50 Best Cocktail Bars near National City

“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 ?“

“Good job n thank you so much“

“My family and I had a wonderful experience. The food, drinks, atmosphere, staff and price were on point. We definitely will be back to this restaurant.“

“The dj knew exactly how to keep the crowd going. The drinks were amazing. A place that stays open much later the the normal 2am close time like others. People were friendly and willing to mingle. Even had a few games for people that were just there to enjoy the atmosphere“

“Young Blood – 10/10 🔥🔥🔥

Young Blood is a full-on experience. The drinks are absolutely BOMB—every cocktail is crafted to perfection and tastes as good as it looks. Seriously, 10/10.

Big shoutout to Sierra and Gerrick behind the bar—they’re not just bartenders, they’re straight-up artists. Super friendly, fun, and they know exactly how to elevate the vibe. You can tell they love what they do, and it shows in every pour.

The atmosphere is classy but cool—perfect for a night out, date night, or celebrating something special. If you haven’t checked it out yet, do yourself a favor and go. You won’t regret it!“

“The food was just okay, but the cocktails were absolutely fantastic. Every single one we tried was a true work of art! I was especially impressed by the non-alcoholic option — I honestly didn’t expect it to be so flavorful and unique. Highly recommended for anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol — you won’t feel like you’re missing out at all!“

“Great music with Whitney Shay“

“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!“

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

“Definitely some good Negronis and cured meats. I only came in here for the drinks, but loved the vibe of the place and the Negronis were well made and well priced. Some great deals (including their meal deal that has a slider!) and their 3 espresso martini deal for $25.

I’d come back! Would love to try some of their full sandwich options next time.“

“🙂👍 Manny's an awesome bartender!“

“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!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!!!!!!“

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

“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.“

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

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

“My absolute favorite place“

“Love love love this place. It’s the perfect mix of great drinks and mellow vibes always with shows next door. Instantly a perfect vibe for the weekend or last minute after work drink. Padded bar makes it a comfy spot, and Hannah is always pours well.“

“The first time you go your a stranger but it didn't feel uncomfortable because you could tell that you were in a friendly atmosphere. Good singers, delicious drinks, good company, excellent bartenders and an attentive KJ! Karaoke is on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 pm until closing. Pool tables and darts. If you don’t sing come by anyway … you’ll be glad you did. Hey you’ll probably see me there!“

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

“Relaxed atmosphere with live entertainment, reasonably priced drinks and friendly staff“

“The best late night bar with food orders taken up to 12:30pm in the neighborhood!!!!
Great food and great people..........just saying!

Vegetarian options: Plenty of options available for late night bar food in Hillcrest.“

“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!“

“"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.“

“Honestly was not expecting to find this kind of vibe in Hillcrest. Free pool tables, great patio, not overcrowded, good selection of divey but not biker gang music at just the right volume to have light conversation, chill patrons, great drink specials, friendly service. Went on a Sunday night and Nico is a great bartender with helpful drink recommendations. I will definitely come back when I'm the area!“

“Service was great! There is a newer bartender in there who is not so friendly! Younger chick! But the other ones that have been there a while are excellent! Tacos and burritos were served in the back YUMMY! No pics to show but the new Dirks is nice and chill atmosphere.“

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

“Love this place, the owners and the bartenders. Amazing Blood Mary's and breakfast.“

“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!“

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

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

“ok will edit my last review. Money was right its the screwed up new fangled computer billing system that they useI'm old give me paper anyway. I did have fun there and seen alot of old friends. I just want to say to the one lady that said they where racist against blacks well the owners are black and they even welcome us white folk lol“

“Fun atmosphere, fun drinks and great staff!“

“Great staff, great atmosphere, great karaoke!“

“Very high priced, but I ordered the A5 Wagyu (which is the Rolls Royce of beef), and I also ordered the A5 Wagyu tallow fries, and a real ice cream vanilla shake, so I expected to pay a high price. I waited more than 30 minutes for my meal as did a couple of other customers. I was hoping for that perfect, crispy outside and juicey inside, but my burger was so over cooked, it was really dry. (Such a waist of beautiful beef) The french fries were spot on delicious, but the shake was like milk. I think they made the shake way before the meal was ready to serve. I'm not sure if I'll go back there or not. I do love A5 Wagyu, though.“

“Great karaoke! Friendly staff!“

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

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

“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.“

“Gorgeous view and atmosphere“

“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!“

“Great bar“

“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 🤤“

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