50 Best Cocktail Bars near Imperial Beach

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

“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.“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

“First time since switching to the menu, and it remains an outstanding experience. The menu items give freedom to do some more planning (particularly enjoyed the shaved cucumber ice in my drink, for example) and you can still talk through what you want for the second course. The customers are fun, and Francesca and Austin were on point behind the bar“

“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.“

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

“Fantastic tequila selection and happy hour - 5 stars“

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

“This restaurant is definitely a hidden gem! The happy hour deals are amazing, and I ended up coming here every evening during my stay at the hotel. The oysters were incredibly fresh, and they have an excellent wine selection. David and Monica were so welcoming and made every visit enjoyable. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in town!“

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

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“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.“

“Excellent mariscos. This is my 2nd time here and I feel like every time I’m going to be in Barrio Logan that I have to stop by here. Not only because it’s family run from San Diego it because the food is just so fantastic. I highly recommend the shrimp cocktail. Parking can be iffy so just drive around the neighborhood until you can find something. It’s worth it.“

“Great Brunch and John is an amazing bartender.“

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

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

“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!“

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

“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 ?“

“One of the most unique experiences in San Diego.“

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

“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 🤤“

“I personally love coming here - this trip was the first time in a couple of years - but the atmosphere is really welcoming for a bar. The owner and his staff are very friendly, and the karaoke host is very professional, but you can also tell he enjoys what he does. That means a lot for me. I want to make it at least a monthly thing going forward.“

“Tacos were the best we ever had.“

“My friend and I had a great time at dinner here on a Monday night. Everyone on the staff, especially our server Charlie, was very friendly. Service was speedy and the food was delicious. Also, on the practical side, I enjoy places with accessible parking. There’s a structure behind the restaurant with usually plenty of parking.“

“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.“

“This is a Great Date Night Place!. The Food is Great and the Vibe is Edgy!“

“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.“

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

“We had a great experience here. Even during the very busy memorial day weekend, the service here was fantastic. We were sat quickly, servers were attentive and both drinks and food came out was faster than expected.

The food was very good and fresh. We got the frozen paloma and Pina colada and both were very good. The restaurant itself was super clean and was very pretty. We would definitely come back or visit another location.“

“Walking by looking for a place for lunch and the menu looked good. Was able to sit outside in the sun and really enjoy the service and food. The shrimp camarones al ajillo was excellent and the birria empanadas were very tasty. The service was excellent with a very outgoing and attentive waitress/bartender. Definitely will be back on our next San Diego trip.“

“Had some for Takeout and it was The Best Menudo 😋EVER😋 Authentic Guadalajara Receipe 🇲🇽✏️📃🔪🥣🥄. Perfect Broth, Soft Hominy and the Meat Melts in your Mouth🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, goin back there ASAP with Friends who love Menudo but we can never find anywhere decent 😔, Until Now 🌟🤪🌟 . Staff is very Friendly and Caring.“

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

“Victor, John, and Erica delivered a very genuine and personable hospitality experience. The vibe there is comfortable, the food and beverage deals were a fair shake, and the food was delicious :-) Talk to Victor about the hotel’s history and you won’t be disappointed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The owner Ike is the man! This place is great, such fresh hookah changed out every hour, because you can’t smoke ash!“

“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!“

“Great bar“

“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 👏🏻“

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

“Great atmosphere and staff“

“Live music and special events, especially DonL on the occasional Wednesday!“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“Great restaurant! Food, service were on point!“