What To Know About Cocktail Bars In San Diego

When people decide to go bar hopping, they may not all have the same thing in mind. Some love to wile away the hours in sports pubs watching the game while others may prefer to indulge in a jazz club listening to their favorite music. When you choose to spend your hours at a cocktail bar, however, you're looking for a more refined way to spend your time. San Diego is full of cocktail bars that have been specifically designed to create the perfect atmosphere for its patrons. As writers of Thrillist points out of San Diego bars, "Your night out wouldn't be complete without a cocktail – our picks for San Diego's best cocktail destinations ... from hidden speakeasies to joints even your dad could appreciate." As any experienced bar hopper knows, the secret to the great bar experience is to know what you're looking for and what to expect. Cocktail Bars on a Budget in San Diego There's no question that there are plenty of bars to choose from in San Diego but all of them are not always the best fit. Some of these establishments have prices that are not for the faint of heart. It is not difficult to blow your entire paycheck in one evening if you don't choose carefully. Still, San Diego has plenty of affordable pubs that you might find yourself frequenting more often when you find out what the costs are. Aside from the always affordable Happy Hour that nearly every bar in the city offers, try shifting your nights out to a Monday or Tuesday evening instead. You will find that you'll have just as much fun as you would on Friday or Saturday evening but for much less money. The Polite Provisions When it comes to cocktail bars, Polite Provisions has become the number one spot to visit in the city. It has been ranked the Best Cocktail Bar in town for its many different libations for you to indulge in. According to Sara Norris of Thrillist San Diego, "Polite Provisions is one of the newest craft cocktail establishments in town, and their creative libations take full advantage of a stock of over 50 bitters. Add in that their 46-tap set up also pours draft cocktails, craft sodas, and even a few spirits." If variety is your choice, you'll find more than the average fare when you visit this elite bar among bars in San Diego. Bar Tours Even if you are a resident of the city, there is no reason why you can't take advantage of the bar tours that are offered throughout. Many of these provide what's called a pub crawl where you can bar hop with like minded individuals without having to drive to and from your different destinations. These types of tours are ideal for special celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, bachelor parties, or just a way to get a bunch of friends to hang out and have fun. Of course, everyone has their own tastes when it comes to what to look for in a good cocktail bar, and depending on your preferences, you can be sure that San Diego will have the perfect match for you. However, in general, a good cocktail bar no matter what you prefer will have a few consistent features that make it stand out distinctly from a beer bar, sports bar, or just a simple dive. As cocktail geniuses David Kaplan and Alex Day point out to Travel & Leisure magazine, "Cocktails should tell a story – even when there's no menu. ... The drinks should showcase the bartenders' knowledge and passion. ... Great design makes drinks taste better." Whatever you choose, the place should be welcoming, the drinks inviting, and the recipes intriguing. As you continue in your search for the perfect cocktail bars in San Diego, keep in mind that you're looking for a place where you can completely unwind and relieve yourself of the stresses of the day. There are a lot of opinions about what is the perfect cocktail bar in San Diego but in every case, the perfect bar is the one where you can find refreshment for your soul at the bottom of a cocktail glass.