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    Side Bar

    4.4 (203 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Side Bar Photos

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    Reviews With Photos - Side Bar

    Elisa N.

    SIDE BAR @ DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO Parking is available on the street, but I would highly recommend taking an Uber instead. The downtown area is extremely difficult for parking, and it's definitely not free. Most spots will charge you, or you'll end up parking in an Ace lot. Shoutout to the amazing DJ, JORDEE! My friends and I came here last night on a Thursday and arrived around 9 PM because our friend was DJing at that time. It was honestly so nice walking in early, there was barely anyone there yet, so we got to explore the place and really take in the vibe. I loved how the front felt like a chill bar while the back had more of a club atmosphere. We ended up getting bottle service and went with tequila. Their menu is insane, in a good way. It's all on an iPad that lights up every time you open it, which was super cool. Overall, we had a great experience. The staff was really friendly and the bottle service was solid. It is definitely on the pricier side since it's downtown, but I'd still recommend stopping by if you're in the area and want to have some fun.

    Naked Truth
    Emily M.

    Came in with my husband right when they opened and sat at the bar. Bartender was friendly, welcoming and had good energy. We walked by last night and it was full/line waiting to come in. If we weren't heading back home, we'd come back when the party started. Also, try the "Naked Truth". It's delicious!

    Jean-Luc L.

    #LittleNightmares event was amazing and incredibly immersive! The bar was completely transformed!

    Inside
    Franny Z.

    Ree is phenomenal. He had so much patience with me as I allowed my big group of girls to vote on which bar/club to go to. He talked prices and bottles with me and just never gave up in a good way. Wasn't pushy. Just complete patience and positivity. I loved his energy "through" text. Our bottle server girl was Zaya I believe, and small world, we worked in the same club family in Sacramento. The 15 girls and I loved our experience here. It was the highlight of my weekend for night events. Thank you so much Side Bar. I hope to return in the future if you will have us again

    Marjon F.

    I had a ladies night with 8 of my girlfriends in gaslamp this past Friday and we were making our way to sidebar. One of the promoters, Dave, offer us a bottle of champagne upon arrival and sat us at a really nice cozy set of couches. He was very nice and friendly and definitely enhanced our experience. We were there fairly early, around 9p so before the major crowds and I really loved the vibe. It has an elegant and chic layout and decor with dim lighting. The music was fun but low tone enough where you could actually have conversations with your friends. A great spot for post dinner drinks or for a first stop in bar/club hopping.

    Mugdha D.

    Great cocktail menu! My lavender haze was delicious, well flavored with a generous alcohol content. The rose old fashioned was a wonderful shift from the usual. The boy quite liked it! The ambience was quite fun and poppin' for a Saturday night after 11 pm. Before that, it was comfortable seating all around. Fun place!

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Francesco S.

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    7 years ago

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    Francesco S.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Great if you like expensive (and not strong) drinks, shitty music and annoying people screaming all night.

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    Francesco S.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

    The best place for an authentic vibe and beautiful aesthetics. Go see Thomas in the lounge!

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    Page 4 of 6

    Ask the Community - Side Bar

    Is this place 18+?

    No means no

    How much is the entry fee?

    Hi Viviana, Our cover charge starts at $10 per person and goes up throughout the night.

    How do I reserve a table? I've sent two emails, tried calling 3 different numbers and also dm'ed via ig.

    If you have an Instagram account. Follow and message @Megansidebar. She's the best! I often go to Sidebar, and she always helps me.

    Do you have to set up a reservation? Thanks 😊

    No you do not.

    Is there ladys there for I can go over is it packed?

    Odd question. You may want to improve your conversation strategies. This is a mixed nightclub ethnicity, gender, age, and other demographics.

    What kind of music is played?

    Hip Hop there may be R&B infusion between D.J. transitions

    How long does it take them to get back with you about bottle service?

    Never more than a day especially by email. Sometimes they respond within a couple of hours.

    What time do they start charging a cover on Saturday?

    Great question. What I do know is if you're a good looking lady, nada. But you can't have no stank attitude.

    Is there a cover charge Saturday nights?

    Yes cover ranges in price.

    Do you have to reserve to have seat on the lounge couches or first come first serve?

    On lounge from 6-10pm is open seating, then you have to reserve after that.

    Is this 18+?

    It's 21+

    Does this bar have a cover charge?

    Yes cover ranges

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    Review Highlights - Side Bar

    Zander & Drew recognized that our group was looking for a place to host our event and they made it happen!

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Raised By Wolves

    Raised By Wolves

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    11.5 mi
    $$

    What appears to be a fancy liquor store from the outside is actually a hidden speakeasy with an…read moreunbeatable ambiance. The revolving door and the immaculate dome inside are fun additions! They have a pretty extensive menu. My party came after dinner so we ordered some of their decadent drinks as dessert. They were all very rich in flavor! Looking forward to trying some of their heavier cocktails and bar flights the next time I visit :) Make sure to check-in with the hostess when you arrive. I had a reservation and was seated immediately.

    I am happy to update my original review based on our most recent experience at Raised by Wolves. I…read morewanted to give them another go since our first experience didn't live up to the hype that surrounds this establishment. My husband and I just finished our dinner at Teleferic Barcelona when I suggested we give Raised by Wolves another try - as we had about an hour before picking up the kids. For a Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised that as walk-ups we only had to wait a few minutes before we were seated at the bar inside. While we waited, we enjoyed perusing their bottle selections for purchase and I'm happy to say that playing music slightly louder in the waiting/market area helped dull the sounds from the inside bar. It helps create more of a 'moment' when you sit at the fireplace and slowly turn inside. This time we were seated right at the bar, which was perfect for us. Chuck was our bartender and 10/10 on the cocktails he made. This time, I went with their Tiki Room and my husband an off-menu Boulevardier (which I have to say I'm impressed he knew what that was because even I didn't, lol). Both drinks were perfectly crafted and enjoyed by both of us. We only had a moment for just one drink this time, but I have to say our experience was so much better than our first (perhaps a fluke of an evening). The staff were all welcoming and knowledgable, other guests were dressed well, and the ambiance lent itself to the vibe we were looking for. After doing some homework, I made the connection that Raised By Wolves was part of the hospitality group that also owns Lafayette Hotel, The Baby Grand, Ironside, etc...all locations my husband and I absolutely adore. Happy to support such amazing places around San Diego and I look forward to more!

    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.
    Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

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    Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany
    False Idol

    False Idol

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Tiki themed decor
    Tiki themed decor
    Rum barrel
    Rum barrel
    Back bar rum selection

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    Back bar rum selection
    Starlite

    Starlite

    4.1
    (2.6k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    After dinner at Kingfisher, we were looking for a great place to end the night with dessert, and…read moreStarlite turned out to be the perfect choice. The funniest part was actually finding the place. We kept looking at the Yelp photos of the exterior, and the logo made us think the restaurant was in a large standalone building. Our Tesla kept navigating us to the same location, but we couldn't find what we expected. On our second pass, FSD actually pulled us right in front of the entrance--even in a red zone for a brief moment--just so we could finally see the Starlite sign. It honestly felt like the car knew we weren't recognizing the place. It was such a funny experience that made FSD seem almost human. Once inside, we were blown away. The interior is absolutely top-notch--stylish, elegant, and full of character. The pistachio dessert and the chocolate mousse were pure heaven, rich, smooth, and beautifully presented. The hidden disco room with the waterfall is simply insane and adds such a unique vibe to the experience. Even the restrooms are thoughtfully designed and incredibly cool. Starlite isn't just a place for dessert--it's an experience from the moment you arrive until you leave. Highly recommended if you're looking for an unforgettable atmosphere paired with amazing desserts.

    One of the most beautiful cocktail bars ever! It looks like something out of a Star Wars movie…read more However, me and my friends had to share a small table and sat in tiny stools. If you make a reservation be sure to reserve the booth seats. Parking was HARD and nonexistent. Less than 10 parking spots provided by Starlite, then you need to drive through the hilly residential area for a spot. Drinks were decent but nothing special! You really just come here for the ambiance. Presentation was nice. Service could be better, was slow.

    Photos
    Bar area after entering
    Bar area after entering
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.1 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
    Bar Kamon

    Bar Kamon

    4.6
    (276 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Takes reservations

    WOW i was so happy with this speakeasy !! finding the entrance was a bit tricky at first, but we…read morewalked into the bakery with 2 other parties and we all helped each other LOL. so cute that it's in a bakery though - definitely wanna come back to try the bakery goods and drinks! we had a reservation for 2 @ 8:45pm, and we got seated at a table. loved the ambiance, dimly lit but still a good amount of light, the japanese decor - it was all so great and immersive. our server Moe was so kind and explained the concept + menu to us, and she also helped me with choosing a drink after i told her i like sweet flavors :) food we ordered: - korean cucumber salad: smashed cucmbers in a korean chili sauce that was yummy but pretttty salty. i do think though that it paired really nicely with my sweeter drinks bc i love a sweet & salty pairing - alone though, it def could've been a bit much - nagoya karaage: delicious, crispy & tender chicken pieces! the flavor gave orange/citrus-y chicken to us, and we really enjoyed it drinks we ordered: - ao ichigo: this drink was sweet, light, and tart. the strawberry flavor really came through, and i thought i wouldn't feel anything after drinking it but the reposado/vodka/vermouth combo sneaks up on ya haha - sesame old fashioned: my fiancé is a new old fashioned drinker, and he enjoyed this one. he did say it was pretty standard in its flavor and he wishes he could've tasted the sesame more, but that being said it was one of the better old fashioneds that he's had - white lover: i think this drink was my favorite! a perfect ending drink since it was creamy from the calpico. it comes with a little circle scoop of some type of sweet ice cream that pairs PERFECTLY with this drink - you can either lick it as you sip the drink (which i did at the beginning), or just drop it into your drink (which i did at the end). it definitely enhanced the flavor so i really enjoyed this drink overall a great experience, can't wait to come back sometime so try more of their omiyage cocktails! :-)

    Bar Kamon is a speakeasy hidden inside of Asa bakery in downtown SD. Fantastic ambiance with a lot…read moreof Japanese-inspired decor and drinks. My party ordered a whiskey flight, the sojiros sprotini, the trash panda, and the ube cocktail. All had very unique flavors. Will be returning to try more drinks on the menu! I highly recommend reservations, especially on Friday evenings and weekends. I tried walking-in on a Friday night and was turned away because of how busy it was. Also - do not try to open the door yourself manually... My party was berated for doing so, oops.

    Photos
    Tokyo Banana
    Tokyo Banana
    Japanese whisky Selection
    Japanese whisky Selection
    Bar Kamon

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    Side Bar - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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