50 Best Cocktail Bars near La Jolla

“Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done. The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful. Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol. Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!“

“Great meal. Dessert was a wow.“

“We love this bar, been dining here for over 22 years. We've seen it change from the original twice in that time, the latest recently opening so we checked it out today. We ate lunch here and the positives were it was excellent food, good drinks and great service.

It was also our own private restaurant, we were the only diners which surprised us at first. But, once we saw the both very limited and very off-the beaten-track menu choices we understood this is now a place you come when you either want Happy Hour or have a very specific craving.

The menu is oddly specific for a tourist area, none of the very usual comfort food items on this menu here; (not kid friendly in my opinion either) as an FYI). But, to be clear, our lunches were delicious!

Also, in the County of over 1120 micro-breweries, they literally only offer 1 beer on tap and no bottles. One beer! They also only offer one desert. so you either want the one or you do what we did, walk down the street and eat desert somewhere else ?.

But, we do love this hotel and it's restaurants, we've been dining, drinking and staying here for over 22 years (as locals) and still encourage you to check it out.“

“Recomiendo todo Es un súper lugar cómodo ,bendecido Su personal y su comida Es lo máximo Sus bebidas no hay comparación ,su personal de la barra es súper Cada vez que tengo la bendición de estar en ese lugar me hacen sentir muy especial Todo absolutamente todo lo recomiendo Gracias CATANIA“

“Great food, wonderful service!“

“I am sorry that I do not recall our server's name. He was exceptional in his knowledge of wine, food pairing, and his recommendations were EXQUISITE. Lean, handsome, gentleman with short brown curly hair. Excellent service all around. I arrived before my date. He offered me a delicious brut. He paid attention to detail, offered suggestions at the precise time, and followed up with care. I had the steak and frites off the bar menu. Complimented well with the garlic aioli for the fries, a chimmichurri, and a demi glaze for the tender steak. My date had the scallops. He suggested the perfect wine pairings. I had the seghesio Zin. He had the sonoma cutrer chardonnay. The dessert was a creamy cheesecake. All cooked and prepared to perfection.

Update*** came back from impromptu stop to watch the drone show for the 4th and enjoyed the steak and frites at the bar. Maybe even better than the first time with more chimichurri :) service at the bar was phenomenal and all the staff were gracious and friendly.“

“I love this restaurant! It has a great atmosphere with a terrific staff. Our server,Alexis, was so
thoughtful and asked if she could move us inside when the rain started. We were impressed with Alexis and her being so attentive to our needs and the food was wonderful!“

“This restaurant never disappoints us! Always amazing food and service! Love love coming here.“

“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“

“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.“

“I am delighted with my experience at this Italian restaurant! From the moment I walked in, I was transported to Italy with a warm ambiance and friendly staff. The food was extraordinary; each dish burst with authentic flavors that joyfully made my taste buds sing. The attention to detail in every plate was evident, showcasing the chef's expertise and dedication to traditional Italian cuisine. The pasta was cooked to perfection, sauces were rich and flavorful, and the ingredients were fresh and high-quality. Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable and made the entire dining experience even more delightful. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego. In my opinion, this establishment undoubtedly deserves the title of the best Italian restaurant in town.“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

“Great music with Whitney Shay“

“Really great for date night/ cocktail hours. It's got a speakeasy aesthetic that brings you in through a hidden door disguised as a wall. Indoor decor is that of a ship, equipped with backlight false windows that mimic a never ending sunset. Good vibes“

“Very intimate and romantic setting and great drinks.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Love going there for their happy hour. All the people that work there are very friendly and make excellent cocktails. They also have some good local beer and the food is very tasty and reasonably priced. I also like the atmosphere. Very laid back and always playing good music. I recommend it. Their happy hour is every day from 3-5.“

“great cocktails...... ....“

“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!“

“Great food and great service! Food was fresh and expertly prepared! Probably the best service I have ever experienced and the place was busy at the time we were there!!“

“Loved the ambiance and all the cocktails we tried were amazing!!“

“My absolute favorite place“

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

“We had a great dining experience at The Amalfi Llama tonight. The crab cake appetizer was amazing and contained huge pieces of crab. The filet was delicious and so flavorful. The tiramisu was delicious and so light. Our server Valentyn was also excellent. He was so attentive and extremely thoughtful. He anticipated our every need through the evening. We will definitely be coming back in the near future for the food and for the service! Thank you for a very memorable evening! See you again soon!“

“First time here. It’s your typical dive, don’t expect anymore, don’t expect any less. Quarter machine was out of order so could play some of the games we wanted to but the bartender was pretty nice which is always great when it comes to drive bars“

“what a wonderful experience. they are so well cared for. beautiful cats that are so friendly and need so much love very clean and the cats have so much to climb on, play with, see and sleep. the hosts were amazing and even let me stay a bit longer. I had the best time. I'm coming bk!!!!!!“

“Delicious Happy Hour today at Bar by Red Door!! �“

“"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.“

“Its in OB, what else is there to say? While all other beach hoods have terrible parking, you can always get close to lucys. But if you have to walk half a block, its like being in a Norman Rockwell hood if he was a chill beach hippie that liked tattoos and beer. Three pool tables. Avid and amenable local bar shooters. Solid tenders. Free pool on Tuesdays.“

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

“Ally is probably the the best bartender I have encountered in the San Diego area hands down. It's a must on your San Diego tour.“

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

“best ol school bar in town!!“

“I first started going to Nunu's in 2000, way before it became hip. On a recent trip there, I was happy to see that it still has a fair amount of seediness, although I prefer my seedy bars to be more dimly lit! Btw, what happens at Nunu's, stays at Nunu's!!!“

“Great staff, great atmosphere, great karaoke!“

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

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

“By far the best espresso martini. My husband and I travel the US. Staying the Wear coast during winter and East coast in summer. But for an espresso martini…this is by far my favorite. The service is also always spectacular. Favorite bar tender is Sarah, makes each espresso martini fun with a different design and takes so much pride in them.“

“Gorgeous view and atmosphere“

“Very friendly environment, bartenders are very nice and inviting, fun karaoke/pool/darts. Great time every time i go!“

“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!“

“Fabulous food served in a no-frills, casual atmosphere. The service was excellent and Chef Luciano Cibelli comes out of the kitchen and checks with every table to see how diners are doing. Great place to celebrate a special occasion. We enjoyed the seafood fettucini, chicken parmesian, and the catch of the day, which was sea bass on a bed of roasted vegetables, with beet purée and a delicious beurre blanc. Delish!“

“Awesome place , great food and exceptional service/ staff.“

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

“really relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff,especially the tall guy who helped us at the register yesterday (3-9) he was super friendly! moniker is one of our favorite coffee shops!“

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