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    Books & Records

    4.3 (414 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Books & Records Photos

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    Music
    Jharvis L.

    Wow! From walking up, to getting seated, ordering, talking to staff about different dishes, and paying our bill, this was by far one of the best first impressions I've ever had. The dining area and bar had a good amount it guests, and where we sat was more than 85% full. I appreciate that the staff made accommodations to seat us three even though we just walked up. We were exploring the area for good food and live music, and Books & Records checked off every box for a dining experience. I'll definitely be coming back and trying other stuff. Cheers!

    Sally T.

    Happy Hour is all day on Wednesdays, which is a huge plus. The menu has a great selection, and this place always has a solid ambiance. Everything came out quickly, including the drinks. I genuinely wasn't dressed up and still received some of the best service I've ever had at a restaurant. Dalton was an absolute all-star, even though he's a Dodgers fan. A+ service. Even when he had a good number of tables, he still checked in regularly to make sure we were happy and had everything we needed.

    Record Room Burger
    Jennica S.

    The happy hour and the vibes are immaculate! A few months ago, I went here with my boyfriend, sisters and brothers in law for my going away dinner. I am so sad because I can't remember the name of our waitress! She was amazing because she was so ON POINT with everything -- from knowing the details of each menu item, to knowing what "medium+" is for a steak. She was attentive and amazing and shoutout to her! The food and tiny 'tinis were delicious! The steak and fries were such a good deal for $25. I could've eaten two of them, and now that I'm writing this months later, I'm thinking about that meal again. There is also a spot where the live musician plays, which is awesome! When I'm in San Diego, I have to come back.

    Menu
    David F.

    Walking in already set the tone for me. It was a relaxed environment. Quiet and welcoming. The food was good from the selections I picked. I picked the hamburger and fries. Each delicious. The Mac and cheese, well the topping tasted chewy and stale. And the cheese didn't taste like cheese. It honestly tasted like the smell of a toolbox. The only reason I give a 4 star was because of how the mac and cheese tastes and was prepared. The waiter was super welcoming and kind. And understood the dilemma.

    The wagyu tarter
    Hosai W.

    My fiancé and I stopped by Books & Records last night. It's a cute Asian fusion spot with a relatively small, curated menu--split into warm dishes, cold dishes, and a few appetizers. The inside was nearly fully booked, but we were able to grab a table on the patio, which worked out great. There was also open seating at the bar. We started with the Brussels sprouts and fries. The Brussels sprouts were good--my fiancé enjoyed them more than I did, but I found them a bit underwhelming. The fries were your standard skinny fries, decent overall but slightly over-salted. For a cold dish, we shared the Wagyu tartare, which unfortunately was the biggest letdown of the night. It was overwhelmingly heavy on ginger, shallots, and vinaigrette--so much so that you could barely taste the beef. The flavors were intensely salty, acidic, and overpowering. It also came with crispy fried chips, which only added to the heaviness. We're not the type to send food back, but it was honestly difficult to get through--we ended up drinking multiple bottles of water just to balance it out. On the drinks side, though, they really delivered. I ordered the Wild Honey and my fiancé had the Old Fashioned--both were excellent. The portions were solid (not overly diluted with ice), and the flavors were well-balanced and enjoyable. Overall, I'd consider coming back for drinks, especially given the ambiance and quality of cocktails. As for the food, based on this experience, it's not something I'd return for. Still, it's a nice spot if you're looking for a casual drink in a good atmosphere

    Jay O.

    We decided to try Books & Records around 5pm when they opened. It's such a cute, vibey spot in the heart of Bankers Hill. We stopped in for their happy hour (5-6:30pm) and were seriously impressed ...great pricing and even 1/2 off wine bottles on Thursdays, which is a win win We ordered a few options to share: chicken bao buns, pork belly bao buns, ahi tuna crudo, lamb meatballs, B&R mac & cheese, flat iron steak with fries, and the carrots of the day. Every single dish was delicious and super flavorful. The atmosphere is a whole mood ..they even play R&B music ..which sets the perfect vibe, and they also have live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. I tried their ube‑inspired cocktail and loved it. Overall, this place is absolutely worth a visit. Great food, great music, great energy. I'll definitely be coming back for sure.

    Duck Carnitas Benedict
    Monique W.

    Your call for Brunch is answered here no matter the size of your party Super friendly greetings from Anderson as soon as I walked in the door. The duck carnitas Benny should be a fave of yours if you are looking for flavors to stand up and wave the flag. The lime crema will have you licking your fork. If a good citrus burst is your jam, this is for you. Pickled onions mingled with the Coca Cola marinated duck round out for an all out sensation as you dig in. In terms of a wake-up call, I had Coffee + TV, a citrus spin on the espresso martini. If you're a boozy brunch person, they have bottomless mimosas. Jas took care of me with good recommendations and solid knowledge of the menu. There's indoor and outdoor seating with lofty ceilings, a straight bar and some eclectic decor that nods to its namesake. If you are in the area, make it a priority to stop by and enjoy their brunch at a minimum.

    Flat Iron Steak & Fries
    Eliseo R.

    The food here is pretty satisfying but the portions are on the smaller side than how much you would want to eat. Happy hour deals here are great and we came right when it started. There was several couples seated at the bar area but lots of open high tables in the middle and a large party seated on the side. I quickly noticed too on the way inside that there's about 3 different sections of seating for people so they must get very packed!!! We sat at the high table next to where I think a live band would be performing, since there was a spot nearby with a bunch of wiring going on. Definitely looks amazing inside with the decor and furniture of the spot adding some pleasant vibes. I don't think there's that much, but there are just enough records and books when you look around (and also use the restroom). This spot seems to be best for those who want to drink with their meals. We didn't drink this time around because we had a long drive back to LA. We absolutely enjoyed the Pork Belly Bao Buns and utilized the happy hour deal to enjoy it with a side of their deliciously crisp fries. The flat iron steak was also very yummy and left us wanting to eat more... Yeah, if you're the type to need a lot to be filled up you either need to pay another entree to eat more or eat some dessert afterwards. Anyways, this spot was perfect for a date night and we were treated very well by the staff and our server!!!

    Eunice C.

    Awesome food, creative cocktails, and phenomenal service!! My partner and I often frequent the sister restaurant, common stock. Last weekend, we tried this spot and we were sooo blown away! First; I'd like to start off with the kind service. Food and drinks came out fast, we had amazing recommendations, and the vibes were just amazing. Next, all the drinks were soooo creative!!! I especially adored their tom kha inspired cocktail -- slightly spicy, sweet, savory! All their small bites were delicious as well. Can't wait to come again!

    Wagyu tartare
    Nastaran M.

    Came here for a late Valentine's day celebration. Ambiance: First impression, cool atmosphere with intentional art, lighting and all the tables had decent spacing. Loved the live jazz performance and overall vibes of the place. Staff: Extremely friendly and accommodating. The host was very kind to moved us to seats that we wanted to have a little extra space and face the stage. Great service overall for a Saturday night in downtown/little italy area. Food: The beef tartare was probably my least favorite. It had great flavor, but was overpowered with the crispy tempura/onion and side of chips. There was barely any beef and just way too many spices/sauce covering it. It's possible that it was intentionally made that way for those who may not enjoy a more simple tartare. However the chicken bao buns and duck carnitas were fantastic. Perhaps a few extra mini tortillas would have been nice to have with the carnitas but overall I thought it was delicious. Drinks: A bit on the pricey end, but thats all SD. I probably would not go there for cocktails. I did have a glass of Italian sparking wine from Modena which was okay.

    brussels sprouts
    Leslie C.

    We met some friends for happy hour here on saturday night. They have amazing happy hour times! Saturday from 4-6:30 was awesome. We ordered from the happy hour menu mostly. The steak frites was really tasty and was cooked perfectly medium rare. We did get the bandit salad which was pricy but really large enough for two or even three. Friends got the burger, chicken satay, meatballs and brussels sprouts. Service was attentive and prices were reasonable so why only 4 stars? Our reservation was for 6 and at 6:55 we were told that the next reservation was here and awaiting our table. You should give 00 minutes for a table not 60. Fix this and it's a five star experience,

    Michelle M.

    My best girlfriend and I were looking for a place to go with happy hour, because Wednesdays are our day to hang out. So imagine hour lucky we were to find this place. Happy hour all day on Wednesdays! This is an adorable place in bankers hill. From the ambiance, service, food to the drinks, this place is such a vibe. The happy hour menu is also great because most of their favorites are half off or discounts. Making trying their menu a fun experience for half the price. My recommendations? Drinks: margaritas (spicy with tahini tajin rim) Food: Mac and cheese Wagyu tartare And can't wait to try more.

    bar
    Ileana G.

    beautiful restaurant, i went there for my bday celebration and it was the right choice. the service is fast and friendly ! it was happy hour so there was some mix in the appetizers that were ordered but they were nice enough to waive the cost for the one that arrived late. overall every delicious i love coming here !

    Bar

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    Page 1 of 11

    Books & Records Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Books & Records

    Are you dog friendly?

    Yes, we love our furry friends! We have a enclosed terrace with heat where dogs are allowed 100% of the time. At brunch there also is generally no issue as well. At dinner service we typically find the live music isn't conducive to dogs inside due… 

    Family friendly. I have kids?

    You can totally take kids. I have two. I do not know if they have high chairs however. Kiddos would probably need to have a defined palate as a lot of the foods can be challenging. No kids menu so to speak type place. Take a good look at the current… 

    Is there still live music during Sunday brunch?

    We pressed pause on live music for brunch in late summer but are discussing plans to resume. Stay tuned!

    Is there live music for Saturday Brunch?

    Is the bar bites menu still available? Don't see it on the website anymore.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    False Idol

    False Idol

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Went here with advance knowledge of the place during our PHX to SD whirlwind vacation to see Bob…read moreDylan at the Rady Shell. Had to put in our names, as there is only so much space on an early Saturday evening. Took all of 10 minutes before entry was granted. Led inside to a standing room-only table. Lady friend got the Saturn, myself the 151 Swizzle. I probably did the wrong thing and didn't allow the ice packed on top of the swizzle to melt thoroughly enough into the drink to dilute the 151 overproof black Demerara's rum. Nae worries, brah. It was delicious. Affordable tiki-theme cocktails, decor(!) and atmosphere is why this place will remain popular and a must visit when in Sandy Eggo. Top notch!

    What a fun nightlife spot! If you're looking for a fun place to grab cocktails, this is definitely…read morea spot worth checking out! **Located inside Craft & Commerce Walking into False Idol honestly feels like you've been transported somewhere else. It's hidden behind Craft & Commerce, and once you step inside, the immersive tiki atmosphere really sets the mood. The decor, lighting, and sound effects all come together to make the experience feel fun and memorable. Just know, if you are hoping to sit down, good luck! A lot of reservations are made in advance. However, at the bar, if you see a reservation sign and they're not there yet, staff will let you sit down once it's time to get up for the reserved party. DRINKS: 9/10 The cocktails were creative, well crafted, and definitely strong enough to make you feel like you were getting your money's worth. I also loved how much attention they put into the presentation. Every drink looked like a piece of art and added to the whole tiki experience. SERVICE: 9/10 The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They took the time to answer questions and made great recommendations without making us feel rushed. AMBIANCE: 10/10 This is easily the highlight of the experience. The entire space is beautifully designed, and every little detail makes it feel like you've escaped into a hidden tropical bar. It's cozy, intimate, and unlike any other place I've been to in San Diego. Reservations are definitely worth making since the space is on the smaller side and fills up quickly. The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that, while the experience and ambiance were amazing, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side. I understand you're paying for the craftsmanship and atmosphere, but it's probably not somewhere I'd visit regularly because of that. It's common for tiki bars to be pricey so it was to be expected. Overall, I'm really glad I finally got to experience False Idol. If you're in San Diego and enjoy creative cocktails in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend checking it out at least once!

    Photos
    Tiki themed decor
    Tiki themed decor
    Rum barrel
    Rum barrel
    Back bar rum selection

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    Back bar rum selection
    Starlite

    Starlite

    4.1
    (2.7k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    After dinner at Kingfisher, we were looking for a great place to end the night with dessert, and…read moreStarlite turned out to be the perfect choice. The funniest part was actually finding the place. We kept looking at the Yelp photos of the exterior, and the logo made us think the restaurant was in a large standalone building. Our Tesla kept navigating us to the same location, but we couldn't find what we expected. On our second pass, FSD actually pulled us right in front of the entrance--even in a red zone for a brief moment--just so we could finally see the Starlite sign. It honestly felt like the car knew we weren't recognizing the place. It was such a funny experience that made FSD seem almost human. Once inside, we were blown away. The interior is absolutely top-notch--stylish, elegant, and full of character. The pistachio dessert and the chocolate mousse were pure heaven, rich, smooth, and beautifully presented. The hidden disco room with the waterfall is simply insane and adds such a unique vibe to the experience. Even the restrooms are thoughtfully designed and incredibly cool. Starlite isn't just a place for dessert--it's an experience from the moment you arrive until you leave. Highly recommended if you're looking for an unforgettable atmosphere paired with amazing desserts.

    Absolutely ridiculous that their 21+ age requirement isn't listed anywhere except a third party…read moresite at the VERY BOTTOM, where absolutely no one has to look to make a reservation. Made reservations for my birthday. I thoroughly reviewed their website. This age requirement is NOWHERE on their website, so we booked a reservation with Open Table. No problems. We drive an HOUR to this freaking place to get turned away at the door because it's technically "a bar" even though they have a full dinner menu. When I point out none of this is advertised anywhere, I'm informed it's on Open Table, and that we should've seen it there, and were dismissed. They said they could give us another restaurant recommendation and then proceeded to just dismiss us without even that courtesy. We go back to verify this age limit, and it's there... one TINY line 2 scrolls down on the page, WAY beyond any of the information needed to just book a table, which is the only thing Open Table is used for. Complete waste of time for a poorly advertised bar with zero helpful staff on a dumpy street by the airport.

    Photos
    Bar area after entering
    Bar area after entering
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I'm not an often a cocktail drinker. So when the bartender asked what I'm looking for I was ill…read moreprepared. From his view, it probably sounded like "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (It definitely did). His questions guided my indecision towards a Berkshire Old Fashioned that was fantastic despite my fumbling to get there. With the warm up round over and the old fashioned loosening up my creativity, round two was set to be a knockout. I love coffee (specifically strong espresso drinks), so I asked for a strong, coffee infused, punchy cocktail, but with a different base of alcohol from the old fashioned. What came out was the best cocktail I will probably ever have in my life. The bourbon cocktail with coffee liqueur (and a number of other garnishes I will never remember) hit the bullseye. Flavorful, strong, bold, delicious all at the same time. Unfortunately (?), this was a noble experiment so I'll forever be chasing the white whale of what this drink was. But that's the allure.

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

    Photos
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Bartenders creations.
    Bartenders creations.
    Skull wall

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    Skull wall
    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (957 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for a fun evening with great drinks and food, you should come here. It's in South…read morePark and we easily found street parking. Definitely make a reservation. They also have some seats at the bar. This restaurant has gone all in on the space theme, from the hostess greeting to the decor in the restaurant and restroom, and even the menu and tables. Such a fun vibe! This place is known for their cocktails. I forget what we ordered because they all have funny names, but both my friend and I really enjoyed our choices. The food was great too. We ordered the tofu. I think it had a light tempura fry, yummy sauce, and very large portion. The bread is roti with an eggplant and tomato dip. Very good, but not enough dip. I'd still order it again. Probably the only negative was that I felt a bit rushed to leave. We were enjoying our conversation, entrees, and drinks and got checked on quite frequently. Eventually the waiter said, no rush but here's the check. Kind of ruined the vibe. We decided to pass on dessert here and walk to an ice cream shop in the same neighborhood.

    Well if you want to not feel like you are in San Diego...and you love Star Wars this is your spot…read more You know the rules...one quick review, that's all: Food/Drinks: Never ate any food but drinks...creative, crazy and delicious Ambiance: this is why you come. Step through a non-de script door and you are in outer space. Go to the bathroom, real Star Wars empire vibes Service: attentive and good

    Photos
    Mindkiller
    Mindkiller
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Vegan (?) soft serve

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    Vegan (?) soft serve
    Bar Kamon

    Bar Kamon

    4.6
    (277 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Takes reservations

    WOW i was so happy with this speakeasy !! finding the entrance was a bit tricky at first, but we…read morewalked into the bakery with 2 other parties and we all helped each other LOL. so cute that it's in a bakery though - definitely wanna come back to try the bakery goods and drinks! we had a reservation for 2 @ 8:45pm, and we got seated at a table. loved the ambiance, dimly lit but still a good amount of light, the japanese decor - it was all so great and immersive. our server Moe was so kind and explained the concept + menu to us, and she also helped me with choosing a drink after i told her i like sweet flavors :) food we ordered: - korean cucumber salad: smashed cucmbers in a korean chili sauce that was yummy but pretttty salty. i do think though that it paired really nicely with my sweeter drinks bc i love a sweet & salty pairing - alone though, it def could've been a bit much - nagoya karaage: delicious, crispy & tender chicken pieces! the flavor gave orange/citrus-y chicken to us, and we really enjoyed it drinks we ordered: - ao ichigo: this drink was sweet, light, and tart. the strawberry flavor really came through, and i thought i wouldn't feel anything after drinking it but the reposado/vodka/vermouth combo sneaks up on ya haha - sesame old fashioned: my fiancé is a new old fashioned drinker, and he enjoyed this one. he did say it was pretty standard in its flavor and he wishes he could've tasted the sesame more, but that being said it was one of the better old fashioneds that he's had - white lover: i think this drink was my favorite! a perfect ending drink since it was creamy from the calpico. it comes with a little circle scoop of some type of sweet ice cream that pairs PERFECTLY with this drink - you can either lick it as you sip the drink (which i did at the beginning), or just drop it into your drink (which i did at the end). it definitely enhanced the flavor so i really enjoyed this drink overall a great experience, can't wait to come back sometime so try more of their omiyage cocktails! :-)

    Bar Kamon is a speakeasy hidden inside of Asa bakery in downtown SD. Fantastic ambiance with a lot…read moreof Japanese-inspired decor and drinks. My party ordered a whiskey flight, the sojiros sprotini, the trash panda, and the ube cocktail. All had very unique flavors. Will be returning to try more drinks on the menu! I highly recommend reservations, especially on Friday evenings and weekends. I tried walking-in on a Friday night and was turned away because of how busy it was. Also - do not try to open the door yourself manually... My party was berated for doing so, oops.

    Photos
    Tokyo Banana
    Tokyo Banana
    Japanese whisky Selection
    Japanese whisky Selection
    Bar Kamon

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    Books & Records - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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