50 Best Cocktail Bars in San Diego

“Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done. The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful. Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol. Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!“

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

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

“This place has thought of everything!!! The aesthetic is incredible, every detail better than the next, and the food and drinks are tastyyyyy with just as thoughtful service!! Shout out to our server Emmy, she was so sweet and on top of all our orders, thank you!“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“Inspiring, creative menu that rivals the best menus in the world. Surprising affordable and unforgettably crafted cocktails. Entire staff is friendly, approachable and highly knowledgeable.“

“Youngblood is an amazing experience .highly recommend going early on in the day/night as the experience is set for 3 different cocktails .there is no food service or menus in the speakeasy part of the experience .the bartenders will make you 3 different cocktails based off of a few questions about what flavors and what types of alcohols you typically like .first one is a feeler out intro cocktail .2nd is a stronger spirit forward one .3rd is a dessert cocktail .very unique and different but the bartenders were spot on with my drinks/recommendations .all 3 cocktails they made were excellent and better than what I probably would have ordered with a menu .ambiance is very small hidden room .what you would want from a speakeasy dim lights and quiet .Great for a date night as it is a intimate setting .I will definitely be returning here again and highly recommend to give this place a try .“

“Excelente Servicio, Excelente Comida, La mejor Chef De Nolita Hall, Michel Peregrino, Muy Recomendable Todo.“

“Everything was fabulous, atmosphere, food, drinks, service!“

“Great music with Whitney Shay“

“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.“

“One of my favorite spots in SD!
Great coffee in the morning and some nice breakfast options. Delicious drinks and friendly bartenders in the afternoon/evening. I made new friends here, since the place has a lot of regulars. Highly recommend!
PS: try the meatballs!“

“stopped by for a drink before heading over to grass skirt. We must have gotten lucky cause everything was awesome! The music level was good, could talk to my husband. but maybe cause it was still early in the night. Drink was delicious & loved the decor. Great date night!“

“great cocktails...... ....“

“Old school vibe. Vintage instruments and firearms on the walls, lots of wood and rock. A sunken sitting area with a fireplace. Just great fun and a good hang“

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

“Enjoyed a tasty branzino with lemon caper sauce, Lemoncello cake, and good cocktails. Also enjoyed the personality and getting to know more about the business by talking with one of the owners, Flavio. Recommend and will return. Felt like family.“

“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!“

“Great staff, great atmosphere, great karaoke!“

“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!“

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

“My daughter and I enjoyed cat yoga today with John Ortiz as the teacher. This was a wonderful and unique experience in a beautifully decorated and designed room perfect for the cats to roam freely while flowing through the movements of yoga. The space was upstairs in an area that is open but protected. The breeze was flowing, the sun dancing through the curtains, and John was a knowledgeable and gifted teacher. This class will be enjoyed by anyone whether or not they have attended a yoga class. We had a great workout while the cats moved freely within our space. They never interfered or got in the way. We could pet them at any time and take pictures if we wanted. This was a truly enjoyable and unique experience and I am so glad that we did it.“

“Amazing food, amazing cocktails, amazing service, and amazing ambience. Highly recommend!!!“

“Fun atmosphere, fun drinks and great staff!“

“Great service, wonderful food & atmosphere. Did I mention the service!“

“Delicioso! Súper la atención y los sabores exquisitos“

“Great food and very nice atmosphere“

“Absolutely one of the best charcuterie boards we’ve ever had!! Great drinks, fabulous servers!!!“

“Recomiendo todo Es un súper lugar cómodo ,bendecido Su personal y su comida Es lo máximo Sus bebidas no hay comparación ,su personal de la barra es súper Cada vez que tengo la bendición de estar en ese lugar me hacen sentir muy especial Todo absolutamente todo lo recomiendo Gracias CATANIA“

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

“Great JAPANESE Tonkatsu served with shredded cabbage salad just like in Japan“

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

“Bivouac Ciderworks is amazing! The ciders are great, but the customer service really stands out. The staff was super friendly, knowledgeable, and made me feel welcome right away. They helped me find the perfect drink and made the whole experience enjoyable. Highly recommend!“

“This was an amazing experience. The hostess was amazing at explaining the seating options and fun facts about the restuarant. David C was our waiter and was super attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Service and food were good. And the view of the harbor was something I would never complain about. I would recommend this looking for a unique experience.“

“Great portions, good cocktails, wide variety of tequilas“

“I had an early dinner with my partner. We had a reserved table on the patio and the weather was perfect. We were warmly greeted by all the staff and made to feel welcome. 0ur waitress/server was so nice and made our evening so special. Several of the staff checked in on as as well and had pleasant conversations. The food/drinks were delicious and very prompt. It was so good we ordered a second serving! The prices were modest and we felt really good about our evening out. I recommend Happy Medium and will be a repeat customer.“

“Great food and drinks for decent prices. Service and staff are great. Rooftop view is amazing.“

“Wow! America would be such a better place if more restaurants were like this! LOVE that literally every breakfast option had some sort of vegetables or fruit included, yay nutrients! Healthy, filling, friendly people, good vibes. Highly recommend!!“

“Incredible fresh, flavorful Mexican food with many fun nonalcoholic drinks and cocktails to choose from. They also passed out ice pops to all those dining on a hot day. Would definitely recommend for a great Mexican spot in OB! Don’t miss out on the tacos“

“The cocktails were delicious, once I was finally inside, the small bar atmosphere was great. But the San Diego Speakeasy thing was already wearing on me after this had to have been the 8th "speakeasy" I had been to in as many days, so I know my heart wasn't in it for that part.“

“Absolutely the most creative menu in the City! Great Atmosphere, great choices. We always leave amazed at our experience and eager to return“

“Everything that was advertised was false! We went for Father's Day and they had no food. Almost 70% of their menu was not available. We drove 90 miles to be told they had no chicken wings, no lobster, no steak, no tacos, no potatoes, no beignets, no greens, and no catfish, only AFTER we had been seated and ready to order. I made the reservations a month and a half ago, and we were so excited to try this place for the first time. Needles to say we left beyond disappointed, along with many other customers. It was a complete disaster, and ruined our Father's Day celebration.“

“We all enjoyed our meals. I would definitely go back. The service was very nice except the restaurant was not busy & they brought out one meal at a time. I had Enchiladas Divorciadas & they were excellent. Others had carnitas which they enjoyed. One person had a combo plate with a carnitas enchilada with mole sauce & a taco. Yummy food!“

“Classy and elegant atmosphere perfect for a fine dining experience (without the snobbery)! The table side caviar service is pure ecstasy and a must if you’ve never had it before. The whiskey flights did not disappoint either. Our waiter treated us like family and the entire staff was friendly and knowledgeable. If you’re looking for a memorable meal, the Huntress is a slam dunk! Highly recommend!“

“We loved Dockside! We sat at the fire pit with a beautiful view of the bay and boats! Our server was super friendly and helpful! We shared the salmon, sea bass and Mac n cheese...everything was absolutely delicious! Can't wait to go back!“

“Was here last night after the Padres game and all the staff were so courteous & efficient - cool, calm & collect!! So Impressive!!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“