Best Cocktails San Diego Has To Offer

San Diego is taking the world by storm with its craft cocktails, and not just your typical rum and cokes. Nowadays, a lot of places are mixing and crafting uniqued well-balanced drinks and we have found some of the coolest bars and restaurants with some stellar cocktails. 

The Nolen, located in the Gaslamp District of Downtown San Diego, has managed to impress many people since it opened last fall. The amazing rooftop views of Downtown, completed with a fire pit on top of the Courtyard Marriott, creates that perfect vibe for a cocktail party. They have recently redone their menu, now experimenting with syrups, oak barrel-aged gin and tequila in order to make new and unique creations like the Beauty Mark and the Master of None. So, if you're in the Downtown area stop by try these and other creations, especially during happy hour from 4-6pm when drinks are $6.

Kindred came onto the scene last year and has since become South Park's newest destination for craft cocktails. If you are looking from the street, it may look a bit girly with its pink wallpaper and marble bar top, but don’t let its look fool you. Go inside and you will be enjoying delicious drinks like a Brain Candle (made with Black strap rum, Islay Scotch, lime, pineapple, orgeat, absinthe and bitters). Just don’t get too worked up with the all-metal soundtrack playing in the background. 

Kettner Exchange is a cool little rooftop bar in Little Italy, a great place to hang out and have a drink with friends. Whether you are in the mood to relax on the patio and enjoy a refreshing Georgia Sunshine (created with bourbon, lemon, honey and peach bitters) or you are craving a spirit-forward cocktail like the Artichoke Hold ( made with bourbon, maraschino, Cynar and orange bitters) this place has something for everyone.

Tiki has become the most recent trend to come into contact with the San Diego cocktail scene, but the Cat Eye Club has been using that midcentury vibe for ages in it’s East Village location. When you walking into this dimly lit place, you are instantly transported to the 50s. This place does a great job in keeping it old school from its awesome decor to their use of traditional tiki-style glasses with signature drinks like mojitos and mai tais. 

The Bracero Cocina De Raíz is known for celebrating traditional Mexican heritage and is located in the middle of Little Italy. They have created an amazing drink menu that focus mainly on all things agave. Pretty much all of their shaken creations are tequila-based, like their spicy Ready Lane (made with jalapeno-infused tequila, saber’s aperitif, lime, celery syrup and salt). Also try their stirred cocktails, which include blend Scotch, aged rum and bourbon.

Even though this spot is known for serving gamey proteins like rabbit, antelope and boar, what happens in the bar is beyond wild. The Lion's Share, located in Downtown San Diego, has a large drink menu that is perfectly divided up by spirit, but if you are in the mood for something different, take a look at "The Spoils" section of the menu for specialty cocktail that are made from specially selected spirits like Monkey 47 gin and Jean-Marc XO vodka. Also try their selection of absinthe, brought from France, Switzerland and the United States. 

Located in University Heights, Parks & Rec has a very unique dual bar setup. It gives the place this feeling of two venues making cocktails and is separated by an open-air courtyard. Their cocktails include classics like Old Fashioneds, margaritas and daiquiris. On the featured drinks side of the menu, try their Cabrillo created with green chili vodka, mezcal, pineapple gum syrup and rum. These drinks and more are great a great way to enjoy those extra-warm summer nights in San Diego. Also try their happy hour from 4-pm and 10pm-close Monday-Thursday with $5 and $6 specials.  

The Fairweather, located in the East Village area of Downtown San Diego, is a great place to have a drink and watch a Padre game without the annoying crowds getting in the way, plus it has one of the best views of Petco Park. They have created a cool tiki-inspired drink menu that consists of 32 drinks, half of which are spins of the classics. 

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