45 Best Cocktail Bars near Imperial Beach

“this place is 1 in a 100 I absolutely recommended this place“

“Strongly recommend as best bar in SD right now. Navigating requires going thru 1st restaurant to beer keg door, and no menu so expect a bartender conversation to customize what you get.

Great experience and(relatively speaking) great value“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

“This place is awesome! Whether you are vegan or not, the food is delicious and creative! The music, the food and the atmosphere (decor) JUST TRY IT!! It’s set in a great area.“

“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.“

“Amazing food. Delicious & unique drinks. All very reasonable. Will definitely return & highly recommended!!“

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

“I always wait to post reviews until I've been to a place more than once. This place doesn't disappoint. The Bar Chemists are Masters of Craft Cocktailing. Ben & Frank are super friendly, extremely knowledgeable and untra creative. Room 56 is our new favorite hangout.“

“angel was a gem, he went home before we can give him his tip. Give this man a raise! Period, king period! Thank you so much our engagement and sister in laws bday was 10 more times enjoyable because of you!“

“Go the Duck Tacos and checkout the voodoo/ black magic background“

“Checked out Garibaldi for dinner. Had the best time with the wonderful ambience. The food was food,
However, the rice in the risotto was slightly undercooked.
Our server David was wonderful and took care of everything. Will definitely return again for the sunset HH.“

“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 ?“

“Service and ambiance, exceptional service and night life… live dj, good musical and still able to have conversation“

“A Culinary Masterpiece: An Unforgettable Evening with Chef Jiwoo Choi From the moment my girlfriend, Kassandra, and I stepped into the Choi’s in downtown San Diego, we knew we were about to experience something truly special. What followed was an extraordinary seven-course tasting menu crafted by the incredibly talented Chef Jiwoo Choi, a chef whose passion for food is evident in every detail of his dishes. Chef Choi created the menu around several questions sent via email before the date. He truly took his time to understand his customers and who they were. The dinner was designed around my girlfriend, for whom the night was centered around for Valentines Day. The customer service was impeccable from the start. The hostess greeted us warmly, immediately making us feel at home, and the entire staff was attentive yet unobtrusive throughout the evening. We were sat at an oval table exclusively to ourselves with candles and wonderful ambiance. Included was a little note card that read “A Dinner Written By You” . Wow. Our server was Chef Choi himself. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the ingredients, offering insightful explanations of each dish, telling the story of the meal, and even sharing about the inspiration behind his creations. The entire team worked seamlessly together, ensuring that every moment of our dining experience felt effortless and elegant. Now, onto the food—a true work of art. Each course was not just a meal but a beautifully presented masterpiece that engaged all the senses. Chef Choi has a remarkable ability to balance flavors, textures, and aromas in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Every dish had a story, each bite revealing new layers of complexity and creativity. Some standout dishes included: A delicate amuse-bouche that set the tone for the evening, bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. Inspired by Kimchi, a sauce enveloped the bits of tofu with a fried rice cake. A The main course was an Australian Wagyu with fingerling potatoes in a chile con carne sauce based from my girlfriend’s childhood. The wagyu melted in our mouths. Potatoes so crispy and delicious you forgot what other potatoes tasted like. A sauce so savory, bursting with tomatillo, garlic, and other flavors. Perfectly balanced as all things should be. The unexpected dish that left me in so much shock was the Greek wedding soup. A cold dish that is better experienced than explained. If I could eat that everyday for the rest of my life it would never be enough. Nothing I could say would live up to the incredible flavors. I ate mine and half my girlfriend’s portion. Finally, a dessert course that was as stunning as it was delicious, showcasing unexpected flavor combinations that worked in perfect harmony. A hot desert, a play on sticky rice. Cardamon, sugar, a small stone fruit with rich notes of raisin and plum. The second dessert was unexpected and intended for my likes (which I found to be such a class act). A ferment plum wine reduction that he infused into a frozen dish (somewhere in the realm of sorbet meets gelato) with a crème brûlée top. Amazing, outstanding. Chef Choi himself took the time to visit our table, a gesture that truly elevated the experience. He shared his inspiration for the menu, spoke about the ingredients, and genuinely wanted to ensure that we were enjoying ourselves. This level of dedication and personal touch is rare and speaks volumes about his commitment to his craft and his guests. He even orchestrated a surprise set of roses for my girlfriend and played it off like I planned it. By the end of the evening, Kassandra and I were completely in awe. The attention to detail, the passion behind every dish, and the warmth of the staff made this one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. Chef Jiwoo Choi and his team went above and beyond, creating an evening we will never forget. Five stars are simply not enough!“

“Best food, drink, service and atmosphere I have experienced in a long time. Rivals Michelin restaurants.“

“"Hi Barbie!"
"Hi Ken!"
Team Barbie and I rolled in Coronado's sole dive bar around 9:30am on Thursday, July 4th. A little preparty before marching in the famous Coronado 4th of July Parade. Interior is from the 1980s or 70s...but still clean, dark, faded red carpet, vintage wood panel walls, beer decor, a single pool table in the back, an older, friendly and gentlemanly bartender, and a clientele that was 90% men at this early hour.

Three craft lager beers and a generous mimosa was $29, which I thought was very reasonable in an expensive, ritzy, and yuppy filled city like Coronado.“

“Great karaoke! Friendly staff!“

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

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

“ok will edit my last review. Money was right its the screwed up new fangled computer billing system that they useI'm old give me paper anyway. I did have fun there and seen alot of old friends. I just want to say to the one lady that said they where racist against blacks well the owners are black and they even welcome us white folk lol“

“Great burgers, quick service. Good value for money.“

“Cannot wait to go back and enjoy the the food, excellent service and ambience of this restaurant. We often each brunch here and their chef events are amazing! I savor every bite 🤤“

“Great bar“

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

“Ferchalada’s has some of the best ceviche in San Diego! The portions are huge and super fresh, so you definitely get your money’s worth. The Mango Wango ceviche is my favorite – the mix of mango sweetness with the tangy citrus and seafood is perfect. Friendly vibe, tasty food, and easy to recommend if you’re craving ceviche.“

“Friendly service and food was good. Nea, M&M, & Cathy treated me like I was a longtime friend♡“

“Enjoy the place every time I'm here.“

“Love the music, dancing, DJ, Open Space in the back and the Pool Table.“

“Tacos were the best we ever had.“

“Fantastic tequila selection and happy hour - 5 stars“

“I had a wonderful and amazing taste of all of the delicious food prepared at Serea Coastal Cuisine. I can’t wait to go back and have this delicious food.“

“Made a work trip & birthday alone - amazing🤍Thank you! And food/drinks bomb!“

“Babcock and Story Bar has an incredibly cool atmosphere with the beautiful sunset as a back drop. Our server was really friendly and understanding. The food and drinks were fabulous. The artichoke dip was full of artichokes and the Tomato Bisque was really creamy and delicious. I really recommend this spot in the Hotel Del Coronado.“

“Que buen burrito de camaron y ensada y bastante arroz atendido por el dueño, excelente atencion de Luisa 😷😎👍“

“Great atmosphere and staff“

“Inspiring, creative menu that rivals the best menus in the world. Surprising affordable and unforgettably crafted cocktails. Entire staff is friendly, approachable and highly knowledgeable.“

“Classy and elegant atmosphere perfect for a fine dining experience (without the snobbery)! The table side caviar service is pure ecstasy and a must if you’ve never had it before. The whiskey flights did not disappoint either. Our waiter treated us like family and the entire staff was friendly and knowledgeable. If you’re looking for a memorable meal, the Huntress is a slam dunk! Highly recommend!“

“Came here because they had a really good Thursday deal which was sandwiches for $7.50. Got here and waited for about 5 minutes until someone came to the front and said I could sit anywhere, I picked the upstairs which was nice. The server explained the deals and drink specials, very through. For food I ordered the Ropa Vieja Sandwich. This sandwich had shredded beef made with peppers, olives, & onions cooked in tomato sauce served with Swiss cheese pressed between slices of buttery cuban bread. Amazing sandwich, would have loved to try the other ones too. Nice vibe, great music, great service and great food.“

“Just a great spot with good food and nice staff. We will be back for sure!“

“This is a great stop to make if you are looking for some awesome fish tacos. It is off the beaten path of downtown SD, but worth the trip. Very small seating area and you may have to wait, but worth it! Nice staff and service.“

“EVERYTHING! Best food and nicest employees in the area.“

“Their focaccia knots are the best everrrr! I would eat them 3x a day if I could :)“

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

“Amazing menu, something for everyone…i recommend to try something outside your comfort zone. We had a little of everything and couldnt pick a favorite. Great atmosphere and very knowledgeable staff!“

“I'm giving it 4 stars because lately, the tortillas taste OLD. Before the tacos were soft, not chewy. The tostadas were breakable and crunchy. Lately, they are not that breakable and crunchy. The service is excellent!

Wheelchair accessibility: They have both low tables with removable chairs and pub tables with stools. For a wheelchair or walker with a seat, you can just remove a chain.“