We love a good dive bar, so while exploring San Diego's Old Town we did what any responsible day…read moredrinkers would do... we Googled "dive bars" & ended up at Old Town Saloon. And honestly? This place was exactly the vibe we were hoping to find. The second we walked in, I loved the vintage feel of the decor. It has that authentic old-school saloon energy that can't be manufactured. A genuine neighborhood watering hole with personality - a little worn in, full of character & packed with stories. One of the best parts of our visit was the bartender, who also happened to be the third-generation owner. He struck that perfect balance of being super friendly & welcoming without being all up in our business. You could tell he genuinely cared about the place & its history. He shared some great stories that made the experience feel personal. We settled in for some drinks & soaked up the atmosphere. The history of San Diego Old Town swirled around us as we enjoyed our time at the Old Town Saloon. Highly recommend.

This is a great spot to grab a drink when there is a crowd outside. We were waiting for the Whaley…read moreHouse tour and stopped in for a drink. Liz was awesome and even made recommendations for restaurants for us. She was talkative and engaging while also serving everyone quickly. Looks like a great spot for the evening, but we were just starting out the lunch drinkers for the day!

I loved how cozy this place was. My group of 4 sat at the bar. Super fun to watch the bartender…read morecraft the drinks. Very friendly staff and gave great recommendations. My favorite was definitely the Sloth. The marshmallow was out of this world. Pride is also good. Tastes like a healthy morning juice with a hint of alcohol. Lust was unique. Love how frothy and smooth it is with the egg whites. Also the hint of cheese! Surprisingly delicious. Gluttony was super smoky and loved the presentation.

The self-appointed king of speakeasies is back at it with another one. I stopped by Oculto 477 on a…read moreWednesday evening an hour before close. Located in Old Town San Diego, we had dinner at a restaurant within walking distance from Oculto. I parked for free on the street and made a reservation day of. It's a pretty small speakeasy so if you're going on a weekend, you're probably going to have to make a reservation in advance. Ambiance (4.5/5): Oculto has the seven deadly sins theme going which is pretty cool. I've been to a similar speakeasy in St. Pete, Florida. Once you arrive at the mezcal bar that houses Oculto, check in with the host, and he will bring you to a "confessional." There, you must confess one of the seven deadly sins before the door to the speakeasy is opened for you. Naturally, I went with "lust." Once you get inside, it's a charming speakeasy. Service (2.5/5): This is one of the areas that leaves a little to be desired. There was only one bartender working when I was there. Since speakeasies have elevated cocktails, service was quite slow. They definitely needed two bartenders there to speed up the process. They also have a two-drink minimum which I was annoyed about on principle. I often have multiple drinks at a bar, but I never feel like I'm forced to do it. Food (N/A): I'm not sure if they have food, I don't believe they do. Regardless, I was on a liquid diet. Drinks (4/5): Pretty interesting menu of craft cocktails. When I'm at a speakeasy, I look for unique drinks that have an interesting combination of ingredients and flavor profiles. In addition to a nice list, they also have a dealer's choice cocktail where you can tell the bartender what you're into and they will craft a custom cocktail for you based on your taste. Another cool thing about Oculto is that it's located next to the cemetery in Old Town. That adds to the spooky theme.

Service was friendly, though a little inconsistent when it got busier, with longer waits between…read moreorders. Overall, it's a solid place for drinks and atmosphere, but the food and consistency don't quite match the upscale vibe it's going for.

Shout out to the designer behind Starlite. The moment you walk in, your eyes are immediately drawn…read moreto the recess bar area, with those gorgeous Starlite chandeliers hanging low at eye level. Against the dark ambiance, it really feels like gazing into a night sky filled with bright stars. It was absolutely mesmerizing. Climb the short staircase and you'll find an indoor outdoor patio dining area, lush with tropical plants hanging from above and palm trees throughout. It gives off such a warm, exotic, vacation like feeling. Then, walk further to the right and you'll discover another dining room they call the Disco Cave. With all the sparkling mirrored glass decorating the walls, it feels like a time capsule transporting you to another era. The mood and ambiance were unexpectedly festive and magical. Our server, Mati, was wonderful. She constantly checked in to make sure we were doing well. We weren't happy with the sea bass dish we ordered, and she immediately took care of it and graciously offered us the menu to choose another dish. The food was unexpectedly delicious, especially the steak, which was seasoned and cooked perfectly. I'll definitely be back.

Ambiance was amazing, it was like I was in a cave! Great customer service, there was a bit of a…read morewait 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

A highlight during my recent visit to San DIego was visiting one of the coolest tiki bars, False…read moreIdol. They had the most beautifully decorated drinks I've ever seen in a place that has thunderstorms when they serve certain drinks! I would highly recommend making reservations. If you don't you may wind up standing during your visit. It's a small place and has limited seating. Our waitress was friendly and helpful. She was able to make recommendations that were spot on. The drink menu is huge!! No food in the bar, but it is attached to a restaurant if you would like to eat before or after you visit False Idol. I loved this place! I can't wait to go back and try some new drinks! We had The Wayfinder, Chunky Dunkey, Enigma del Muerte and The Pearl Diver. They were all delicious and beautiful!

Best drinks in San Diego! Sucks that's it's cash only but we make do! Buy 1 get 1 free you can't go…read morewrong!

Awesome karaoke bar with great drinks and we love jevontae and Bella. Bartenders are great and the…read morespicy margs are the best

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.

I like themed restaurants and bars, so Mothership was high on my list of San Diego destinations…read more The outside of the bar looks like a Mexican restaurant (which it was a few years ago), but the inside has been transformed into a scientific base on an alien planet. The decorations, colors, and music all fit the vibe perfectly and look great! If you've been to any of the Meow Wolf locations, it reminded me of that minus the interactivity. I guess that's my one criticism is that I wish there were points of interaction around the place. For example, the bar had these cool recessed lights that looked like control panels, but they could easily be made into an interactive element. A lot more could be done with projection technology too. We didn't eat dinner, but the menu looked interesting with all vegetarian entrees with futuristic names. We did have some drinks. I had a non-alcoholic Tang & Tonic which was yummy and reminded me of something I drank in the UK when I was a little kid. My friends got alcoholic drinks which they both enjoyed. The drinks were a decent size and not overpriced.

It's really known as a local gay dive bar, and that's exactly what makes it so special - it's…read moreauthentic, unpretentious, and just overflows with good energy. What I truly appreciate is how inclusive it is; when they say "all are welcome," they genuinely mean it. You feel like part of the community the moment you step through the door, no matter who you are. The folks working behind the bar are absolute superstars. They're not just great at mixing up a delicious drink, but they're also super friendly and always up for a bit of banter. It's the kind of place where striking up a conversation with someone new at the bar is effortless. There's a constant buzz of friendly chatter and laughter, making it such a wonderful place to just relax and be yourself. And let's talk about value - they truly know how to pour a proper drink, and their prices are incredibly fair. You definitely get a fantastic drink without feeling like you've splurged. It's just an all-around great spot to unwind, meet some cool people, and enjoy a top-notch beverage in a relaxed, friendly setting. Highly recommend giving The Loft a visit!

When I visit San Diego, The Loft is at the top of my "must visit" list and is normally one of the…read morefirst places I go after getting settled in. Situated on 5th Avenue in beautiful Hillcrest, The Loft is a small, but mighty place that is near and dear to my heart for a variety of reasons. From the bartenders, to the patrons, and of course the drinks...this spot is an absolute vibe! Everyone is beyond welcoming and fun here. The space is a great combination of indoor/outdoor. The drinks are strong and well priced, which is not a combination you can find many places these days! They don't serve food, but they are fine if you want to bring your own, which many folks do. We have enjoyed a cocktail and UberEats'd something so we didn't have to leave. Overall, while I am not a San Diego local (yet), I consider The Loft my local spot. Love this place!

Enjoying appetizers and drinks--both at home and away--is always a great experience. Jesse is an…read moreoutstanding bartender who delivers high-standard service every time. Thank you, Jesse; we truly appreciate how wonderful you are. The cleanliness of this bar is impressive. Watching sports here feels just like home, yet uniquely exciting--big screens, great food and drinks, and even better company. It's truly a priceless experience. Free and convenient parking.

First time visit over the weekend. Located away from the heart of Old Town, so I was able to find…read morestreet parking. Liked the variety of seating options- inside, covered and full sun. Massive big screen outside establishes that this is definitely a sports bar. Pleasant service. Really glad I only stayed for one draft IPA because it was $9.50! We're past the COVID and minimum wage excuses. Considering how other non-touristy places are holding the line at $8 or even $7.50, this rubbed me the wrong way. I'm not in a hurry to return.