50 Best Cocktail Bars near Imperial Beach

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

“Sensational gem , we will return soon! Stylistically Japanese interior, comfy seating, noise level perfect that you can hear each other speak. Mature crowd and accommodating hosts. Loved the croquettes and hoping to see at least one other veggie item added to the menu. White Lover was my favorite cocktail 🤩 Kanpai 🥃“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

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

“Y’all. When I tell you this place is superb, I mean it. My partner and I were celebrating our 3 year anniversary and I wanted to surprise him with a unique experience. When I came across Youngblood, I immediately booked it. You should too!

From start to finish, the time we spent was curated specifically for us. Our menus had a personalization on it that we could take home! The atmosphere is unlike any other- truly a breathtaking maximalist space that felt like a retreat from the streets. The service here was impeccable, with everyone being incredibly kind, educated on mixology, and willing to converse with you. We’ve had a few number of bad experiences elsewhere and last night reminded us what great service looks (and feels) like.

We had some of the best drinks we’ve had in quite some time. The 3 course cocktail tasting menu was fantastic, we loved being able to try new things. Hearing the lore and history behind unique liquors, bitters, and the ingredients was really cool. Dealers choice was amazing, and the dessert cocktail is something we’re still talking about today. They even gave us espresso martini shots with our anniversary printed on it as a treat. How sweet!

Definitely going back next time we’re in town. Cannot recommend this place enough!“

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

“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.“

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

“Fantastic tequila selection and happy hour - 5 stars“

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

“Our 1st visit to San Diego. Garabaldi's popped up on DOZENS of websites as a place to go, and it was AMAZING!!!. A+ Kudos to our server. He was so knowledgeable about the cuisine &.wine pairings. Apologies for forgetting his name, but he was from Hawaii. Cocktails, appetizers, main course (BEST VEAL CHOP I EVER HAD) my wife's prawns were AMAZING, and deserts ALL, A+ We've traveled east, west, Europe, Canada, and Garabaldi's is on the top 3! Thank you for an OUTSTANDING experience in a unique location. We shall return“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

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

“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.“

“Great Brunch and John is an amazing bartender.“

“best italian in San Diego“

“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!“

“Stopped by Ferchaladas Birria & Mariscos and really enjoyed it. We tried the birria tacos and the octopus. The birria tacos were really good, but the octopus was definitely my favorite. It was cooked perfectly and full of flavor.

The place has a great local vibe, and the food was fresh and came out quickly. Just a heads up, they only accept cash or Venmo, so come prepared. Parking can be a little difficult depending on the time of day, but it's definitely worth it once you try the food.

We'll definitely be back to try more from the menu!“

“Tacos were the best we ever had.“

“I came here on a Tuesday around 5 PM, just as they were opening. They have patio seating right next to the bar as well as a really cute indoor seating area if you prefer to escape the heat.

The bartender was fantastic. She was friendly and on top of it. She appeared to be the only one working, yet there were already eight or nine people on the patio. Even so, she stayed on top of everything, and we never had to wait to place an order or receive our drinks.

I ordered:

• Static Age: This refreshing green cocktail is served in a tall Collins glass and is made with vodka, matcha green tea, vanilla, yuzu, and seltzer. It wasn’t overly liquor-forward, making it light and perfect for a warm afternoon.

• MM..Food?: Served in a cocktail glass, this drink features masala chai rye whiskey, vanilla honey, ginger bitters, lemon, and egg white. While the flavor combination sounded interesting, it ended up being just okay. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t really stand out and wasn’t my favorite of the two.

•Espresso Martini: this was also enjoyable and not too sweet.

Overall, this is a fun spot with a great atmosphere. The courtyard has plenty of energy, live musicians performing, and several restaurants surrounding the area, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a drink. Although none of the cocktails I tried really stood out or have me rushing back for more, it’s a nice spot to stop by.“

“Booze. All the booze. Drink it. Live while you still can.“

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

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

“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 ?“

“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!“

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

“Acqua Farina was amazing! Delicious food, a very special vinegar, incredible pasta and sauce, and wonderful fresh bread. The atmosphere, music, and friendly staff made it even better. Roberto, Cristiano, and Anel were the best servers ever—so attentive and helpful, and they made our first visit truly special. We loved the place and can’t wait to come back!“

“We’re from Canada and made reservations to have a big family dinner there. I read requested to sit outside. Everything ended up being perfect, the view, the food, our server Wesley. It was a really great evening overall and will definitely be back.“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

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

“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.“

“Service like this is so hard to find anymore. Anticipated before we got there that the requested outside table would be intollerable in the unseasonable heatwave and moved us inside. Staff was very appreciative of us being there, worked as a team, and provided little extras that cost them nothing but mean the world to us.“

“A fun place to visit before Padres games, or if you're interested in visiting a local distillery. Storyhouse distills Boubon, Rye,
Vodca, & Tequila, and mixes numerous drinks at the bar. We also had Blackened Fish Tacos & Wings which were good. They do have a decent menu which includes burgers, fries, pizza, etc. Recommended.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“The service was excellent. Prompt and attentive and very accommodating. Food was very good. It is very noisy; however, I think there were more people inside because it was raining and they couldn't use the outside tables. Overall, a very good experience.“

“Super fun place to celebrate anything!“

“Mag’s was amazing! She was so attentive and gave us the best recommendations with a few little samples to try we felt like family. The guava daiquiri was 10/10 delicious and as part of their amazing happy hour being only $7.50. We will definitely be back.“

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

“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.“

“Great bar“

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

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

“I recently visited Babcock & Story Bar at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, and it was an absolutely delightful experience from start to finish. The atmosphere perfectly marries coastal elegance with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. The bar’s location offers stunning ocean views, making it an ideal spot to unwind while watching the sunset.

The craft cocktails were exceptional. I tried their signature Old Fashioned and a refreshing coastal-inspired margarita, both expertly mixed and perfectly balanced. The bartenders were not only skilled but also personable and attentive, creating a warm and friendly environment.

When it comes to food, Babcock & Story Bar exceeded expectations. The shareable appetizers were fresh and flavorful, and the seafood options in particular were outstanding. The fish tacos were cooked to perfection, and the charcuterie board was a perfect pairing for our drinks.

Overall, Babcock & Story Bar offers a memorable experience with top-notch food, creative cocktails, and excellent service in an unbeatable beachfront setting. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Hotel del Coronado or looking for a perfect coastal dining and bar experience.“

“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 👏🏻“