a row!!!“

“Absolutely amazing atmosphere, 10/10 service, and bomb drinks. What more could you want. Easily one of the best tiki bars period.“

“In town for the weekend and came across this speakeasy! Love that it was a true speakeasy with a hidden entrance. The hostess was super friendly and was able to seat us at the bar within just a few minutes (we didn’t have a reservation). It was a little snug and it took one of the two bartenders some time to acknowledge us and take our orders both times so I’m giving 4 out of 5 stars for these reasons. The hostess really set the bar because she was so nice but the bartenders were just too busy. However the drinks were worth the wait! Great price point and even better taste. We got the pandan and banana cocktails. Will definitely visit when in town and try the food next time, plus more yummy drinks!“

“Good restaurant, delicious food. I recommend everyone to try it“

“What a fantastic place! Food was excellent and great proportions, likely the best flatbread I’ve ever had. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend and will return if in the area again.“

“Love this place! A flashback to the 70’s with a light up dancefloor and all. The DJs are top notch both national talent and local favorites. Meet me on the dancefloor 🕺🏽“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“My husband was in a business dinner and they walked some of gaslamp afterwards. After they parted ways, he needed to use the bathroom so he ran in the closest restaurant. They said he couldn't use it unless he was a customer. I totally get that but they were packed out so it made no sense.... Either way, he bought a chicken quesadilla to go. He brought it back to the room for me and our sons to have. It tasted good...until my youngest son spit out a piece of plastic he found inside the quesadilla. My Husband called about it the next day bc they were then closed. Their response was "oops sorry" like wth?! They then said "bring it back along with the plastic." No mention of a refund or investigation of how it happened. And by that point, room service had come and took the box of the rest of the food plus no one wanted to fight downtown traffic and pay to park to have them possibly offer us another quesadilla . 🙄 Again the food we did eat, minus the plastic, was good but the service wasn't.“

“Very odd little place that has the best name. 🤣 We got a mix of cocktails and some snacks. Service was good, decor was definitely on the quirky side (Ronald McDonald says hi). I also had the No-loko which was a great caffeine boost for midday.“

“The Whiskey house isn’t just for whiskey! We enjoyed a great brunch outdoors. The cinnamon pancakes are to die for! Great service from Jackie!“

“One of the best speakeasy’s I’ve ever been to. Been to several in LA, SF, Vegas, Miami, and NYC and this one compares. So glad that it’s in my city! Speakeasy’s are the way to go! Bravo 👏🏻“

“You can't call it a dive bar when they have $300 bourbons on the shelf! Erin is great. We went there twice and will probably go back again later. And there are pinball machines and a pool table and other arcade games. Fun place.“

“We had our pregame, Puerto Rican Heritage Padre, celebration there yesterday and the staff and food were AMAZING!!!!!! 🇵🇷🇵🇷🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🇵🇷🇵🇷“

“🙂👍 Gonzalo and the entire staff are awesome!“

“There’s no losing in Dice - you can only win: win with free drink or win by buying drinks for your friends. Best to get the “read ahead” on rules from Naval Aviator before “winning” and buying entire round a shout(round).“

“Super fun place to celebrate anything!“

“Excelente cantina en Chuka Vista, 100% Mexicana. Gran atención de Omar.“

“I honestly love coming to this bar — it’s hands down my favorite spot. It’s one of those places where you walk in and instantly feel at home. The atmosphere is always on point, the drinks are great (they make the best tequila mule 👌), and the kitchen never disappoints. Whether it’s a quick bite or a full meal, the food is always solid and hits the spot.
Big love to Amy, Rob, Dylan, Dani, Dobbs, Elise, Elisa, Erica, Dave, and James — you guys are the reason I keep coming back. The laughs, the chats, and the way you remember people and make everyone feel welcome really means a lot. It never feels like “just a bar,” it feels like my bar.
Appreciate all of you (and the awesome kitchen team!) for always making it such a good time. See you again soon 🍻“

“My husband and I had the absolute pleasure to dine at Juniper and Ivy for our 33 year anniversary. Not only did they have special menus for us, but we had a complete and very special experience start to finish.The staff were so welcoming and knowledgeable. We had what I would consider the best seats in the restaurant. We sat up at the kitchen bar, and were treated to an amazing dinner and “show “ The kitchen crew were so impressive and friendly to each other and us. We had such a great experience, that we canceled reservations at another restaurant on the same block for later in the week, so we could come back and try more. Same amazing experience at the next visit. Highly recommend, when we come back to SD we will prioritize another visit. Thank you so much for such a great experience!“

“Cool Spot! Always an interesting spot to hang out, have a few pops and people watch...“

“Bartenders were great and friendly! Fun place to watch games! Love my girl Jordan!“

“Old dive bar! Been goin here for awhile… 25 plus years! Xoxox.. glad they cleaned it up but kept the dive feel“

“Everything about it is fantastic! The beers are delicious and the owners are so welcoming! Thank you for hosting my 29th birthday!!!💕“

“Great place highly recommended, amazing drinks awesome, come check them out and have a fantastic time“

“Great place for food, drinks and games. Have a wonderful time.“

“I stop here every time I’m in San Diego to see Chris and Chris (my favorite bartenders) and get my bbq and BS fix. The bbq is on-point for KC style bbq. I know because I grew up in KC. But before you walk in here, maybe you should ask yourself a few questions in order to spare this amazing place future weird reviews:

Am I afraid of bras? Will my life be diminished by reading a few irreverent bumper stickers? Am I put off by people who are unapologetically authentic? Do I prefer whitewashed, soulless, corporate places? If your answer to these questions is “No” then you won’t regret stopping here. If ya do stop, give Chris and Chris high fives and hugs for me!“

“The skirt steak will make you cry. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Everyone was cool. Beer and margarita were good. It made me wish I lived nearby so I could make this my place.“

“Craft beer places are a dime a dozen in SD, but I knew after one visit that Machete is easily going to become a favorite water hole to visit when I am in the mood for a good variety of craft beer. They have a bunch of different styles, and a selection of beers from breweries that I either haven't heard of or never tasted before. Love that. It gets boring seeing the same 3-4 breweries at every place that offers craft beer in SD.Vibe is super chill, casual and divey.Staff here is really nice. I didn't get his name, but he let me try a few different beers and gave great recommendations based on the styles I like.No food here, but the Papi’s Teppanyaki food truck is here from time to time. Check their IG for their schedule. Not sure if there are ever other options since I only recently found out about this place.Cheers!Edit: I came back a second time and the super cool bartender's name is Jett. If you come in on a day he's manning the bar, you're in great hands. :)

Kid-friendliness: There was a young family here with a stroller, but it wouldn't be my first choice for places to visit with kids.“

“el mejor lugar para bailar un exelente ambiente y muy buenas bebidas el mejor club“

“Definitely not a place that gets going all night like a club would but a very cool and quaint spot to grab a drink with a group friends. Pool tables and a variety of drinks on tap. Bartenders are receptive as well. Juke Box is a plus to play music of one’s choice.It’s honestly kind of it’s own place in the middle of everything, but wouldn’t mind staying here for a night and drink the night away. The Elwood is nearby too.“

“Went there to see my good friend DJ Yodah spin, and enjoyed the views and rooftop views for photo opps/selfies…“

“Jaz at BARESSITO is hands down one of the best bartenders I’ve experienced. From the moment we sat down, her energy was welcoming, confident, and fun — she truly knows how to set the vibe.

She absolutely nailed the Spicy Mamacitta and the El Manjoclaw. Both drinks were perfectly balanced, bold, and flavorful — you can tell she knows her craft and takes pride in every cocktail she makes. The spice level on the Mamacitta was just right, and the El Manjoclaw was smooth with the perfect kick.

Beyond the drinks, her service was top tier. Attentive without hovering, friendly without being over the top — just a genuinely great experience all around. If you’re at BARESSITO, ask for Jaz. She’ll take care of you and then some. 🍸🔥“

“Walking back into SRO after years away felt like slipping into a memory you did not realize you missed — a soft, familiar glow, the buzz of conversation, and the kind of warmth that settles into your shoulders the second you walk in. This isn’t just a neighborhood bar; it’s one of those rare community anchors where the energy feels lived-in, loved, and completely unfiltered.

SRO has long been a haven for San Diego’s transgender and LGBTQ+ community. It’s the definition of a classic dive: no pretense, no attitude — just real people, real stories, and that easy, comfortable vibe you cannot manufacture. The pool league keeps things lively, the bartenders keep things relaxed, and the regulars create a sense of belonging that feels almost immediate.

After working in another gay bar in this neighborhood for over two decades, returning to SRO was surreal in the best way — I recognized faces I hadn’t seen in years. That kind of continuity is rare. It tells you everything about the heart of this place: people come back, and they stay connected.

If you’re looking for velvet ropes or curated aesthetics, this isn’t that bar. But if you want authenticity, comfort, laughter, and a place with a heartbeat — SRO is the kind of spot that becomes home without you even trying.

Highly recommended, especially if you appreciate a bar with real soul.“

“I enjoyed myself ??? The co-owner was awesome as she moved around the crowd and spoke to ppl and seen her help clear tables ? The dj on Friday night was dope, had me dancing ?? The bartender (white dude with long hair ??) he has stellar customer service ?? met friendly people and staff! I like how they have a smoking area where you could still hear the music dead on , but they could have dimmer lights in the smoking section coz it bothered my eyes ???? I didn't get to try the food but I look forward to doing so soon!! Security was on it, great communication skills amongst each other and they paid attention all around; I felt safe.. I don't think anyone would mess with ??. Bathroom was very clean and the long mirror A+ ???. I ordered patron and redbull, I suggest they keep their redbulls chilled since a customer like myself orders the entire can ? price was decent!! I went earlier so parking was great for me but probably not for the late heads ?“

“Just go to the Top! The view is amazing!“

“GR8 service, friendly atmosphere, cold drinks and Happy customers.“

“Awesome food, great service, perfect location“

“If you’re in the Gaslamp area and looking for a spot that truly delivers on atmosphere, drinks, and service, Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, lively vibe that perfectly captures the spirit of the neighborhood.

The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home whether it’s your first visit or your tenth. The drink selection is fantastic—great beers on tap, well-crafted cocktails, and everything served just right. The food is just as impressive, with delicious pub classics that hit the spot every time.

What really stands out is the overall experience: great music, a fun crowd, and an energy that keeps you wanting to stay longer. Whether you’re out with friends or just stopping by for a quick drink, Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub never disappoints. Easily a 5-star experience—can’t wait to come back!“

“This was a very interesting experience! We were recommended this place and we are glad!!! So unique and different! Excellent customer service! Definitely have to try if you’re into the unconventional and unfamiliar👀☺️! Quinton is fantastic!“

“Great place to hang out and watch a show. The staff were helpful, friendly, and professional. We didn't have any food but the drinks were good and reasonably priced

Parking: Plenty of parking but the best bet was the valet for us, reasonable too

Wheelchair accessibility: Very easy for wheelchair to get around“

“Great bar. The vibe is perfect for a wide range of people. The staff is very friendly and there mixed drinks are awesome and they have every tequila you can think of. I've been here several times and they have a different theme every time. They have great tacos on the sidewalk incase you get hungry. Check out their Instagram to know whats going on thewarehouse_dt“

“Gran Hotel perfecta ubicación“

“Great service great food will be back soon.“