San Diego's Best Neighborhood Bar

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

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

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

Offering exceptional fare in an unpretentious setting, the restaurant is as stylish as the people that dine there.

Reviews:

• “Bad Service”
• “All we wanted was a drink…”
• “nice people”

Tips: Soleil @ K offers valet parking, a nice alternative to the crowded streets and overpriced local lots.

Soleil @ K or email Soleil @ K

Minimalist East Village watering hole combines chic, urban loft design with a comfortable, neighborhood vibe and thin-crust pizzas.

Reviews:

• “Bad bad bad bad bad service, good pizza”
• “Awesome neighborhood spot”
• “Graffiti tuesday, Art Show on Tuesday’s at Basic”
• “Love it!”
• “Best Pizza and atmosphere”

Tips: It’s one block from Petco, so arrive well before the first pitch on game days.

Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar

Mission Hills dive maintains a clientele of regulars, despite attempted invasions from young local hipsters looking for karaoke.

Reviews:

• “Rude Staff and Karaoke Host”
• “DIVE!”
• “A Great Dive!”

Lamplighter

Ocean Beach wine shop also houses a comfortable, casual-chic restaurant and wine bar backed by bigtime San Diego foodies.

Reviews:

• “relaxed yet hip”
• " Rude Service left bad taste in our mouth"
• “Great wines, Great food and open late”
• “Very Poor Service”
• “Best restaurant in Ocean Beach – one of the best in San Diego.”

Tips: Join the in-house wine club for special discounts and dinner invitations.

The 3rd Corner

Not your average East Village eatery, this Parisian-style corner bistro serves pomme frites with a dose of sophistication.

Reviews:

• “Love it!”
• “Awesome”
• “Good but slow”
• “The charm of a Parisian Bistro in the heart of San Diego…”
• “Best Bistro in San Diego!”

Tips: Mimosas. Pomegranate mimosas. And not just on Sundays.

Cafe Chloe

Exclusive retro lounge hyped for swank decor, innovative airport location and top local DJs.

Tips: The bar’s patio is directly in the flight path of Lindberg Field. Every two minutes or so, a 757 swoops overhead. Loud, but cool.

The Airport

A stones throw from the beach, this South Mission dive comes complete with surfers and sand on the floor.

Reviews:

• “Mission Beach’s Cheers”

Tips: Unlike other area bars, taxi drivers know the place well, as most everyone who leaves after midnight cabs it home. Walking at night in South Mission, even to nearby PB parking lots, isn’t done.

The Beachcomber

Intimate hillcrest wine bar serves intelligent international list, with light nibbles on the side.

Reviews:

• “Good Menu, Poor Attention To Detail / Service. "
• “Romantic Spot”
• “This place has ambience for days”

Tips: Order one of several clever wine flights, such as Wandering Whites or Plus-Sized Reds, which include four small tastes of themed wines.

Wine Lover

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