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    Side Bar

    4.4 (201 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    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!

    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

    Jean-Luc L.

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

    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!

    Mark C.

    Still the best club in town! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a true VIP experience, whether you're attending general admission grabbing drinks at the bar or doing bottle service it's the spot to be. Shout out to Blake he's the coolest VIP host around and always takes care of me

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best place that's ever existed!!!! Best service fittest bartenders.best spot in gas lamp

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    3 years ago

    Joshua was great, he helped me take many pictures and assisted me with seating. I appreciate that!

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    Page 3 of 6

    Ask the Community - Side Bar

    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

    View All 18 Questions

    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

    4.3
    (2.3k reviews)
    11.5 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)
    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
    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
    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (949 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Cool speakeasy. Haven't tried the food yet but the drinks are unique, space themed and large…read moreportion sizes. Best thing is their dedication to the theme. Lots of ambient space sounds, a menu that resembles an engineer's blueprints, and beautiful lights and seating everywhere you look. Even the bathroom has a looped audio of space commands.

    Have been wanting to try this place for a while. Having a Vegan friend in the group this was…read moreperfect. We finally were able to get reservations. Yes you need reservations. The place is very small, a couple of stand up bar top tables and around 10 total tables. I would recommend this place only for a group max of 4 people. Very interesting and cool mix of Signature drinks. They also had non alcoholic beverages. The whole menu is plant based. Drinks were very interesting and really good. Food is Spanish style tapas. Small plates to share. I think we ordered almost everything in the menu Bread, Potatoes, Rice, Tofu, Bao Bun Sandwiches and Savory Pancake. Every dish was delicious and nicely presented. Place was medium loud and it felt that you actually entered another planet like in the tv series of Star Trek. Bathrooms looked like the elevator of a starship. Outstanding decor. Service was really good until the part that they rushed us through our dinner. That is why I put 3 stars. No where I saw that seating was maximum for two hours but they even rushed us more. Our reservation was at 730pm and they took us out of our table at 9pm. Very nicely they told us that we had to leave because they had another reservation. We were not even through our second cocktail and we had to leave it half drank. That is why my 3 star rating. I think that was very rude. For four people to celebrate a bday an hour and a half is very little time to share. It was a nice one time experience but that is all. I was planning to go again with another friend but with this time limit I would not repeat the place.

    Photos
    Mindkiller
    Mindkiller
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Away Mission

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    Away Mission
    Bar Kamon

    Bar Kamon

    4.6
    (275 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! :-)

    We walked in after dinner on Saturday hoping they'd be able to fit us in. We were SO incredibly…read morelucky they had availability and sat our party in the back private room. It was absolutely the best way to end my husband's birthday weekend! Big shout out to Ben and Moe for taking care of us! They were both so nice, very knowledgeable and just made our experience at Kamon top notch! We had 12 cocktails and each one was perfection. The Tokyo Banana, The White Lover, Sazerac and Matcha one were our favorites!! Thank you for an amazing way to close out the best day ever!

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

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    Part Time Lover

    Part Time Lover

    4.3
    (510 reviews)
    3.0 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

    Side Bar - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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