San Diego’s speakeasy scene thrived during the Prohibition era, with hidden speakeasy bars and clubs operating in secret, serving up bootlegged cocktails and featuring live jazz and blues music. Happy Hour San Diego provides amazing deals and menus in different restaurants where you can enjoy it to the fullest. There are several best Speakeasies San Diego has to offer.
Behind password-protected doors and secret entrances, patrons gathered to indulge in illicit revelry, while bootleggers and rum runners smuggled in liquor from Mexico and the Pacific. This cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and speakeasy owners shaped the city’s vibrant nightlife, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence San Diego’s modern bar scene, where vintage decor, craft cocktails, and hidden entrances pay homage to the city’s rich speakeasy bars history.
Best 10 Speakeasies Bars In San Diego
Young Blood
It’s a modern speakeasy bar that pays homage to the city’s rich Prohibition San Diego era history. Here’s what you need to know about Young Blood.
Hidden entrance: Young Blood is tucked away in a nondescript building in the Gaslamp Quarter, with a small sign and a secret door that blends into the wall.
Craft cocktails: Their menu features creative, handcrafted cocktails using house-made infusions and fresh ingredients.
Vintage vibe: The intimate, dimly lit space is designed to resemble a classic speakeasy, with decor that includes vintage furniture, antique fixtures, and a touch of modern flair.
Live music: They often host live jazz and blues performances, adding to the speakeasy ambience.
Raised By Wolves
Raised by Wolves is a stylish and acclaimed speakeasy in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Hidden entrance: The entrance is disguised as a false keg room in the back of the Arsalun restaurant, adding to the speakeasy allure.
Craft cocktails: Their menu features innovative, farm-to-table cocktails using fresh ingredients and house-made infusions.
Upscale ambiance: The intimate, 600-square-foot space is designed by renowned bartender and owner, Erick Castro, with a sophisticated, modern aesthetic.
Award-winning: Raised by Wolves has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the “Best Bars in America” by Esquire Magazine. It is one of the best speakeasies San Diego has to offer.
Mothership:
Mothership Speakeasy in San Diego is a futuristic, space-themed bar hidden behind a secret entrance in The Plot restaurant. This intimate spot serves creative, out-of-this-world cocktails with names inspired by space exploration and science fiction, offering a unique experience for fans of both. With a rotating menu and collaborations with guest bartenders, Mothership is a must-visit for those seeking a cosmic twist on the classic speakeasy bar.
The Grass Skirt
The Grass Skirt is a tropical-themed speakeasy bar in San Diego’s Pacific Beach, hidden behind a secret phone booth entrance in Pizza e Vino. This intimate spot transports visitors to a tropical paradise, serving creative tiki-inspired cocktails made with fresh ingredients and house-made infusions, amidst dim lighting, tiki torches, and exotic decor. With live music performances, including jazz and Hawaiian-inspired tunes, and a limited capacity, The Grass Skirt maintains an air of secrecy and exclusivity.
Ocultu 477
Oculto 477 is a stylish and acclaimed speakeasy bar in San Diego, offering a refined and intimate experience for cocktail enthusiasts.
Hidden entrance: The entrance is unmarked, with only a small sign reading “477” indicating its presence.
Craft cocktails: They offer a menu of creative, handcrafted cocktails using house-made infusions and fresh ingredients.
Intimate setting: The dimly lit, 1,000-square-foot space features a sophisticated, modern aesthetic and a fireplace.
Exclusive experience: With a limited capacity and a focus on quality, Oculto 477 maintains an air of exclusivity and sophistication.
Reservations recommended: Due to its popularity and limited capacity, reservations are recommended to ensure entry.
Part-Time Lover
Part-Time Lover is a stylish cocktail speakeasy bar in San Diego’s North Park neighbourhood, serving creative, handcrafted drinks in a cosy, retro-inspired setting. The bar maintains an intimate ambience with a small capacity, perfect for a relaxed evening out. The menu changes seasonally, featuring fresh ingredients and house-made infusions, and has earned praise from local critics and publications, solidifying its reputation as a top San Diego bar. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or just looking for a unique spot to unwind, Part Time Lover San Diego is a must-visit destination.
Convoy Music Bar
Convoy Music Bar offers a unique experience, combining live music, creative cocktails, and Asian-inspired cuisine in an intimate setting. It is one of the best entertaining Speakeasies San Diego has to offer.
Live music performances: Convoy hosts various music acts, including rock, pop, jazz, and more.
Asian-fusion cocktails: Their drink menu features creative cocktails with Asian-inspired flavours and ingredients.
Pan-Asian cuisine: The bar serves a selection of small plates and snacks inspired by Asian cuisine.
Intimate setting: Convoy has a cosy, industrial-chic atmosphere with a small capacity, making it an ideal spot for live music enthusiasts.
Room 56
Room 56 is a hidden speakeasy in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, offering a sophisticated and intimate experience. Behind an unmarked door, guests discover a stylish, vintage-inspired space serving expertly crafted cocktails. With a focus on premium spirits and fresh ingredients, Room 56’s menu changes seasonally, offering a unique experience for discerning drinkers. Reservations are recommended, adding to the exclusivity and allure of this underground gem.
Bar Three Piece
Bar Three Piece is a stylish speakeasy in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, hidden behind a secret entrance in a vintage clothing store. This intimate, 12-seat bar offers a bespoke cocktail experience, with expert bartenders crafting unique drinks based on guests’ preferences. With a focus on premium spirits, fresh ingredients, and creative flavor combinations, Bar Three Piece provides a sophisticated and exclusive experience for those in the know.
Prohibition Lounge
Prohibition San Diego Lounge is a swanky underground speakeasy in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, evoking the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. Hidden behind a secret entrance, this intimate lounge serves up classic cocktails with a twist, using house-made infusions and fresh ingredients. Prohibition Lounge transports guests to a bygone era of secrecy and indulgence with its sophisticated decor, complete with velvet drapes and vintage accents.
Conclusion
San Diego’s vibrant nightlife scene is elevated by its array of sophisticated speakeasies and bars, each offering a unique and exclusive experience. From the stylish Prohibition Lounge to the hidden gems like Room 56 and Bar Three Piece, these underground bars serve up expertly crafted cocktails in intimate settings. For those seeking a more affordable experience, Happy Hour San Diego offers a range of deals and discounts at top bars and restaurants.
To fully immerse yourself in the city’s speakeasy culture, consider staying at nearby hotels or accommodations, allowing you to easily explore the best of San Diego’s hidden gems.
