50 Best Bars near Imperial Beach

“Food & Folks are always Fabulous“

“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“

“$6 french fries, reasonably priced drinks and beers. Service at the bar is always a toss up, sometimes it’s good, other times not so much. Friendly bouncers and servers over all. Atmosphere is nice, they have an outdoor patio and billiard tables. Few screens to watch games.“

“we have done our morning drinking and noon drinking the the vibe is super chill, perfect enough to get the day, music is always good and service is good. The usual locals are friendly and we have little conversations without it becoming a drag.“

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

“This place is a hidden gem. The cocktails are delicious and creative, the service was excellent and the food is amazing and worth returning for. We were actually surprised by how delicious the food was in a place that emphasizes the cocktails. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. We will be back.“

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

“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 🕺🏽“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Great service great food will be back soon.“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“I know everyone gives things a five star experience but this bar truly matched a five star bar experience. Amazing cocktails that truly make you question flavor profiles and what works together. Also their custom cocktail was amazing for our whole entire group. The servers will walk you through each cocktail you order and will answer ever question you have. Our serve even drew a whole diagram for me to show me the whole process how they made my drink. Honestly an unforgettable moment in our trip to San Diego! Thank you so much to the staff who works so hard at Young Blood! I will never forget this!!“

“Awesome food, great service, perfect location“

“Love this spot. Great drinks, great atmosphere, and somehow the windows are always unbelievably clean. I may be a little biased because we clean them, but every time I stop by I’m reminded why glass is supposed to be invisible. 😆

The bourbon selection is awesome, the cocktails are on point, and the staff always make you feel welcome. Whether you’re hanging out inside or enjoying the outdoor seating, it’s just one of those places that’s easy to spend a few hours at.

Come for the drinks, stay for the crystal-clear view through the cleanest windows in town. 🍻🪟😂

Highly recommend checking it out if you’re in the area.“

“Super fun place to celebrate anything!“

“I went on a Wednesday around 7pm and found the atmosphere very welcoming and the late night snack menu with the prosciutto was delicious. Merrari was a fantastic bartender and offered a few great additional suggestions for bars and speakeasies to visit while I was in Sand Diego.“

“Very friendly and professional staff . Five star ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“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!“

“Im gonna start with great service, delicious drinks and the food was on point. I enjoyed the lamb it was amazing. Oh please if you are over 21 please order the cold brew martini!!! The best dessert for me!“

“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.“

“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 👏🏻“

“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).“

“Great Brunch and John is an amazing bartender.“

“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!“

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

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

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

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

“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.“

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

“Excellent steaks, great service and wonderful atmosphere!!!“

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

“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!“

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

“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.“

“I hope this is the right location I’m not sure if there are any others since we are from out of town, but we went to Habor Town Pub in Point Loma.

Me and my husband stopped by this place on Sunday for Father’s Day and had probably the best service I’ve ever had! I never usually leave reviews but great food and there was one server in particular that just went above and beyond. I believe she said her name was rain (what a cute name). She was so funny and was so kind even though it was a bit busy and really seemed to know her stuff! The drinks she suggested were perfect! We are just visiting but are adding this place to our must stop list when we come back! Hoping rain is our server again!“

“Amazing food! The Rockfish was the most amazing dish I have had since moving to SD.“

“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!“

“Simple yet delicious Italian food. Who knew that a rigatoni marinara could taste so divine? The giant meatball and gnocchi were amazing as well. Excellent service. It was a cool and windy evening, so my only complaint is that the restaurant gets the wind blowing through it, so it was colder than comfortable, at least for me.“

“Went to RomaMia tonight for dinner and it was beyond expectation!! The food was exceptional and so flavorful. It was like it was home cooked by an Italian grandmother, with care and love. The bruschetta was delicious, and the Carbonara was absolutely amazing! We will definitely be coming back again!“