San Diego's Best Bartenders

Dive bar offers unique drinks, dancing and DJs to San Diego scenesters.

Reviews:

• “Great local trendy dancing!”
• “Faux Retro”
• “Last night a DJ saved my life”
• “Go downtown? You crazy or sumthin’?”
• “Best Lounge”

AIR CONDITIONED

The Gaslamp goes Down Under with simple, fresh food and an impressive Aussie beer selection imported in eco-friendly kegs.

Reviews:

• “Lost Aussie Feel”
• “Hip new Australian restaurant & bar: crowded, loud and expensive!”
• “An Aussie’s take on an Aussie Shop”
• “great hangout, great beer”
• “This is a KEEPER”

Tips: The bar and cafe are up front, with more traditional dining in the back, though patrons are encouraged to mill around.

Bondi Bar & Kitchen

Hip downtown loft restaurant is cool by association to celebs, a locally renowned chef and top DJs spinning into the wee hours.

Reviews:

• “great service!”
• “Great customer service, fun atmosphere”
• “Posers stay away!”
• “Wow!!!!!”
• “Only REAL lounge in Gaslamp”

Tips: The upstairs lounge appears off limits, but all it takes is a request to your server for an escort to a table above.

Confidential

Gaslamp corner bar balances a cool loft look with an easy, neighborhood feel and great happy hour specials.

Tips: Bottle service or dinner reservation guarantees you a prime booth spot. Outdoor seating fills up fast on weekends.

Sidebar — CLOSED TEMPORARILY

Twin pianos fill the stage, drinks fill the tables, and sing-alongs of familiar choruses fill the bar.

Reviews:

• “Don’t waste your time with these guys – San Diego has plenty of better alternatives”
• “Rude Service”
• “Great during the week….”
• “The Shout! House – Rock n’ Roll, Sing a Long, Dueling Piano Bar – THEY ROCK!”

Tips: Admission is free for the first hour each night. The cover is $5 during the week and $8 on weekends.

The Shout! House or email The Shout! House

Storied downtown haunt home to power lunches by day and theatergoers by night stands the test of time south of Broadway.

Reviews:

• “Great food…Fantastic Service!”
• “Great Lunch, Great Happy hour and GREAT service”
• “It is just the best Restaurant in San Diego”

Tips: Seating in the bar at lunch is like being in the pit on Wall Street. Tables upstairs are a bit more low key.

Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant

Grill your own steaks with fellow in-the-know locals at this venerable, retro dive that separates South Park and Golden Hill.

Reviews:

• “I approve”
• “Best local joint”

Tips: Old-school piano crooners Kevin Cavanaugh and Richard Johnson tickle the ivories to a packed house on alternate Sunday evenings.

Turf Supper Club

Downtown’s oldest tavern stays local with no-frills fare and a bar staff that remembers your name.

Reviews:

• “San Diego Classic”

Tips: Don’t. Walk here from downtown or take the trolley to the County Center stop and walk east to Kettner. Otherwise, it’s a battle with Little Italy residents for a street meter after 6pm.

Waterfront Bar & Grill

Safely walking the line between a frat boy’s dream and a food enthusiast’s paradise.

Reviews:

• “Great place to go if you are just chillen at the beach or I guess any other time "
• “good PB bar that has large menu”
• “Chill, Surfer Crowd”

Tips: There’s an incredibly strict dress code after 8pm (no baggy clothes, no sports jerseys, etc.) so call ahead for the house rules that evening.

Pacific Beach Bar & Grill

Powered by Citysearch