50 Best Bars in San Diego

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“This venue is beautiful 😍“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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)“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!
★★★★★“

“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!! 🥂“

“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!“

“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.“

“All good dudes hang out at Clem’s.“

“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!“

“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.“

“A fun place to visit before Padres games, or if you're interested in visiting a local distillery. Storyhouse distills Boubon, Rye,
Vodca, & Tequila, and mixes numerous drinks at the bar. We also had Blackened Fish Tacos & Wings which were good. They do have a decent menu which includes burgers, fries, pizza, etc. Recommended.“

“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“

“Love their food & drinks 😊“

“Awesome food, great service, perfect location“

“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!“

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

“Great restaurant! 100 percent recommend!“

“where do I even begin my experience was STUPENDOUS?! Thank you to the honorable mc and host who is a pillar in the representation of the LGBTQ+ community recognized by the city of San Diego for their philanthropy and activism I only found out after the show when I searched for a proper way to tag @ParisSukomiMax and that would be. . . #ParisIsMyHomegirl . she really is! she handled 👏 every guest with hilarity and grace!!! the outfits were 😍🤩 the numbers were PHENOMENAL ORIGINAL and beyond the entertainment I deserve at 1030am over brunch 😍. . I wish this fabulous team of entertainers the very best of clientele guests and fellow performers. . Thank you for having us 🙏 ❤️ ABSOLUTELY returning! . . We stay good in every hood and you should too regulators mount up support the arts and advocate for allyship 🏳️‍🌈 always, lest we forget. 🖤“