50 Best Cocktail Bars in San Diego

“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.“

“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.“

“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!!“

“Always an amazing experience at Animae!“

“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“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!!“

“Great music with Whitney Shay“

“Very intimate and romantic setting and great drinks.“

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

“Fantastic tequila selection and happy hour - 5 stars“

“This restaurant is definitely a hidden gem! The happy hour deals are amazing, and I ended up coming here every evening during my stay at the hotel. The oysters were incredibly fresh, and they have an excellent wine selection. David and Monica were so welcoming and made every visit enjoyable. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in town!“

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

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

“Lovely staff and delicious food“

“The Chefs Cheese Wheel pasta was absolutely amazing!!“

“Immediately fell in love with this quaint and chicly decorated speakeasy lounge. The staff was incredibly personable and helpful. The vibe was relaxed and unassuming. When I made the reservation, it was noted that there is a 1.5 hour limit on the table. Thankfully, Botanica isn’t incredibly stringent about this rule as it gave us more time to eat, drink and be merry. My friend and I split the bill and I paid $87.49 with tip included.

Here’s what we had:
Blistered shishito peppers - mild spice but flavorful

New York strip yakitori - ordered two of these because they were that good! The steak was tender and the sauce rendered an umami flavor

Botanika roll - tasted fine, but it ate one note. You can taste the citrusy parts but not much else.

Mochi dessert - you can only get dessert if you order the pre fixe chef menu, but since our waitress didn’t know this, she put the order in and gave it to us! We were incredibly grateful because it was the perfect end to a good meal

For cocktails we ordered Spirited Away, Dragon of the West, Kyoko Sakura & Heads will Roll. All of the cocktails were beautifully presented and quite tasty.“

“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.“

“This is a great stop to make if you are looking for some awesome fish tacos. It is off the beaten path of downtown SD, but worth the trip. Very small seating area and you may have to wait, but worth it! Nice staff and service.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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 ever breakfast! Large menu. Breakfast only! Reasonable priced. Great service. 💕“

“Amazing meal! We ordered 3 meze and 2 mains. The fish of the day was a Turkish branzino and was delicious. Everything was super flavorful and our server gave us feedback on the order (suggesting a few changes) which was much appreciated. The Bosforo kebap was hands down the best item we ordered but the eggplant atom was a close second.

Highly recommend getting a reservation.“

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

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

“Awesome tiki-ish bar in San Diego! The build-out was amazing with the exception of the giant glass windows, which didn't go with the rest of the ship theme at all. We ordered the vegetable plate, which has a name that's escaping me. The website menu is a really annoying .pdf instead of easy to navigate live text. Details aside, the food and drinks were good and worth a visit.“

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

“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.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cozy ambience, great Bhangra music, delicious food, and excellent customer service. These dishes were cooked with love and the overall energy of this place is so welcoming and relaxed. Will definitely keep coming back with my fam. 💛“

“My absolute favorite place“

“Fun atmosphere, fun drinks and great staff!“

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

“Had the most amazing lunch there this afternoon - lovely calm atmosphere and the best tuna carpaccio I have ever had. The server was really knowledgeable and friendly. Pity we're only visiting because this is one place I would definitely do repeat visits.“

“What a fun local pub and the BEST girl bartender! Had the Guinness. Went on a Wednesday afternoon/ night and it was hoppin.. Highly recommend.“

“🙂👍 Manny's an awesome bartender!“

“This was a last minute breakfast spot mapped out. It turned out to be a great find. Rancho Bernardo has quite a few great spots to try and Hoorahs Breakfast Cafe is jus another addition to the options. We had our breakfast outside. Had umbrellas and plenty of tables. The omelets you can't go wrong with. Lots of egg n meat n everything I like in mine. There were cheese ones and veggie choices. They also substituted the toast or muffin for a pancake. Huge and delicious. And if your looking for a little south of the border taste gotta try the Chilequiles. They can make themselves a tasty dish of Chile Chilequiles. But look out for that spice. Has a kick to your taste buds. Service was great. They let us choose in or outside and which table we rather. Food came quick and drinks were great. Their berry smoothies were perfectly done. Great new spot!“

“Excellent mariscos. This is my 2nd time here and I feel like every time I’m going to be in Barrio Logan that I have to stop by here. Not only because it’s family run from San Diego it because the food is just so fantastic. I highly recommend the shrimp cocktail. Parking can be iffy so just drive around the neighborhood until you can find something. It’s worth it.“

“Legitimately inedible. I hate posting this, because we were excited to be here. Cocktails were decent (solid at best), but food has been inedible or forcibly eaten as we just want to leave and don't want to ask them to remake it. The beef was cold and the potato was the worst latke I've ever eaten. The surprise guava on the creme brulee was tough and similarly inedible. Will stop at in n out for a half decent meal on the way home.“

“best ol school bar in town!!“

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

“great cocktails...... ....“

“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.“

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

“Great food and very nice atmosphere“

“Went in with a couple friends on a Friday night and had a really good time overall. The place had a relaxed vibe without feeling too loud, which honestly made it easier to just hang out and enjoy the night. The cocktails were balanced and didn't taste overloaded with syrup like you get at some places. Bartender was cool too, gave us a few suggestions based on what we liked instead of pushing the same drinks on everyone. Food was decent and came out pretty quick. Not perfect, but the expereince felt easy and enjoyable enough that I'd come back again.“

“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 came in to Lucys for the first time after a horrible lay off. I never knew this place existed! My friend works at the pottery place next door. Not only did all the locals help me with my headspace but they helped me with understanding it’s ok to have a fall out I love ocean beach locals for helping me in my time of need and I’m so glad I moved here!
The bar group that owns this place should always hire people named Erin!“