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    Imperial Steakhouse

    3.9 (355 reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    IMPERIAL STEAKHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for dancing
    Good for groups

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    Ribeye steak with mash potatoes
    abigail P.

    Fourth time around was as how we expected and what keeps us coming back. This time they did ask for reservations, they have great steaks like the cowboy ribeye, tomahawk steak and other very delicious steaks that are ordered as you ask for them during making reservation. If you don't they may not have what you are looking for. First room to right you find a live band and open bar. To the left you find the steak treasure restaurant. We ordered the ribeye and my boys ordered the cowboy ribeye. This time we took our 2mo old and the lady was accommodating to our needs. The plus for us too is that it comes with a cake dessert. It was so delicious I recommend it.

    This is the advertisement
    Terry W.

    Our group of five wanted to try the advertised special, $45 for a house salad , nice steak, and desert. We made a reservation on the advertised date 10/28/25. When we arrived the place was empty and they said the special was no longer available. We were all very disappointed. We decided to stay, however they had no baked potatoes, or a couple other dishes that we were interested in. For the amount of money we spent it was a very disappointing experience.

    Dining room. All original fixtures and furniture, which a lot has been restored from 1968. It's a walk down memory lane type spot for sure!
    Jacqueline L.

    A classic steakhouse from the 1960s (1968), that the original owners son keeps open. It's quiet and never busy, but you get a Frank Sinatra vibe upon walking into the dining room. A simple one page menu, classic steakhouse options (not cheap but comparable to steakhouses these days), and a full bar. Friendly service and worth a trip for an old-school steakhouse vibe.

    Mushrooms 9/10
    Peter T.

    Really could be the go to standard for when you want something you could cook at home, don't want to apply the effort, and you want a little extra kick to it. The food here was an 8.99/10. It is certainly more traditional but everything is prepared to perfection. The crust on our steak was remarkable, inside, slightly more than medium rare but it was so thick, so juicy, so flavorful, it's easy to disregard. The potato skins were also awesome. Perfectly seared, nice balance of toppings and the ranch it was served with was awesome too. Mushrooms, again, traditional, but again they were cooked to perfection. Our server, Amy, was quirky, fun, and very kind. "Free" cheesecake came our way. One item of note is that the restaurant was EMPTY. From when we arrived to when we finished. There's an old school sense of royalty here decoration wise. Red velvet seats and booths, chandeliers, fake flowers, it's all pretty cool. The restaurant was very sound and solid, but silent. Come here if you have kids and want a silent evening, not if you want fun. Overall though, grade A everything.

    Mike E.

    Love this place, it is perfect for date night, high class vibe, affordable prices, GREAT service.. Hostess Amy is very attentive, but not needy.. The menu is pretty basic in a good way, an priced spot on. Oh and the octopus is brag worthy, priced perfect, quality is awesome and the quantity is almost too much..YUM.. Lighting is on the dimmer side, however it makes the leather interior pop.. Makes you almost feel underdressed and not worthy. Waiting for Elvis or Sinatra to walk in any minute... All in all, perfect place our date night, you SHOULD try it..!!

    Pineapple margarita on the rocks

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    3 months ago

    Best burger (non smash) & great price point! Would argue that one of the best in SD! Very hospitable staff as well

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    Love this place, food is always great and the staff is welcoming. Lowkey vibe with old school feel.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Imperial Steakhouse Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Imperial Steakhouse

    On your website, it states $25 charge for split plates. If my husband and I ordered the tomahawk (32-36 oz for $110 & definitely too large for one person), would we still have to pay a split plate fee? We'd get appetizers/drinks too (not just steak)

    I would think if they aren't physically spitting the meal onto two plates I would think not. When you order and if they ask if you would like to split this just say no.

    What nights do you have live music?

    Friday and Saturday night. This Thursday we have Latino Night

    Do you take reservations?

    Open table or through the website, and calling in.

    Do you have outdoor tables and are dogs allowed if you do?

    No, we don’t for both questions

    Are children allowed?

    Yes but not at the bar.

    Has Rick Lyon resumed performing?

    He’s no longer working with us

    Is Prime Rib served daily?

    We don’t served prime rib.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    ALTITUDE Sky Lounge

    ALTITUDE Sky Lounge

    4.0
    (1.7k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Altitude Sky Lounge in downtown San Diego has an absolutely beautiful rooftop view. From the top,…read moreyou can enjoy views of both the waterfront side and the downtown skyline, and honestly the scenery alone makes it worth visiting. To get inside, you have to go through the hotel entrance and then take the elevator to the top floor. There was no issue going up or down, and everything moved rather quickly considering we visited on a Friday night. Up top it was a little crowded near the edges where everyone was taking photos, but people moved around pretty quickly so it was still easy to get some really good pictures from the rooftop. I didn't order any drinks, so this review is based solely on the location and the views, but once you're up there it's just absolutely beautiful. We stayed for about 20 minutes, enjoyed the views, took in the atmosphere, and then headed out. Definitely worth checking out if you're in San Diego.

    I've been here multiple times before heading out for a night on the town, but this was my first…read moretime visiting during the daytime. It was nice to switch things up and catch a sunset from the rooftop. The drinks are always solid and this spot has become a staple first stop before hitting Gaslamp.

    Photos
    The perfect drink paired with the perfect view!
    The perfect drink paired with the perfect view!
    Altitude is situated on the rooftop of the San Diego Gaslamp Marriott. Enter through the hotel lobby & take our express elevator to the sky!
    Altitude is situated on the rooftop of the San Diego Gaslamp Marriott. Enter through the hotel lobby & take our express elevator to the sky!
    Birthdays, bachelor-/rette parties, private events or just a regular happy hour - we're downtown San Diego's preferred special event spot!

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    Birthdays, bachelor-/rette parties, private events or just a regular happy hour - we're downtown San Diego's preferred special event spot!
    Raised By Wolves

    Raised By Wolves

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    10.3 mi
    $$

    The innovative approach begins with the super cool entrance. You pull a lever and the chairs you're…read moresitting in begin to turn and all of a sudden you're in a gorgeous dome ceiling speakeasy. Then for the cocktails. These folks are innovating out on the bleeding edge of using those ingredients you've never heard of to make a drink that you'll never forget. And to top it all off, we had some of the best, most friendly and informative service I've ever had at a speakeasy. This place rocks.

    For our first and only visit, my husband and I were looking forward to trying this local spot. We…read moreput the kids at the gym who hosts a "kids night out" so us parents could enjoy some alone time. We made a reservation and although we arrived on time, we had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated. I agree with some of the other commenters when they say that the revolving fireplace needs some love. It has the look and feel of needing to be updated. Also, for it to be a "speakeasy" vibe, you could hear the loudness of the bar through the walls. It just kind of ruins the facade a little bit. Regardless, we enjoyed the novelty of being slowly admitted to the speakeasy on the opposite side. We were given seats and upon first glance it was a dark lit space with an old fashioned aesthetic. I was surprised to see how casual everyone was dressed- I assumed there was a dress code, but I guess flip flops made the cut ‍. It took a few minutes for our server to attend to us, and when he did you could tell he was slammed. We just didn't get the table side manner one was hoping for an establishment like this. Peeking at their drink menu, I found myself disappointed that much of their options had a lot of sweet or fruit juice ingredients. So, I went for their old fashioned. For the price, it was just okay. Another disappointing moment. In all, it wasn't terrible, but it just isn't worth the hype. Overpriced and mediocre drinks and a seemingly overworked staff didn't make for a memorable experience and ended up not being for us. Glad to have tried it...but look elsewhere if you've actually been to a speakeasy. This just doesn't live up to what it's trying to sell you.

    Photos
    Tiramitini and Mojito.
    Tiramitini and Mojito.
    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.
    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.
    (stole this pic from my friend)

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    (stole this pic from my friend)
    Prohibition

    Prohibition

    4.0
    (1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    As I approached the old law office, we found a line wrapped outside ensuring ID was confirmed prior…read moreto entry. Our group was surprised as is was 2115, it's been open for about an hour and a half and packed. As you enter this old law office down a staircase one would find the "speakeasy statutes/rules" to maintain the 1920s atmosphere-- we loved the setting, the people, the drinks, and of course the live music!! One would not be disappointed. The cocktail menu was on an old record, which I thought it was so clever. Back to the rules, seems pretty easy! They mention to keep an open mind with the drinks as they do not carry vodkas, redbull, Budweiser or bulls**t. Mentioned a dresscode, more so be classic and states be respectful and don't be a di*k. I couldn't agree more with the rules. I don't think there is good at this establishment, as our group just came from dinner I wasn't looking for food. Just spirits, live music and a good time. Highly recommend if you are looking for live music and uniquely crafted cocktails.

    I am writing this review to bring a serious safety and security issue to management's attention. On…read moreMay 18th. around 10pm, I was at this establishment and was unfortunately dealing with a male date who became erratic, weird, and made me feel unsafe. Multiple bystanders witnessed his behavior but failed to intervene, assuming it was just "relationship drama" After the man finally left, the venue's security completely misread the situation. Instead of checking on my well-being or ensuring the aggressor had left the premises, security targeted and chased me as if I were the problem. It is incredibly disappointing and dangerous for a business's security team to lack the basic situational awareness and training required to identify the actual victim in a situation. I felt entirely unprotected by the staff here. I hope management takes this as a serious sign that their security team needs immediate retraining on bystander intervention and de-escalation, rather than harassing women who are already in vulnerable situations.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)
    Part Time Lover

    Part Time Lover

    4.3
    (509 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Finally made it to this cute speakeasy in San Diego! We stopped by on a Sunday around 5 PM and had…read moreno trouble walking right in. There were plenty of seats available, and service was quick and smooth. Cocktails were around $15-18 each. I ordered the Perpetual Motion and absolutely loved it, the sweet strawberry flavor paired perfectly with the creamy Calpico. It's the kind of drink I'd order again and again. I also tried the Piña Colada, which was equally delicious. Even though the cocktails are beautifully handcrafted and easy to sip, you can still taste the liquor, which I always appreciate. This is such a great spot for a first date, a girls' night out, or simply catching up with friends. One of my favorite parts was exploring the vinyl room, it adds such a fun retro touch. The entire space has a nostalgic, vintage vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into another era. It's the perfect place to relax, enjoy some creative cocktails, and soak in the atmosphere.

    This is a nice establishment, especially for lounging with a date. Very clean and nice drinks too…read more A little pricey however that's the norm in this area for the more popular out of towner type spots. The servers are friendly. But you have to be patient as they are often quite busy. The record store and records theme is what they present online but to be honest that is only a minute section of the establishment. It definitely doesn't describe the theme of the place neither. The worker in the record section simply ignored me when I tried to purchase a record and after a minute I had to ask for him to please ring me up. No apology from him. No biggie, I still had a decent time drinking here.

    Photos
    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)
    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)
    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead
    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (946 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Mothership has already risen to the level of San Diego institution a must-visit that nails it every…read moretime. Simply put, this is the best bar experience in town. They serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alongside a growing menu of vegan bites. They do have a seasonal cult favorite: savory donuts. If they're in season, do not leave without trying them. Note that there are no clear signs marking the entrance done intentionally as a nod to the speakeasy vibe. Once inside, the spaceship immersion is taken to another level. And if you're lucky, they'll trigger the spaceship lights-and-sounds sequence, which to me resembles a ship under attack. It's incredibly cool. The ambiance is fantastic, and so is the food and drinks everything here delivers. Do pay attention to the alcohol content of each drink, as some run quite strong. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as they book up early and walk-ins may not be accommodated.

    This was my second visit to Mothership, and while I appreciate the unique vegan speakeasy concept,…read morethis experience didn't quite live up to the excitement of my first visit. The atmosphere is definitely creative and fun, and I like that there are several food options along with a large selection of cocktails and mocktails. On this visit, we tried the rice dish and the pancake, and while both were okay, the flavors seemed just a little off compared to what I was expecting. The cocktails were also much stronger than anticipated. We sat at the bar this time instead of at a table, and the seating felt very cramped. The bar stools were so close to the standing area that it was difficult to even pull out a chair without people brushing past. Because of that, we ended up finishing our food and drinks and leaving pretty quickly instead of lingering and enjoying the experience. Mothership has a really cool concept and a unique vibe, but for me, it's more of a place to try once in a while rather than somewhere I'd be rushing back to visit.

    Photos
    Mindkiller
    Mindkiller
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Away Mission

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    Away Mission
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.2 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
    Harbor & Sky Rooftop Bar and Lounge

    Harbor & Sky Rooftop Bar and Lounge

    4.0
    (148 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Rooftop seating

    This Bar and Lounge is perfect for great Sunset views with friends enjoying the evening with food…read moreand drinks. Walked in and seated quickly by the fire pit table it was a bit cloudy so no sunset but weather was nice and cozy with a glass of wine and ordered the flat bread which was delicious. Seating also at the bar area , nice spacious , great service and the food was good!

    The view is spectacular. I arrive a few minutes before 4 and they had not opened yet. Emily came…read moreout to bring me a menu at 4. I asked if it was the happy hour menu and she said no. She said she would be right back with one and then came back and said all they have for happy hour is 3 options: IPA, Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay. And none of the food items they listed on their IG post were available except chips and salsa. I asked and she said all they have is chips and salsa. I asked when happy hour starts since I thought maybe I got the time wrong but I did nit, she said it started at 4. So I was a bit disappointed since menu was very limited. This is their post That brought me in on their social media for happy hour. MON-FRI $5 Happy Hour Beverages & Bites -HOUSE CHARDONNAY -HOUSE PINOT NOIR -ATHLETIC BREWING Co. BEER (NA) -STONE DELICIOUS IPA -SPECIALTY SLIDER -CEVICHE TOSTADA -CHIPS & SALSA #SanDiegoHappyHour I probably wont be back since there are so many other amazing happy hours in the area with more menu choices. The sky deck is gorgeous so if you just want a glass of wine and some great photos I would say this is an option!

    Photos
    Harbor & Sky Rooftop Bar and Lounge
    Bar View
    Bar View
    Harbor & Sky Rooftop Bar and Lounge

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    Imperial Steakhouse - lounges - Updated June 2026

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