If you're reading this, it's because you're desperately hunting for a place that lives up to (or…read moreoutlives) what you thought was your old favorite spot. We've done the rounds. Everywhere. And nothing touches this scene. Great drinks. Even better people. The kind of place where you walk in for "just one" and somehow look up three hours later wondering how you got so comfortable, so fast. Whether it's your first stop of the night or your last, you'll spend the entire time grinning like you're exactly where you're supposed to be and nowhere you're supposed to be. Pro tip: mention the name Lee at the door for free popcorn all night. (Okay, fine. The popcorn's already free. But now you've got an excuse to say Lee's name with confidence.) Get yourselves down here and plug into the energy. We're officially hooked. See you at Aero Club.

Aero club has been a decently good place to visit when you want to drink & have some snacks, up…read moreuntil my last visit this past Friday. I visited with my roommate, my cousin,& his girlfriend. He went to the restroom and us girls went to ours, they're in the same hallway & you have to pass the women's restroom to get to the men's. As I was exiting the girls bathroom he walked directly past me and I trailed behind him, then all of a sudden I hear one of the girl bartenders ask him to leave because she said she saw him exit the women's restroom. She was LOUD & reactive, like she was 100% sure she saw that, she grabbed 2 of the security guards & asked to get him out because she saw him come out of the girls restroom. WHICH WAS A LIE!! It was humiliating & if she would've just ran back the cameras she would see that is absolutely NOT what happened. It was unprofessional, ridiculous,& tasteless. I get you have to be aware in these situations but she was SO WRONG in this particular instance I was appalled. Therefore if the manager or owner would like to run back tapes on January 30th around 12 am, they will see he did not exit the women's bathroom. I really hope there's some type of repercussions for type of accusation.

Came into Sunday brunch at Waterfront Bar & Grill expecting mimosas and eggs. Left emotionally…read moreattached to my bartender. Cat behind the bar somehow manages to pour drinks, roast people lovingly, remember everyone's order, and maintain the energy of a cruise ship activities director who survived war. I watched her serve a full bar, make six bloody marys, solve what looked like a marital dispute, and still call a regular "baby" with enough sincerity to heal his childhood trauma. At one point she disappeared for 30 seconds and the entire bar went silent like preschoolers whose teacher stepped out of the room. Drinks were strong. Service was fast. I'm pretty sure she legally adopted three hungover patrons before noon. Would absolutely return for brunch and mild emotional dependence.

Love the vibe here from Thursday through Sunday. The atmosphere is always great, but Cat is…read morehonestly the best and sets the tone as soon as you walk in. She's super friendly, welcoming, and always brings the best energy no matter how busy it gets. You can tell she genuinely cares about the customers and makes sure everyone is taken care of and having a good time. Great bartender, great vibes, and always an awesome experience when she's there. If you're in SD, definitely stop by and ask for Cat!

If you're ever sitting at home asking yourself important questions like:…read more "Do I want to spend more money on TouchTunes than actual beer?" "Would I like to open a bar at 6 a.m. beside men who look like they know three different ways to lose a fishing boat?" "Should I buy a cheesesteak at Jersey Mike's and proudly eat it at the counter cuz the Fox can't be trusted with a fryer?" "Do I enjoy low inhibitions, lower beer prices, and conversations with cougars named Tammy who smoke Misty 120's and call everyone 'baby'?" Then the Silver Fox is not just a bar, it's a sanctuary for the gloriously untethered. Like a Robert Frost poem if Frost had chain-smoked cigarettes and played pool until sunrise. When you come to the fork in the road, and to the left lies reclaimed wood, Tulum inspired bars, and rosemary craft cocktails, and to the right lies the cold silence of your apartment. Dare to go straight. Straight into the Silver Fox, for one last five more beers.

I actually really love this bar and would be a 5, but I HATE Alex. I'm a local and frequent here…read morejust to play a couple games of pool, and every-time he truly makes it the most unenjoyable experiences every time- from him being rude to us personally & telling us disrespectful slurs to be waiting for our beers and hearing him shout similar slurs + racist remarks to young girls behind bar!!! I wish I could say it was just him, but sadly this is NOT a safe space, which is so sad being that we literally live around the corner:( frankly there have even been occasions where strangers have spoken up for us in situations where we were not being left alone, and the staff has refused to do anything and even made remarks back towards us, super disappointing. shout out to Jason(i think) super pleasant experience every time he's working, keeps it cool

It's really known as a local gay dive bar, and that's exactly what makes it so special - it's…read moreauthentic, unpretentious, and just overflows with good energy. What I truly appreciate is how inclusive it is; when they say "all are welcome," they genuinely mean it. You feel like part of the community the moment you step through the door, no matter who you are. The folks working behind the bar are absolute superstars. They're not just great at mixing up a delicious drink, but they're also super friendly and always up for a bit of banter. It's the kind of place where striking up a conversation with someone new at the bar is effortless. There's a constant buzz of friendly chatter and laughter, making it such a wonderful place to just relax and be yourself. And let's talk about value - they truly know how to pour a proper drink, and their prices are incredibly fair. You definitely get a fantastic drink without feeling like you've splurged. It's just an all-around great spot to unwind, meet some cool people, and enjoy a top-notch beverage in a relaxed, friendly setting. Highly recommend giving The Loft a visit!

When I visit San Diego, The Loft is at the top of my "must visit" list and is normally one of the…read morefirst places I go after getting settled in. Situated on 5th Avenue in beautiful Hillcrest, The Loft is a small, but mighty place that is near and dear to my heart for a variety of reasons. From the bartenders, to the patrons, and of course the drinks...this spot is an absolute vibe! Everyone is beyond welcoming and fun here. The space is a great combination of indoor/outdoor. The drinks are strong and well priced, which is not a combination you can find many places these days! They don't serve food, but they are fine if you want to bring your own, which many folks do. We have enjoyed a cocktail and UberEats'd something so we didn't have to leave. Overall, while I am not a San Diego local (yet), I consider The Loft my local spot. Love this place!

Super fun time and you don't need to be a part of pride or the LGBTQIA+ community to be so…read more Everyone is super nice. I'm an ally and when I told people that. They were super respectful. The bartenders are fun and pour strong drinks. Super happy with how it turned out. I've been here drunk pride. During regular events. And during Sunday specials. I always love feeling like people care about my well being and my time out.

$12.50 for a Tito's and soda. I live in San Francisco and we don't even pay that. Come on San…read moreDiego.... Yikes But always a fun bar

What a cool place. Used to go here decades ago came back, had a drink and great co variations with…read morethe dudes at the bar and a wonderful bartender named Jenna. Fully recommend it for a great dive bar experience. Very un-private equity-ish

Dark and divey. One really friendly bartender. Didn't care for their drinks. Got the Malort and a…read moreHello Kitty and a draft beer. A dollar off drafts for HH. Small space in a sort of sketch neighborhood. Unfort not my vibe and probs wouldn't return.

We love a good dive bar, so while exploring San Diego's Old Town we did what any responsible day…read moredrinkers would do... we Googled "dive bars" & ended up at Old Town Saloon. And honestly? This place was exactly the vibe we were hoping to find. The second we walked in, I loved the vintage feel of the decor. It has that authentic old-school saloon energy that can't be manufactured. A genuine neighborhood watering hole with personality - a little worn in, full of character & packed with stories. One of the best parts of our visit was the bartender, who also happened to be the third-generation owner. He struck that perfect balance of being super friendly & welcoming without being all up in our business. You could tell he genuinely cared about the place & its history. He shared some great stories that made the experience feel personal. We settled in for some drinks & soaked up the atmosphere. The history of San Diego Old Town swirled around us as we enjoyed our time at the Old Town Saloon. Highly recommend.

This is a great spot to grab a drink when there is a crowd outside. We were waiting for the Whaley…read moreHouse tour and stopped in for a drink. Liz was awesome and even made recommendations for restaurants for us. She was talkative and engaging while also serving everyone quickly. Looks like a great spot for the evening, but we were just starting out the lunch drinkers for the day!

I've wanted to come here for many years. I was told this was a dive bar but upon arrival it seemed…read morevery popular/trendy. It was crowded upon arrival but it eventually died out. Great service along with great appetizers and drinks.

I needed something to eat and detoured to Nunu's. Walked in and BAM! The leather'ish booths,…read morestained glass lights reminded me of a cool uncles basement bar. Old Stlye Beer sign and all. Food - 3.5 Service - 4.5 Ambiance - 4 for nostalgia Value - 4 The service? Friendly, attentive, and go with the flow. No fuss, just staff who knows how to keep drinks coming and food rolling out. The food? I heard about the ribs and gave them a go. They were fall off the bone tender, slathered in sauce, and 100% giving "apartment ribs" energy (you know, slow-cooked all day, slathered in sauce, hit with a quick sear). The cheese sticks, fries, and onion rings? Solid but in full disclosure, I was a little touched by the brown liquor at that point, so maybe things tasted even better than usual? Everything comes on paper plates with plasticware. If you're expecting white tablecloth service, keep it moving. If you're here for strong drinks, saucy ribs, burgers, and greasy sides, this place has it. Give em a go!Nunu's may be that spot you stumble into once and end up adding to your regular rotation. Welp! Onto the next!

Love a good Dive Bar and it doesn't get quite as divey meets causal gem as Lancers on Park…read more Stroll in off Adams Avenue or Park Blvd, entrances/exits on both. It's a former cash only bar and has been forever... Until 2025! They take card or cash now... Even Apple Pay. Possible Google and/or Samsung also. Still with a cool Jukebox. And a couple of pool tables. Places to sit and enjoy a mid afternoon, happy hour or end of the night drink. Used to stop in here with the old crew after dinner, during San Diego Pride in the summer and just for fun. Strolling by at 10am after coffee had me extra nostalgic to see the doors open and all the places I sat and the tables I've enjoyed billiards at. Definitely see myself doing that again this year. ESPECIALLY with great things like: Trivia night Happy Hour Complimentary eats... You can enjoy things like their Wiener Wednesday, every Wednesday from 11am-5pm (or until they sell out) you get a free hot dog or veggie dog (yes, please), with the purchase of a beverage. Great craft beer. Cool Lancers merch. Friendly service. Loving their new Instagram page (@lancers_cocktails). Stop in and support a local dive bar in America's Finest City, sunny San Diego.

Nice dive bar with friendly staff and cheap drinks! Nice break away from the other bars or…read morerestaurants that may be packed on a weekend.