Best 15 Cocktail Bars in San Diego

Are you on the lookout for the most sophisticated Cocktail Bars in San Diego?

Then we have you covered!

Keep in mind, this article is in ascending order. We’ve saved the best Cocktail Bars for last. Enjoy the list!

 

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San Diego is a city on the Pacific Coast of California known for its beaches, parks, and warm climate. It does not disappoint when it comes to cocktail bars either. San Diego is one of the finest places on the west Coast (and maybe the world) to have a cocktail in a cocktail bar. The city has always had a reputation as a “party” town, but it also has one of the best cocktail scenes on Earth for those looking for quality over quantity.  If you’re looking for a speakeasy old-fashioned or a new modern concoction, San Diego will always deliver. As the city reopens fully and regulars and visitors head out for evening libations, there are several places you should investigate for the most spectacular new cocktails. San Diego’s cocktail bars features delicious handcrafted cocktails – made with only the freshest ingredients, meticulously crafted, variety of hookah flavors from which to choose along with beer, wine and much more, electric & thought-provoking decor, relaxed & comfortable atmosphere setting the tone for meeting friends, and live music.

15. Moniker Cocktail Co.

Moniker Cocktail Co

Moniker Cocktail Co. Is a bar at Moniker general that’s approachable, yet classy experience offered to the public. The place is ambient enough to host a date, casual enough to hang out with friends and relaxing enough to engage in work or projects utilizing their WI-FI. There’s plenty of room to gather with friends and do what they encourage best; create and cultivate community. There’s a cocktail for everyone regardless of base preference; tequila, vodka, rum or whiskey.

14. The Lion’s Share

The Lion's Share

The Lion’s Share vision is the desire to offer food and cocktails with only the best ingredients, prepared meticulously for your enjoyment. It’s an intimate, moody bar pairing handcrafted drinks with New American plates featuring exotic meats.

13. Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfisher is a cocktail bar and eatery. Taking roots from the culinary heritage of Vietnam, Kingfisher presents a classic take on authentic Vietnamese French influenced food with a California sensibility.  Nested in the historic neighborhood of Golden Hill and combined with a forward thinking and elevated craft cocktail program, Kingfisher strives to provide an exciting balance of the soulful and intricate flavors of traditional Vietnamese dishes and ingredients.

12. Sidecar

Sidecar

Sidecar is Bay Park’s best neighborhood bar. It features 14 rotating taps from local and national breweries. The best craft beer, from IPA’s to sours, are poured by our knowledgeable bartenders from 3pm to 2am everyday. At Sidecar they strive to offer a bar for everyone, your satisfaction is their success. Cocktails & beers served in an easygoing setting with TVs, games & frequent live music. The place is cosy, vibrant, and very welcoming to the people you meet here

11. Park & Rec

Park & Rec

Such a fun cocktail bar in San Diego. Park & Rec Bar is a multi-building haunt serving cocktails, beer, & snacks in roomy digs with a courtyard & patio games. It’s a neighborhood bar in University Heights, specializing in cocktails. They have multiple indoor and outdoor areas where you can hang out that almost makes you feel like you’re in someone’s backyard. The inside area has a large bar, pinball machine, and shuffleboard. Pull up a chair to the bar and the bartenders can help you find the right drink based on what you like.

10. The Loft

The Loft

The Loft is a gay bar in San Diego. A great neighbourhood bar.

9. False Idol

False Idol

If you’re around Downtown San Diego, check out False Idol. False Idol is a trendy bar located within Craft & Commerce, serving strong drinks in tropical surroundings. False Idol opened in early September 2016 in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. It’s jointly owned by Martin Cate of Smuggler’s Cove and Consortium Holdings. Super trendy and cosy speakeasy. You have to go inside the restaurant to access the bar. The menu has soooo many choices with all the classics and the FI takes on them with a little twist. If you find yourself in SD, you have to stop in for some drinks.

8. Tommy Bahama | Marlin Bar – San Diego

Tommy Bahama | Marlin Bar - San Diego

Tommy Bahama | Marlin Bar is expanding its presence in California with the Tommy Bahama | Marlin Bar. This new, casual hybrid retail-restaurant concept is in keeping with the brand’s relaxed, elevated dining and shopping experience. This is the first Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar open in San Diego and is located on the First level at Fashion Valley. The full bar offers signature cocktails, Island Rum drinks, martinis, wine, beer, and zero proof cocktails. The Tommy | Bahama Marlin Bar is open from 11am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, and 11am to 9pm Friday through Saturday with Island Time Happy Hour from 3pm to 6pm daily.

7. Nunu’s Tavern

Nunu's Tavern

Nunu’s Tavern is a cocktail bar that has been a landmark in San Diego’s Hillcrest since the 1960’s. It’s a mid-century gem, you can find an updated throw back to the old school bar, complete with red Naugahyde booths and jukebox playing electric classics like the Kinks, the Flaming Lips, and Nick Drake.

6. The Red Fox Steakhouse & Piano Bar

The Red Fox Steakhouse & Piano Bar

The Red Fox Steakhouse and Piano bar is an iconic venue full of history. The room was originally built in England in 1642, a date which is carved into their breathtaking wooden fireplace mantel. This may be a new location but it has an old classic feel to it. This place definitely caters for an older crowd.

5. The Traveling Tavern

The Traveling Tavern

Enjoy professional bartending service at your next event. It’s a wedding and special event bartending company based out of La Jolla, California. The Traveling Tavern is fully insured and licensed to serve mobile bartending companies located in San Diego. The trained bar staff can serve custom event cocktails created by themselves or yourself. On the day of your special event, your personalized bar can be set up and comes supplied with a variety of items.

4. Aero Club Bar

Aero Club Bar

Aero Club Bar is a local watering hole that draws a crowd with pinball, a pool table & an extensive whiskey selection. It’s a really cool retro place that legend says was owned by a female pilot who opened the bar in the 1940’s so she would have somewhere to drink with her friends. This is one of the premier places in San Diego for whiskey lovers. They must have over 900 different bottles and they have a catalogue which is as thick as a small town phone book listing and describing them all. This is a classic, and very real American cocktail bar where you go to have a good drink in a comfortable and clean environment and to listen to good music, maybe play in a pool and talk to interesting strangers and very knowledgeable bartenders.

3. The Cordova Bar

The Cordova Bar

If you like creative cocktails and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. A little hidden gem in Mission Bay looks like nothing from the outside but steps on into a warm and welcoming atmosphere, lounge chairs, fireplace , great drinks. An amazing upscale bar with amazing cocktails and stellar mixologists.

2. Raised By Wolves

Raised By Wolves

If you love upscale cocktails, make a stop in for some solid drinks – charming cocktail place with fun entrance. Raised By Wolves is a cocktail bar that brings a sense of mystery and opulence. It’s one of the most unique, beautiful, and rad spots in San Diego. The bar is also a great spot for special events and parties – Raised By Wolves bar is large enough for groups of 10-12, small enough for just 2. The bar operates Monday through Thursday 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Saturday 3:00pm – 1:00pm, and Sunday 3:00pm – 11:00pm.

1. Realm of the 52 Remedies

Realm of the 52 Remedies

Really cool place with very unique cocktails, Realm of the 52 Remedies is an upscale cocktail bar in San Diego. A Chinese medicine-themed speakeasy bar featuring creative mixed drinks in a swanky interior. Beautiful bar and really cool entrance.

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In Conclusion

The Cocktail Bars in San Diego are expansive, with lounge couches, firepits, and nooks for intimate conversation. Definitely, Cocktail bars in San Diego are highly recommended for amazing experience.

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