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    TORO

    3.1 (139 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Closed Closed

    TORO Photos

    TORO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    DJ
    Happy hour specials
    Good for dancing

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    Hot girls and a mechanical bull
    Katharine M.

    Well poured drinks, contentious staff, excellent (and very attractive!) bartenders and playlist. This fine establishment felt safe, and has cultivated a solid vibe for the crowd. It did not feel as busy as it was, and was not so loud that it was unbearable. I highly recommend the mechanical bull ride.

    Erich C.

    Not much to say. We dropped in here after a Padres game on a Saturday night and only did so because the guy outside was promoting "$5 u-call-its", so we took the bait and popped in. The bartender was nice and she made our drinks pretty strong I'd say. No complaints there. Music was great too. We stayed long enough to use the bathroom which is downstairs and kinda spooky if I'm being honest but yeah this is not a bad spot to wind down (or wind up) after a game.

    Table we were sat at for all these girls. The manager & our bottle girl opened the table to the right (where one single girl is standing)
    Sharlyn L.

    ***Warning that this will be a lengthy review*** I'm someone who believes that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. BUT in this case, I feel I must share my experience and possibly help anyone reading this. Point of this story: I was emailed to show up by 11PM but when we got there they gave away our table because we were supposed to be there by 10:30PM. It was incredibly frustrating and there was lack of accountability. Background (receipts attached for proof): I have been planning my sister's bachelorette since January. It was for April 5th that we scheduled to go to TORO for our night out. My sister only wanted one night out and we wanted to go to TORO after having a great first experience there. I booked for the spacious table in the middle of the bar and the dj, by itself in the corner. I requested and confirmed this booking in January. I followed up March 31st, per the request by TORO establishment, confirming the reservation. I was emailed that the person with payment there by 11PM to hand out wrist bands. My sister and our friends showed up by 10:45PM just for them to be rude to my sister and tell her that the table was given away since we were not there by 10:30PM. Making her feel stupid, saying "i don't know who would tell you 11PM, it's always 10:30PM" and left them outside. Then offering a table downstairs. Once I showed up not even 5 minutes later, spoke to the manager, he squeezed us into a small table (see photos). There was a reason I requested the bigger table - because we had a lot of people from out of town coming to celebrate my sister. They then got us to have the table next to us so it can be like we have a "bigger section" but we are no longer all together by that point. What should have happened is they should have taken accountability, told the group they gave our table away to, "hey we made a mistake. This was reserved, we have to move you or you can get refunded." Then proceed to sit us at our reserved table. But instead, they squeezed us into a small table and let the other group take our reservation. I used to work at a club as a bottle girl, I know the work. I know what we can and cannot do. And I would have taken that L to honor reservations that were made. But they basically refused to do that. We tried to make the best of it. We all already were out and dressed up. I am not agreeing to the way this was handled. Poor accountability and poor communication. Whoever handles these emails... be better. To the whole establishment, you guys need to be better at communicating and handling reservations. The manager said to me that he doesn't know or handle the bookings of the tables. But if you're the manager for the night, you honestly should have looked over this before the night started. I don't think I'm ever coming back here again. The only good things were: The manager was nice.... But nice doesn't mean you did your job right. Sorry. My friends kept good energy and helped keep the night alive.

    Saphace A.

    Trashy club that stayed absolutely packed! Couldn't hardly move anywhere. You had to push past people to get anywhere. They do have a downstairs and upstairs. It wasn't hard flagging down a bartender since people weren't hanging around the bar. They do have a ton of TVs showing the music videos for the songs they played. Tons of throwback music and they featured a lot of Latin American artists. Love it! Floors got disgustingly sticky at the end of the night. We were there for 30 minutes then they played a song to let everyone know that they wanted everyone to leave.

    Tank G.

    This is a bar that transform into a night club. They pick up all the tables at 9 and pump up the jams. They have one of the best light shows that I have seen in a club, bar none. It is two levels with a full service. bar and dance floor on both levels. The bathrooms are on the bottom level. There is metered street parking and commercial garages/lots within a reasonable walking distance. The dance floor gets packed on weekends and late at night, especially since this is one of the few clubs that do not have a cover charge before 10. They have VIP booths on the dance floor perimeter that are roped off, but it is not excessive like many places that I have been. The crowd was about mid 20s and the dress code was casual. The drinks here are pretty stiff and the staff there was nice enough. They were playing the hottest jams while I was there and the songs' video were playing on the television and video walls behind the stage. The place was jumping and everyone was having a good time. A fight broke out while I was there, but they got it under control and the party kept on jumping. They also serve food up to the early evening which I hear is decent for a bar. This club/bar has a hip vibe, but it is not over the top or a Miami wannabe. I highly recommend checking this place out if you are out on the town in the downtown area.

    a sign with a skull and crossbones on it

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Absolutely best place to get some drinks and hangout with some friends! I come here all the time I love it! Def should check it out!

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    3 years ago

    Y'all lit but damn. Hella disorganized, random people going inside booths where party pays for

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    3 years ago

    Bartenders are fire and so is security! Shout out to tony for putting in work 2 weeks ago!

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    5 years ago

    Had my phone stolen from Toro last night 1/29. Other review mentions the same thing happening a week prior, don't go here!!!!

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    3 years ago

    Very trendy downtown San Diego spot, awesome music, fast and great service. Definitely will be back

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    3 years ago

    I really vibe with the music and the environment. One of my favorite places to go to downtown.

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    5 years ago

    Gender discrimination. Did not respect my pronouns. Unacceptable. I cannot believe in this day and age, in 2021, I am told how I identify.

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    Page 3 of 4

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    Ask the Community - TORO

    Cover charge for Friday or Saturday nights?

    They didn't have a cover charge for when we went back in March.

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    Review Highlights - TORO

    The bartender Carlos was great he remembered all of our drinks.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    False Idol - Rum Old Fashioned

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.8 miLittle Italy
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

    Tiki themed decor

    False Idol - Rum barrel

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    Rum barrel

    Mothership - Amazing decor

    Mothership

    4.3(986 reviews)
    2.2 miSouth Park, Golden Hill, North Park
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Mothership - Deceiving Exterior

    Deceiving Exterior

    Mothership - Mindkiller

    Mindkiller

    Mothership - Away Mission

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    Away Mission

    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    0.2 miEast Village
    $$

    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

    Photos
    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment - Ceiling and chandelier

    Ceiling and chandelier

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

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    Skull wall

    Convoy Music Bar - Lychee Martini

    Convoy Music Bar

    4.5(428 reviews)
    7.8 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    I've been coming to Music Bar since they first opened, and somehow never got around to writing a…read morereview. This one is long overdue--not that they need my review, because by now everyone already knows how amazing this place is. What keeps me coming back is the combination of great music, an energetic vibe, outstanding service, and some of the most creative cocktails you'll find anywhere. Tonight was girls' night out, so we decided to order the prettier, and sweeter cocktails. But don't let the sweet flavors fool you--they are definitely generous with the alcohol. These drinks may taste dangerously easy to sip, but they pack a punch! I don't even remember the names of the cocktails we ordered, but honestly, that doesn't matter because the menu changes so often. And that's one of the things I love most about Music Bar. Every visit brings something new, fresh, and exciting to try. Both of my drinks were absolutely delicious, with the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. I honestly don't know how the bartenders come up with these combinations, but kudos to the team for constantly pushing their creativity while still making every cocktail incredibly well balanced. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, Music Bar never disappoints. I'll definitely keep coming back to see what new creations they come up with next. Cheers to one of my favorite cocktail spots in San Diego!

    We had RSVP Walk past the dumpster alley…read moreDo not knock they will see you on camera Dark moody vibes 4 stars cute little space Drinks delicious 4 stars Service 4 stars Not too ridiculously expensive either

    Photos
    Convoy Music Bar - Corner table view:  large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Corner table view: large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

    Prohibition

    4.0(1k reviews)
    0.1 miGaslamp
    $$

    So came down to San Diego to celebrate my brother birthday and we decided to take a whiskey class…read morewith our ladies. So we found that Prohibition offers a whiskey class where you can make drinks yourself. Met the owner Ryan who is the owner of Prohibition Whiskey and he told us the story about how he started the business and we connected because he was from Oakland. From that moment it was on and poppin. The vibes of the class was great and conversations along with the drinks were flowing. We ended the night by making an espresso martini made with whiskey and it was amazing. Plus it was dope that I got to make the drink myself. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to patron this establishment

    I went to Prohibition when I was attending a conference at the Convention Center, so I think my…read moreexperience is a little different. A sponsor had rented out the whole place and all drinks were comped with food being passed around. We had cuban sandwiches and empanadas, which I think were all from the Havana restaurant upstairs. Food was great! Drinks were good, but the menu was so confusing to me. I didn't really like how they categorized them. Sometimes I feel like just being straightforward is better. Too cute with trying to do the prohibition/speakeasy menu. It did take a while to get drinks when it was packed. Understandable. But I had a few that were good, the boats and hoes, and keffir lime tequila drink were great. I would say that the bathroom had a bit of a stink to it...not sure what it was but smelled just like coming up from the pipes. May just be a basement issue. Overall, good experience. It didn't feel super special but just like any other speakeasy. I like False Idol better in terms of overall vibe.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    Prohibition - El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    Prohibition - Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

    Starlite - Starlite Burger

    Starlite

    4.1(2.7k reviews)
    1.9 miMiddletown, Mission Hills
    $$$

    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.

    Starlite, Star bright, first star I see tonight…read more This may be an "UnFriendly" take, but Starlite is a top 3 burger in all of SD. I said, I meant it, and there's no walking it back. Now if you're super into smash burgers, this ain't it, and you really need to rethink your life choices. This bad boii right here is a thickun', with beautifully melted gruyere cheese, dijonaise, and caramalized onions tucked inside of a majestic sesame seed bun-served with fries, a dill pickle, and a FANTASTIC aioli for $17!!!! Yes, $17!!!!!! This burger ain't no joke, and it's more than enough reason to skirt your buns on down to try it out. Now the fun doesn't stop there. Have you freaking seen this place? The outside does not do it justice whatsoever. Once you step inside the door, you'll forget where you are-partially because it's pretty dark and you can't see shit, but the other part is that it's magical. I love poppin' up to the bar and chillin' in this space. There are two more totally different experiences to dine in, but I'll leave that up to you to find and explore. Although they're known for their burger, delicious drinks, and signature ice cream sandwich, there's so much more to write home about. I RECENTLY HAD ONE OF THE BEST MEALS I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME HERE. The steak sampler we had, with sides of honey gochujang carrots, and beautifully scalloped potatoes, left us in ecstasy! The four cuts of beef were incredibly tender, deftly seasoned, and seared to perfection. The accompanying sauces, except for the tomato one, were also really good. And I have even mentioned the twice baked potato or the BROCCOLI!!! YES, THE BROCCOLI!!! If you get nothing else, get yourself a burger and some broccoli-TRUST!!! I could go on, but I'll leave you with this...the parking is not pleasant, but the food is fantastic, the music is fresh, and the drinks are splendid. Starlite, you must be my lucky star. Super HUGE thanks to Dani, the chefs, and the crew for making Starlite so amazing. Enjoy my friends.

    Photos
    Starlite - Bar area after entering

    Bar area after entering

    Starlite - Pistachio ice cream sandwich

    Pistachio ice cream sandwich

    Starlite - Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!

    Polite Provisions - Uncle Jalapeño

    Polite Provisions

    4.3(2k reviews)
    3.9 miUniversity Heights, North Park
    $$

    Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

    You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

    Photos
    Polite Provisions - Want. Make. Disco.

    Want. Make. Disco.

    Polite Provisions - Real oil lamps!

    Real oil lamps!

    Polite Provisions - Art deco

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    Art deco

    Kiku Room - DJ in the front room. Back room behind him that can be accessed from the side.

    Kiku Room

    3.5(43 reviews)
    1.6 miMiddletown

    Maybe it's because we went right at opening time 6pm on a Saturday- our group enjoyed this spot…read more The bartender was great and we got a few rounds before heading to our next destination. Being here for about an hour and a half, people started to arrive. It is on the smaller end but it was a vibe! Would come again even with the mixed reviews on yelp.

    I've visited here a couple of times, and my experiences have been completely different depending on…read morewhen I went. The first time was fantastic. The atmosphere immediately reminded me of Berlin with its moody red room aesthetic and unique vibe. There's a DJ right when you walk in next to the bar, and as you make your way toward the back, you'll find additional seating. It's a fun, energetic space that's unlike many other spots in San Diego. However, my visit this past Friday was a completely different story. We had to wait outside for people to leave before we could get in, although thankfully that only took a few minutes. Once inside, it was packed shoulder to shoulder. There are only two bathroom stalls so it took about 20 minutes just to use the restroom. The biggest issue, though, was the temperature. It honestly felt like it was 100 degrees inside. It was unbearably hot, and after a while we had to leave because we were so uncomfortable. During a crowded San Diego summer night, having air conditioning or at least improved ventilation would make a huge difference. That said, I still recommend checking this place out. My advice is to visit on a weekday instead of a weekend, and avoid especially hot or overly crowded nights. When it's not packed, the atmosphere is unique, stylish, and definitely worth experiencing.

    Photos
    Kiku Room - Pay to get in bar.

    Pay to get in bar.

    Kiku Room - Entrance to the back room

    Entrance to the back room

    Kiku Room

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    TORO - bars - Updated September 2026

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