Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    False Idol

    4.4 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    False Idol Photos

    FALSE IDOL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - False Idol

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Missionary Downfall and Jet Setter
    Stacey I.

    What a fun nightlife spot! If you're looking for a fun place to grab cocktails, this is definitely a 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!

    Menu item for the 151 Swizzle.
    Stephen M.

    Went here with advance knowledge of the place during our PHX to SD whirlwind vacation to see Bob Dylan 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!

    Bar
    Annabelle R.

    This place is hidden inside Craft & Commerce which is a quirky little bar itself. There was a wait for entry this past Sunday after 9pm. Staff was also not very attentive to guests' needs, rather just going through the motions. For instance, they noted "standing room only" and that they would eventually seat our party of two. They walked us to an exact spot on the floor to stand and view the menu in the dark (we used our phone flashlights, but it wasn't easy while carrying our belongings too), and they instructed us not to order at the bar in this colorful but dimly lit tiki lounge. We essentially ordered from staff who took our order in the middle of the floor, then we had to hold our drinks, some that came with additional shot glasses, in full hands, as we were never seated. We did find a barrel to set our drinks on later, but their process and expectations for guests was just really weird and impractical. The theme and decor of the setting was lovely, with moments of a lightning and thunder effect that made the experience more immersive. But we were not impressed by the sticky menus and sticky floor, nor the lack of service and minimal help from staff while there. We made the most of our time at False Idol regardless of their shortcomings. The bombay sling and enigma de muerte were pretty decent in quality and flavor, so it's safe to say the drinks aren't the problem here. And though we probably won't return, it was cool for a one-time experience.

    Michelle V.

    We LOVED this spot Drinks were all amazing - sidewinders fang was my favorite - I love passionfruit and it was so good! The interior is super immersive - huge tiki vibes with sound effects included too Def get a resy bc it's not super large and gets busy fast - we walked in around opening time and were able to sit at the bar Service was great / bartenders are so nice and even gave us stickers

    Mai Tai, Ube drink, and funny named drink
    Rachel M.

    Ambiance was amazing, it was like I was in a cave! Great customer service, there was a bit of a wait to get inside and then get a drink order but it was worth it. The drinks were yummy, the Mai Tai was really strong too! I came on a Sunday evening so parking was a bit challenging but I had such a great time. So glad my friend and I made the trip

    Tracy M.

    They don't serve food here anymore. But the service is very nice. The ambience is like as if you were at Disneyland, which means you're having the best day ever and it's all fun.

    Original Mai Tai
    Matthew A.

    My wife and I went on a limb and tried to make a last minute reservation but couldn't snag one. So we showed up an hour before our dinner reservation in Little Italy to try our luck -- best decision yet! We were told we could go in but it was going to be standing only. We went for it, ordered some drinks and really only stood for maybe 15 minutes before the hostesses came back and got us set up at a barrel with two barstools. That kind of attentive service right there set the tone for the whole visit! The mai tais are absolutely delicious. Not too sweet, ice cold, refreshing, and strong (word to the wise ) Exactly what a tiki cocktail should be. And the vibes and ambience are amazing! This place is the real deal. Worth the effort to get in however you can!

    Ashley M.

    False idol is a tucked away Hawaiian themed speakeasy behind a restaurant. Reservations are required so be mindful of that before going. Once inside seating is first come first served so the place is insanely crowded with people trying to get drinks. Service is a little confusing as the waiters will come up to you with a menu asking for your order instead of an order at the bar type of thing. Once we actually got a seat things were okay. The menu is mostly rum drinks since this is a rum bar however since I'm not the biggest fan I ordered the only thing with tequila on the menu. My drink was actually really good, it was refreshing, not too sweet or strong at all. I just wish there would be more variety.

    Kathleen D.

    My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been on a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

    Nikita K.

    False idol is a cute tiki bar and very aesthetic especially in the inside room. There was a line on a Friday especially for the inside. The lighting is perfectly dim and the colors inside are cute for pictures. The frozen tiki rum drink we got was very strong and very cold but good. It was also huge.

    Madi D.

    Who doesn't love a False Idols Experience, it's hard to get in there occasionally and sometimes have to suck it up and deal with standing room. But If you're a Tiki Lover you have to add this Bar to your trip, it's a true gem and honor to the tiki world, overall experience, smell and vibe is top notch. The cocktails never fail to hit and I'll always stick around to have a zombie before hitting the next spot! False Idols for the win!

    Entrance
    Leonardo W.

    Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Food: n/a Drinks: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Parking: 3/5 Returning to False Idol was exactly as I would have hoped! Crizel was the server who took care of us, and she did such a wonderful job! Great recommendations too! We stopped by on a Thursday evening with a reservation (highly recommend). Can't wait to come back by again down the road!

    Decor
    Drake R.

    Came to San Diego for 2 specific places, The Zoo and False Idol. I have to say the decorations here are killer, it's a blast to look around at all the art. The entrance was totally bizarre being inside another restaurant, cool but bizarre. We were able to arrive an hour before our reservation and snag a bar seat, love that! The staff was super friendly from start to finish, but I have to say, all of the drinks we had were not really what we expected. This is still a great a bar, but the drinks were really unbalanced for us, everything was super heavy on citrus. Still a great experience but if you are used to high caliber tiki bars it was just weird to find these so unbalanced. I feel like I got abused by the lord of citrus. Maybe going to Mothership right before see the SD standards to high. Idk.

    Love the interior!

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ben R.
    235
    251
    1476

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hillary H.

    Hillary H.

    Thank you Ben!

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hillary H.

    Hillary H.

    Thank you Joy!!

    Helpful 33
    Thanks 0
    Love this 28
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Derek T.
    783
    1363
    3470

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hillary H.

    Hillary H.

    Thank you Derek!

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anna H.
    116
    737
    1007

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Abel R.
    76
    161
    27

    1 year ago

    Great tiki speak easy! Awesome drinks, great ambiance with an interactive atmosphere. Highly recommend this spot. Make reservations

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Josh T.
    315
    81
    23

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Absolutely gorgeous bar and splendid drinks and service - definitely a great place to check out

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hillary H.

    Hillary H.

    Thank you, Sabrina!

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Hillary H.

    Hillary H.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A M.
    0
    13
    0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of CH Projects I.

    CH Projects I.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Amazing ambiance. The drinks are disappointing. Everyone was well meaning. I'm being made to write this, the puffer fish are very inflated.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of MsMargo M.
    183
    200
    175

    1 year ago

    Love the great new effects, with terrific effects lighting, but way, way, way too LOUD!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 6 of 35

    False Idol Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - False Idol

    Are kids allowed?

    No. 21+ only.

    Coming from Wisconsin (where we are used to some pretty lax rules) next month and wondering if we come around opening time on a Wednesday evening, are school - age children allowed inside?

    I would say no, because it's a bar. But you could call and ask just in case.

    Are there tiki mugs available for purchase?

    Yes! Currently we have 4 different mugs for purchase only at the bar.

    Are the reservations still available? It looks like the site on opentable is down on my end

    Yes! We do book up quite fast. We always run a waitlist, nightly. The waitlist can be for standing room, the bar or a table if we have any cancellations.

    Can't get a reservation! What's the chance of getting a walk in? Late on a Friday night for 2.

    They'll let you in on a space available basis. It's tight in there, and weekends are usually packed. You may have to just stand the entire time you're in there. If you're only planning to have a drink or two, it won't be too bad.

    How do I make reservations? I tried sending a DM on Instagram because I can't find a phone number? I'm trying to make a reservation for 12 people but the website leads me to open table and it says my party is too big and doesn't allow me to

    https://falseidoltiki.com/

    Do I need a reservation or you take walk ins?

    Reservations are recommended but not required. Walk-ins accepted.

    For Dec 2022 Xmas, when is the Xmas decor put away? Please say February 😬

    February

    If I come on a Friday between 8-9pm with 4 people, what would be the estimated wait time?

    Anywhere from 30-60 minutes, and you'll very likely be standing. If you want to sit, you need a reservation.

    Are you having special hours this week for Tiki Oasis?

    Normal hours.

    Would like to visit, but have 2 people in our group who do not drink. Do they serve any mocktails or non-alcoholic beverages?

    They have mocktails

    Can you take drinks to go?

    I don't think you can. They don't have prepackaged ones to go

    Is there entrance fee?

    Nope! Free to enter

    When do they release reservations?

    30 days in advance.

    Hello - I am trying to book a table for 8 people but OpenTable does not allow for that large of a party size. There doesn't appear to be a phone number anywhere to reach them. Any ideas on how to get that booked?

    This number was on their OT page. +1 (619) 365-8454… 

    Are they open Christmas Eve?

    Yes

    Do we need a reservation on Wednesday nights?

    Yes and no. It is highly recommended to get a reservation but I was able to walk up (party of 2) and get accommodated for less than 45 minutes. Note that when you get in, you might not get a seat until a spot opens up. We were standing near a… 

    Does this place have a phone number? If not, is there someone to talk to for larger reservations?

    No phone number. You can try calling Craft and Commerce (False Idol is inside the restaurant) but I'm not sure if they can help.

    Does anyone know if they do reservations for 2? I've been trying but it says that there are no tables available, but when I put 6 people it says there are several tables available?

    Two tops go pretty quickly via Opentable! The waitlist is a great tool. We fill the bar and our high tops then move to standing room. Just come in any day during service and add your party size, name & number. We’ll text you once we have any space.… 

    Do they take walk-ins?

    Yes they do take walkins. For small parties of one or two. Only if they do have room. The earlier in the night the better. I think they open at five or six.

    View All 46 Questions

    You might also consider

    Mothership - Amazing decor

    Mothership

    4.3(987 reviews)
    2.4 miSouth Park, Golden Hill, North Park
    $$

    This was such a cool bar with very nice staff…read more It's easy to find, street parking was a nonissue, and they have a huge selection of cocktails with a decent selection of mocktails as well. I love their menu design. It gives a lot of attention to each drink with a clear description breakdown along with the level of alcohol meter. A lot of the drinks are STRONG and their presentations are magnificent.

    We had such a great experience at this space themed bar! One thing that I would make a note of is…read morethat we did make a reservation for 10 pm on a Saturday night, but still had to wait in a very long line out the door for a good 15 minutes. We were confused, along with many other folks in line. I think they were just preparing their tables way longer than expected. Other than that inconvenience, the bar itself was beautifully decorated and very on-theme. The drinks were very much giving "tiki bar but in space" and were veryyyy strong. They have an alcohol strength spectrum on their menu so you can guide yourself through the drinks. We got drinks that weren't even on the strong side of the scale and they were still pretty strong. This would be a great place for a pregame for sure! They even have some food and seasonal soft serve other than their normal drinks. Overall, great service, strong drinks, and fun vibes. Perfect place for a pregame!

    Photos
    Mothership - Deceiving Exterior

    Deceiving Exterior

    Mothership - Mindkiller

    Mindkiller

    Mothership - Away Mission

    See all

    Away Mission

    The Grass Skirt - Tuna cones very interesting

    The Grass Skirt

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    7.1 miPacific Beach
    $$

    Although I am not the biggest fan of the new drinks, the staff was and is always incredible. The…read moreambiance, Henry, and Mike are the reason why we keep coming back. Thanks so much guys, you're awesome!

    The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach is a fantastic tiki bar. This place is everything you'd want in a…read morelegit tiki experience. They pay attention to details which is why you feel like you're in a Hawaiian cave somewhere or in the Hawaii episode of the Brady Bunch . We tried a number of their signature recipes. I started off with "Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi". It's a frozen vodka cocktail that tastes like vacation. The vodka is complemented with pineapple, coconut, lime, Demerara syrup and cinnamon. It was a perfect recipe when you think about tiki. (Pic 2) We also tried "Hella Missionary" which is another frozen cocktail with tequila, mezcal, adobo-spiced honey, pineapple, lime and mint. It's the blended mint that makes it green. It was quite tasty with a very fun crazy straw. (Pic 4). We had some bonus fun with a signature shot called "OJ Did It". It was a delicious add to the vibe with vodka, liquor 43, coconut and orange juice. (Pic 7). I couldn't remember what pic 6 is but it was tasty. Maybe it's "OOO-BAE I Love You So". It starts with rhum agricole, salted cream, pineapple, cinnamon, macadamia nut and toasted coconut flakes. I could be totally wrong so oh well. The Grass Skirt is always a great idea if you're in the PB area when in San Diego. Go check them out. Salute @thejohnnycocktail

    Photos
    The Grass Skirt - Tuna Tartar cones. Incredible!

    Tuna Tartar cones. Incredible!

    The Grass Skirt - Pele's Inferno

    Pele's Inferno

    The Grass Skirt - Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi

    See all

    Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi

    Raised By Wolves - Lots o' Scotch

    Raised By Wolves

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    10.8 miUniversity City
    $$$

    RAISED BY WOLVES @ UTC LA JOLLA…read more Raised by Wolves is located inside UTC La Jolla, tucked away in the very back of the mall near the Din Tai Fung area. I would definitely recommend parking around Corner Bakery or near 24 Hour Fitness for the closest way in. This was my very first time going to Raised by Wolves. I made a reservation on OpenTable, and if you are reading this right now, I highly recommend booking one. When we got there, the wait was two hours for people without a reservation. I booked for 9 PM on a Saturday night with my friends after dinner. We actually arrived at UTC earlier than expected, so we let the host know and they let us in about 20 minutes early. As for parking, they do not validate here. Parking is free for the first hour and then two dollars per hour after that, so just be aware that you may end up paying for parking when you visit this bar. It is set up like a speakeasy, which is really cool. You get to see where the actual bar is hidden. We ended up ordering a bunch of cocktails and the drinks were super great. I really loved the vibe overall. It was lively and chatty, and the staff was super friendly. The ambiance is very dark and classy. Keep in mind they do not serve food here. It is purely drinks only. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

    LOVE THIS SPEAKEASY…read more Shoutout Taylor and Lexi for the incredible service. The ambiance and drinks are unmatched.

    Photos
    Raised By Wolves - Tiramitini and Mojito.

    Tiramitini and Mojito.

    Raised By Wolves - The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

    Raised By Wolves - Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

    See all

    Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Clouds over Thailand

    Realm of the 52 Remedies

    4.4(894 reviews)
    7.6 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    i always love going to realm of 52 remedies for a casual hangout or special occasion. the service…read morehere is always outstanding and the interior perfectly matches the mood. i love that they put up studio ghibli movies here. the drinks are always very well balanced and i love picking any drinks from their menu! i recommend the kasato maru, it's a light but tasty drink that is not overly strong and it's my go to every time. you can get validated parking by scanning the QR code at the door of common theory as the plaza is paid parking now.

    The theming and concept here are genuinely unmatched. You enter through an apothecary style room…read moreand then trigger a hidden door by pressing your hand against a wall of ancient script. Once inside you're surrounded by lotus flower seating, silk draped booths, lanterns, a jade bar, and a sculptural mountain backdrop. As someone who appreciates a well executed concept, this place delivers on atmosphere. I also love that this is Chinese inspired. There really aren't many spots doing this and it makes the experience feel fresh and special. The drinks are where it gets more personal. The menu leans heavily herbal and that wasn't quite my style. I had the 13 Assassins and found the herbal notes too forward for my taste. I swapped with my friend for the Kasato Maru, a gin based drink, and that one was actually really good. Worth noting I'm not normally a gin drinker so that says something. If herbal forward cocktails are in your wheelhouse you'll probably love every drink on the menu. If not, the experience is still worth the reservation just for the space alone.

    Photos
    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Entryway

    Entryway

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Main dining area

    See all

    Main dining area

    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    0.9 miEast Village
    $$

    My husband and I recently spent some days in San Diego. He found this speak easy and we decided we…read moreneeded to try it out. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. From the spooky, dark, skulls old school ambiance and decor, to the experience of not ordering from a menu, everything about it made it feel unique and curated making it feel like a true individualized experience. As mentioned, there are no menus. We sat at the bar, the bartender makes casual conversation with you regarding the types of drinks you enjoy. He curated something for both my husband and I based on what we shared we enjoyed. The drinks were delicious. The entry was very cool! It felt as if you were entering a hidden spot - which you do. When you enter the restaurant, you let the hostess know you're there for the Noble Experience. She let us know to head to the wall with the kegs (which is actually a door). You enter and there's a small waiting area where you're greeted by another hostess. This place is a 20/10. We can't wait to return on our next visit to SD.

    Drinks are hit and miss. No menu bar is more gimmicky than anything…read more I'm sure there's some set menu that the bartenders just play off of and quality of the drinks really really just depends on who's your bartender. First round was great, not exactly what we ordered but still quality cocoktail. Second round was not good at all. And especially not what we ordered lol The wait on off days can be 5-10 minutes. Busy days it can be 1-2 hours. Drinks: 5/10 Service: 6/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 Value: 4/10

    Photos
    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment - Ceiling and chandelier

    Ceiling and chandelier

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

    See all

    Skull wall

    Bali Hai Restaurant

    Bali Hai Restaurant

    3.7(3.1k reviews)
    3.0 miPoint Loma
    $$

    I had never been to Bali Hai before, but after a boat cruise we decided to stop in for a drink. It…read morewas pretty busy for a Sunday afternoon, especially since they were right in the middle of transitioning to dinner service. Unfortunately, the section overlooking the water wasn't open yet, so we weren't able to get a table on that side. The views are absolutely spectacular though, and I definitely want to come back when we can sit by the water and actually enjoy them. We only had drinks this time, and obviously, for my first visit to Bali Hai, I had to try their infamous Mai Tai. And WOW. There is absolutely no juice in that thing. It is so strong they limit you to two, and after having one, I completely understand why. Consider yourself warned! Our waitress was very friendly and kind, although service was a little slow. I think that had more to do with them changing over for dinner service than anything else. I definitely want to come back, sit by the water, try the food, and maybe order a cocktail that contains at least a splash of juice next time. But for a first trip to Bali Hai, the legendary Mai Tai had to be done!

    We had a great time celebrating our birthdays! Great views and service. The food was so yummy!…read more My friend said her fish and chips were delicious. I really enjoyed my teriyaki burger with pineapple and pickled onions. Loved the combo. Those fries were sooo good!

    Photos
    Bali Hai Restaurant - Ahi Poke

    Ahi Poke

    Bali Hai Restaurant
    Bali Hai Restaurant - Wedding Reception - Private Event Space

    See all

    Wedding Reception - Private Event Space

    False Idol - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...