Whether you’re searching for the city’s most creative mixologists or a local haunt to head to with friends, these are our top picks for San Diego’s best bars.
The award-winning Youngblood; PHOTO BY ARLENE IBARRA
For a refined night out at Youngblood, reservations are essential at this acclaimed drinking establishment that came in at No. 49 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024. Immerse yourself in its Art Deco-style decor, where perceptive bartenders will curate a 90-minute, three-course cocktail tasting tailored to your tastes and emotions.
False Idol is the ultimate tiki bar. PHOTO BY ZACK BENSON
The tiki bar aesthetic takes on a trendy revamp at False Idol, located inside Craft & Commerce in Little Italy. Filled from floor to ceiling with multicolored lights, murals, and top-of-the-line bottles, False Idol invites you to get lost in the South Pacific as you sip mai tais, Mac Nut Chi Chis and—if your party’s brave—a four-person Luau Scorpion made with rum, gin and brandy.
At University Height’s Wormwood, uncover the storied past of absinthe one picturesque cocktail at a time. Clink gin and absinthe-based Secret Garden cocktails in the venue’s own private oasis, or opt for house Sazeracs in the main dining room. Don’t forget an order of Coquilles St. Jacques served spectacularly inside a scallop shell.
Tucked inside the Neighborhood restaurant, this East Village speakeasy has all the elements of a great secret bar: a vintage chandelier, a wall of skeleton skulls and enticingly strong drinks. Once you pass through the hidden doors, head to the counter and let the bartender concoct a drink based on your preferences for a night well-indulged.
A peek inside Polite Provisions; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
At Polite Provisions, the best medicine is a brilliantly crafted cocktail. The retro-inspired space boasts a lengthy list of “tonics, elixirs and cures,” such as the blanco tequila- and blackberry-spiked Tijuana Slow Dance or the Princess Peach Daquiri featuring pineapple rum and peach bitters. If you come during the holidays, expect themed drinks and plenty of charmingly campy decor.
Even on the outside, La Jolla’s Raised by Wolves stands out as an unforgettable cocktail lounge. The circular bar, encapsulated by a round glass veranda with a lion’s head fountain in the middle, is whimsically opulent and perfectly matches the lengthy cocktail menu of refreshing favorites and decadent delights. We’ll take one Tiramisu Tini, please!
Based partly on Eastern medicine, this apothecary-inspired bar pours healing concoctions using natural flavors and unique spirits. While its seasonal offerings are intriguing, some of the best drinks are the year-round “eternal remedies,” including the Opium Den with smoked salt and shiitake mushroom and the Jack and Coke, a play on the classic utilizing jackfruit-infused Papo J’s coconut nectar vodka.
The cheeky door leading to Prohibition; PHOTO COURTESY OF GBOD HOSPITALITY GROUP
Travel back to the 1920s at this Prohibition-style haunt in the Gaslamp Quarter. Push through the Eddie O’Hare’s Law Office door to explore a world of red-hued lighting, stiff old-fashioneds, swinging live music and friendly bartenders pouring up novel libations.
The Whaling Bar, nestled inside the La Valencia Hotel, exudes coastal elegance, from the scenic patio overlooking La Jolla Cove to the myriad bubbly bottles and beachy cocktails. The Green Dragon, a mix of avocado tequila, toasted rice coconut, pineapple and lime, is a frequenter’s favorite, but for a taste of the city, the bartenders craft an incredible martini.
The entrance to Bing's Bar at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Bing’s Bar at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe is upscale and charming, with exposed beams, oak flooring and green velvet seating. You’ll even have the chance to drink like Bing Crosby with a short list of classic cocktails, such as Manhattans and Cosmos, and specialty drinks based on his life and iconic filmography.
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