Belly Up To The Bar In San Diego
As we enter the peak of summer, restaurant reservations can be hard to come by at some of San Diego’s favorite dining destinations, making a last minute night out hard to coordinate. To skip the line and avoid long wait times at the city’s most popular locales, try our favorite hack, and belly up to the bar for cocktails, food, or both. From North County to downtown, these bars provide full dinner service in addition to their extensive drink menus, eliminating the stress of trying to find a last minute reservation. Whether it’s ocean views, rooftops, patios or a more luxurious ambiance you’re seeking, San Diego has a selection of venues sure to fit the bill.
Photo Credit: Dustin Bailey
Tucked away in San Diego’s beach town of Encinitas, you’ll find Herb & Sea, a restaurant beloved by its community offering more than just fresh flavors, but a welcoming place to share the bounties of sea and land. Encapsulating all that the coastal lifestyle means and more, Herb & Sea offers a menu comprised of simple and fresh dishes like raw oysters on the half shell, punchy crudos, smoked fish and ceviche, juxtaposed with meats and vegetables cooked over white oak all perfectly paired with its menu refreshing classic summer libations and enjoyed best at its ‘first come, first served’ bar. Stop by and enjoy Herb & Sea’s buzzing bar in San Diego’s favorite beach town open Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to 9pm.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos
A popular dinner and late night destination, Craft House Sky Deck is a New American Mexican fusion restaurant that offers an elevated yet casual dining experience. Featuring a small bar with less than a dozen seats, guests are welcome to wander in and pull up a bar stool to experience all that Craft House offers, including the complete dinner and drink menus, with no reservation required. The bar is open from 11am to 12am on Friday and Saturday, 11am to 9pm on Sundays, and 12pm to 9:30pm Monday through Thursday.
Photo Credit: Zack Benson
A Little Italy hot spot, Craft & Commerce is packed nearly every night of the week, and weekends are often booked out weeks in advance. For last minute outings, guests can still experience Craft & Commerce without a reservation, as there is typically ample bar seating available. A destination made in equal parts for conversation as it is for dining and drinking, it’s no surprise that Craft & Commerce was selected as one of Food & Wine’s “Top 50 Bars in the Country” and GQ’s “Best Bar Food in the US.” The Craft & Commerce bar is open from 4pm to 12am Monday through Thursday, 3pm to 12am on Friday, and 10am to 12am on Saturday and Sunday.
Photo Credit: Dustin Bailey
Located near downtown San Diego’s waterfront, the captivatingly elegant Animae, where “Art Deco Meets Enchanted Forest” is a San Diego hotspot, and as such often requires guests to book reservations in advance. But, for a spontaneous evening looking to experience Executive Chef Tara Monsod’s Filipino flavors with a refinement that includes a wagyu program and dishes from across Asia, the bar is left open for walk-ins starting at 5pm Tuesday through Saturday, and offers the full menu.
Photo Credit: James Tran
The Guild Bar, located inside The Guild Hotel, a cornerstone of San Diego’s downtown, is the perfect spot to grab a nightcap and relax without the hassle of a reservation. Open seven days a week from 4pm to 11pm, the Guild Bar draws guests into a warm and graceful space, reminiscent of a southern European vacation. The cocktail menu features six carefully crafted cocktails, each created by staff members at The Guild Hotel and made with originality and flair.
