50 Best Bars near National City

“Everything about it is fantastic! The beers are delicious and the owners are so welcoming! Thank you for hosting my 29th birthday!!!💕“

“Craft beer places are a dime a dozen in SD, but I knew after one visit that Machete is easily going to become a favorite water hole to visit when I am in the mood for a good variety of craft beer. They have a bunch of different styles, and a selection of beers from breweries that I either haven't heard of or never tasted before. Love that. It gets boring seeing the same 3-4 breweries at every place that offers craft beer in SD.Vibe is super chill, casual and divey.Staff here is really nice. I didn't get his name, but he let me try a few different beers and gave great recommendations based on the styles I like.No food here, but the Papi’s Teppanyaki food truck is here from time to time. Check their IG for their schedule. Not sure if there are ever other options since I only recently found out about this place.Cheers!Edit: I came back a second time and the super cool bartender's name is Jett. If you come in on a day he's manning the bar, you're in great hands. :)

Kid-friendliness: There was a young family here with a stroller, but it wouldn't be my first choice for places to visit with kids.“

“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 ?“

“Used to go there after work at. USN. back in 1982-3. They had excellent chili and a great cheeseburger. I think it only cost a buck at the time😀“

“Food was delicious, service was great, place is clean. I will be back for more😋😋😋“

“Wow - what a great night! My husband and I were there for the first time last night - Amadeus took special care of us - what a guy! So friendly, knowledgeable and just all around a perfect host. He was patient and explained all the whisky in detail and had great suggestions. My husband chose a whisky flight and I had something close to an old fashioned. Wonderful and the food - we started with the oysters then he suggested the chicken sliders and the arincini balls - perfect! We were definitely full but the suggestions were spot on! I finished with a cocktail that Amadeus makes himself - it was like a cinnamon toast crunch desert - divine!!! We will definitely be back and thank you Amadeus - we will definitely ask for you!“

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

“Great all around dining experience.“

“Excellent food and very good service. Everything was delicious and the portions were huge. It was expensive for breakfast, but great for a special occasion.“

“Clean and bright with plenty of indoor seating, great service and a hands on manager. A women owned business and it shows in the attention to details. My wife had a Tamarindo Margarita and i had an alcohol free beer and both were exceptional. I had the three taco platter with Vegan, Barbacoa, and Mushroom Asada Black Beans and Rice while my wife opted for a Gabacha and a Baja Taco and the Churro Ice Cream Sandwich for dessert. Love it and going bach for Taco Tuesday and a Brunch soon.“

“Good restaurant, delicious food. I recommend everyone to try it“

“This venue is beautiful 😍“

“My partner and I were so excited when this place open. I think we heard that it was coming to San Diego at least 6:00 to 8 months before it actually arrived. To have a non-alcoholic bar in San Diego is such a wonderful thing and I hope that people choose to follow suit. The inspiration behind this establishment is wonderful, and their intentions to bring sober and mentally helpful cocktails to San Diego is beautiful. I highly recommend looking them up, reading what they're about on their website and giving them a visit. They have a wide variety of adaptogenic cocktails, CBD cocktails, and standard non-alcoholic cocktails that are still quite imaginative. There are also open during the day with entirely different menus etc. I still have not managed to make it down from Encinitas to go there in the morning but we plan to. We have been several times at night at it is one of our favorite hangouts. Being able to go to a bar without drunk people stumbling around making lots of noise and messes is a wonderful thing. As someone who got sober myself a little while back, it is utterly refreshing to see other people dedicated to having you sober evening.“

“Fun atmosphere, fun drinks and great staff!“

“Delicious food and drinks. Great staff, very comfortable bar seating. Also has tables and chairs if you prefer. Sometimes live music that anyone could enjoy and never too loud. Conveniently located on the first floor in the heart of the mall and not in the fast food court.“

“I’m visiting San Diego and stopped at this bar and it was awesome vibes and a great place! It was 80’s night and everyone killed it! Kaylee was the bartender who served me and she sat and talked to me about some different types of whiskey and was very knowledgeable. She ended up getting my pallet down and got me hooked on EH Taylor Single Barrel!
My new favorite drink and she was awesome!“

“Yes, if you say no, you’re wrong.“

“What a fantastic place! Food was excellent and great proportions, likely the best flatbread I’ve ever had. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend and will return if in the area again.“

“Great aloha vibe, cocktail selection and live music. Perfect spot to chill with friends.“

“10/10 service, food, and drinks. Very dog friendly and the food is fantastic. The staff offered our dog a free pup cup (basically a whipped cream ice cream cone). Service was fast and drinks are tasty and fun. Feels like a bar for millennials by millennials. Great happy hour deals too! (They have a girl dinner in their happy hour menu)“

“The Last Meal of the San Diego Stay at My Favorite Dinner Spot. Its Downtown Little Italy. Great 10/10 Service. Bar Staff Outstanding. Overall Service. DESTINATION SPOT.“

“I attended Juniper & Ivy for a small post-wedding reception. The space was nice and sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant, although it was loud at times because it’s separated by a curtain. It did still feel private, which was great. Although I was the photographer at this wedding, the staff was still super nice and was able to get me a vegetarian meal. They also let the couple bring in their own cakes, which was great! I’d recommend this spot for a smaller reception for sure.“

“Hated that my friend who was over fifty was refused to be served bec she forgot her ID. Really guys. I get the need to card ppl but at some point it is more flattering then necessary.“

“Great music! Fun space! Friendly staff. I would love to hang out here again.“

“Love the food joint that’s been added to this bar. Amazing food and people!“

“The skirt steak will make you cry. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Absolutely outstanding experience at The Tower Bar! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm, stylish, and inviting. The staff were incredibly attentive and friendly, making sure everything was perfect throughout the visit. The drinks were expertly crafted—balanced, creative, and beautifully presented. The food was just as impressive, with every dish full of flavor and clearly made with care.

What really sets this place apart is the vibe—perfect for relaxing with friends or enjoying a special night out. Everything felt top-notch, from service to ambiance. I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommended!
★★★★★“

“Came in solo around 6:30pm and was able to grab a seat at the bar. They have a rotational menu based on locally sourced ingredient availability. Ordered the daily oysters (which were fantastic) and the grilled sea bass.

The service here is probably some of the most friendly/best I’ve experienced before. My sea bass was undercooked & the bartender went to check with the chef. She confirmed that was the case and asked to make sure I’d like them to remake it. While waiting, the hostess also came over to apologize and checked in to see if I needed anything else. The new fish came back much better, however I felt like the sauce was a little too salty and acidic to my taste (both times). Based on my experience I feel like they are the type of business to make things right if you are not satisfied

Looking at other reviews I think this would be a great place for drinks & apps.

Overall beautiful place, great service and would probably recommend going for oyster hour 4pm-5pm to ease the hefty price tag“

“Phenomenal food! Great atmosphere, kid friendly!“

“All good dudes hang out at Clem’s.“

“Retro arcade conveniently located in La Mesa. Don't drink so can't speak to the beer selection but they have a wife variety of taps. If theres a beeryou wanted to try this is a phenomenal opportunity. Played for about 45 min, 2 ppl cost $27 incl good tip. Sundays are free play all day. I'll be back“

“Really enjoyed our first visit to Parkhouse. Definitely coming back. Food and drinks were delicious. The service was exceptional“

“best burger in town and the fries are amazing“

“My husband was in a business dinner and they walked some of gaslamp afterwards. After they parted ways, he needed to use the bathroom so he ran in the closest restaurant. They said he couldn't use it unless he was a customer. I totally get that but they were packed out so it made no sense.... Either way, he bought a chicken quesadilla to go. He brought it back to the room for me and our sons to have. It tasted good...until my youngest son spit out a piece of plastic he found inside the quesadilla. My Husband called about it the next day bc they were then closed. Their response was "oops sorry" like wth?! They then said "bring it back along with the plastic." No mention of a refund or investigation of how it happened. And by that point, room service had come and took the box of the rest of the food plus no one wanted to fight downtown traffic and pay to park to have them possibly offer us another quesadilla . 🙄 Again the food we did eat, minus the plastic, was good but the service wasn't.“

“An incredible experience across the board; expertly crafted - and I mean crafted - cocktails, unique recipes. Fun, intimate, highly recommend for couples, too small for groups, but can’t beat for date night. And then step outside the speakeasy into the small Tahoma restaurant/bar for exceptional tacos, empanadas, and Mexican or Mexican- influenced dishes at very reasonable prices given the very high quality: simply hard to beat. Service brings the experience together - we went twice in one week, first time just for dinner, and both times the service was genuine, knowledgeable and friendly. Almost don’t want to give such high praise, as the venue is small and will be increasingly hard to reserve!“

“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.“

“I picked up some ribs and a sandwich for dinner last night and the food was awesome as always. Portions were big enough that I had leftovers. Corbin O'Reilly and Vince always make me feel special!“

“Super fun place to celebrate anything!“

“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.“

“One of my favorite bars in the city! Great cigars, deals on drinks, and a vibe that’s always chill but never boring. Staff makes you feel at home every time. I even love bringing in my board games here it’s the perfect spot to relax, hang with friends, and just enjoy the night. Easily one of my favorite bars in the city.“

“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“

“Awesome food, great service, perfect location“

“Love their food & drinks 😊“

“Very friendly and professional staff . Five star ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“You can't call it a dive bar when they have $300 bourbons on the shelf! Erin is great. We went there twice and will probably go back again later. And there are pinball machines and a pool table and other arcade games. Fun place.“

“The Whiskey house isn’t just for whiskey! We enjoyed a great brunch outdoors. The cinnamon pancakes are to die for! Great service from Jackie!“

“My wife and I stumbled upon Majorette while exploring Rolando Village. It looks like a dive bar, but it has a really good beer selection and great food. I'm a fried chicken sandwich snob, and it doesn't get much better than their fried chicken thigh sando. The only real option for my wife (who is vegetarian) was the grilled cheese sandwich. While it was delicious, it would be nice if they would at least offer an Impossible burger substitute for their smash burger. I also wish they were open for lunch instead of just dinner, but such is life. We will definitely be back soon!“

“Great restaurant! 100 percent recommend!“