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    Hennessey's La Jolla

    3.9 (305 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Hennessey's La Jolla Photos

    HENNESSEY'S LA JOLLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Hennessey's La Jolla

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    Christina L.

    I will be honest it's a nice bar but I was not a fan of the crowd. That in no way is the bars fault. But the drinks were really over priced even for something basic. The bartenders were nice, place was clean but I wouldn't drive out of my way to come back here.

    Jennifer L.

    You seat yourself and the wait staff will come to you with a menu. I'm a bit of a fish and chips snob and Hennessey's knocked my socks off. They hand dip their fish in a light breading and fry it to a crispy finish. It was honestly one of the best I've had.

    live music
    Fumie W.

    awesome spot for some live music and drinks on friday nights 8-12!! good vibes and street parking available

    Curro Waffle Sundae
    Steve H.

    Churro Waffle Sundae w/ Irish Coffee. That's really the important part, whether you eat here or somewhere else. Just came in for some evening drinks, unhurried and low-key, perfect fit. In La Jolla proper, but not pretentious. Plenty of outdoor seating, either out front or near their fire pit. (They do allow quiet dogs at the tables outside). Service (Grace?) was awesome, patient and helpful. They had nice live jazz (Sat night) in the enclosed bar area, and you could pick your volume level just by where you seat yourself. The Buffalo Wings (10pc/16$) were legit -- crispy and traditional, served hot. Hennessey's Lemonade was easy drinking, fresh squeezed. The Irish Coffee was exactly Buena Vista style, not tarted up.

    Calamari
    Jan H.

    Pretty easy to get a reservation and I like that they have a separate semi private room with a TV and fireplace. The service was good and everyone was friendly. Parking can be a challenge, there are a few lots around, or else it's basically Street parking. For food I wanted to get something a little more traditional so I went ahead and tried the shepherd's pie. The portion was a pretty good size, I couldn't quite finish it. It tasted pretty good, although I've had better. It came with a side of broccoli, which I thought was a little unusual and didn't really fit. We also ordered the flight of fries, which came with three different fries, and three different sauces for dipping. The fries were good, the whiskey sauce was our least favorite. I enjoyed the calamari, it wasn't too chewy and I liked that it had a good mix of legs and rings. Overall this is a pretty good Irish pub, and if you are in the area or live nearby I definitely think it's worth a visit. If you're coming from pretty far like I was, I'm not sure it would be somewhere to repeat often.

    I've been coming here for a couple years now and the bar tenders and servers are professional, friendly, and always bring a positive energy to my day. The food is delicious and they have the best HH and weekly or monthly drink or food specials. During the World Cup games the Hennessy's staff team made sure that TV's were displayed throughout the bar and the front patio. The restaurant ambiance is well balanced and makes Karaoke nights on Thursday epic. I am so impressed with the quality of service and people that work here and i would highly recommend families with children, night out with your friends or relatives and even special events to be held at this establishment. I want to give a special shout out to Elden! Thanks for always making my Hennessy's experience a memorable one!

    Covered exterior dining
    Jiansen W.

    Hennessy's La Jolla is a lively Irish-themed tavern serving bar food and drink. There are lots of interior and exterior seating. Happy hour is on weekdays 4-7pm. SERVICE Friendly, helpful, attentive. DRINK 4/5 Hennessey's Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Fashioned: whiskey-bourbon forward, with a sweeter taste towards the bottom of the drink. Wish luxardo cherries were used instead, however I understand this is a happy hour drink. FOOD 5/5 SMOKED BBQ BRISKET SANDWICH Thin-sliced, tender smoked brisket topped with melted cheddar, BBQ sauce & crispy onions, served on a fresh bun, with kettle chips 4/5 Smash Burger Cooked onions that still have a kick, bacon, two beef Pattie's (a little too cooked), melted cheddar in between buns all for $7 on Thursdays is a deal. 3.5/5 Nashville Hot Chicken Bites Flavor is Nashville spicy, honey sweet, served with sides of sliced pickles & ranch dip. Breading texture could be improved

    Wine and old fashion
    Macarena O.

    Very nice Irish style bar with a lot of different areas to hang out. Their happy hour is from 4-7pm. My husband got the old fashion and I got the jumbo house red wine (a Cab). We also got the 3 samplers of fries - very big quantity and I loved all the sauces it comes with. Dogs are allowed anywhere which is a plus. Service was nice but very slow. We had to ask for someone to come take our order and to bring check a few times but I would still come back, maybe for St. Patrick's day!

    French Fry Sampler
    Jemiah J.

    Went here on a Sunday morning during the 16th Annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. It was a great spot for brunch since they weren't busy. I've been to Hennessy's in Carlsbad, and both locations have a similar pub-style vibe. I really liked how spacious this tavern is. Service Food came out quickly. The manager was very nice and welcoming. Food We ordered the French Fry Sampler, which included Classic Tavern, Zesty Garlic Parmesan, and Spicy Sriracha fries, served with Guinness Ketchup, Sweet & Smokey, and Chipotle Aioli sauces. I wasn't a fan of the Sriracha fries, but the Classic Tavern and Zesty Garlic Parmesan were delicious! I didn't even dip the fries into the sauces much, but all the sauces were pretty good. The tomato soup was tasty! My husband had the Red-Headed Reuben. I found it a bit dry, and he thought it was okay, but said he wouldn't order it again. Beverages The drip coffee was great. Coors Light on tap hit the spot for my husband. Parking We parked at Air Garage, conveniently located right across the street. Hot Tip Check-in through yelp and you'll receive 50% off any appetizer!

    Entrance
    Michelle N.

    While in La Jolla we were nearby and the outdoor seating was perfect. We had burgers & beers! Server took great care of us and we didn't feel forgotten about because we chose to sit outside. Definitely great lunch spot!

    Ash M.

    Great spot for karaoke! Came here after a comedy show nearby and the place was packed and they had a great $7 burger and fries deal my friend loved. We had great service and sang our hearts out (with a little liquid courage of course!). Would come back when I'm in San Diego again!

    Great Irish Nachos
    Gaby J.

    Came here on a busy Sunday afternoon to celebrate St. Patrick's day. Unfortunately, we didn't get a seat in the patio as it was first come and first served or so I thought until the people behind us kept getting seats before us, which sort of pissed me off. They also had the fireplace turned on at 5 in the afternoon which made the room unbearably hot even with the windows open (that I had to ask on my behalf). Although the server came right away after we sat down, we weren't given a drink menu and she seemed annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted (ma'am you need to give us a drink menu if you want us to order a drink other than a Guinness). Plus, she also asked what we want less than a minute after we sat down. Great for impatient people but not good for us indecisive folks! Like another review said, the servers can feel unwelcoming at times but by a few drinks, I would say I would come back (the food was great!) but only if I get a patio seat. It was way too hot to be sitting indoors with the fireplace turned on and lots of guests inside especially if you're here in the afternoon (It was like they didn't want the indoor guests to stay too long. Just order, drink/eat and leave) Parking: Street parking Price: $$ Service: Was a hit and miss. Sometimes, they were friendly and sometimes they felt rushed but I think it was mostly due to the holiday weekend... Recommendation: Irish pub nachos & burgers. Skip the fries. Try to get an outdoor patio seat in the day. They have the fireplace indoors and it can get pretty toasty on sunny afternoons.

    Pool of grease... the whole bun was saturated with grease.
    Jessica M.

    The burger bun was so saturated with grease I could not even cut it. The bartender/server never checked back so I did not eat. I would not go again.

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    The food was amazing! Service was great. There was a live band that was fun. Definitely will be back!

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    3 years ago

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    Dan L.

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    11 months ago

    Food service late hours and prices. It reminds of an old neighborhood gathering place.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Good food and atmosphere! Service was very attentive. Had the fish and chips which were excellent.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Dan L.

    Thank you Sabrina! We'll see you real soon. Cheers!!

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Dan L.

    Thank you Noor! We love Nick too, he's great!!

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    Dan L.

    Thanks for the great review Kareem! Cheers

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    3 years ago

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    Dan L.

    Thank you Marie! We'll see you soon!!

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    Dan L.

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    2 years ago

    The corned beef in the reuben... inedible, rubbery. Shame on an Irish pub serving corned beef this awful.

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    Dan L.

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    2 years ago

    Great atmosphere, drinks and Food. Service is excellent too. Definitely recommend for Happy Hour and Whiskey Wednesdays!

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    Dan L.

    Thank you Fred! We appreciate your patronage.

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    2 years ago

    Our local pub in La Jolla is the best Irish bar/restaurant in San Diego. Comfort food, great drinks and live music--perfect!

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    Dan L.

    Thank you so much John! We'll see you again soon...

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    2 years ago

    The best Irish coffees in San Diego! The food is solid and they have great live music.

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    2 years ago

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    Dan L.

    Thank you Michele!

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    Page 2 of 8

    Ask the Community - Hennessey's La Jolla

    When does the live music start on Fridays?

    Happy Hour Musician at 4pm. Night time musicians at 8 or 9pm. Please reach out to us at the restaurant for a quicker response.

    What time does Karaoke start on Thursdays?

    9pm!

    What are suggested, healthy vegan options (ideally gluten free)?

    Hello Tara, We do not have a wide variety of vegan options here at Hennesseys. Any of our salad options with our balsamic or Italian dressing would be suitable as long as… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Whaling Bar - Ceasar Twinkies

    The Whaling Bar

    4.0(133 reviews)
    0.2 miLa Jolla
    $$$

    We arrived at The Whaling Bar just after the La Jolla Concours, on a mission for dessert--and…read morewalked straight into the buzz of their Martini Hour. The place was lively, but luck was on our side: one perfect booth remained for the four of us sweet seekers. We settled in and immediately starting gabbing (versus checking out the menu). George came over to take our order. Without even glancing at the dessert menu (a bold move, I'll admit), I asked for one of each dessert to share--paired, of course, with a couple glasses of Scarpetta Rosé bubbles (okay so I glanced at te wine menu). Priorities . What arrived was equal parts surprise and delight. First, a charming little glass jar filled with lightly whipped crème fraîche and topped with salted caramel--simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious. And then... the "hamburger." Cue the table going completely silent. Naturally, we had questions. Our server walked us through this masterpiece from the bottom up: a golden caramel cake "bun," topped with a chocolate-coated ice cream "patty," a delicate mango gelée "cheese," and even "pickles" made from matcha cake. Finished with a second warm cake layer and a touch of garnish we were too excited to fully catch--because at that point, we were already diving in. The contrast of warm cake, cool ice cream, and rich chocolate was nothing short of fantastic. Playful, unexpected, and genuinely delicious--exactly the kind of dessert experience you hope to stumble upon. Thank you, The Whaling Bar, for the sweet surprises. We'll absolutely be back--next time for martinis, and I've already been told the duck meatballs are not to be missed.

    Note to self: happy hour red blend is disgusting…read more Service was nice but not fast. Vibes very cute.

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    The Whaling Bar - Searching for cozy dinner spots? We got you!

    Searching for cozy dinner spots? We got you!

    The Whaling Bar - Caesar twinkies

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    The Long Goodbye

    Paradisaea - Sage Hill Carrots

    Paradisaea

    4.1(294 reviews)
    2.1 miLa Jolla
    $$$$

    Traveling through San Diego and discovered Paradisaea from a credit card dining credit. I love a…read moreMichelin star that isn't prefixed menu, and the plates were reasonably priced. I also loved the mid century modern building from photos online. When we arrived, we easily found on street parking. It's pretty easy to find, especially since it's free and after 6 pm, the parking regulations relax. Our table had a sweet custom card for our anniversary. I knew I wanted to try the sourdough and the Caesar salad (the shaved parm! See photos!)- but wasn't sure about entrees. Our server came by three separate times, and I was feeling a little flustered and pressured. She walked us through how things were set up, and made suggestions since some entrees came with sides already. We got the Salisbury steak and turnips- probably didn't need the turnips since we had so much other food. But everything tasted soooooo good!!! All the details were impeccable- like our Togo boxes had a valet-style ticket; instead of consuming table space. The complementary chocolates after dinner- a fun surprise. Overall- an excellent meal and experience!

    Most notable is that the food here was 1.5-star. I rounded up to two stars because of Kessling's…read morecool building and mostly good service. But I've eaten in too many fine restaurants to be dazzled by style over substance. We started with the jalapeño Caesar, which was actually very good, if a bit overdressed. Then things went sideways. The steak tartare was enormously disappointing. The chive-oil base, which the menu claims is a remoulade, was insipid. The beef was unseasoned and so coarsely chopped, I spent a fair bit of time masticating 1-inch chewy pieces. The tiny drop of cured egg yolk and four wafer-thin slices of pickled kohlrabi were asked to do some very heavy lifting. If you're expecting a classic tartare, you're out of luck. If you're dreaming of a novel spin on a classic, prepare to have your hopes dashed. It was an ambitious interpretation, in the sense that it interpreted tartare as something else entirely. Then came the snapper with lemon beurre blanc. The skin was crisp, as advertised, but there was perhaps two ounces of flesh to eat once the skin was gone. The lemon beurre blanc was salty but pleasant, while the vegetables were sufficiently al dente to suggest they had been latterly introduced to the pan rather than cooked in it. Our server was capable and efficient, but I had to ask several times for water from the otherwise friendly waitstaff. With a beer and tip, the meal came to nearly $200. We left hungry and sufficiently unhappy that I'll advise friends and clients to avoid Paradisea. Wish we'd done the same on my partner's birthday. Two of three dishes coming up short isn't good enough. Restaurants serving poorly executed dishes at premium prices don't merit further patronage, though I'd happily spend twice as much for a decent meal.

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    Paradisaea - Interior

    Interior

    Paradisaea - Birthday Cake

    Birthday Cake

    Paradisaea - Dessert #1: short bread cookies & tangerine bubbles over a white chocolate mousse

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    Dessert #1: short bread cookies & tangerine bubbles over a white chocolate mousse

    Bernini's Bistro & Bar - View of Restaurant

    Bernini's Bistro & Bar

    4.3(694 reviews)
    0.3 miLa Jolla
    $$

    I'd heard about Bernini's so many times over the years, and I'm so glad I finally went. The service…read morewas amazing from start to finish. I'm trying to get better about catching names, but the whole team made us feel taken care of. I tend to grade my Italian spots by their focaccia, and theirs was perfectly soft. We also ordered the lasagna and the spaghetti & meatballs to keep it classic, and it didn't disappoint. There are so many Italian restaurants in San Diego, but I see why Bernini's has been able to thrive here for over 20 years. I'll be back and will highly recommend!

    This was our first visit and it certainly was memorable. We were seated in a quiet little table…read morethat was private and perfect for us. Our waiter came over and welcomed us and set down a bottle of cold water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. The evening was underway without a hitch. We asked a few questions and then we reviewed the menu. When Robert came back with the glass of wine, we were ready to order and the process was easy. We shared the fried calamari which had two shrimp and several different kinds of vegetables. It was served with two kinds of sauces. It was very good. My husband ordered the Salmon a la Griglia and he really enjoyed it with the risotto. I had the Seafood Cioppino. It had a great deal of seafood including really big mussels, shrimp and salmon. The broth was great too. The service was great and the meal was terrific. It has a nice variety on the menu. It seems to be a popular neighborhood place. we will be back to try some of the other treasures.

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    Bernini's Bistro & Bar
    Bernini's Bistro & Bar
    Bernini's Bistro & Bar - Indoor dining

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    Indoor dining

    Hennessey's La Jolla - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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