Where to drink
San Diego's original entertainment district gets a worse reputation than it deserves. Yes, the weekend crowds are intense. But the quarter also holds some of the city's best cocktail bars, several of which operate behind
This is where San Diego's locals actually drink. University Avenue between 30th and Iowa has more independent bars per block than anywhere else in the city. The craft beer scene here helped put San Diego on the national
The Saturday Farmers Market turned Little Italy into a destination, and the bar scene followed. India Street is the main artery, running south from the marina with restaurants and bars stacked on both sides. The crowd he
Pacific Beach runs loud and casual, which is exactly what it is supposed to do. Garnet Avenue is the artery, and it delivers exactly what you want from a beach-town bar strip: dive bars, sports bars, a few surprisingly d
East of the Gaslamp, the East Village has developed a quieter, more interesting bar scene over the past decade. Petco Park brings crowds on game nights, but away from the ballpark, the neighbourhood holds several excelle
Mission Hills does not advertise itself and that is precisely its appeal. The bars along Washington Street serve the neighbourhood rather than visitors, which means better service, more interesting regulars, and none of
Bars are chosen from public information: the bar's own menus and listings, press coverage and reader reviews. Hours, prices and door policies change, so confirm them with the bar before you go. Read our full methodology and editorial standards, or meet the editors behind the reviews.