50 Best Cocktail Bars near Lemon Grove

“We dined here with close friends of ours and had the best time in quite a while! There were 8 of us in our party and we’re fortunate to be able to book their private room towards the rear of the restaurant. We ordered a few Old Fashioned cocktails to start the night, and had also brought two of our favorite wines to be opened during dinner. We started with their Calamari Fritti appetizer and their Cheese & Charcuterie Board. The restaurant’s ambiance was excellent, service couldn’t have been better, and the food (every bit of it was delicious)! Two of us ordered their Steak Siciliano, three of us ordered their Chilean Seabass, and two had their Pappardelle Ragu. One of us also tried their Lobster Bisque. Definite hits of the night were the Steak Siciliano and Chilean Seabass! The ribeye prepared was one of the best steaks offered in an Italian restaurant, and the Seabass cut was a very generous portion! No leftovers remained from either of these dishes. Karina, the owner, came and spoke to us and she was very friendly and hospitable. We loved the decor, the attention to detail, and the genuine service we received the entire evening. While you might not think Lemon Grove would be your first choice for delicious Italian food, you’d be quite surprised as Giardino’s will blow you away with their overall food & service quality. We couldn’t have been impressed any more…“

“Dirks is a small close-nit bar with lots of screens showing sports and music videos. I don't drink but on rare occasions I do accept an invitation to meet and talk business over a couple of beers. Dirks was a good choice. My client expressed he liked our choice.Parking: Small area parkingWheelchair accessibility: Yes.“

“Service was unusually distracted, with table clearing occurring prior to permission and large periods of time between service. Reaching across guests and late bottle of wine delivery caught my attention. Perhaps there was a shortage of staff last night? The kitchen did not disappoint which is always my experience at Animae. ❤️❤️“

“The gentlemen were super nice and really attentive to my preferences. It blew my mind the way they combined ingredients to make the cocktails taste exactly how you wanted them to. I had a Tiramisu cocktail for dessert and it was phenomenal!“

“LOVE this restaurant!! Great food served by an excellent crew. Had dinner here one night, back for lunch the next day. Out of town tourists that wished we were local.Parking: Maybe quick free parking at the bank. Street parking was difficult.“

“We had a reservation, we ordered an appetizer, pizza and salad, all came out at the same time quite quickly, and while they were very attentive to our table we felt like we were being kicked out around the 1 hour mark so it was not as relaxing or paced out as we typically prefer. Great bread, pesto and marinara! Good burrata and pizza for 2, would recommend!“

“First visit to Wormwood and it was an excellent culinary experience. It was a bit loud in the dining room and it is not a cheap dinner date but the service was phenomenal and the food and drinks were, for the most part, delectable. Tonight we ordered a farmers loaf of bread to share which came out steaming hot and accompanied by a delicious butter. We also ordered the French Onion dish that made my eyes roll to the back of my head. Let’s suffice to say I could have just ordered a couple of those French Onion apps and been perfectly content without needing a main dish. Nonetheless, our party ordered the Sea Bass, Chicken and the mushroom pasta dishes as mains. Everyone was happy with their meal and the plating was beautiful as you can see in the pictures. Overall it was a great meal - maybe not a regular date night sort of place but worth it for an occasional splurge.“

“Fantastic place to eat. Great service, cozy ambiance. Will definitely come again.Parking wasn't the greatest though so budget arrival time for your reservation accordingly.Parking: At least it's free parking after 1800. Still hard to find a parking spot though.“

“The tacos here are awesome. Very unique flavor combinations. Some more traditional than others. The service is a little weird. You order at the bar. The bartender took one order, then stopped and made drinks, then another order and so on. They really need a dedicated person for orders. The food came out fast but then nobody ever came back to check on us. The lowest tip option that wasn't "custom" was 18%. That's a big tip for almost zero service. The drinks were just ok. Nothing special. Next time we're going to stick to the tacos.“

“Came here for happy hour and sat at the bar.(+) Cocktails were delicious - Kingfisher Spritz, Golden Hour, and Favored Winds.(+) Happy hour salt and pepper fish was very good.(+) House made egg noodles - super good(+) Wagyu smoked beef rib - really good.( ) Service was nice but we got asked how we were doing by like three different people repeatedly and it got a bit tiring.(+) Vibe is cool. Nice bar, ambience is really nice.“

“Pricey. Exquisite atmosphere & delicious foods for dinner. Group of 13 of us booked the Captain’s Room which requires a $800 minimum. Popcorn was served while gathering our orders and it was a unique starter. 100% recommend the duck meatball ($19) and the Molten Chocolate Cake ($12)!“

“Wow - I've never had a dining experience quite like this!! Went out to celebrate me and my siblings birthdays.First off, this was the best service I've ever experienced in a restaurant, thanks to all the staff there but particularly our server, Megan. She was utterly delightful! She answered all our questions about dishes and was spot on with her descriptions. The carrot cake she recommended was truly delicious!! She was attentive and detail-oriented in the best way.They brought us hand-written birthday cards and a three very large and yummy macarons with candles on the house!The food was absolutely fantastic. Especially the hash browns, mac n cheese, and the lamb. The espresso martini is the best I've ever had, it didn't taste like alcohol which was perfect :PThe design inside and on the rooftop is immaculate, really a beautifully designed space.We were there for three hours, didn't feel rushed, and truly got to soak in the evening European-style with multiple courses and a beautiful sunset. Will definitely be back for a special occasion :)“

“SoCalTasting's journey to Mr. A's Bar and Restaurant in Bankers Hill, San Diego was nothing short of extraordinary. With breathtaking water and downtown views and bay paronama, close-up airplane sightings, and the mesmerizing cityscape, it's a must-visit. Our experience was elevated to new heights with mezcal drinks adorned with burnt tobacco leaves, creating a flavor sensation like no other. An unforgettable fusion of views and tastes awaits! Service was fantastic! Definitely going back there soon!“

“For my money one of, if not the best speak easy in San Diego. The decor is super cool, the drinks are fantastic and it's so small and intimate that it makes for a really unique and fun experience. I've been inside at least 10 times now and it never gets old. Don't sleep on it, it's a fun vibe “

“Came here for the first time to celebrate a friend birthday. We had the bottomless bubbles, which was a great deal, and really enjoyed the three juices. we also acute espresso martini and our friends drink. They actually wrote happy birthday. I had chili and I thought it was delicious. The weight staff was very friendly and the ambience was very clean and prestige. I will definitely be back..“

“atmosphere needs a 10 star option because this is truly one of the best spots in SD for a great theme.the drinks are a bit pricey $15-19 but worth the ambiance of the bar. The food is also high quality. mostly appetizers and finger food but presented and taste amazing. Great date night spot.“

“We visited False Idol for the first time on a Thursday at 10pm. We ran behind that evening and had to cancel our 9:15pm reservation with short notice. Despite this, we were greeted very warmly by the hosts and offered standing room. The ambiance inside is so fun. We were only standing for a minute or two before Elle(so?) made us feel at home, recommending delicious cocktails to try and took our order. The drinks came quickly. The Mac But Chi Chi was the hands down best drink ever. Period. I was so happy for that suggestion! The other drinks were delicious too and we were even escorted to a table that had opened up. It was the best way to end our evening and I can't wait to visit again! Thank you, False Idol, for such a lovely night!“

“I cannot begin to say how amazing my experience was here. Biz, Emmy and the other person working (so sorry for spelling and names it was quite loud) on march 13th were absolutely amazing biz and his cocktail knowledge was impeccable. I came here solo with some anxiety and I was immediately felt at home. Later into the night they continued to provide amazing service and recommendations for other areas in San Diego. I'm visiting from Seattle and they definitely made my entire trip!“

“The All American sliders and shrimp flat bread was spot on as usual but it was their draft beers that were not up to par tonight (not as cold as usual) due to them being slammed earlier leaving them with hot glasses. This is where 100% he saved the day. Zach our server on the fly suggested if he can turn these hot glasses into super cold glasses by super dropping the temperature by filling it up with lots of ice and water and then cleaning the cold glasses and topping it up with there tapped IPA immediately. It was effective and the beers were super drinkable again and delicious. Thank u Zach for being absolutely brilliant, entertaining and most of all taking care of your customers from the bottom of your heart!“

“Whiskers & Wine is a must visit San Diego Destination. They partner with Whiskers without borders and always have a good amount of cats in the lounge, all of which are adoptable. Split up between the front bar entrance, the lounge and the upstairs Catio, there is plenty of space to hangout and play with cats. The cats are all friendly. The food and drink is great as well. They offer flatbreads, kitten tots, sweet potato fries and more. All are great to have to pair with a wine or a cocktail. My favorite cocktails are the perfect Meowtini and the Margarita Fresca (watermelon and mint margarita). Best flatbread is the Turkey pesto hands down. They do monthly events as well, yoga on the weekends, bingo and singles night. Just check their website and reserve your lounge experience today. I will definitely be back“

“Came in looking for a fried fish taco but their grilled fish taco was off the hook. Wasn't necessarily looking for ceviche but ended up trying their verde sauce shrimp ceviche, it was flavorful and spicy. Definitely coming back. Service was phenomenal, super friendly. The place is small and parking may sometimes be a little challenge but worth it to come and enjoy this pace.“

“Excellent service. Fun, eclectic interior. Extensive, thoughtful, innovative and well-executed menu. This place is all over it.?My breakfast tacos were packed with lusciousness and were accented beautifully with fresh salsa and a great serrano hot sauce the server provided. I also tried the orange cinnamon roll pancake special; the base pancake batter was just ok, and I didn’t get much orange flavor, but with the great crunchy topping, and the cinnamon both in the butter and swirled nicely into the cake, it was an overall success.?I’ll def hit this place up again the next time I have the opportunity.“

“What we enjoyed the most was the excellent and friendly service from Grant who not only gave us great food suggestions but also some tips on where to go out on town. We are visiting so we very much appreciated his friendliness! The venue is unique and the vibe is happy and fun!“

“Fantastic brunch, great service. This is on my must come back list.I've listed my dinner pics here. I definitely have to say that brunch is better than dinner. Service is definitely slow in the evening, not as quick and organized. Items don't come out in a timely manner. Still a fav of mine, though. ;)“

“I've been on a burger kick so my husband has been taking me to all his favorite places. I ordered the balboa burger and it was delicious ! Along with the fries , I really enjoyed the aioli sauce. I'm excited to come back and try out the different burgers. Everyone who works here is great ! It's a pretty cool place to drink some beers and play some pool.“

“Not our first time to RO52R, but every time we visit this place, it’s an experience! We were taken cared of by their Lead Bartender “Brian”, and boy does he know his craft! We’ve followed Brian over the years at his many stops throughout his career tending bar, and he’s definitely one of the best! Thankfully, we came at a time when before the crowd filled the speakeasy. We tried five drinks, several of their signature creations, and several off-menu creations made on the fly. Sampled two appetizers to help offset the alcohol, and both were outstanding. RO52R’s ambiance is one of the coolest speakeasies in town. For first timers, it’ll blow you away. We absolutely love, love, love coming here! For those who are avid speakeasy enthusiasts, so you’ve tried the rest, if you want the BEST, this is THE spot! Food, drinks, service, atmosphere, music, and overall experience… It’s hard to beat!Parking: Located in one of those strip malls where there’s more popular business with available parking to match the need for patrons of each business. During peak times, you’ll definitely need some luck on your side to find an available spot. It’s the ONLY negative about this place…“

“TL;DR amazing rustic decor with equally amazing new American-style food to match I came here on a weekday to hang out with some friends and was recommended by the attendant in their adjoining coworking space that the chicken sandwiches were the choice to make and it definitely didn't disappoint. Keeping it short and simple, I rarely ever crave new American cuisine since it's a hit or miss and some are good but most are mediocre with a price tag that isn't palatable, however, Bivouac was a clear exception The chicken sandwich was great, it was juicy and tender on the inside with a nice crispy exterior. The bun was lightly toasted inside and the cheese paired with the arugula and pickled onions were a blissful pair. The pickled onions cut through the fattiness and the arugula added a nice slightly bitter flavor contrast that I enjoyed Food aside, the decor was also well aligned with there themed location next door, the seating we had was a swing in a c-shape and moved all the c-shaped bench together which added a bit of thrill. It felt similar to a childhood experience and felt like one of those swings you'd have in your grandparent's yard or something similar Overall the setting and food were something I would come back to, if the interior was the only hallmark of this place I would likely not come back but the food from everyone I was with seemed to suit their taste buds well and equally fill everyone up“

“On our last night we wanted a relaxed Mexican meal so headed to La Puerto at 560 Fourth Avenue.On arrival we were offered the worst table in the place. We requested a booth, which they didn’t want to give us one so we sat at the bar.The waiter was a lovely chatty guy who said he originated from Warrington.For drinks, we ordered cocktails. I had a Whole Lotta Love. This was La Puerta’s hand crafted house Margarita made with Reposado Tequila, Agave nectar and fresh lime.My husband had the Low Rider. This was La Puerto’s Cadillac Margahita made with Anejo Tequila topped with a blend of cognac and orange liqueur.I have to say neither of them were particular strong. There might have been some watering down going on.For food we ordered…Mix ‘n’ Match Signature Street Tacos. This was a combination of three tacos served with refried beans, rice, rajas con crema (sliced poblano pepper with cream), cotija cheese, limes.The tacos we selected were:Carnitas, my personal favourite. This consisted of slow roasted pork, guacamole and pico de gallo.Ranchero Shrimp, which was sauteed shrimp, ranchero sauce, cabbage, cilantro and crema.Pollo Asado, which included grilled chicken, guacamole and pico de gallo.Along with this we also had Pollo Asado Fries. These were really tasty loaded fries known as Papas Fritas La Puerta. Topped with Cotija cheese, jack cheese, grilled onion, poblano, crema, guacamole, pico de gallo and cilantro. The icing on the cake was the mixed in grilled chicken.“

“We’re from out of town but were craving some good fish tacos. TJ’s did not disappoint! We got the octopus, ahi tuna, garlic shrimp, taqueso shrimp, and smoked tuna tacos. The octopus and smoked tuna were our favorites! Our server was extremely helpful and provided great service.“

“Room 56 is one of the best speakeasies I've visited - and I've been to a lot! The bookshelf entrance was so fun, and every cocktail was unique and perfectly crafted. I loved that the corresponding craft cocktail was included to indicate the flavor profile of the Room 56 version. The conversation starters on our table was a wonderful touch. Also, since it was a Wednesday night, the space was so calm and quiet. I'll be back the next time I'm in San Diego!“

“We needed a good brunch place to finish celebrations for our friend's birthday and BAR did not disappoint. We were so happy to have live jazz entertainment. The food was very good and we were treated to a glass of champagne to toast our friend. Small but sweet touches made this brunch memorable. Thank you BAR.“

“I have eaten at hundreds of restaurants in San Diego and not even once have I met someone as professional as Drew.He was attentive and took his time with our party. More than that, he was absolutely hilarious yet in the most professional way. I am really so impressed with the restaurant that they are able to find this type of talent.Drew is an amazing guy and we will definitely be visiting again when he is working there. Sincerely, the best waiter I have ever had. I wish I had more words to describe him.Thanks North Italia“

“Located on Logan Avenue in the Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego, this small restaurant offers delicious, authentic tacos. We enjoyed the swordfish tacos and coconut battered shrimp tacos. We also enjoyed the Coco Pudding with fresh berries We were disappointed that they did not offer to go options because we wanted to take our food to watch the sunset. They were out of a couple options we wanted to try. We arrived at 6:30ish p.m. and found a parking spot in front of the restaurant.“

“Really good service. Very friendly and professional. Food was well prepared and favorable. Had our preteen granddaughters with us, and they enjoyed their meals a lot.Dietary restrictions: We shared our allergy issues, and all meals were free of issues.Kid-friendliness: They have a small game area that we enjoyed.“

“We went for weekend brunch and since we had reservations, we were seated immediately.Pros: We had the wood fired cauliflower and chicken sandwich. The wood fired cauliflower was simply delicious with a burst of flavors (tangy, sweet with a little bit of spice). The portion size is particularly small for this dish but we were warned by the waitress beforehand so we knew what to expect. The chicken sandwich was nice and juicy.Cons: For a brunch place, the only coffee option they had was the drip coffee. So if you're looking for a nice cup of latte or espresso or cappuccino, you won't find it here.“

“Delicious food and fun atmosphere. We came for late lunch before concert at Petco Park. Was fun to hear the sound check and Billy Joel. So many fun places to sit- see pictures. We sat on 2nd floor balcony and had prompt and friendly service by Spencer. The food is EXCELLENT. We enjoyed scotch eggs, the burger and crispy chicken sandwich. Burger was cooked perfectly, juicy and served with a delicious truffle aioli and roasted tomatoes and pickled onions. Highly recommend.“

“You and Yours feels like coming home. It’s a place that I can come by myself sit at the bar and have a conversation with the staff about my life. I’ve celebrated so many occasions here and it is truly one of San Diego’s best. The drinks are unique, the staff is kind, and the price is completely fair for what you are getting. If you need a place for a pick me up, a celebration, or a happy hour before heading home, this is it.“

“Dining at this Italian gem was a delight, highlighted by Frederico's impeccable service. The cheese wheel experience, where rigatoni met creamy perfection, was unforgettable. Each recommendation from Frederico enhanced our meal, making our date night not just about the food but the memory created. It's a place where culinary art and warmth meet.“

“This is the favorite sports bar spot in town for my husband and I! Not only do they have fantastic seating options but the food is insane (in the best way)! I could rave about their fries forever - and I probably will. Especially the animal fries. Service has always been efficient and friendly!“

“Second visit - glad we went back! Just as great as the first visit. Had a wonderful time last night during restaurant week. Excellent option!s! We chose the restaurant week menu - one veal, and upgraded one meal to try the seafood special - sea bass. Delicious. Rice ball appetizers and meatballs. The almond tort for dessert was amazing. Service was excellent even though restaurant was full. Food timing perfect and servers were friendly and fun.“

“My girlfriend and I went here last night for birthday drinks. I made a reservation a few days before and noted that it was for a birthday. Upon checking in the host acknowledged her birthday which was very nice. We were seated immediately in the main dining area. The ambiance was amazing! Our waitress (I believe her name was Tara or Tatum.. I can't remember) she was very attentive and her energy was amazing. The drinks were 10/10 delicious and well presented. At the end of our visit the waitress brought us a birthday dessert to share which was so good! Definitely will be returning!“

“I ordered it online and they were quick to complete my order. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and kids chicken quesadilla. The food was great. In regards to the pizza, the crust was thin just like I like it. The sauce was flavorful, and there was enough pepperoni on it. That's for the quesadillas. There were three Chicken quesadillas. I asked for only Monterey Jack cheese on it because they put both of them according to what I read, and they followed the instructions completely. I appreciate that because my great niece does not like the orange cheese as she calls it lol.“

“Came and ate here and had a few slushies. I had the Mexican Firing Squad, my husband had the Ube Colada. Both were delightful! To eat I had the Shrimp Fried Rice and my husband had the Fancy Grilled Cheese and added chicken. The food was delicious! Especially the SFR! It was a very large portion. A friend of ours had the wedge salad and it was huge and looked ? delicious. I will be ordering one next time. They had great music going on amd the staff were all super friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back!“

“The best experience in San Diego. Sean is an incredible mixologist and human. He truly understands what makes a balanced cocktail. Besides that, he is an incredible human. This is a not to be missed place. Also the breakfast taco is *chefs kiss*.“

“Dropped in for a late-night beverage and wow did this bring back memories of a youth spent in rural Idaho with many of the same items around our simple town and home. For anyone fond of the classics and the ‘good ol’ days’, you should definitely pop in for a drink to check it out.“

“I celebrated my birthday this weekend at The Famous, Bianca one of the bartenders was amazing.! Great customer service.! Including the owner, as I planned my party he communicated with me And made sure everything was good. This was my first time. I am definitely going back highly recommend this place.“

“My wife and I have been here 6 times. It’s our favorite place in SD. Great atmosphere. Great service. Terrific food.I’ve had the ribeye 4 times, it’s always consistently perfect. I would happily pay $30 more than what they charge for the ribeye.The spicy rigatoni is phenomenal. The branzino is outstanding.We usually get out for around $220ish with drinks, apps and entrees and each time I feel like it’s still greet value. It’s just that good!“

“My wife and I are big fans of all things Tiki and we've been wanting to go to The Luau for awhile now. Last night we finally went and it was so worth it. We were greeted the moment we entered the door. The bar was full so we went to the outside patio which was decorated perfectly with tiki water fountains and vintage longboard surf boards. Our bartender John was amazing and lit the spiral propane heater as it was a bit cold outside. He got us our two Mai Tai drinks (they were amazing by the way)super quick and kept our bowl of Goldfish and pretzels full at all times. John was such an attentive bartender and made sure we always had everything we needed including waters. Mind you it was very busy and he had a lot of other customers to serve but in spite of that he managed to check on us quite often. As the evening got later the inside tiki bar was less crowded and so we went inside. It was decorated so cool and a very warm and friendly atmosphere. We met the other bartender Tony and he was very friendly and attentive as well. Great experience we will definitely be back. Excellent tiki drinks in perfect tiki mugs at a reasonable price. We were both so happy we went to " The Luau"“

“It's fun and quirky. Neat displays. I wouldn't say the video game selection was very good. But a good amount of pinball. All in all, it was a fun 60 min. There was a table in the middle of thenplace, that was full on gang members, that kept meeting the eyes of anyone that dared to look. So, maybe go in the day time?“