50 Best Cocktail Bars near Spring Valley

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

“**STOP WHAT YOUR DOING***
I cane to this dive bar expecting nothing. It is the epitome of a dive but what I was met with were charismatic locals and bartenders eager to please. I HAVE to single out one bartender in particular, her name is Pisces. I'm a San Diego native and had the best Martini I ever had in SD here!! Yea..im not a drug addict you heard (read) me correctly. I asked for a slightly dirty gin martini and got EXACTLY that. It wasn't swimming in vermouth or overly salty from the olive she got the proportions perfect. I took a sip and thought I was sitting in a speakeasy in SF, and yes I use to live there so I know what I'm talking about. Somebody come and get her...I told her after my fist sip she should not be working here. 10/10!“

“Great little dive bar with awesome live music and reasonably priced drinks. Friendly staff and dedicated owner who has improved the place continually since he bought it.“

“Enjoy the place every time I'm here.“

“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!!“

“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!!!!!!“

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

“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.“

“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’ve been here quite a few times, both on weekdays and weekends, and it’s easily my favorite cocktail bar in North Park. On my most recent visit, I ended up third-wheeling my friends’ date night 😅 after they invited me along. Since it was a weekday, the place was surprisingly quiet. I’m so used to seeing long waits and packed crowds here that it almost felt like a different bar. We started with a few shots and then moved on to cocktails. The Misa Misa was okay, and the Spirited Away was good, but my absolute favorite was the Heads Will Roll. It was delicious and probably one of the better cocktails I’ve had here. One thing I really appreciate about this place is how much thought goes into their signature drinks. The presentation, the flavors, even the glassware all feel intentional and unique. This was also the first time I tried their food. The truffle fries were absolutely delicious and paired perfectly with the drinks. We also ordered the vegetable gyoza, which was pretty good. My friends got the disco fries and seemed to really enjoy them. The only miss for us was the yakitori both the vegetable and New York strip skewers were both way too salty and ended up being our least favorite dishes of the night. Overall, I’d still give this place a solid 5/5 for cocktails and around a 4/5 for food. The drinks alone keep me coming back.“

“Upscale and romantic Turkish restaurant with halal kebobs. Must try Bosforo Kebab. They only make 50 kebabs a day so book your reservation in advance. Definitely the best kebab I’ve tried in years. Very rich, decadent, and flavorful. Also try their bosforo hummus. Surprised this is not a Michelin star rated restaurant yet lol. Perfect place for date night.“

“I went to the Full Circle Saloon and they played this degrading song that said “A lap dance is better when the stripper is crying. Well I find it quite a thrill when she grinds me against her will.” More lyrics from this song say ” I told Bambi I wanted to skin her….. and wear her face like a mask. I have to admit it was even more of a turn-on when I found out she was doin’ me to buy baby formula.” This is a a song appropriate for serial killers and John’s who rape sex workers who are forced by their situation to work against their will. The bartender was angry and irritated with me when I asked to him to please turn it off. Two other female workers were unconcerned. The Female owner Michelle Bailey said she will not be a song N*** and did not offer to do anything about it. Oh She said there is a guy there that likes to play this song when he plays pool. If people there accept this happening I will vote by not going there.“

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

“Stopped by Ferchaladas Birria & Mariscos and really enjoyed it. We tried the birria tacos and the octopus. The birria tacos were really good, but the octopus was definitely my favorite. It was cooked perfectly and full of flavor.

The place has a great local vibe, and the food was fresh and came out quickly. Just a heads up, they only accept cash or Venmo, so come prepared. Parking can be a little difficult depending on the time of day, but it's definitely worth it once you try the food.

We'll definitely be back to try more from the menu!“

“One of the most unique experiences in San Diego.“

“Fun atmosphere, fun drinks and great staff!“

“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.“

“The food is so good! 100% recommend the vodka sauce! Stuffed mushrooms are fantastic. Ambiance is fabulous and service is so good. Alex was our server, he’s a keeper. This is our new go to Italian restaurant.“

“🙂👍 Manny's an awesome bartender!“

“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 ?“

“Acqua Farina was amazing! Delicious food, a very special vinegar, incredible pasta and sauce, and wonderful fresh bread. The atmosphere, music, and friendly staff made it even better. Roberto, Cristiano, and Anel were the best servers ever—so attentive and helpful, and they made our first visit truly special. We loved the place and can’t wait to come back!“

“Great aloha vibe, cocktail selection and live music. Perfect spot to chill with friends.“

“Yesterday my friends and I went to your restaurant. I tried brioche French toast (banana foster 🍌 with strawberries 🍓 and whipped cream). WOW 😲! It was very delicious 😋, well-flavored, light, spongy, melt in your mouth, irresistible 😁, and heavenly 😇. I loved it 🥰. And sugar free vanilla latte, very good 😊 and comforting ☺️. Your restaurant is amazing 🤩 and peaceful. You have a great service 😃. Your employer is kind and courteous. I hope you in other occasion.“

“I personally love coming here - this trip was the first time in a couple of years - but the atmosphere is really welcoming for a bar. The owner and his staff are very friendly, and the karaoke host is very professional, but you can also tell he enjoys what he does. That means a lot for me. I want to make it at least a monthly thing going forward.“

“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 had long time that I didn't really like going out until I came across this place it's very welcoming and the vibes are great I also feel taken care by the bartenders nino and nena are great and friendly. I just love how comfortable and safe I feel there 😊“

“Kensington Club delivers an exceptional experience from start to finish. The ambiance is elegant yet welcoming, making it perfect for both relaxed evenings and special occasions. The staff are attentive, professional, and genuinely friendly, ensuring every guest feels valued. The food and drinks are top-notch, with great attention to quality and presentation. Everything runs smoothly, creating a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere throughout. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a premium and memorable experience.“

“Service 💯 Food 💯 Drinks 💯“

“All good dudes hang out at Clem’s.“

“Coin Op in the Gaslamp is such a fun spot! Between the nostalgic arcade games, the great drink selection, and the lively vibe, it’s the perfect place to hang out with friends. Huge shout-out to Julia—she made the night even better with her friendly and attentive service. Definitely recommend stopping by if you’re in downtown San Diego!“

“Excelente servicio esta buena la música con el mariachi muy rica la comida nos tocó de mesero el Sr Alfonso muy amable muy buen servicio.“

“Bivouac Adventure Lodge is such a gorgeous space! Every little detail is extremely intentional and you can tell so much thought and love has gone into curating the space. Lara was gracious enough to let me host my journal club in her space and everyone loved it! The food and drinks were delicious and it was the perfect ambiance for a Camp themed event! Cannot speak enough about how much I loved hosting here!“

“We really enjoyed our meals and the overall experience of dining at Casa Gabriela. Our waitress, Samantha was excellent! She was professional, very attentive & super friendly. She was one of the best waitresses all tree of us have ever had. They have a real gem there. We will definitely be back soon.“

“Its a dive bar. Not terrible, but very dive bar ish. I've seen a band there, the place is small and can feel a little crowded. But it was fun. Also very loud. But again, fun. Bartender was very busy, so not very fast, but she was very nice. Busy is not her fault. Maybe additional help during blush nights?
IDK. Im just one person. It was fine. Not great or amazing, but fun and fine.“

“Great neighborhood restaurant! The owner operators, Mack and Ashley, are wonderful people who make delicious food. They keep it fresh- both the food and the vibes. They're always putting on special nights with themes and and dinner deals. Proud to be a local here.“

“I recommend however I feel that guests must temper their expectations for the emo nite experience. The indoor bar is over packed and the outdoor patio does not have sufficient sound. The bartenders were attentive and pleasant. The bathroom had toilet paper and soap.“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“Great bar“

“3/5 for a first timer during restaurant week… the special menu was $50 per person…. we never got any bread with our dinner (and didn’t realize we were left out until we were on dessert)… and, portions were small, so the bread would have been nice, especially for $50… also, the server made us make our food order at the same time as our drinks… personally, i like to have a drink or two before i order my food… so, the service was rushed in that sense… and no one asked me if i wanted a second glass of wine i had the veal and my friend had the lobster ravioli… both tasted decently but, again, small portions… the burrata was amazing and the desserts (tiramisu and lava cake) were pleasant i think i’d like to try again on a night that isn’t as busy, and order off of the actual menu“

“Food are delicious. Good customer service.“

“Great place highly recommended, amazing drinks awesome, come check them out and have a fantastic time“

“Best bar in San Diego super nice staff and great food“

“We went to Hacienda Grill over the weekend for a birthday. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was awesome! Our server was very attentive and kind. I highly recommend this place. We will be coming back soon. 😊“

“Great bartender too. Started with Negroni and had the house red. Not bad with the diiavola pizza.“

“Best Sports bar in North Park! Food is fabulous, great drink selection, and they show soccer women’s soccer (with sound!!!)“

“Good job n thank you so much“

“Food was delicious and the whole family loved it.
I got stopped at the door for a weird reason but because of it I would give 10 stars. I was asked what I was getting and doing because the gentleman noticed I had my kids with me, he said he couldn't allow me to go to the bar but I could order food. Way to look out for those kids I respect the man and the business just for looking out for the kids good job!!“

“I came here after work on a Friday night. It just so happen to be a Padres vs Dodgers game and this place was packed! I mean, for your regular local bar... it was poppin'!
Everyone had a good, positive vibe watching the game regardless of the rivalry (there was a mix of both fans here) they didn't have the jukebox playing, so it was strictly game time vibes!
But as soon as the game ended, Jaqui, the bartender at the time, turned the music UP!
Jaqui was the ONLY bartender serving the patrons all night! She not only was running around like crazy but she kept such an inviting, friendly smile the whole time! She made sure to keep a conversation going with her guests as well.
While I was here, I didn't hear of any complaints about the service. Jaqui made sure my refreshments 😜 were always full as well. She's by far the best I've seen yet!!
Overall, it's a cool bar to chill at during baseball games or even to have a night cap after work! & with Jaqui as your bartender, you'll leave here on a positive note and I bet you'll be back 😋😉“

“Love my necklace! I’ll always have my cousin close to me now. ❤️‍🩹“