Top Bars and Cafes in San Diego

Nunu's Cocktails

This eclectic '60s holdover will give you a warm, cozy feeling reminiscent of that era. Large comfortable booths, a diverse jukebox and a fireplace all combine to bring you back to a slower-paced world. The white Christmas lights, intertwined with ivy, illuminate cowboy pictures and other western artifacts. It is easy to imagine John Wayne, Hugh Hefner or even Frank Sinatra coming in the door. Drinks are moderately priced and the dress code is casual.

Cass Street Bar & Grill

This is one of San Diego's fun beach bars, a well-worn place showing evidence of being much frequented and enjoyed. The casual atmosphere is enhanced by the large map of Baja painted on the ceiling and photos of customers on the walls. When you are taking a break from the beach, you can enjoy a game of pool or shuffleboard or one of the many beers on tap. Do not overlook the food. The menu includes fish, burgers and salads.

The Eagle Bar Of San Diego

This gay club is popular because it is an elegant choice in hangouts. Its modern and streamlined decor makes you feel like you are on a futuristic movie set. The clientele is sophisticated and tastefully dressed. At the same time, this is a neighborhood bar with local charm and not at all snobby or exclusionary. It is a great place to meet people, mingle, and build new friendships in a beautiful setting.

Kensington Club

This club is a true chameleon. By day, it is an unassuming little bar, a perennial hangout for locals. But by night, the atmosphere is as heavily charged as any of the trendy nightclubs of the downtown swanky scene. Guests dance the night away with live bands on weekends (from country to techno to swing) and weekday night DJs presenting the best in hip-hop. No food is served, but a full bar offers wine, beer and mixed drinks.

Bar Dynamite

Not uptown, not downtown. This unpretentious little bar is exactly what it seems to be: a place where locals of all ages (21 and older, of course) come to wet their whistle. On one visit, you may see only college students sipping a few while shooting some pool. On another, you may come across an impromptu meeting of high powered business people relaxing after a day's work. Drinks include beer, wine and mixed cocktails. Food is not served.

The Big Squeeze

Nothing quite quenches your thirst, and stokes up your energy, like a juice or smoothie chock full of vitamins. Many people order these drinks to go, but there are a few tables where you can sit, sip and watch the world go by. Choose from an amazing combination of fresh fruits and vegetables and watch the employees juice it up right in front of your very eyes. Try the Big Squeeze Acai Bowl and innovative wheatgrass shots. Also available are salads (Bionics, Pico de Gallo), sandwiches and soft-serve non-fat frozen yogurt.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop is a bright, tiled ice cream parlor that scoops out delights like 'The Earthquake'—an eight-scoop wonder designed to be shared by a lot of people, adorned with bananas, eight different toppings, whipped cream, nuts and cherries. Less vigorous appetites will probably be satisfied with a simple ice cream sundae or a cone. Alongside the parlor there is a small chocolate shop offering all of the favorite Ghirardelli varieties. Sidewalk tables make this a great rest stop on a warm day.

The Ould Sod

Possibly the most authentic Irish pub in San Diego, this unpretentious neighborhood bar is gaining a reputation for good music and camaraderie. Like real pubs in Ireland, the music is often rock and roll or even blues. The walls are adorned with old road signs from Ireland, some of them brought back by an Irish priest who has a relative in the neighborhood. The full bar serves up imported beers. Guinness is still king here, though local boy Sam Adams offers some competition.

Java Joe's

This local coffee bar serves much more than cappuccino and espresso favorites. The night spot is home to many local musicians looking for their big break. In fact, the ever-popular singing sensation, Jewel, performed regularly at this local night spot, prior to her mega-stardom. With live entertainment every night (and "open mike" on Mondays), visitors will find that this spot consistently provides a worthwhile experience both in coffee and crowd-pleasing music.

Living Room Coffeehouse

Located in a vintage wood-frame house, this comfortably furnished coffeehouse also offers an elevated, street-side patio area for sipping and people watching. A popular cram spot for students from the nearby Nazarene College, it also attracts tourists from the many nearby motels and residents from the fine old houses off the side streets. Coffee is king here or you could try the Iced Cafe Mazatlan on a hot day. You can also order Quiche Lorraine and Chicken Wellington, Baked Brie en Croute, breakfast dishes, sandwiches and salads, all extremely reasonably priced.