The 12 Best Hotel Bars in San Diego

AnnaMaria Stephens | April 18, 2018

For many travelers, a noteworthy bar takes a hotel stay to the next level, whether it's a dimly-lit nook of a wine bar or a perch in the sky with panoramic views. When it comes to lodging, sprawling San Diego has a lot of different options, from hotels in the heart of the city to resorts overlooking the sea. You'll find just as much variety among hotel bars. Want to sidle up in an Old West-style saloon? No problem. Prefer to swill cocktails while peering down at the world from a sleek lounge in the sky? You can do that too. We've rounded up some of our favorite San Diego hotel bars below -- and be sure to check out our roundup of Best Nightlife for even more options. Cheers!

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#12

Porto Vista Hotel & Suites

Why it made the list

Porto Vista’s top-floor Glass Door Restaurant is the best part of the hotel, with expansive black-paned windows framing a panoramic view of the city skyline and San Diego Bay and a collection of colorful, mismatched lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Head up at sunset on a clear day and you definitely won't be disappointed.

Little Italy's Porto Vista Hotel isn’t perfect, but it's com Read More

#11

Hotel Del Coronado

Why it made the list

The historic Hotel del Coronado has some cool spots for cozying up with a drink. Named for the hotel’s founders, Babcock & Story Bar features classic cocktails and live performances from local musicians. With fire pits and beach views, the outdoor Sunset Bar is the perfect place to watch the sun dip down below the horizon.

With its signature red turrets and idyllic oceanfront locati Read More

#10

The Pendry

Why it made the list

Airy by day and dimly lit in the evening, Fifth & Rose is a sophisticated spot to swill cocktails. Like the rest of the seriously chic boutique hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, the attention to detail and ambiance is admirable. Think soaring tin-tile ceilings, black marble hex flooring, large banks of windows, and head-turning light fixtures.

A fairly new arrival to the San Diego scene, The Pendry has Read More

#9

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Why it made the list

Estancia’s wine bar is the only Southern California tasting room for Napa Valley winemaker Trinitas Cellar (Estancia’s owners also own Trinitas and Napa’s Meritage Resort & Spa). The bar offers beer, craft cocktails, and the hotel’s own private label Single Barrel Jack Daniel’s, as well.

La Jolla’s Estancia Hotel & Spa is a luxurious resort in a s Read More

#8

Grande Colonial

Why it made the list

Just a couple of blocks from La Jolla Cove, the Grande Colonial is La Jolla's oldest original hotel, built in 1913. The property's Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar, a sophisticated space known for its extensive Wine Spectator cellar and a movers-and-shakers happy hour. Outdoor seating features a patio and a terrace with a sliver of an ocean view.

Ocean views abound at this lovely hotel in the scenic seasid Read More

#7

Hotel La Jolla

Why it made the list

At Hotel La Jolla, sweeping ocean views abound. The vintage concrete high-rise looks out over La Jolla Shores and the palm trees that dot the neighborhood. Hiatus, the hotel’s eclectic poolside bar, serves drinks afternoons and evenings when weather permits while the hotel's Cusp restaurant is also a stylish spot for a happy hour cocktail.

Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, the boutique Hotel La Jol Read More

#6

Tower23

Why it made the list

Set in Pacific Beach, Tower23 offers on-trend style and awesome ocean views. The hotel's JRDN restaurant makes a great first impression, with a 70-foot light sculpture that resembles waves and pulses with color. At night, JRDN’s bar area is all aglow in swathes of gold and amethyst light. The scene picks up at as the night goes on, spilling out onto the patio.

Location, location, location: The hip contemporary Tower23 H Read More

#5

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Why it made the list

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, a historic inn with period furniture and costumed staff, has been around nearly as long as San Diego. Drink whiskey like you’re in the Old West at the inn's saloon, which features a carved wooden bar with a heckuva backstory involving Wyatt Earp. We won’t judge if you wear a cowboy hat when you sidle up to order.

This historic boutique inn in Old Town features authentic Vi Read More

#4

La Valencia

Why it made the list

Locals were crushed when La Valencia ("The Pink Lady") decided to close its famous Whaling Bar -- once a favorite haunt of well-known actors and writers -- and replace it with Cafe La Rue. They got over it, though, and are now among the regulars at the hotel's chic European brasserie, known for casual, seasonal fare and artisanal cocktails.

Rose-hued and luxurious, the Mediterranean-style La Valencia Read More

#3

Hotel Republic San Diego

Why it made the list

Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the stylish Hotel Republic has an urban-meets-California-coastal vibe. The hotel’s rooftop Topside Terrace Kitchen + Bar is a perfect spot for happy hour cocktails and nibbles. The lounge also hosts weekend brunch and morning yoga classes (nobody will judge if you flow right into a mimosa afterward).

Hotel Republic, part of the upscale Autograph Collection, is Read More

#2

The Pearl Hotel

Why it made the list

Beachy mid-mod style, summer pool parties, and a happening nightlife scene make The Pearl a fun option for budget travelers. Though it's a bit out of the way if you're not staying there, the Pearl’s bar serves unique craft cocktails like the Marie Antoinette and the Dixie Fried Damsel, as well as a good selection of wine and craft beer.

Beachy mid-mod style, pool parties, and a happening nightlif Read More

#1

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Why it made the list

The Manchester Grand Hyatt is hard to miss. With two soaring towers, it's the tallest waterfront hotel on the West Coast, which means jaw-dropping views of the bay, the Pacific Ocean, and Coronado Island, especially from the Top of the Hyatt. The hotel's 40th-floor bar features classic cocktails and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame neverending views.

The two sky-high towers of the bayfront Manchester Grand Hya Read More

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