Bottoms Up! These Beachside Bars Are Always a Good Time
No matter your age, San Diego’s Pacific Beach will make you feel 21 again with its eclectic, youthful energy. Known fondly by locals as just PB, this chill beach town knows how to have a good time in true style, whether it’s day-drinking or dancing the night away. Whether you’re an out-of-towner or a lifelong local, you’re bound to have an amazing time in PB–where the drinks are always flowing, the taco possibilities are endless and the places to party are plentiful. Here’s our picks for eight of the best places for some debauchery by the beach. Best Bars Pacific Beach
PB Shore Club
Best Bars Pacific Beach
Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge
For a poppin’ bar where you can get your dance on, head to Firehouse. This two-story club has a seasonally rotating cocktail list, so you can grab a Firehouse Frosé and lounge in style. If you’re looking for more action, head upstairs for private cabanas, a full bar and dance floor overlooking the PB pier. Their open-air rooftop not only brings you the best views, but it will keep you cool while you dance all night long. And once you’re ready to sober up, their bacon fat mac and cheese will do the job.
The Grass Skirt
If you want to tropic like it’s hot, don your leis and Hawaiian shirts and make your way to PB’s The Grass Skirt. Don’t be confused when you arrive at a poké shop; you’re in the right place. Step through the “freezer,” where a tiki paradise is waiting for you just beyond the frozen recesses. Order the Jungle Bird in a whimsical parrot-shaped mug or the Chi Chi for the best frozen boozy drink—only $6 during happy hour! And to feel like you’re really in Hawaii, don’t forget to order the pu pu platter!
10/16
Moonshine Beach
Tired of doing the same old bump n’ grind every night? It might be time to change it up with some line-dancing instead! Break out the fringe and get groovin’ to some honky-tonk at Moonshine Beach. They even have up-and-coming country music artists perform live on certain nights. This saloon is complete with a karaoke bar and has plenty of games for you and your party to have some friendly competition over. And if there’s a Niners game on, this is the place you want to be.
Mavericks Beach Club
Some nights, it’s hard for everyone in the group to agree on where to go or what to do. Mavericks, however, is the guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With five indoor and outdoor bars, an expansive patio, TVs on almost every surface and endless lounge areas, everyone in your party will be entertained here. You might even be able to catch a live musical or comedy act. They also offer packages based on your celebratory needs—like their Birthday Package, which is complete with bottles of Titos, Patron and Armand de Brignac Brut. Cheers!
Best Bars Pacific Beach
Waterbar San Diego
Located oceanfront on the boardwalk, Waterbar is great for beach views and laidback fine dining. They’re known for their social seafood concept, so get the lobster bisque and the crab and avocado toast! On Thursday nights, they host Sunset Sessions, so you can enjoy live music at dusk while sipping on a Mermaids Are Real or a Surf City Spritz. They might keep it classy while the sun is up, but the real party doesn’t start until 10 p.m., so make sure you stick around!
8/2
The Duck Dive
The word “dive” might be in their name, but there is nothing grimy about this local sports bar. The atmosphere here is contagiously buzzy and raucous. A local favorite, this watering hole is known for classic bar food staples made with coastal flair, such as their fish tacos, ahi poke and duck wings. The Duck Dive is also the place to be on Taco Tuesdays, where they whip up $3 tacos and $3 well drinks after 9 p.m. And if there’s a Padres game on, you’ll want to be here to take advantage of $10 Skrewballs and $25 buckets of Modelo.
Best Bars Pacific Beach
Flamingo Deck
Looking to impress your trendsetter friend from LA? Flamingo Deck is the place to take them. Located inside the PB Promenade, Flamingo Deck is a perfect stop after an afternoon of strolling. The décor is eclectic and vibrant by day and sultry and hypnotic by night. Everything about this restaurant and bar screams Instagrammable, from their flamingo-shaped punch bowls to their funky bathroom wallpaper. For some sharable bites to go with your punch bowl, you’ll want to get the prosciutto peach salad or wild mushroom pizza!
