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    Park & Rec

    4.0 (496 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Park & Rec Photos

    Business Info

    PARK & REC ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual

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    Joanna O.

    Park & rec is always a great time. Hadn't been in a while and decided to take my cousin and her husband from out of town for some drinks. The dj that night was playing all of the bangers, and the drinks were delicious and strong. Such a fun night. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable, kind and efficient. The lines would sometimes get long but they moved really quickly and we were never waiting too long for a drink. I also like that they have more than one bar, dj and multiple seating areas (indoor and outdoor). It can get crowded but there is plenty of room to hang and I recommend getting there early to grab a booth if you want to sit and chat.

    Addy W.

    This was a cute bar. I loved the decor and the staff were very kind and friendly. I had heard it had a dance floor as well, but couldn't see from the front. It was until my friend told me it was in back area right outside. Very different but pretty cool. The drinks were strong and delicious, and they offer a good happy hour too. Based on the menu, they just serve drinks, but there's plenty of food options nearby. Overall, I will be planning to come back.

    Back Patio Area
    Amanda J.

    Nice and clean bar in University Heights. They have both indoor and outdoor bars, with seating in both areas. The outdoor patio also has heat lamps, which is nice for the cold nights. We hung out in the back patio and had a great time. It wasn't too crowded when we arrived around 8pm on a Friday night, but it got busier as the night went on.

    Outside
    Estefania C.

    Fun and cute bar. Great ambiance with vintage and art on the outside. Amazing service. Our bartender was friendly. He made a virgin Mai Tai for me and it was delicious. The bar and sitting inside is great. The outside tho is a bit more secluded and quiet. Amazing space. Friends and I had fun trying some drinks. I had been here a couple years ago for a friends birthday and looks like they renovated and changed the back a little bit.

    Samantha R.

    This was a trendy spot to grab a drink if you are out in the area. Inside the bar area was a few seats and it was decorated with a prohibition theme which was cute. Service was good, typical for a bar. The drinks were okay. Prices were average for San Diego and a bar. The only downside was the bathrooms were pretty open, like the doors didn't close, so everyone could see inside (there were still stalls) but it's not something I like or feel comfortable with. My friend and I did end up making a game of seeing how many people washed their hands. Needless to say, we left shortly after. I think this spot is great for a younger crowd.

    Kim G.

    This location is such a a smart vibe. It has an interesting nooks to have a great conversation with a friend. The drinks were sophisticated along with the decor. We stopped in for happy hour. The weather was decent so we sat outdoors. The music was great. It wasn't too crowded, but I could tell if the weather was warmer the place would probably be packed. The bartenders were attentive and made excellent drinks. I would definitely come back.

    Khamphone K.

    Fun place to meet with friends for drinks and hang out. Friendly staff all around. Spacious, beautiful decor and theme. They have happy hour, Monday game nights, Dj & live music, movies in the park and trivia night. Such a great idea to bring the community together.

    Andrea H.

    Walked in during a slow moment and watch the place fill up at FOH. Our bar tender was so sweet! Drinks were delicious and the ambiance was perfect for an evening weekend.

    Cocktail menu
    Andrea L.

    Went this evening for a surprise birthday and many times before, as well. Everyone enjoyed their drinks. I especially loved my "start me up" cocktail with cold brew and licor 43! They also had a ton of delicious non-alcoholic options, which I really appreciate! And since they don't serve food they let you bring your own food in, which was awesome! Staff is always friendly and all around good vibes.

    TRENTON!!!!!

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    4 months ago

    Drinks are good but kinda expensive. Most of the music is good. I like that there's different areas. Bathrooms need more stalls.

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    10 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Amazing place to party with friends! Tried Donna's pickle beer for the first time there and it was life changing lol

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    2 months ago

    They have horrible organization for limited music. If you wanna pay 20 bucks for no reason feel free

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    5 months ago

    Great outdoor space, lovely staff, and they usually have a delicious taco stand outside that is great!

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    7 months ago

    no ping pong!!!! no tater tots!!!!!!!! no blue drink!!!!!!!! do not get your hopes up. fun playlist tho:)

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Park & Rec

    Is this a Gay Bar? Are Gays welcome?

    It is not a gay bar but yes everyone is welcome!

    What genre of music does the DJ play? (Alt-rock?)

    Is this establishment open? It is unclear on the Yelp page details. Might want to update if you are in fact open!

    Yes it's open! I've been a couple times over the last few months.

    Is trivia on Thursday nights? If so what time does it start - thanks!

    They do trivia on tuesdays starting at 7:30pm

    Are you guys currently doing dine in?

    Hi! Thanks for reaching out. We are NOT open at the moment and will remain closed until the local operating restrictions are lifted. Stay safe!

    Are cornhole and ping pong available to play during the pandemic?

    What is New Year's Eve like here? Is there any cover/dress code?

    Rockin' and ragin'!! Casual is cool but bring something fun

    Do they allow dogs in their outside area?

    Yes, dogs are absolutely allowed in the outside area. I'm pretty sure they even put out water bowls!

    Is there an age restriction? My 19 year old sister wants to see a band play here.

    As far as I know you have to be 21. They check ID at the door sometimes. I would call and ask

    Is food served here? Or do they only serve food for special events like Burger Week?

    Thank you for reaching out. We currently serve food from 5pm-10pm, Monday-Friday. We will start weekend service, brunch and dinner, soon. Hope to see you soon!

    View All 13 Questions

    Review Highlights - Park & Rec

    Outdoor spaces are great for hanging out with friends, and there are games to change things up if you're so inclined.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Polite Provisions

    Polite Provisions

    4.3
    (2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

    You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

    Photos
    Want. Make. Disco.
    Want. Make. Disco.
    Real oil lamps!
    Real oil lamps!
    Art deco

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    Art deco
    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (972 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 4/5…read moreFood: 4/5 Drinks: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Parking: 4/5 Came by on a Monday late afternoon with a reservation. It was my third overall visit but my first time bringing my kids (12, 5). We all love it and are big Mothership fans! I highly recommend for all ages, though come early with a reservation if you're bringing minors.

    The single worst experience I've ever had going out…read more If you're friends with the servers, bartenders, or hosts, you'll probably have a great time. If you're not a regular, be careful, because apparently all it takes is one drunk friend of the staff making up a story to get you kicked out. While visiting San Diego with friends, we came here after hearing so many great things. There was a short wait, which was fine. The four of us were seated at a small standing table, also fine. Behind us were two guys drinking at the standing bar. One of them bumped into my friend and then stroked her arm while apologizing. She was visibly uncomfortable, so I told her to switch places with me. The guy immediately said, "We're gay, so you don't have to worry," then turned to his friend and said, "Now he looks so stupid and embarrassing." I told him, "I don't think it's embarrassing to make sure your friends are comfortable," then turned back around. I didn't argue with him, insult him, or continue the conversation. I thought that was the end of it. A few minutes later, the manager came over and told us we had made comments that made other patrons uncomfortable and asked us to leave. We had already paid for our drinks and were still waiting for them. My friend followed the manager to ask what was going on, and I joined shortly after. The person complaining was, of course, the same guy who had bumped into her. He was clearly drunk and started rambling about how we had made homophobic comments toward him and his friend. This was especially ridiculous considering the friend I switched places with was there with her girlfriend. We calmly explained exactly what happened. The manager did not care. There was no real attempt to hear our side, ask questions, or figure out what actually happened. The decision had clearly already been made. While we were speaking to the manager, the guy who complained was cheerfully talking with one of the bartenders, receiving a to-go meal, and greeting them cheek to cheek. He very obviously appeared to know the staff. So that seems to be how things work here: a drunk regular or friend of the staff can make up whatever story he wants, and management will throw out an entire group of paying customers without even pretending to investigate. They refunded the drinks, which was the bare minimum. The ambience was nice, but that means absolutely nothing when the staff handles customers this poorly. Awful management, blatant favoritism, and easily the worst service I have ever experienced. I would never come back, and I would strongly warn anyone who isn't already friends with the staff to stay away.

    Photos
    Mindkiller
    Mindkiller
    Away Mission
    Away Mission
    The bar area

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    The bar area
    Seven Grand

    Seven Grand

    3.9
    (846 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    This is my absolute fav spot in North Park! We've been coming here for years! Always love the vibe,…read moreambiance and well crafted cocktails. This stylish whiskey lounge features pool tables, darts, and live entertainment. It's always a good time here! Early birds are highly recommended, long lines of people form outside towards the end of the evening. There's definitely a trick to getting a drink- it's called push your way to the front (it's all part of the experience). For the most part, bartenders are quick, fast and efficient! Making great recommendations for first timers. We made a late night stop with friends after dinner. First round of cocktails- the legendary Old Fashioned! Because why the hell not? It's a classic- Bonded Bourbon, Aromatic Bitters, Sugar, Citrus Zest. Very smooth! Unfortunately, I did not take pics of our drinks (sowey), just enjoyed livin in the moment with great friends and good conversation! No doubt we'll be back soon and I'll post some pics of some their signature cocktails. Till then, cheers my friends!

    New to the San Diego area and looked this place up on Instagram. I love the old school looked of…read morethe bar. I went on a Tuesday night and it was pretty busy. There's not too much seating area which was a little awkward. But the whiskey sour ; oh my ! One of the best whiskey sours I've ever had

    Photos
    One of the best tasting gins I've had
    One of the best tasting gins I've had
    Selection of whiskeys
    Selection of whiskeys
    Old fashioned and neat whiskey

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    Old fashioned and neat whiskey
    insideOUT

    insideOUT

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    My partner & I recently got engaged and came to celebrate here. Christian treated us so well! Food…read more& drinks were great and so was the ambiance. Also my first time in San Diego and Christian already made my experience so good. Definitely would come back here if we're ever in town.

    Last night was one of my top dining experiences. Everything about IO was great. Literally every…read morebite and sip was so delicious. And the decor was so thoughtful, refined yet relaxing. My friend is ready to redecorate his place with Moroccan lamps now. The only negative was our fault...we decided to go two days ago and the only reservation left was at 8:45. I think IO more beautiful at night, so we were looking forward to it nonetheless. We arrived around 8 and ordered a bottle of wine in the waiting area/courtyard ramp. Such an interesting layout, but it works! We got to sit at a table right next to the waterfall and pond. Our server was very nice. Probably the only slip-up in service, was that our main came out when we had barely put a dent in apps. We were probably chatting and sipping on wine too much? The expo realized, kept the mains, and said take your time. Then he brought out mains when we were ready. Everything on the menu sounded amazing. My friend and I decided to both get the steak on the hot stone. It comes out raw and you have to keep track of time to cook it how you like it. You can choose flavored salts and butters and sauces for the side. We also shared the pickled strawberry salad. It had lots of toppings, flavor, and textures. The pozole verde was also excellent.

    Photos
    Spring oasis
    Spring oasis
    Dip and chips
    Dip and chips
    Pear mocktail

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    Pear mocktail
    Starlite

    Starlite

    4.1
    (2.7k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$

    I absolutely loved this place! Everything felt reasonably priced, especially compared to similar…read morespots in San Diego. My only complaint was that we didn't get to sit in the disco room--it looked so fun and was definitely one of the coolest parts of the restaurant. We skipped the cocktail menu and ordered pornstar martinis instead, and they were incredible. The passionfruit tasted fresh and natural, not overly sweet or artificial. For food, we shared the mozzarella sticks with caviar crème fraîche ($23), which came with a surprisingly generous portion of caviar. We also ordered the Caesar salad, which was a great size for sharing, and the Starlight Burger with a Wagyu patty and fries. Everything was delicious and exceeded our expectations. The service was just as impressive. Our server was attentive without being overbearing and checked in frequently to make sure we had everything we needed. Overall, every part of the experience was on point. Great food, great drinks, great service, and such a fun atmosphere. I'll definitely be back!

    I had a reservation for Thursday and it was packed but took less than 5 minutes to get seated. They…read moredo check your ID at the entrance it's 21+ only. Parking is a nightmare good luck finding parking within a mile of the restaurant. Pros: atmosphere, drinks, service Cons: food wasn't great for the price, restaurant was small and crowded, no parking Service: All of our servers were friendly and very accommodating. Gave us some knowledge on the menu and recommended cocktails based on our preference. I had spilled my drink and they were quick to make me another one. Food: I had intended to get the prime ribeye cap steak but they ran out for the night around 8pm. I shared the steak sampler which came with four different cuts of steak and 4 sauces. I ordered medium and it was cooked medium/medium rare which was fine with me, it also had a good sear, almost burnt though. Out of the four steaks, we only liked two based off flavor and tenderness. The other two were more tough and gamey. None of the sauces really stood out but the bordelaise and horseradish were good. For our sides we got fries, roasted broccoli, and the grilled wedge salad. Fries were average. The roasted broccoli had really good flavor, I expected the broccoli to be al dente but it was cooked to mush and drenched in sauce. The grilled wedge salad was decent, there was a slightly bitter taste to it. I know it says grilled wedge but the experience of biting into the salad and it being both hot and cold was not pleasant. Cocktails: I tried the Honey Ryder and New Wave. These were recommended as the more fruity/sweet cocktails. You can definitely taste the alcohol but it's only 2oz so it's not too strong. Ambience: 10/10 I got seated downstairs by the bar. Only thing about downstairs is that it's too dark to take photos unless you use flash. Overall, I agree with the other reviews saying to go just for drinks and appetizers. I would go again just to sit upstairs and get drinks and take pictures. We left unsatisfied and ended up getting in-n-out after.

    Photos
    Bar area after entering
    Bar area after entering
    Pistachio ice cream sandwich
    Pistachio ice cream sandwich
    Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!
    Side Bar

    Side Bar

    4.4
    (206 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    Luxury
    Private events

    Sinclair was so inviting and his security made me feel so safe and comfortable. Had a great night…read moreknowing the security had my back

    Exceptional Hosting by Keagan at Side Bar and Gaslamplighter!…read more If you are planning a corporate event, team-bonding outing, or just looking for an unforgettable night out in San Diego, you absolutely need to visit Side Bar and Gaslamplighter. Our team was in town for our quarterly QBR last quarter, and we went out afterward to let loose on the town. We randomly came across Side Bar on a Thursday night and met Blake the manager who introduced us to Keagan, who completely transformed our entire trip. He was the ultimate curator! He immediately assessed our group's vibe, realized we were out for team bonding, and invited us right in, securing a fantastic VIP booth for my team. After a few shots and grooving to great music, he personally ushered us over to Gaslamplighter for a change of scenery, where we spent the rest of the night enjoying amazing drinks and live karaoke. The experience was so incredible that on our second night out, after hopping around various other bars in the Gaslamp Quarter, our team unanimously decided to end our night right back at Side Bar. Once again, Keagan took flawless care of us. He hooked us up with another booth and a few bottles. We happened to be celebrating a team member's birthday that night, and Keagan made it unforgettable. The staff brought out the full VIP treatment with bright sparklers and "Happy Birthday" signs to close out the night in style. What makes Keagan so special is his attention to detail. Even while working a packed club and making his rounds to ensure everyone was taken care of, he constantly circled back to check on our group. He made every single person on our team feel incredibly important and looked after on both nights. We walked away with fantastic pictures, amazing team memories, and a strong desire to return. Shout out to Keagan and the exceptional teams at both Side Bar and Gaslamplighter; memories were truly made! I highly recommend these venues for any group outing in downtown San Diego.

    Photos
    Side Bar
    Wine by the glass in a whimsical lounge setting.
    Wine by the glass in a whimsical lounge setting.
    Gorgeous tasting 'Hush Money' cocktail in the Side Bar Lounge.

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    Gorgeous tasting 'Hush Money' cocktail in the Side Bar Lounge.
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    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.

    This is an easy one and Consortium Holdings does it again...a MUST go. You know the rules...one…read moreshort review, let's go: Drinks: no menu. Love it. True bartender skills. Love it. Drinks. Love them! Whole crew did. Well done Ambiance: top tier. As with anything CH. so fun Service: amazing. Knowledgeable. Attentive. And so nice. Go go go to NE

    Photos
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Ceiling and chandelier
    Ceiling and chandelier
    Bartenders creations.

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    Bartenders creations.

    Park & Rec - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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