Went for Happy Hour Love the Tiki bar Ambience…read more They got it right Hubby loved the Taco Tuesday fish tacos I had the dry rib chicken wings...perfect Shout out to our amazing bartender Parker

If you like your tiki bars low-key, The Lobby Tiki Bar & Grill has got you covered…read more If that sounds like a negative, it's not. In this case, "low-key" refers to a tiki bar that is not over-the-top; one that doesn't cause you to enter into an entirely different reality. There's a time and place for that sort of tiki bar but in a small coastal town perhaps you don't want or need to enter a fourth dimension. The Lobby is small (though larger than I'd anticipated), not noticeably dark (like many in the genre), and outfitted with a nice array of tiki-themed tchotchkes. Scooby Doo, playing silently on a small tv above the bar, is a perfect accompaniment to the pleasing decor. I both ate and drank here and found nothing not to enjoy. Tiki bars generally elicit happiness in me and this one, with its excellent server, did not change that mindset. An Astro Chimp ($14) was my tiki drink of choice, mostly because I was interested in trying a cocktail featuring cold brew. Very good, and it did not keep me up all night. Fish & Chips ($23) was a sizable and satisfying portion, plenty there to be shared by two. "Brussels" ($11), were also quite good and ample. You will not go hungry if you choose to dine here. The Lobby is a fun choice for your time in Oceanside. Stylish and satisfying on every front, I'd happily return. Other stuff: * There is apparently a stairway-accessible rooftop deck here but it was closed for a private event during my visit. If open, definitely worth checking out. * 5% surcharge is automatically added to everything you spend here.

A must stop for any goonies lover…read more The entrance leaves a lot to be desired, but I suppose it add more to the magic and experience once you've entered. It feels like we're are navigating the caves from the movie and the bar is the treasure ship. Once you enter there is decor and memorabilia spread throughout (whether any of it is authentic or not I'm not sure) they have speciality drinks after the movie and the bartender was very attentive. Overall it was fun to experience and a nice spot to explore while going around San Clemente.

Really bummed out. My husband grew up in San Clemente, loved tiki bars and his favorite movie was…read moreThe Goonies. He sadly passed away recently and his memorial is this weekend, so we tried to go to Lost Inferno to celebrate him with all his high school and college friends. We called in advance and the person we spoke to said we couldn't make a reservation unless we could guarantee 20 people, but we could walk in with a smaller group no problem. Of course we got there right when they opened and they told us they couldn't seat us for an hour. We joined the wait list and walked to a bar a couple doors down waiting for the text that our table was ready. We received a text that our table would be ready at a specific time and then 2 minutes before our table was supposed to be ready we get a text saying we were removed from the wait list with no clarification or follow up. I understand being busy/booked up, but I would have liked to have received accurate information. We could have made reservations online if we had been told. I wore his favorite Goonies Hawaiian shirt and everything expecting to have a nice time talking about my husband. I guess I'm glad we never had the opportunity to experience this level of service with my husband, and guess I won't be back seeing that he's dead and all. Edited to add tips - don't believe anything they tell you on the phone and if you really want to go, make a reservation, and apparently they will close for you if you can guarantee 20 people.

Although I am not the biggest fan of the new drinks, the staff was and is always incredible. The…read moreambiance, Henry, and Mike are the reason why we keep coming back. Thanks so much guys, you're awesome!

The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach is a fantastic tiki bar. This place is everything you'd want in a…read morelegit tiki experience. They pay attention to details which is why you feel like you're in a Hawaiian cave somewhere or in the Hawaii episode of the Brady Bunch . We tried a number of their signature recipes. I started off with "Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi". It's a frozen vodka cocktail that tastes like vacation. The vodka is complemented with pineapple, coconut, lime, Demerara syrup and cinnamon. It was a perfect recipe when you think about tiki. (Pic 2) We also tried "Hella Missionary" which is another frozen cocktail with tequila, mezcal, adobo-spiced honey, pineapple, lime and mint. It's the blended mint that makes it green. It was quite tasty with a very fun crazy straw. (Pic 4). We had some bonus fun with a signature shot called "OJ Did It". It was a delicious add to the vibe with vodka, liquor 43, coconut and orange juice. (Pic 7). I couldn't remember what pic 6 is but it was tasty. Maybe it's "OOO-BAE I Love You So". It starts with rhum agricole, salted cream, pineapple, cinnamon, macadamia nut and toasted coconut flakes. I could be totally wrong so oh well. The Grass Skirt is always a great idea if you're in the PB area when in San Diego. Go check them out. Salute @thejohnnycocktail

Drinks are good and definitely a cool place! BUT the waiter/bartender tried to double tip himself…read morehoping I wouldn't notice. They make it hard to see but 20% gratuity was already included and somehow they "accidentally" selected an additional 30% tip for me. I had to ask about it and he gave me a refund but seemed suspicious. Make sure to thoroughly review your bill before paying. I have brought many people to this place over the years and probably won't be back.

Whimsical speakeasy inside Killowatt Brewing in Oceanside. SMALL but incredibly detailed and…read moreentertaining atmosphere. Reservations suggested. Doors at the end of the hallway past the bathrooms. This is a FUN speakeasy. There are moving parts, visual effects, beautiful dioramas and hallucinogenic black-light effects. Drinks are good. I have been here 4 different times in various capacities (with 2-3 friends or with dates) and I found the staff inside a bit stoic and unwelcoming each time. I'm not expecting Puppy-dog enthusiasm but it definitely feels you are invading their space by being the room and I find I tend to apologize for my presence. That perception aside, if you aren't trying to chat the bartender up for lively conversation there is plenty to see in the cleverly themed bar. There are just a couple U-booths and a handful of bar stools. So you're on a time-limit for your stop in this portal.

I love it here; this is one of my go to spots to bring people when they are in town for…read morework/visiting etc. Be warned, you can have a very long wait here if you just pop in, especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. Make a reservation if you know this is your destination. They have some spot on Tiki decor and the staff here is really friendly, happy to share their favorite drinks, or make suggestions based on your likes. If fruity drinks are not your jam... what are you doing in a Tiki Bar!! No really, they have great options for on the rocks or straight as well as ordering your favorite cocktail or beer. They have a ton of options, all sorts of alcohol bases depending on what your vice is, they also have non-alcoholic drinks for those so inclined. Hard to pass on a Mai Tai or a Zombie to start your evening off. lately I have been enjoying the Eastern Sour which is their take on a whiskey sour. It's always fun when someone orders a bowl and the room shakes and the lights flash with thunder and lightning adding a bit of excitement for first timers. Just to recap: Don't get mad if you have to wait and did not make a reservation. While they have lots of options, most drinks and all specialties are Tiki Drinks. Tiki drinks can be strong, mind yourself. If a place like this is not your vibe, that is fine, head back into Craft & Commerce, make room for others who are waiting to get in, just have fun!

We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we…read morelined up near opening because there were quite a few reservationists that showed up on a Friday night. We were led into a dimly lit speakeasy soon after lining up. Fortunately we got bar seating. The bar then quickly filled up with many standing as the bar got crowded. As far as drinks, their menu had many listed drinks. Wifey and I started with Rum Old Fashioneds and they were delicious. Our second drink was a King Kong Old Fashioned and it too was yummy. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The place was hopping and packed. We will definitely return.

The Mothership is a unique cocktail bar in San Diego with a spaceship theme. The front of the…read morebuilding is very unassuming, but once you enter, you are transported to a spaceship that has crashed on an alien planet. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made on OpenTable. The main bar area is just inside the entrance, and has a "inside the spaceship" vibe. The décor is great with bulkheads, overhead ducts and grates, geometric panels and lights, devices and cabling, etc. The back of the bar features a cool color changing and bubbling reactor. When I was booking our reservation, I was on the fence between booking the bar or dining room. While the bar area does look very cool, I'm happy I went with the dining room. The vibe in this area is you're half in the crashed spaceship, but also outside at nighttime on a tropical planet. The back wall has similar décor to the bar area, but there are rock cave walls, vegetation, and stars overhead. Shooting stars periodically shoot across the sky. There are subtle sound effects playing in the background that add to the environment. There is also some tiki influence with colorful tiki lights being replaced by illuminated aliens egg pods. There is also music playing in the background that they custom curated and is kind of a mix of sci-fi and tiki that totally goes with the environment. I started out with the Self-Destruct Sequence (black pot still Jamaican rum, spiced West Indies rum, aged Caribbean rum, grapefruit, lime, cinnamon, cardamom, Angostura bitters, absinthe, $17). This cocktail was excellent, and is probably one of my new favorites. It was perfectly balanced and complex. Every single flavor was there if you looked for it. She started out with the Away Mission (aged Caribbean rum, gold pot still Jamaican rum, crème de banana, kumquat, papaya, pineapple, lime, opal basil, mint, $16). This was another good balanced cocktail, but with a sweeter flavor profile. I was on the fence for my second drink, and ended up going with the Mindkiller (navy strength West Indies rum, white overproof Jamaican rum, Amaro Meletti, coconut cream, pineapple, tangerine, orange, lime, Tang cordial, $19). I asked our server before ordering it and she confirmed it was definitely a sweeter drink. After seeing this drink on many of the other tables, I had to try it. It is definitely sweet and boozy. The pineapple, coconut, and citrus definitely stand out and the Tang cordial on top kicks the orange into overdrive. I probably wouldn't order it again, but don't regret trying it. Plus, I got that cool swizzle stick to add to my collection. For her second, she had the Revival Mission mocktail (papaya, kumquat, mint, basil, pineapple, lime, soda, $13). We goofed and didn't realize this was the mocktail version of the Away Mission. It had a similar flavor profile but was sweeter. In hindsight, we should have paid closer attention and ordered one of the other mocktails. Be sure to check out the restrooms. They are lit with all red pattern on the walls with mirror on the ceiling, and a mission control type sound track playing in the background. The hallway by the bathrooms is also fully themed, with décor and bulkhead doors. We were initially greeted and served by Anthony, and another server who's name I didn't catch took over for him halfway through. Service was very friendly, and helpful as we asked several questions about the menu. All of our drinks came out in a timely manner, and we were not rushed to leave. We managed to catch the little show that occurs when certain drinks are ordered. The lights dim, special alarm sounds play, and smoke comes out of the spaceships overhead ducts. In addition to picking up some cool swizzle sticks, I also bought their purple cosmic skull mug and a pair of cocktail glasses as souvenirs from our visit. We will definitely return the next time we are down in San Diego.

Calling all Star Wars and Star Trek fans…read more This place is so fun and home to some of the best tiki-style drinks. So flavorful and not short changed on the booze! Their food is also very good. I ordered the fried tofu and it was the best tofu I've ever had by far! It's also part of the Chase Open Table program through the Sapphire Reserve card with means if you reserve it on open table you can get your $150 bi-yearly credit!

Food - ? Service - 5…read moreAmbiance - 5 We had such a fun time at Forbidden Cove! The whole experience was so unique, starting with the hidden entrance and unlocking the secret door. Once inside, the tropical tiki theme, colorful lighting and decor really made it feel like we were escaping into another world. The ambiance was fun yet intimate. The drinks were creative, beautifully presented, and delicious! The whole experience made for such a memorable night. I love places that feel like more than just going out for drinks, and Forbidden Cove definitely delivered. Such a cool hidden gem in San Diego!

I enjoy the novelty of this place. I come here when I want to escape the city vibe…read more Ambiance 4* Drinks 4* Service 4* The only thing I think it's missing is the sound of the jungle--birds calling, distant waterfalls, and tropical ambience. Think Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room. That extra layer of immersive sound would take an already amazing experience to the next level. It would definitely be cool!

The absolute best speakeasies are transportive, sending the guest into an immersive state of…read moresuspended reality for a while. From the sign as you enter, through the teeth, to the throaty-red textured walls, The Belly of the Beast encases guests in the whimsical journey down the whale's gullet. Who knew getting "swallowed" would be such fun? Keeping with the throaty theme, the space inside holds a few tables. It's an intimate space with ambient lighting and cheery Hawaiian/beach music. Puppets hang here and there, as well as other thematic, decorative details. My friend and I shared a few mouthwatering apps and imbibed a few delicious concoctions. Our wonderful bartender frim "outside" even came in with us, which made our experience even more personalized. We especially appreciated the complimentary shots! Our food was delicious and plentiful for apps: spam musubi, edamame, sliders, and shishito peppers. Now this is a big deal: my friend has celiac disease. She needs to be very cautious when ordering food. She self-advocates but much relies on the knowledge of servers. Our wonderful bartender, now our server, was very diligent and knowledgeable, and double checked ingredients with the chefs. Accommodations were made. Good times rolled on! Extra heaps of thanks on that! We fully enjoyed every minute of our (generous+) 90 minute time slot here. The service was amazing, the food delicious, and the cocktails made with magic. It was worth the drive, and one I'll gladly make again at next opportunity.

The decor and theme are amazing. I love the immersion and attention to detail. The service was…read moreoutstanding. Brodie was on his game all night with drink recommendations, food suggestions and just being a great host for our table. This was our first time to TBotB, so we're went sure what to expect, but we've been to Stowaway many times. The only knock I had with it was the selection of cocktails is limited. While I understand TBotB is it's own thing separate from Stowaway, I wish you could get some of the drinks from there. Most of the cocktails we had were good (but I'm not sure I'd order them again), but the menu had a number of drinks I won't order, they're just not my style. We missed being able to get some of our favorites from Stowaway. We ended up getting a table at Stowaway after our time was up in TBotB anyway because we were having a good time so that was fun. All in all, I think next time we'll stick with Stowaway and sitting at the bar. At least we can check TBotB off our list. It's worth checking out for sure, but for me I enjoy the more classic tiki cocktails. It's fun to venture off the beaten path once in a while.

Amazing food and wonderful service from the staff. Must come here now!!!! I loved the atmosphere of…read morethis restaurant.

I love this place they have the best food and customer service, I always get the spam which the…read morebest they also have great atmosphere and awesome staff

We got here just in time for sunset and the amazing view. The bartender was super friendly and…read moreaccommodating. It wasn't a very busy evening, there were only a few other patrons at the time so we were able to get nice seats looking out towards the beach. My friend and I each ordered a cocktail that was cute but weren't amazing flavor wise. I had decided some fish tacos sounded great for dinner and found out that they were actually on special for taco Tuesday, score! $6 each, don't mind if I do. The tacos were delicious and refreshing, 2 was the perfect amount for me. My friend opted for the poke bowl which she said she enjoyed but it did have quite a bit of spice so be aware. This was such a cute spot I loved the ambience and I will be back, maybe try a different drink next time.

This place kind of feels like a group of girls were sitting at a bar one night and decided how cool…read moreit would be to open their own place. And honestly, that would be cool if the flow was there, but you can kind of tell that all the ideas aren't fully there yet. For starters, the drinks are expensive, which I get because you're in Oceanside by the beach and I'm sure rent isn't cheap. But man, I paid $18 for a coffee-style cocktail and it was pretty bad. They put this whipped cream on top that just didn't work with the drink and was actually pretty nasty. They definitely put alcohol in it, which was good I guess, but overall it was probably one of the worst cocktails I've had in a while. My wife and I also walked up to the bar and waited to be attended. One of the waitresses was busy cleaning and organizing things, going back and forth from inside to outside, while another waitress was socializing with a group of guys for probably 6-7 minutes before noticing us standing at the front of the bar. I really don't mind waiting, but when you combine that with the quality of the drinks and the lack of attention, it just makes it seem like no one really cares that much. That's kind of why I made the comment in the beginning. The place has a cool idea behind it, but you can tell it's missing some of the professionalism and attention to detail that comes with running a good bar. The one thing that really saves this place is the view. It's a really nice view, and during sunset I can definitely see why people come here. Other than that though, I personally wouldn't spend my money here again.