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American Junkie

3.8 (785 reviews)
ModerateAmerican, Bars
Open • 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

American Junkie Photos

Business Info

AMERICAN JUNKIE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Very loud
Trendy
Casual
DJ

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Recommended Reviews - American Junkie

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Frank P.

It was early Saturday 10:30am and not many places were open. I stumbled upon American Junkie and decided to give them a try. I like going to sports bars that cater to a particular team. American Junkie is a OSU bar. The place was packed. I couldn't stay long so I just had steak nachos and a soda. The nachos were good but the portion size was small. It was a fun environment so if you are a OSU fan you need to come here to watch your games.

Started the San Diego Zombie Crawl at American Junkie and it did not disappoint!! The atmosphere was so fun good music and great service too!

Had such a fun time at American Junkie during the San Diego Zombie Crawl! The atmosphere was lively, the music and lighting was great, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The free shot included with the Zombie Crawl was such a fun bonus, and it was the perfect place to grab drinks and kick off a night out in the Gaslamp. We also ordered some of their chicken tenders and a pizza which were both delicious! Definitely recommend checking it out!

Interior
Ferdinand E.

Had a great night at American Junkie--definitely a 5-star experience all around. The vibe is lively, fun, and exactly what you want from a downtown spot, with good music, a solid crowd, and an energetic atmosphere without feeling out of control. What really stood out was the staff. Everyone was friendly and attentive throughout the night, and even when it came time to close, they handled everything with a level of respect that's honestly rare. No rushing, no attitude--just clear communication and professionalism while still letting everyone finish their night comfortably. Overall, it's the kind of place that makes you want to come back. Great energy, great service, and a staff that clearly knows how to take care of people from the first drink to closing time. I went after hours so there was no food being served during that time. But it looks really good

Bear Chair
Kikiona T.

Celebrating my sons 21st bornday so it was a pit stop for us, dope energy though. And it was Thursday!

Menu
Raj S.

Was visiting San Diego and went on a Cisco live week ! The whole downtown was crazy and it was crowded . We were walking through the downtown and found this place . One of my friends suggested this . The place was huge and they had lots of tables inside and outside the restaurant! The bar was vibrant and they had some variety of beers on the tap . We had blue moon and it tasted a bit watered down. We then had the hazy IPA and it was really good . Lots of options to choose from . The issue was - SERVICE !! For so many people sitting in bar , there was only one bar tender and it was making the whole process so slow ! Once we get an order , it takes 10-15 mins for the next time someone comes and asks us .. with the higher influx of customers during Cisco live week- they should have hired more helpers . Food was good overall and wasn't that pricey .! Price wise everything was normal and not too expensive . We had guac and chips and pizza and few other stuff . Everything was ok me For whatever I know and could taste like a PRO , I surely will give this restaurant a 4 star

Schquita J.

You need to come for taco Tuesday , John Jay makes the best tacos and has the best conversations

Tomas M.

American Junkie is a staple for my friends and I. The $1 beers every Thursday can't be beat, and the atmosphere is always great. We've visited multiple times and even made American Junkie mugs at a ceramics place because of how much we enjoy this spot. The security team is really welcoming, and we always have a great time here.

Marcie L.

This is definitely one of my go-to spots downtown. They actually have solid weekly specials too. Tuesdays are $5 all-you-can-eat tacos, and Thursdays they do $1 beers, which is hard to beat. They consistently bring in good DJs so the music is always on point. The place usually stays packed, and there's always something going on, whether it's people playing beer pong or just a vibing to the music and drinking. Service is quick, even when it's busy, and the staff are friendly. It's an easy spot to come with a group and know you'll have a good time.

Caesar salad
Jason B.

3.5 stars... Looking for a new place to try in our new hood and happened upon this joint! Started out with a happy hour beer(or two) and the ordered the corn caesar salad, good and only complaint was the tortilla chips were not crispy. Split the spicy chicken sandwich... as advertised but not too spicy! Ambiance is industrial dive, service was spotty at best, and prices were above food quality, but this is a touristy area, so...

nachos & house party drink

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2 months ago

Been going here with my partner and my besties for a while such a fun vibe and good drinks. All the staff is very cool and friendly.

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American Junkie Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - American Junkie

What is the average age group here? All the photos show what looks like people in their 20's. It looks really fun, but I wonder if I'm too old for this bar?

Is there a dress code?

No, it's pretty casual. I've come in here with crocs and overalls. Hope this helps!

Do we need to make a reservation for Tacos Tuesday? Starting at 5:00pm for $5.00 all you can eat until when?

You don't need to make a reservation for all you can eat tacos you can just walk in, but get there early because sometimes they sell out and it gets really busy!

Can kids come to watch football games?

Yes! It's 21+ unless accompanied by a legal guardian so can't see why kids can't come during the day. People usually bring their kids for Taco Tuesday. Forewarning at 9pm the place dims the lights and has a DJ so after that it's more of a nightclub… 

Is this place 18+?

We are 21+ unless you are accompanied by a legal guardian

Is the taco Tuesday still going on during covid?

Nah, no specials anymore

Is this a cool place to come to after a game at Petco Park?

Absolutely!! You would have a blast!

For what I understand this is a Yankees bar if it is are you playing the playoffs with the sound?

American Junkie is not a Yankees bar but for playoffs the sound will be on

Does this place have like a lounge/large seating area for parties of 20?

Yes

Is it true they sell $1.00 pbr? And if so, is it everyday or some kind of happy hour?

No, they're $6.00. for $1.00 you gotta buy it in Wisconsin.

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Review Highlights - American Junkie

“This place has surprisingly good food, Shir helped me and my friends pick out the best things on the menu.”

Mentioned in 9 reviews

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Raised By Wolves - Lots o' Scotch

Raised By Wolves

4.3(2.3k reviews)
11.5 mi•University City
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RAISED BY WOLVES @ UTC LA JOLLA…read more Raised by Wolves is located inside UTC La Jolla, tucked away in the very back of the mall near the Din Tai Fung area. I would definitely recommend parking around Corner Bakery or near 24 Hour Fitness for the closest way in. This was my very first time going to Raised by Wolves. I made a reservation on OpenTable, and if you are reading this right now, I highly recommend booking one. When we got there, the wait was two hours for people without a reservation. I booked for 9 PM on a Saturday night with my friends after dinner. We actually arrived at UTC earlier than expected, so we let the host know and they let us in about 20 minutes early. As for parking, they do not validate here. Parking is free for the first hour and then two dollars per hour after that, so just be aware that you may end up paying for parking when you visit this bar. It is set up like a speakeasy, which is really cool. You get to see where the actual bar is hidden. We ended up ordering a bunch of cocktails and the drinks were super great. I really loved the vibe overall. It was lively and chatty, and the staff was super friendly. The ambiance is very dark and classy. Keep in mind they do not serve food here. It is purely drinks only. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

Finally came to visit this bar, after reading other reviews both good and bad, I figured wth. We…read morewaited about 10 minutes for reservation, sat on the revolving fireplace and sat at the bar. You can essentially sit wherever, but the bar is the best seat in the house IMO. The scenery was cool and had the prohibition era feel to it, however the music was current and WAY TOO loud. There is nothing more annoying to have to shout to the person sitting over the next barstool for a conversation. So there's that. We ordered the Island Old Fashioned, which sounded interesting, but...alittle disappointed. I wanted to order another cocktail, but we had dinner reservations. The bartender(s) barely spoke and if they did, we wouldn't have been able to hear them, you know, because of the loud music. Maybe we'll come again for other cocktails when we visit San Diego again. Until then, RBW is a "check off the list" kind of thing.

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False Idol - Reserve Mai Tai

False Idol

4.4(1.4k reviews)
0.8 mi•Little Italy
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Came here with a party of four and an 8:30pm Wednesday res. Amazing ambience and quality of drinks,…read moredefinitely a fun overall vibe... but disappointing experience. With a two hour table limit on a weekday, we were confused by the extremely slow service. I understand taking time for the complexity of the drinks, but only being able to order two rounds was a bit ridiculous. It felt like a majority of our time was spent waiting for our server to come back around and staring at our empty glasses. I've been to plenty other extremely busy tiki bars with two hour limits and have never felt like I was really waiting around for a server to check on me/the party i'm with. Super bummed.

Make a reservation. Make a reservation. Make a reservation. Yes, it's that serious and yes, it…read moremakes all of the difference. We made a reservation and were sat at a table right away, water and menus given immediately. If you do not make a reservation, you will have to stand in the middle of the floor with nowhere to put your drink other than your own hands. I saw one barrel that people were brought to and there is bar seating but you will only get that if super lucky. Our server was pretty attentive and went around the whole room. As it got busier, we did have to wait a bit longer for drinks but that wasn't too much of an issue. The drinks are excellent. A great iteration of Tiki drinks. We ordered mostly off the originals menu but my hubby's last drink was a classic. It was perfect and just as it should be. The ambiance is fun, with a ceiling full of floats and blowfish. The walls were fun and the servers outfits screamed Tiki. The only thing I didn't like was the bathrooms. I'm usually excellent with directions but the sheer amount of doors in the hallway was wild and I did not want to walk outside by myself, half drunk, so I had my husband open the exit door for me (which they ask you not to do.) Sorry!!!

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False Idol - Rum Old Fashioned

Rum Old Fashioned

False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

Isn't it gorgeous?!

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Mothership - Amazing decor

Mothership

4.3(1k reviews)
2.2 mi•South Park, Golden Hill, North Park
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We've been wanting to check out Mothership for a while, so we finally made it happen during our San…read moreDiego trip. Definitely make a reservation. It's a pretty small place, and I can see how it could fill up quickly. We lucked out with a great corner seat where we could pretty much see everything happening around us. The whole space is themed like you've stepped onto another planet or into some kind of spaceship. The lighting, the decor, even the cocktail menu fits the theme. Make sure you check out the hallway and restroom area too. They really put some thought into the details. We ordered a few cocktails and appetizers, including the bao buns, and just hung out enjoying the atmosphere. The drinks were fun, especially the Mindkiller, which came in this crazy-looking glass. The staff was friendly, and we had a good time. I will say, I was expecting a little more to happen based on some videos I'd seen online. There wasn't really anything extra going on during our visit. It was more of a cool themed bar where you sit, have drinks and some food, and enjoy the surroundings. Nothing wrong with that, just a little different from what I expected. Would we go back? Absolutely... It's a fun spot, especially if you love themed bars. I'd definitely give it another visit and see what the experience is like next time.

Very cool concept bar, one of those places you can visit once and check off your list. It can be…read moretough to get a reservation here so just plan ahead. Staff was friendly and informative about the menu, had good recommendations. Food was tasty, we tried the bread & sandwiches + cake. I think everything on the menu was vegetarian if I'm not mistaken. Sandwiches were made with jackfruit. Really enjoyed the flavors of the dipping sauce that came with the bread. Drinks were tasty & well made. They do monitor your time pretty closely, I think for a party of 3, we had maybe 1.5 hours or 2 at the most to enjoy our time. So if you're not someone who likes to give up their table within a set time frame, I would not recommend this spot because they do make it clear they need the table back.

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Mothership - Deceiving Exterior

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Part Time Lover - The record room

Part Time Lover

4.2(539 reviews)
3.0 mi•North Park
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Part Time Lover is such a gem! I remember this spot from its Bar Pink days, and bonus points for…read morekeeping the iconic elephants in the women's restroom. Some things just deserve to stay! The entire vibe here is fantastic. The bartenders are friendly, know their craft, and make a seriously good drink. The Lion's Den #2 is absolute perfection. Add in the record store tucked in the back, cozy couches you can sink into, and the dark, moody ambient lighting, and you have the perfect spot to settle in and stay awhile. A little nostalgic, a little eclectic, and a whole lot of cool. Love everything about this place. Five stars all day!

I came to Part Time Lover last year after eating at a restaurant nearby. I don't drink alcohol in…read moregeneral so I had asked if they could make a drink virgin... They told me no. The only options then were "a fruity drink, a chocolate drink, or a bubbly drink" and so I asked for a fruity. It tasted like juice in sparkling soda. I honestly was underwhelmed and turned off by the fact they hadn't put any effort in thinking about customers who come for the vibes but don't actually drink alcohol. It was also a jam packed Saturday night and it was incredibly loud so when trying to talk to my friends sitting next to me I had to shout. Ended up straining my voice by the end of the night. This experience last year was probably 2-3 stars, not good. But fast forward a year and some months later, they have a "Free Spirited" section on their menu now!!! This time I also went with a fruity drink and it was actually really good!! I'm glad Part Time Lover has turned a new leaf and actually put conscious effort into their mocktails. We also came here earlier on a Thursday night so it wasn't packed, was very easy to get a seat and just hangout. This better experience bumped up my impression of the place, so 4 stars!

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Part Time Lover - The bar at PTL San Diego

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Overall: 4.5 / 5 Everything I'd want from a speakeasy bar…read more They have delicious drinks, great service, and a phenomenal ambiance with great speakers. Will def be going back for a special night out. Drinks: They have various drinks with different strengths to appease most any appetites. I loved the Vanna White. I love vodka martinis, and this was just the right bit of a twist to make it refreshing, strong and nicely mixed. Their addition of olive oil at the top was a unique touch. Will def. order another. Ambiance: It feels like a true speakeasy at the back of an ally with a small 'on air' sign. Also, standing out there for a few min. gives that exclusivity, but the service inside was delightful. After both visits with different servers, I do truly appreciate them taking the time to chat with the customers about their drinks, their desired flavor profile, and what makes the drink ordered particularly unique. The one drawback is their $30 per person requirement. While I understand from a business perspective, it does make it a bit restrictive and a bit 'boozy' cuz essentially that means each person is required to order 2 drinks, which can be quite strong. But, then it's just another excuse to have another.

So comfy and a sweet intimate spot!…read more A little tightly packed but didn't mind it. Parking on the street or nearby lot. Great music and every drink we got was so good. We loved that they tell you how strong the drinks are, based on how many diamonds they have. Also all are reasonably priced with fun names and illustrations. - Goblin (super strong) comes with gummies inside the fake apple - Lemon sour! delicious, not strong so great for light drinkers - Jonny loves you, comes with alcoholic infused boba - Plum highball, tart and delicious as well They also have a super fancy Japanese toilet Highly recommend coming here with friends, I had never heard about it before until a friend recommended it to me!

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Convoy Music Bar - Corner table view:  large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

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Convoy Music Bar - Interior

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Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

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4.0(1k reviews)
0.1 mi•Gaslamp
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So came down to San Diego to celebrate my brother birthday and we decided to take a whiskey class…read morewith our ladies. So we found that Prohibition offers a whiskey class where you can make drinks yourself. Met the owner Ryan who is the owner of Prohibition Whiskey and he told us the story about how he started the business and we connected because he was from Oakland. From that moment it was on and poppin. The vibes of the class was great and conversations along with the drinks were flowing. We ended the night by making an espresso martini made with whiskey and it was amazing. Plus it was dope that I got to make the drink myself. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to patron this establishment

I went to Prohibition when I was attending a conference at the Convention Center, so I think my…read moreexperience is a little different. A sponsor had rented out the whole place and all drinks were comped with food being passed around. We had cuban sandwiches and empanadas, which I think were all from the Havana restaurant upstairs. Food was great! Drinks were good, but the menu was so confusing to me. I didn't really like how they categorized them. Sometimes I feel like just being straightforward is better. Too cute with trying to do the prohibition/speakeasy menu. It did take a while to get drinks when it was packed. Understandable. But I had a few that were good, the boats and hoes, and keffir lime tequila drink were great. I would say that the bathroom had a bit of a stink to it...not sure what it was but smelled just like coming up from the pipes. May just be a basement issue. Overall, good experience. It didn't feel super special but just like any other speakeasy. I like False Idol better in terms of overall vibe.

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Prohibition
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American Junkie - tradamerican - Updated November 2026

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