There’s nothing like a good dive bar!
San Diego is known for its beautiful and luxurious spots. But there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned no-thrills dive bar! These 10 watering holes are our favorite San Diego dive bars.
1. Aero Club, Mission Hills
The Aero Club Whiskey Bar is amongst the best watering holes in the country! Since its opening, this laidback spot has served residents of the Mission Hills area near the airport. Mariam Profit, a local pilot, opened the Aero Club in 1947. Now, the Aero Club is a must-see for anyone who appreciates an authentic quality bar. They have 1200+ whiskeys and unique whiskey-based cocktails.
Location: 3365 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
2. High Dive Bar and Grill, Bay Park
High Dive Bar is the place to get a beer from one of their 20 taps, along with a gigantic burger. It’s also the perfect spot for a game of pinball, and the winner can get one of their delicous tiki-inspired cocktails!
Location: 1801 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
3. Haunted Head Saloon, Oceanside
Ahoy sailor! Haunted Head Saloon is Oceanside’s pirate-themed bar. It’s the perfect party spot after a day at Sunset Market.
Location: 207 N Tremont St, Oceanside, CA 92054
4. Captain Keno’s Restaurant, Encinitas
It doesn’t get divier than “Cap’n Keno’s,” a bar with cheap drink and food specials every night. There aren’t many places in San Diego where you can get a cocktail for under $5 or a domestic beer for $2.50. If you’re hungry, you can order prime rib for $12, breakfasts for $6 or less, and so much more. They’re open from 6am to 12am Monday through Sunday.
Location: 158 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
5. Star Bar, Gaslamp
This Gaslamp spot has been serving up delicous and reasonably priced drinks since 1972. Since then, they have continued to offer fair prices even though the Gaslamp has grown so much. You can still get $4 drinks and play a game of pool as you listen to some tunes from their jukebox.
Location: 423 E St, San Diego, CA 92101
6. Til-Two Club, City Height
This is one of our favorite spots to get a delicious cocktail in City Heights. They regularly have amazing live music and fantastic Monday happy hour deals!
Location: 4746 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
7. The Kraken, Cardiff By the Sea
This San Diego spot is all fun, and best of all, there are no Norwegian sea monsters to be found! You’ll enjoy their delicous drinks, enjoy live bands, and a game of pool on the patio.
Location: 2531 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
8. Instant Replay, Rancho Bernardo
Instant Replay is a recently remodeled local favorite spot. This unpretentious spot is loaded with pool tables and dart boards. They have unpretentious cocktails and drinks. Though they don’t serve food, you can get delicous pizza or Thai food at one of the restaurants next door.
Location: 11681 Duenda Rd, San Diego, CA 92127
9. The Silver Fox Lounge, Pacific Beach
The Silver Fox is one of PB’s OG watering holes. They open up at 6 am and that, along with their pool table, makes The Silver Fox a go-to SD bar. They offer up a $5 liquid brunch, made up of Bloody Marys and screwdrivers on weekends!
Location: 1833 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
10. Live Wire, University Heights
This old-school rock bar is serious about its beers on tap & jukebox tunes! Live Wire also makes delicous cocktails we love.
Location: 2103 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
11. Waterfront Bar & Grill
Little Italy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill is the oldest dive bar in San Diego One of the best spots for late night food, and San Diego isn’t especially known for their late night food options. The bar has seating inside and out, pinball machines, great specials from drinks to food, and yeah, don’t forget the menu which is an elevated take on bar food.
Location: 2044 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
12. Pacific Shores Cocktail Lounge
This dark dive bar has been around for over 80 years. Their jukebox is regularly serving up oldies, their entire space is nautical themed, and well drinks are $2.50 every day throughout the day. Definitely a local hangout type of spot.
Location: 4927 Newport Ave, San Diego
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