I don't take shitty-taste alcohol. I host my standard in everything.
San Diego
Cocktails, Microbreweries, &Â Craft Drinks
you can call me a hipster or whatever you like
Noble Experiment
So far my favorite cocktail place in San Diego. I absolutely love the entrance. Ambience is good. The deco & furnish is best described as vampire's lair meets French catacombs (I agree), according to Thrillist.
Drink menu is very simple, having both its signatures and some classic drinks. My favorite part is the “Dealer’s Choices”, which means you can tell the bartender what you like/feel and he will create something unique for you. You’d always get surprise there...
Raised by Wolves
Located in the new Westfield UTC by UCSD, this hidden bar behind high-end liquor store has attracted a variety of people to line up and to peek what is inside. Dimmed light and medieval-ish deco, this is a perfect place for people to gather and social.
Drink menu is very long and has many varieties. There are some unique, high-end, and crazy choices there too. You will find the one you like there. This is the place among the lists here, that you will find most UCSD students.
False Idol
Tiki, Hawaiian, tropical deco. Located in Little Italy, it is the hottest spot lately in San Diego (as of 2019.03.01), don’t even think about getting a reservation on a Friday or Saturday.
Long Drink Menu. I haven’t tried a lot so I won’t give a conclusion here, but the one time I visited, I’d say it passed (yet not surprising…)
Polite Provisions
It is kinda in between North Park and Hillcrest, connected to Soda & Swine. Google Business description does a pretty good job: Apothecary-esque bar offers craft cocktails & microbrews in a stylish, retro space with an atrium. I’d say no more words here.
Ambience is good in general, just people taking loud. I feel like a lot of people’s first date is here (?), and I totally see why. Bring your crush here and have a drink.
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The above 4 places are all by a group called consortiumholdings. And that is one of the reasons why I put them together. Their drinks meet my standard, the interior (and outerior) of their places are legit and sophisticated. According to their website the ideas behind the projects are pretty cool. If you’d like to check out cool places and support local orgs, check those guys out.
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Belching Beaver
Before I write out a microbreweries list for San Diego, I have to recommend Benching Beaver, my favorite brewery so far in the world (well I'm not an expert too). I am not an IPA person. Everything in their menu taste good. Peanut Butter Stout could be that reason I can’t leave the US.
Beer is also amazingly cheap if you go to their own location (I usually go to North Park one).
Madison
This is actually a restaurant but I am putting it here because its drink is absolutely outstanding (and the food as well). The inside is also beautiful and I'd say a little dreamy (with the lights and semi-outdoor environment). I’d highly recommend this place if you love food, and a beginner to drinks (experienced also welcome LOL).
The location is prime-- on the new hipster restaurant street in North Park. A perfect night to hang out and catch up with your friends (with low outfit effort and no dancing).
Prohibition Lounge
Prohibition hide itself well in the rowdy Gaslamp district. I have only been there once and my memory that night was not very clear (lol). They did have live music and crafted drinks (not 100% sure it met my standard but I think so). The crowd is a little older than average in Gaslamp I believe. If you want a good drink to get you started for your Gaslamp night this is it.
Vin de Syrah
If you’d want me to name a bar has decent drink while you can also dance with good music, this is it. My company hosted its 2018 year-end party here, and the open bar just got me completely that night. Even their beer list is amazing. Oh, did I tell you it is hidden as well (another points that caught me)?
Realm of 52 Remedies
A new asian-culture-inspired place in Convoy, which is also hot as fuck so I haven’t been able to try it yet. I can see they do put Chinese characters on the wall as a style. Will update after I try.