50 Best Bars in San Diego

“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.“

“Normally I like to keep gems like this to myself, but walking through literal back alleys in San Diego to be introduced to this incredible Hi-Fi listening speakeasy was just too awesome and I hope everyone I love gets a chance to get on the reservation list, stat. I'm a speakeasy veteran with a coast to coast cocktail sipping resume that spans from SF to Boston and New Orleans to Chicago, and this spot has definitely landed in my top ten. The atmosphere, the staff, the tunes, and the drinks are all so special and perfectly curated for maximum delight. Every aspect of CMB is comfortable and balanced, and so very easy to enjoy. They found a great groove and kept it going.“

“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.“

“Great food, service, atmosphere, and view.“

“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!“

“Great all around dining experience.“

“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 🕺🏽“

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

“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.“

“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).“

“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.“

“My husband and I had the absolute pleasure to dine at Juniper and Ivy for our 33 year anniversary. Not only did they have special menus for us, but we had a complete and very special experience start to finish.The staff were so welcoming and knowledgeable. We had what I would consider the best seats in the restaurant. We sat up at the kitchen bar, and were treated to an amazing dinner and “show “ The kitchen crew were so impressive and friendly to each other and us. We had such a great experience, that we canceled reservations at another restaurant on the same block for later in the week, so we could come back and try more. Same amazing experience at the next visit. Highly recommend, when we come back to SD we will prioritize another visit. Thank you so much for such a great experience!“

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

“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.“

“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!
★★★★★“

“We’ve been to Mabel’s twice now and both times we were so impressed by the quality of service and their willingness to accommodate some dietary restrictions. As a vegan, our server worked with the chef to see what they could make modifications to and their recommendations did not disappoint! My fiancé also loved his meal and said he would love to come back again for the oysters and Spanish G&T. Highly recommend if you’re in the North Park area!“

“All good dudes hang out at Clem’s.“

“Literally one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had. They delivered 25 min after my order was placed. Fries were still crispy!!! Very delicious.“

“A Hidden Gem in an Office Park: A Night at The WineSeller & Brasserie You wouldn’t expect to find a culinary treasure tucked away in an office park, but The WineSeller defies all expectations. Downstairs, it’s a literal wine cellar where patrons can store their own bottles. Upstairs, you step into a dining room that feels like a delightful throwback to the ‘90s—nostalgic in the best possible way. What made our experience truly exceptional was the personalized seven-course tasting menu. Our friend had a collection of his own wines stored there and gave them to Lisa, the warm and welcoming owner. She and Chef Oscar then crafted a menu specifically to pair with those wines. The result was simply unforgettable. Every course was amazing, but a couple stood out as pure genius. One highlight was a half lobster served two ways: one side topped with beef tartare, the other with lobster tartare. As someone who loves tasting menus, I was blown away by the creativity. Another standout was the clams with chorizo in a broth that was just out of this world. And who knew chicken could be so extraordinary? The chicken roulade was unbelievably tender and flavorful. Finally, the venison with mole sauce was cooked to absolute perfection and left us all speechless. Chef Oscar’s talent and humility shone through each dish, and Lisa’s hospitality made the night even more special. While we didn’t try the regular menu, I have no doubt it’s just as delightful. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience with a personal touch, The WineSeller is a must-visit.“

“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.“

“best burger in town and the fries are amazing“

“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.“

“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’ve traveled all over the country and Bar Ella is far and above my favorite place to relax. The food, the atmosphere, the staff… all top notch and made the evening quite memorable. Congrats on your Grand Opening!! 🥂“

“Great service great food will be back soon.“

“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!“

“I know everyone gives things a five star experience but this bar truly matched a five star bar experience. Amazing cocktails that truly make you question flavor profiles and what works together. Also their custom cocktail was amazing for our whole entire group. The servers will walk you through each cocktail you order and will answer ever question you have. Our serve even drew a whole diagram for me to show me the whole process how they made my drink. Honestly an unforgettable moment in our trip to San Diego! Thank you so much to the staff who works so hard at Young Blood! I will never forget this!!“

“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!“

“Love their food & drinks 😊“

“Awesome food, great service, perfect location“

“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.“

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

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

“Great restaurant! 100 percent recommend!“

“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!“

“The food and service is magnificent. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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 👏🏻“