Intimate Bars in San Diego worth going out for.

It's easy to spend a whole visit near the water and miss the parts of this city I'd actually recommend.

I keep track of intimate bars in San Diego and only keep the ones worth going to. Ask me what you're after.

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Browse San Diego neighborhood by neighborhood, get ideas just for you, or ask me anything.

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Top picks

$6.50 Well Cocktails

$6.50 Well Cocktails

Mon, Dec 7 · 2:00 PM

Hillcrest • $$

Neighborhood bar & grill

Serpent & Stone

Serpent & Stone

Gaslamp Quarter

Mythology cocktails & meze

Shank & Bône

Shank & Bône

North Park • $$

Pour-your-own pho den

Vino Carta Wine Shop and Bar

Vino Carta Wine Shop and Bar

Little Italy

Italian wine & chill

Bronze Bird

Bronze Bird

Gaslamp Quarter • $$

Hotel restaurant done right

California Wild Ales

California Wild Ales

Point Loma

Sour beers & quirky vibes

The Cordova Bar

The Cordova Bar

Morena • $

Cocktails, karaoke & community

$6.50 Happy Hour

$6.50 Happy Hour

Thu, Sep 24 · 2:00 PM

Hillcrest • $$

Cheap eats & strong pours

Young Blood

Young Blood

Gaslamp Quarter

Bespoke cocktail flights

Noble Experiment

Noble Experiment

Gaslamp Quarter • $$

Secret skull-lined cocktail den

Not everyone knows about these

LoFi Friday With LoFi Potter

LoFi Friday With LoFi Potter One-time only

Fri, Oct 2 · 6:00 PM

Little Italy

Lofi beats & craft brews

Bivouac Adventure Lodge: Cider Bar, Coffee Shop, & General Store

Bivouac Adventure Lodge: Cider Bar, Coffee Shop, & General Store

North Park • $

Cider & board games

À L'ouest

À L'ouest Hot right now

North Park • $$$$

French comfort & cocktails

Convoy Music Bar

Convoy Music Bar

Kearny Mesa • $$

Japanese-inspired speakeasy cocktails

Seek Beer Co.

Seek Beer Co.

North Park

Friendly craft beer lab

The Jazz Lounge

The Jazz Lounge

Mid-City

Intimate live jazz club

Explore more in San Diego

Intimate in other cities

Frequently asked questions

How are these intimate bars in San Diego chosen?

I go through what's actually on nearby and keep only the ones worth the trip. Nobody pays to be on this list.

Is everything here still happening?

Yes. If it's on the list, it's still on — anything that's finished drops off by itself.

How do I find something that suits me?

Open the map and tell me what you're after — a good terrace, somewhere that works with kids, something on tonight. I'll answer and narrow it down with you.

Do I need an account?

No, everything here is browsable without one. An account is how I learn your taste, your people and your saves, so what I show you keeps getting closer to what you'd actually go to. You can also have ideas sent to you by email or message if you want them.

Is it free?

Yes, completely.

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