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😋😋😋“

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

“This place is a hidden gem. The cocktails are delicious and creative, the service was excellent and the food is amazing and worth returning for. We were actually surprised by how delicious the food was in a place that emphasizes the cocktails. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. We will be back.“

“The vibe is chill but I really dont like that I dont know how much I will pay for a drink until I pay. They have menu with some of the drinks they have, but didnt bother to put prices on it. They dont have a drink menu for everything they have. When I asked about the price, I was told maximum price for a category of the drink (max for teh cocktail is, max for wine is), not a price for the drink that I was ordering.“

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

“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!“

“First time here, loved coconut shrimp appetizer, really enjoyed smokehouse burger, and also liked chicken mango salad.\t The Mai Tai was very enjoyable as was the mojito. Service was friendly and timely. For desert had a snickers croffle and that was a miss for us (no crunch and waffle/croissant was very dense and hard to eat).“

“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.“

“Yes, if you say no, you’re wrong.“

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

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

“Love this place! A flashback to the 70’s with a light up dancefloor and all. The DJs are top notch both national talent and local favorites. Meet me on the dancefloor 🕺🏽“

“Came here on a Friday afternoon last week and had a great time, the food (kale Caesar and tots) and drinks (agua ranchera) were fantastic. I really want to emphasize the service because I showed up during the end of a lunch rush and the bartender (blonde, glasses, arm tattoos) whose name I'm not 100 percent on was absolutely killing it. He was serving vibes and drinks during a chaotic moment and handled everything with grace and professionalism. He was very attentive towards all the bar patrons and extended that attentiveness to the entire floor which was amazing to watch. All in all I had a lovely time, will dine here again.“

“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.“

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

“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!
★★★★★“

“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.“

“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“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“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.“

“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.“

“My significant other and I ate here for the first time today. He ordered the fish taco. I guess it was delicious because he didn't even offer me a bite like he usually would when we try new restaurants. Lol. I ordered the 3 taco platter. And yes I had him try all 3 tacos. Oh my gosh! Amazing! Tasty! Atmosphere beautiful! Fast service and the staff was friendly, funny, helpful, and patient. We'll definitely be back!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Super fun place to celebrate anything!“

“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 all around dining experience.“

“Love their food & drinks 😊“

“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.“

“There’s no losing in Dice - you can only win: win with free drink or win by buying drinks for your friends. Best to get the “read ahead” on rules from Naval Aviator before “winning” and buying entire round a shout(round).“

“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!“

“What a great place!! We stumbled across this place when we were out to dinner. The staff is friendly and kind. The owner Deano does all the work with the awesome bands they host on the weekends. From Country to hard rock. We haven’t heard one band we haven’t loved. If your looking for a great bar with great music this is the place. Everyone is welcome in this bar. Great atmosphere and you can even order food and eat while while you listen to fantastic music or play pool and watch sports. This is a true fabulous neighborhood bar. Come And enjoy. Char and Mark Handy“

“I over the drinks, ambiance and location/space. I’ll return again soon.“

“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 👏🏻“

“Music 4-5 nights a week!“

“Best Sports bar in North Park! Food is fabulous, great drink selection, and they show soccer women’s soccer (with sound!!!)“

“Fantastic Ramen. It's a must!!“

“Phenomenal food! Great atmosphere, kid friendly!“

“Great beer selection awesome vibes and great service“

“🙂👍 Robert is a grat bartender.“

“Great place highly recommended, amazing drinks awesome, come check them out and have a fantastic time“