46 Best Cocktail Bars near Imperial Beach

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

“Tried J and Tony's for the first time and had a a lot of fun. Atmosphere is great and the music was lively yet chill.

I got some food that was delicious. They have a surprisingly good breakfast sandwich. The English muffin was lightly toasted with flavorful american cheese and the sausage patty was well seasoned.

Now for the best part of any bar...the drinks. J & Tony's have a very playful drink menu and also some old school classic drinks. I had two negroni cocktails and it was amazing. They tasted great and definitely had a strong kick, so if you like a stiff drink you know where to go.

Service was nice and friendly. Everyone attending us was upbeat and warm. Drinks and food were brought out really fast which was definitely appreciated.

My only regret...I WAS TOO EARLY FOR THE MEATBALLS!

So, in summary, if you're looking for a chill and inviting spot for some drinks and food with your peeps, this is the place to do so.“

“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.“

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

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

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

“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!“

“Fantastic tequila selection and happy hour - 5 stars“

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

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

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

“Wonderful food and appropriate atmosphere. Servers were exceptional and were wonderfully accommodating.
Best reserve, but if waiting, the bar is available.
Ask for Kelsey(server), wonderful conversationalist and excellent reccomendations for food and wine.“

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

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

“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 ?“

“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 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!“

“Great bar“

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

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

“Great Brunch and John is an amazing bartender.“

“OMG! Probably one of the best tacos and ceviches I’ve had in a long time! Uri and his sister really know how to run a business! Uri’s shrimp and octopus taco was SPOT ON and Liz’s mango mix shrimp tostada with tamarindo was just OUT OF THIS WORLD! Probably one of the best customer service I’ve had in a long time! Parking is limited, and had great outside seating with nice murals! My family will definitely be coming here for tacos!“

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

“I visited the Del Coronado hotel on Thanksgiving day and it was a beautiful experience, nicely complemented by the food at Babcock! We tried the Bavarian pretzel and the veggie pizza (more like foccachia bread), both were good for a quick evening bite. The restaurant is located inside the hotel lobby and has a great holiday vibe with live music and lights!!“

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

“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 🤤“

“Tacos were the best we ever had.“

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

“We had an amazing experience, and a big part of that was thanks to Sergio! From the moment we sat down, he was attentive, friendly, and genuinely cared about making sure everything was perfect. His recommendations were spot on, and he checked in just the right amount without ever being intrusive. It’s rare to come across service like that—professional, warm, and efficient all at once.

Thank you, Sergio, for going above and beyond and making our visit so enjoyable. We’ll definitely be coming back!“

“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.“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“I stopped for lunch on a business trip. The service and food were great. I had the chicken fajitas for lunch. They provide chips and salsa with before and during the meal.
The only difficulty on stopping here was the parking. It is very limited and street parking is the only accessible option. I had to walk about 4 blocks but will not detour me from visiting again the next time I am in the area. Also I would assume will depend on the time of day that you visit.
Thank you for the experience and the great service and meal.“

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

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

“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 👏🏻“

“Great atmosphere and staff“

“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.“

“Service, food, ambiance are perfect for date night. Also, no issues with bringing a service animal“

“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!“