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.

Drinks are hit and miss. No menu bar is more gimmicky than anything…read more I'm sure there's some set menu that the bartenders just play off of and quality of the drinks really really just depends on who's your bartender. First round was great, not exactly what we ordered but still quality cocoktail. Second round was not good at all. And especially not what we ordered lol The wait on off days can be 5-10 minutes. Busy days it can be 1-2 hours. Drinks: 5/10 Service: 6/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 Value: 4/10

Tucked away by a boutique hotel is cute little Alchemy Choose Your Poison. The food and mixed…read moredrinks possessed an alchemist touch. Great food and drinks served in a relaxed environment.

everything! The service, food, and unique setting. Taking a friend for their birthday next week.read more

This was such a cool bar with very nice staff…read more It's easy to find, street parking was a nonissue, and they have a huge selection of cocktails with a decent selection of mocktails as well. I love their menu design. It gives a lot of attention to each drink with a clear description breakdown along with the level of alcohol meter. A lot of the drinks are STRONG and their presentations are magnificent.

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.

We've been wanting to check out Long Play Hi-Fi for a while, and after finally finding it (which is…read morepart of the experience ).. It's got this hidden, almost speakeasy vibe. You ring the doorbell, wait patiently, and once you're inside, you realize this isn't your typical coffee shop. It's a place to slow down, enjoy the music, and savor your drink. Monique and Danica were both amazing. They're warm, welcoming, and you can really see the passion behind what they do. Danica is also the DJ, and her eclectic playlist made the whole experience even better. One of my favorite parts was just sitting there watching our drinks being made. You can see the care and craft that goes into every cup...even the Kuramoto ice is beautiful. The Matcha Americano completely changed my perception of matcha. The Kyoto cold brew pour-over was fascinating to watch and incredibly smooth. We loved it so much that we came back the very next day. This time I had the Midori, and my brother-in-law loved the Highball, especially the yuzu. No laptops. Trust the DJ. Drinks are meant to be enjoyed fresh, so take your time. If you're looking for a quick coffee run, this isn't it. But if you appreciate great coffee, good music, and people who are passionate about their craft, Long Play Hi-Fi is absolutely worth the visit.

Came on a Sunday afternoon with no wait, just stood outside without ringing the doorbell and…read moresomeone let us in after less than 5 min. (Dw, from the inside, you can see outside well) Drinks were really good and carefully made, song selections were unique! We ended up chatting with one of the customers there too. Chill atmosphere 10/10 recommend. There's also free wifi here, signal isn't very good. :) Parked in free street parking about a min walk away.

Kamon is a craft cocktail bar inspired by the Taisho era of 1920's Japan. It's also a speakeasy…read morehidden inside a Japanese bakery on a corner of San Diego's East Village. Reservations can be made on OpenTable if you are fast enough. We weren't... on our last trip to San Diego. So when I found availability for 2, I made a special trip down to San Diego just for this speakeasy. After 2 and a half hours of driving, I reached San Diego. I miraculously found street parking on the same block as the bar and made my way inside Asa Bakery. My friend was already waiting for me at a table. He, a San Diego local, told me that he took the bus to avoid the parking situation entirely. Smart man. We were still quite early for our reservation, so I had a latte from Asa Bakery while we waited. During this time, we were trying to figure out where the speakeasy was located. Then we saw a couple enter Asa and press a handicap assistance button near the door to the bakery. A big section of the wall opened up and revealed a swanky looking bar behind it, complete with hosts wearing sleek black vests, button ups, and bow ties - a complete vibe change from the modern bakery we were sitting in. Once it was our seating time, we also made our way over to the secret entrance. Kamon itself felt like a rift in time, as if we were stepping straight into the 1920's. The room was heavily inspired by the Taisho Roman era, the period when Japan was influenced by European romanticism. Decor featured visual harmony between traditional Japanese motifs, such as screen doors and woodblock prints, and influences of the Western Roaring 20's, such as glamorous Art Deco chandeliers, red carpet, and lounge chairs. We were seated next to a beautiful zen garden. The concept of the menu is "omiyage" or souvenirs from different regions of Japan. My friend started with the Tokyo Banana, inspired by the iconic Tokyo Banana cream pastry found all over souvenir shops in Tokyo and Haneda Airport. The spirits in this cocktail were Suntory Toki and rum. I started with the Yame Matcha, inspired by the city of Yame in Fukuoka prefecture, which is reveled among matcha snobs for producing matcha with nutty flavor. The matcha was prepared as a cream top, a nod to matcha lattes, and sat on top of a spirit base of mezcal, Mizu green tea shochu. This drink was so fun and creative. I would've never thought about pairing matcha with mezcal, but surprisingly, it worked very well. The smokiness of the mezcal paired well with the creamy, nutty matcha top and roasted genmaicha flavor.  Because of the amazing theme of the menu, we couldn't resist ordering a second round. My friend got the Ao Ichigo, featuring strawberries from the Tochigi prefecture. The spirit for this was a reposado tequila and vodka. This is good if you want a light, refreshing, sweet drink. My second drink was the White Lover, inspired by Hokkaido and its dairy and pastry culture. The spirit for this drink was Sotol, which was also quite smoky. The body of this cocktail was composed of kefir and Calpico, with notes of yuzu and croissant as well. This drink also comes with a "surprise," and to maintain the integrity of said "surprise," I won't tell you what it is! This was probably my favorite drink of the night. As an alum of Asian American college party culture, I have had many drinks mixed with Calpico, so this was my favorite drink of the night because of how close to home it felt. You could almost call it an "omiyage" of USC ahaha... However, I was not the biggest fan of the food here. We both weren't that hungry, so we just got some appetizers, but honestly, I don't remember the food menu being that big anyways. We got the tuna tartare cannolis and the karaage. The tuna tartare was a bit weird for me. I kinda expected it to be fresh and light and silky, as a tartare should be, but I would describe this as more of a... tuna salad? Heavier than I expected... and creamy. And strange. I think it's the mayo. I just didn't like it very much. And the cannoli presentation was fun, but I don't think it's needed. I think just a classic tuna tartare would have been more enjoyable. And the karaage was fine. Not good, not bad. I wouldn't get food here again though.The drinks at Kamon, however, are phenomenal. I love the theme of 1920's Taisho Japan. The ambiance is impeccable. The theme is even integrated into the menu's concept. There's a story behind each of the signature drinks, giving you a glimpse into what makes each featured region of Japan unique. I definitely want to return to Kamon one day.

Such a fun speakeasy and the perfect way to end our date night!…read more Bar Kamon is hidden inside Asa Bakery in East Village. The space is inspired by 1920s Taisho-era Japan, so the whole concept carries into the decor, Japanese ingredients and cocktails. Their menu gets pretty creative with Japanese whisky, shochu, sake, highballs, clarified cocktails and small bites. After bakery hours, finding the entrance wasn't difficult. Just enter through Asa Bakery and you'll see where to go. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. We were able to grab one the night before for a Friday without any trouble. We had already eaten dinner, so we came for drinks with a small appetizer to share. We ordered the Karaage, Tokyo Banana and Yame Matcha. Service was incredible throughout the night. It took a little bit to get seated since nobody was standing at the host area when we walked in. Someone eventually spotted us through the curtain then quickly came over to help. From there, everyone was attentive. The Karaage came out first. I wish the outside was just a little crispier, but it was still really good. The slaw was actually my favorite part because the acidity paired perfectly with fried chicken, especially while sipping on cocktails. The Yame Matcha was so decadent. It had this beautiful matcha cloud on top with a deeper roasted flavor underneath, almost smokey, that lingered after each sip. Definitely not your typical sweet matcha cocktail. The Tokyo Banana was my favorite. The presentation alone was gorgeous. You get that banana flavor right away, but it still tastes like a proper cocktail rather than a banana dessert. It was definitely strong, so this was one I slowly sipped throughout the night. The hojicha mixed with the banana worked SO well.

The speakeasy schtick may be over done. Dark and some of the menus require a cell phone light to…read moreread. But the cocktails and service are outstanding. The menu has an excellent list of classics and Room 56 signature versions. The bartender Henry was friendly, very knowledgeable, and made excellent drinks. I highly recommend Room 56.

Room 56 is an amazing speakeasy you could go to! The element of surprise is definitely there and it…read morefeels like this place should be kept secret in fact. Service here is amazing, the servers are very knowledgeable about their menu, everyone is very friendly and attentive. The vibes on the inside are immaculate, very upscale and intimate. The drinks are also good yet strong. It is on the pricier side however I didn't mind since the vibes of this speakeasy and drinks were equally as great. I'd definitely recommend!

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.

Here for LASHCON 2026…read more Hash & Nash Hilton San Diego Bayfront Server - David, he was so quick and great service. H & M Bloddy Mary Coffee Avocado Toast Egg - Soft Scramble Wow, the food was amazing and the design of the Avo Toast look too good to eat. Your outside seating has the best view. It is a must visit. #supportsmallbusiness #breakfast #sandiego #lashcon

Stopped here for breakfast before checking out of the Hilton. We had no reservation so it was about…read morea 20 minute wait. By the time we checked in and got seated, the place had gotten very busy with guests from the hotel. We ordered our drinks and waited a quite a while before we were able to place our food order. My husband ordered the two eggs under the Fresh Start menu and I got the H&N Hash with scrambled eggs and a side order of sourdough toast. I was a bit disappointed with the hash because it had way more potatoes than corned beef which I had to search for between all the potatoes. The description mentions pepper and onions, but I wasn't expecting a sauce. It wasn't bad, just wasn't what I pictured. At the end of our meal, someone, who I believe was the manager, stopped by our table to check on us. She apologized for the wait and explained how busy they were, which we appreciated, but unfortunately, the food just didn't make up for it.

Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India…read moreStreet. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends.

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.

Great way to end the weekend with my Hubby..... A/C, good music, playing some pool, enjoying an…read moreadult beverage, & yummy eats from maui_dogs72. Just good vibes all around at Stoney's!! . Always friendly service. Although I was charged for someone else's ticket on my CC, they fixed it right away..... #DiningWithTheAnderson #SundayFunday #PoolTime #Stoneys #NationalCity

Definitely a way better experience this go around. The Bar tender still needs to listen to how the…read morecustomer wants things instead of making how they like it or how it is done. The best Michelada I have had in a while. Bummed that Mawi wasn't there as still no food even though the sign says there open . Wife enjoyed playing pool except the several times we had problems with cue ball getting stuck on table 4. Other than that everything else was great. Love the vibe and had more fans keeping things fresh