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    Starlite

    4.1 (2.6k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Starlite Cocktail Bars Photos

    Business Info

    STARLITE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Starlite

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    Reviews With Photos

    JoAnne B.

    What an unexpected surprise! I love me a "CH" experience! I had read reviews before going and so glad that I kept an open mind. It was a pricey dining experience that was so worth it. We sat in a spacious table meant for 4 right outside the kitchen. We watched the food as it paraded in front of us. We went with the seasonal salad which was amazing. I never order salads at a restaurant. We ultimately went with the porterhouse medium rare with the splurge of garlic butter (which was! It's own experience!). I loved the filet mignon. We had the macaroni and cheese, fries and croissant. To top it off- we got the pistachio ice cream Sandwich. The service was great. Justin was very attentive! I cannot wait to go back and get the burger and sit in the main dining room! Overall- it was truly a sensory dining experience! The vibe, the food, the music and the hospitality was worth every penny!

    Michelle M.

    Fanciest ig worthy restaurant with the gourmet food to match. Staff is also on point and always welcoming. This is the newest remodel to this restaurant and it's all worth the hype. I know everyone wants to get the waterfall section, so make sure u make reservations early because they fill up. Sometimes I get weary on going to restaurants that are social media worthy, and it doesn't taste good. But everything on the menu is so delicious. Best thing to always get? Salted croissants and the cocktails ! Still trying everything on the menu. Can't wait to get back.

    Allison P.

    The coolest bar I've been to in SD! The interior space alone gets a 5/5 from me. Each room feels like an art installation. Super immersive! Every corner you look is a snap-worthy moment. Don't be afraid to walk around a bit when you're here! The ambiance is pretty chill. Some areas are more intimate than others. It really depends on what you're looking for! From a romantic date or some drinks with friends, they've got nooks for all if it. The night we were there, there was a live DJ! I wouldn't say the music was my favorite, but it was a nice touch. On to the drinks! Of the ones we got, my favorite had to be their Starlite Mule. Probably one of the best mules I've had! Super fresh and light. The pricing is pretty steep here, so we didn't delve too deep into the food menu. The fries we got for the table were solid. Can't really go wrong!

    Tera M.

    Gorgeous remodel blown away! Food- service- cocktails all 5 Star! Reservations required - when I go back I can't decide do I sit under the stars or by the waterfall!

    Catherine C.

    Finally got to check out the makeover, Starlite 2.0. What a beautiful job they did, such a dramatic entrance, and lovely upstairs area. My friend and I sat right in front of the waterfall and felt like we were on vacation somewhere haha. Food was good, drinks were tasty, we shared the steak sampler and it was the perfect amount for two. Scalloped potatoes and maitake mushrooms were delicious, and the ice cream bar was worth trying, definitely enough for 2 people if not 4! We liked the chips they made with the tartare and it was fun they put in some salmon roe into the mix. Service was great, prices what you expect for the area.

    steak sampler
    Vivian L.

    Starlite is an experience! The place is beautiful! Besides the room with the chandelier, there is an upstairs area with more seating for both big parties and smaller groups. The ambiance and lighting is dim and intimate. I came here for an anniversary and ordered only the steak sampler to share (unfortunately had a late lunch), but still very much enjoyed our time here. The steak sampler was delicious and trying all the sauces was fun! My favorite was the green sauce (completely forgot the name of it). I'd recommend trying the steak sampler if you are in the area and able to come back, especially if you're unsure what cut you prefer. They are a steakhouse!! It's great for sharing as well. The server was also very patient with explaining the menu and their options as well as recommendations, which I appreciate since we only took one of the many... I'd like to come back with a bigger stomach and try more things, but just the ambiance here is amazing!

    Roy S.

    Very hip and fun spot to grab a drink and/or bite to eat. This was my first time back at Starlite in 15 years, when I used to live in San Diego. Glad to see the ambiance remains eclectic. Had a couple of drinks post dinner elsewhere and sat indoors in front of the bar with hanging chandelier. The dining area looked really nice as well. Will definitely return on future visits.

    LeeAnn B.

    I can't believe that in my 18 years living in San Diego, this is the first time I have visited Starlite. I have seen it off the freeway and have heard about it through the grapevine, but just never got around the trying it. I found out recently that my sweet husband has been keeping a list since we started dating, of things, activities and places that I have mentioned being interested in and Starlite was on that list so he made a reservation for my birthday. The restaurant is very unassuming off the road as it looks almost like a dinky, small building. But once inside, you are transported into what feels like a supernova bar with Star Wars cantina vibes. It was so cool! We were seating in the back, semi outdoor patio and it was so beautiful and the ambiance very romantic. I am definitely interested to see what kind of events they hold here, I've heard in the past that they have a great NYE event! I opted for the Sea Bass, my husband the Jidori chicken and we shared four sides: honey carrots, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and the buttered croissant. I cannot even choose a star of the show becuase it was all so incredibly delicious. I literally ate the remaining butter for the croissant by itself because I couldn't let it go to waste! The complimentary almond confetti birthday cake with my name emblazoned on it (spelled wrong, maybe a little more attention to detail on the reservation notes haha) was a wonderful and surprising touch!

    Fries
    Curt T.

    This place was good. Limited seating so can be hard to get a reservation but very nice. The cocktails were good and refreshing. Not much alcohol so could use more of that and less mix. The sea bass was good (I didn't try it) but the people I was with loved it. The French onion soup was so good. Lots of cheese and bread and really good flavor. Not very salty so perfect The Mac and cheese was so good also. Not overcooked noodles and very cheesy. Loved it. The fries were crispy and delicious and the aioli sauce was very flavorful. Service was great. Fast and friendly. Very attentive. Seating was nice in the disco room but very limited. I think 8 tables. Try it out.

    Tempura crab louie salad
    Ka'uhane C.

    Shoutout to Julia for such genuinely friendly service! She really elevated the experience and made us feel very welcome. The food was great. All of our starters were fantastic, and the filet was beyond tender - we didn't even need a steak knife! The crab louie left a bit to be desired, but overall, we were impressed with our meal. My only note to future diners is to be aware of how cramped the space is. The main dining room is pretty small, and the music was VERY loud, so it felt a bit claustrophobic.

    Wedge salad
    Alexandra P.

    Great service. Drinks were great!! Menu is limited and food was decent. Salad was better than my main course. Big down side is food not worth price and all sides are separate and small servings. Would mainly go for drinks and atmosphere. Definitely uber

    Suite front
    Emmett T.

    After a down period of renovation by the new ownership (Consortium Holdings), this longtime cocktail bar and lounge in the Middletown neighborhood came back online last March. You could tell that CH poured a lot of resources into sprucing up the business as their properties are known for intricate and opulent interior decor. When you walked in, the main bar area had been transformed into a dark sphere with a starry night sky overhead. It was reminiscent of another CH restaurant that opened last year. I remember coming to Starlite about a decade ago with some friends to enjoy their Moscow Mule. What I completely underestimated was the high demand for seating on most nights and weekends. I eventually made an OpenTable reservation to secure a spot as my walk-in attempts were futile. My visit occurred right as they opened at 5 pm. The central circular sunken bar had a first come, first serve policy. The rest of the seating on the perimeter was reserved along with a covered outdoor patio that was up a few steps in the back of the structure. The one-page food menu had more choices than I recalled under the previous management. Some were definitely expensive, however there were modestly priced items too. I chose the Grilled Local Sea Bass and the Herbed Scalloped Potatoes for my dinner. The fish fillet was doused in a black garlic-roe sauce. The salmon eggs provided bursts of saltiness to enhance the flavor of the sauce. The potatoes were prepared with cheddar, confit onions, and chives. I am glad I picked this over the twice baked potato which cost five dollars more. The Starlite Mule was the featured cocktail, but there were also three non-alcoholic selections on the bottom of the page. The Goldfinger was my drink for the evening. It was a milk tea mixed with seltzer, creme de cacao, and orange essence. This was the first time I encountered a milk tea as a mocktail at a local bar. It tasted just as sweet as a regular boba tea drink elsewhere. My server checked on me multiple times and was very polite. I can see why this updated version of Starlite has become a popular date night spot as you can be seated in the dark ambiance of the main dining area or the more tropical outdoor setting in the upstairs back patio. On-site parking was limited to several spots on the north side of the building so taking a rideshare is the recommended way to get here.

    Starlite Burger
    Vi T.

    This is prettiest bar/restaurant that I had ever visit in San Diego. Have Starlite on my checklist because of, one: it shares a same name with my favorite rooftop bar in SF, and two: all the beautiful reels I saw on Instagram definitely influenced my decision to check it out lol. I came at 5:30pm on Saturday with no reservation with my bestie and we got seated right away by the lovely host at the entrance. Our cocktail table is small but it right in the middle of the lower floor, perfect spot for me to look around and immerse myself in the beautiful vibes and decoration of this restaurant. It was mesmerizing and very unique, right in the center is the bar section, and each direction I look is a different type of interior art designs. I also checked out their famous bathroom vault with infinity mirror and the outdoor/2nd floor area, quite hot but if prefer nature scene likes jungle and waterfall vibes, you would love this area. Overall, this place is very beautiful but it actually wayyyy smaller than I imagine. Staffs was so friendly and I can feel that she genuinely care about our experience at Starlite, when we left the table to go around and take picture she put a napkin on top of my drink to make sure it safe, that was so so so sweet of her, 10/10 for the service and hospitality. I tried the Starlite Mule and Commander Strangeways, my bestie got the Goldfinger (non-alcohol), I really like the Commander Strangeways, the cream on top was really good, the Mule was alright and Goldfinger taste kinda strange imo. We splitted the Starlite Burger and a side order of Roasted Broccoli, it was pretty good but I asked for Medium and it was served Rare. Food portion is definitely shareable, I was so full to the point that I skipped the famous ice cream that everybody was talking about. Overall, I had a great time at Starlite with my bestie, we had a lot of fun and I got so many beautiful pictures taken at here, totally ig worthy imo ;) Definitely will be back for their ice cream and try other cocktails.

    Mozzarella sticks

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    Starlite Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Starlite

    What's the dress code?

    Smart casual. Nice jeans, button-downs, casual dresses, and cocktail attire.

    Do they have DJs every Friday & Saturday or only on specific weekends?

    How am I able to make a reservation for 5 people? It doesn't seem to be an options on open table...

    How ADA friendly is it? Depending on how I'm feeling, I use a wheelchair or cane.

    It's kinda tight in there. If they can accommodate you up front that would probably be the best.

    What is the dress code?

    No actual dress code but I would definitely dress to impress to match the vibe of the location

    Happy hour available ? Which days and when?

    Can kids came in?

    At Starlite, it is treated as a bar, and you MUST be 21 years of age or older to enter.

    Do they not answer their phones at all? Have been trying for over a week to reserve for a larger party for a birthday and no one answers or calls back to return messages.

    I tried to ask some questions before we went for our first time and I also encountered the same issue. Tried over and over 10 times and no answer

    What time/days is happy hour ? And what's on the menu?

    I don't believe they have happy hour.

    Are kids allowed here?

    Not really an environment for kids. I doubt they are.

    What's the updated email address to make a group reservation? The one on your voicemail and website doesn't work

    Not sure, but we made reservations on Open Table app

    What is the corkage fee? The only response was from 2017 for $15, is that still their fee?

    I don't believe this is a BYOB spot therefore corkage fees don't apply?

    Is there just a bar to sit at?

    There is both a bar top (U shape) and a lot of tables 2/4/6 person tables. IMHO It's just as much a… Read more

    Late night dining still a thing here? If so, what time is last call for the kitchen?

    It's right when they close which is 12 last I was there

    Do you have valet parking?

    Afraid not; the parking lot only has 4 spots that's pretty much taken all day/evening. There are street parking areas around the restaurant.

    Is the downstairs open yet? I went a couple of months ago and it wasn't.

    It is now open!! Offering both inside seating and patio seating.

    What days and time is happy hour?

    I don't believe they have one cause they are open only from 4pm-9pm

    Are walk ins welcome?

    I have tried and got turned away. If you come super early or super late you may have a better chance. It's best to make reservations days ahead on Yelp.

    When's happy hour?

    Buffalo Fried Cauliflower

    Is the bar at Starlite standing or sitting? A place for a large group (7-10 people) to just swing by and grab a few drinks? It's hard to tell

    Mainly sitting. And not really, but there is an outdoor bar in the back.

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    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    1.1 miLittle Italy
    $$

    My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been…read moreon a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

    False idol is a tucked away Hawaiian themed speakeasy behind a restaurant. Reservations are…read morerequired so be mindful of that before going. Once inside seating is first come first served so the place is insanely crowded with people trying to get drinks. Service is a little confusing as the waiters will come up to you with a menu asking for your order instead of an order at the bar type of thing. Once we actually got a seat things were okay. The menu is mostly rum drinks since this is a rum bar however since I'm not the biggest fan I ordered the only thing with tequila on the menu. My drink was actually really good, it was refreshing, not too sweet or strong at all. I just wish there would be more variety.

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    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

    Tiki themed decor

    False Idol - Rum barrel

    Rum barrel

    False Idol - Back bar rum selection

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    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    1.9 miEast Village
    $$

    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!

    The Noble Experiment: 9/10…read more Aesthetic & Ambiance: 9.5 - This place gives "speakeasy haunted mansion" vibes. You walk into the barrels, down the mirrors, and into the skull room...IYKYK no less. The waits to get very deadly so make sure to put your name on the list early. Service: 9/10 The host was chill, and we had Quintin as our mixologist. There are no menus he told us, he just went off of our flavors, and palate, so I can't really speak for how to order the same drink. First drink: 9/10 (profile) Vodka bases with cucumber and strawberry. Second drink: 8.5/10 (profile) Smokey, deep old fashion. Overall a MUST-GO to if you're in the area stopping by!

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    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment - Bartenders creations.

    Bartenders creations.

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

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    Part Time Lover - The bar at PTL San Diego

    Part Time Lover

    4.3(506 reviews)
    2.7 miNorth Park
    $$

    Fun speakeasy in North Park. Probably the most popular bar in the area. The DJs are unreal and this…read morespot always has the best music. The drinks are creative and fun. The vibe is immaculate: dim-lighting, wooden furniture, nice wallpaper, and dark curtains. Cute but very overpriced vinyl shop in the back, it's more for show. It gets insanely busy here every night. There will always be a wait after 9 PM. Wait isn't long, but it's essential as it gets PACKED inside. Seating is always full and people will throw hands for a table. There is minimal room to stand. Unfortunately, there is NO DANCEFLOOR :,( The bar lines are INSANE and can be hard to follow. But the bartneders are patient and helpful when it's finally your turn. While I warn about the crowds, this place is awesome. 10/10 one of the best spots in San Diego, the staple of North Park.

    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
    Part Time Lover - Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)

    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)

    Part Time Lover - Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead

    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead

    Part Time Lover - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Clouds over Thailand

    Realm of the 52 Remedies

    4.4(869 reviews)
    6.5 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    Realm of the 52 has been on my SD bucket list since I've moved here. So pretty hyped to get to…read morefinally go! Its located inside Common Theory. The entrance is pretty cool but I'll let you experience it :). The interior is definitely a vibe and intimate. Its definitely for smaller groups. They actually recommend to stay in your seat unless you need to use the restroom, which I appreciated. The service was all around very good! I got the Saigon Dreamer and it was so good! It had such a good mouth feels with the clarified milk. Highly recommend if its still on the menu. For food, I got the charred gai lan and the KFQ. The gai lan had a nice smoking taste and very tender. KFQuail was succulent and was fried to perfection. The only downside would be it was pretty expensive what you get. Will definitely be back for the cocktails but may get food somewhere.

    A hidden speakeasy tucked inside Common Theory Brewery in Convoy -- such a fun concept. They have…read moretheir own parking lot, so no stress there. The entrance experience is really creative (I won't spoil it!), and our host was incredibly enthusiastic, setting the tone for the whole night. You do need a reservation, and they charge a per‑person deposit. There's also a time limit, which is a bit of a bummer, but understandable given how popular the place is. The space itself is gorgeous -- dark, cool, and atmospheric with tons to look at. Anime is projected on the wall, and the décor is super detailed and immersive. Each table has a QR code so you can browse their extensive drink menu. They do serve food, but our group of six came just for drinks. The cocktails are unique, beautiful, and definitely on the pricier side, but there's something for everyone. You can only order one drink per person at a time, and there can be a bit of a wait, but honestly the presentation makes it worth it. I tried the Kasato Maru and the Seoul City Hipster -- both vibrant, refreshing, and stunning. A cool, quiet, moody speakeasy with memorable drinks and a fun reveal. A great spot for a special night out.

    Photos
    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Main dining area

    Main dining area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - View from my table

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    View from my table

    Starlite - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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