False Idol
FALSE IDOL · YELP ASSISTANT
Ask Yelp Assistant
False Idol Photos
False Idol Popular Drinks
FALSE IDOL ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like False Idol
Recommended Reviews - False Idol
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
False Idol is a tiki bar and speakeasy hidden away at the back of Craft & Commerce. Although indistinguishable from the outside, the entrance to the speakeasy is clear once you enter Craft & Commerce. Our hostess was really nice and let us sit although a couple of our party members were running late. On that note - reservations for a table are quite hard to get here. My friend just happened to see one pop up on OpenTable and immediately grabbed it. If you don't have a reservation, it's standing room only. After walking through a cavern of glowing skulls, you emerge into a lively Tiki atmosphere. Colorful glass baubles hang from the ceiling suspended by a rope netting while Tiki effigies stare at you from the walls. There's even a small waterfall in the back corner. The atmosphere inside is lively and busy. The floor is packed with standing patrons chatting about. Lucky for us, we got to sit at one of the few tables they had available. Every once few minutes, the ceiling thunders because one of the groups orders a punch bowl, complete with sound effects and pyrotechnics. My favorite drink of the night was the Mac Nut Chi Chi. It was sweet and creamy, which contrasted very nicely with the salted macadamia nut. I liked it so much, I even asked for the recipe. Another drink I enjoyed was the Saturn, which is a classic Tiki drink. In comparison to the other drinks of the night, this one felt a bit more posh. It was served up and simple and elegant in its presentation. On the nose, it was very refreshing and citrusy, and on the palate, it was light and refreshing with floral notes. I also enjoyed the Reserve Mai Tai, which was quite strong. I can definitely see why it's so hard to get a table at False Idol. I had an amazing time and would totally come back.
I absolutely LOVE a tiki bar and a speakeasy so this one did not disappoint! Literally the perfect combination. We got lucky since we did not have a reservation. We walked in right around opening and was able to snag a small table. The space itself is decked out with decor and tiki vibes, there's a handful of tables and a bar seating area. They had a live band playing during our stop in to add to the vibes too. The menu itself was long and has so many good options, we had a hard time choosing. Our waitress was great though and gave great suggestions based on what we were looking for. The cocktails turned out great and we will definitely be back next time we're in San Diego!
I LOVE SPEAKEASIES! The vibe and the decor here is amazing- you go in through a hallway of skulls, and there are pufferfish and all sorts of sea creatures and taxidermy like an underwater grotto! The menu is thoughtful, decorative, and descriptive. Staff can explain the drinks very well. Had the pandan and the blue coconut drink- Malambo, Wayfinder, Ube Bae and Saigon Sipper and they HIT!!! Excellent craftsmanship!
We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we lined up near opening because there were quite a few reservationists that showed up on a Friday night. We were led into a dimly lit speakeasy soon after lining up. Fortunately we got bar seating. The bar then quickly filled up with many standing as the bar got crowded. As far as drinks, their menu had many listed drinks. Wifey and I started with Rum Old Fashioneds and they were delicious. Our second drink was a King Kong Old Fashioned and it too was yummy. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The place was hopping and packed. We will definitely return.
What a fun nightlife spot! If you're looking for a fun place to grab cocktails, this is definitely a spot worth checking out! **Located inside Craft & Commerce Walking into False Idol honestly feels like you've been transported somewhere else. It's hidden behind Craft & Commerce, and once you step inside, the immersive tiki atmosphere really sets the mood. The decor, lighting, and sound effects all come together to make the experience feel fun and memorable. Just know, if you are hoping to sit down, good luck! A lot of reservations are made in advance. However, at the bar, if you see a reservation sign and they're not there yet, staff will let you sit down once it's time to get up for the reserved party. DRINKS: 9/10 The cocktails were creative, well crafted, and definitely strong enough to make you feel like you were getting your money's worth. I also loved how much attention they put into the presentation. Every drink looked like a piece of art and added to the whole tiki experience. SERVICE: 9/10 The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They took the time to answer questions and made great recommendations without making us feel rushed. AMBIANCE: 10/10 This is easily the highlight of the experience. The entire space is beautifully designed, and every little detail makes it feel like you've escaped into a hidden tropical bar. It's cozy, intimate, and unlike any other place I've been to in San Diego. Reservations are definitely worth making since the space is on the smaller side and fills up quickly. The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that, while the experience and ambiance were amazing, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side. I understand you're paying for the craftsmanship and atmosphere, but it's probably not somewhere I'd visit regularly because of that. It's common for tiki bars to be pricey so it was to be expected. Overall, I'm really glad I finally got to experience False Idol. If you're in San Diego and enjoy creative cocktails in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend checking it out at least once!
Went here with advance knowledge of the place during our PHX to SD whirlwind vacation to see Bob Dylan at the Rady Shell. Had to put in our names, as there is only so much space on an early Saturday evening. Took all of 10 minutes before entry was granted. Led inside to a standing room-only table. Lady friend got the Saturn, myself the 151 Swizzle. I probably did the wrong thing and didn't allow the ice packed on top of the swizzle to melt thoroughly enough into the drink to dilute the 151 overproof black Demerara's rum. Nae worries, brah. It was delicious. Affordable tiki-theme cocktails, decor(!) and atmosphere is why this place will remain popular and a must visit when in Sandy Eggo. Top notch!
We LOVED this spot Drinks were all amazing - sidewinders fang was my favorite - I love passionfruit and it was so good! The interior is super immersive - huge tiki vibes with sound effects included too Def get a resy bc it's not super large and gets busy fast - we walked in around opening time and were able to sit at the bar Service was great / bartenders are so nice and even gave us stickers
Ambiance was amazing, it was like I was in a cave! Great customer service, there was a bit of a wait to get inside and then get a drink order but it was worth it. The drinks were yummy, the Mai Tai was really strong too! I came on a Sunday evening so parking was a bit challenging but I had such a great time. So glad my friend and I made the trip
This place is hidden inside Craft & Commerce which is a quirky little bar itself. There was a wait for entry this past Sunday after 9pm. Staff was also not very attentive to guests' needs, rather just going through the motions. For instance, they noted "standing room only" and that they would eventually seat our party of two. They walked us to an exact spot on the floor to stand and view the menu in the dark (we used our phone flashlights, but it wasn't easy while carrying our belongings too), and they instructed us not to order at the bar in this colorful but dimly lit tiki lounge. We essentially ordered from staff who took our order in the middle of the floor, then we had to hold our drinks, some that came with additional shot glasses, in full hands, as we were never seated. We did find a barrel to set our drinks on later, but their process and expectations for guests was just really weird and impractical. The theme and decor of the setting was lovely, with moments of a lightning and thunder effect that made the experience more immersive. But we were not impressed by the sticky menus and sticky floor, nor the lack of service and minimal help from staff while there. We made the most of our time at False Idol regardless of their shortcomings. The bombay sling and enigma de muerte were pretty decent in quality and flavor, so it's safe to say the drinks aren't the problem here. And though we probably won't return, it was cool for a one-time experience.
My wife and I went on a limb and tried to make a last minute reservation but couldn't snag one. So we showed up an hour before our dinner reservation in Little Italy to try our luck -- best decision yet! We were told we could go in but it was going to be standing only. We went for it, ordered some drinks and really only stood for maybe 15 minutes before the hostesses came back and got us set up at a barrel with two barstools. That kind of attentive service right there set the tone for the whole visit! The mai tais are absolutely delicious. Not too sweet, ice cold, refreshing, and strong (word to the wise ) Exactly what a tiki cocktail should be. And the vibes and ambience are amazing! This place is the real deal. Worth the effort to get in however you can!
They don't serve food here anymore. But the service is very nice. The ambience is like as if you were at Disneyland, which means you're having the best day ever and it's all fun.
5 years ago
Best Tiki bar i have ever been too! This place is AWESOME. First off its a speakeasy in craft n commerce. Its manned by a hostess in front of a cave in the back when you get in the atmosphere is so cool. You are literally in a cave thats riddled with tili lights lanterns and all the tiki cups and drinks you can imagine. You have to do a punch bowl though. The whole bar goes dark thunder cracks and they bring it flaming to your table with the bar cheering for you its an amazing experience. The drinks are so good and its just such a good time you MUST go here if you can swing a reservation! Cant wait to come back! read more
4 years ago
We came here for my sisters 21st birthday back in 2019. I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review. Five stars for the vibes alone, it is so cute in here! You feel like you're on a tropical vacation, totally easy to forget you're in San Diego. Every once in a while they'll flash the lights and have thunderstorm sounds go off. It is so fun, definitely worth trying at least one drink. The drinks were delicious and they had fun themed cups and drink names. read more
This place is such an amazing hidden gem! Thank you Billy for the experience and service you provided us! Definitely need a reservation so book ahead! Their service from booking to ordering drinks was phenomenal. Can't wait to go back!!! read more
2 years ago
I finally made it to False Idol!! Woot Woot!! False Idol is a Speakeasy / Tiki Bar located in Little Italy area of San Diego (opened September 2016) - inside Craft & Commerce. I love the atmosphere and vibes! The waitress suggested a drink for me off the menu (because I wanted vodka), so I ended up with a coconut chi chi. *Licks Lips* ENJOY!! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
8 years ago
What a brilliant speakeasy. Loved coming here few weeks back during our California visit. Amazing concept and amazing drinks. We arrived here and the location is actually another restaurant.. I asked the receptionist about False Idol and they directed me to the entrance which was behind the reception. As you enter this Tikki bar, you notice the decor so unique with false wigs and stuff. I unfortunately didn't have a reservation as this was a last moment decision for us to come here but so glad we did. I was able to find seats at the bar and this worked out really well too. I have to add that try servers were extremely polite and very very helpful. They explained me about their drinks, which ones were more fruity versus the ones which were stronger - yes they have a few SUPER strong drinks and after having tried couple of those.. I can tell you they do the trick! A must visit in San Diego! read more
2 years ago
Loved the place. Great vibe and awesome drinks. Definitely worth the visit, and can't wait to go again! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Service was a little slow but we were glad to get a table!! The thunderstorms they do are awesome! Love the decor. Very intimate. Drinks were delicious. They do have alcohol free versions. read more
Oh wow. Great drinks, great vibes, nice bartenders. Hella cute Tikki Bar setup. This bar is alive. The drinks are amazing. Made to perfection. They say "good drinks you can hardly taste the alcohol" that's exactly how these drinks are made. Exquisite. Mac Nut Chi Chi, was craving something sweet. Tasted like a dessert. Doctor Funk Jet Pilot Matcha ALoha Doctor Bombay Demerara Dry Float The bill for 6 hand-crafted drinks was $92 after taxes. Will be back to this hidden gem next time I come to San Diego. read more
These gorgeous looking tiki drinks will guarantee, a not so gorgeous morning after. Let me explain. Or maybe I don't need to elaborate. Simply this: this isssh is motha effin strong. I only ordered one cocktail since we pre-gamed during dinner. Since we were in San Diego, I chose the Coronado Luau Special. This cocktail is made with a blend of lightly aged rum and black rums combined with brandy, dry curacao, orgeat, lemon and orange juices. SO DELISH. My friends opted for the classic Mai Tai, this iconic bevvy maybe simple and at False Idol, the well balanced creation retains its elegance. If you're the type to plan ahead, you can make reservations through their website. Otherwise, be prepared to wait. The secrecy of this said tiki bar is part of what draws the crowd: it is hidden behind a huge, steel freezer door within Craft and Commerce. Good luck and have a tiki great time! read more
Love the vibes at this fantastic "speakeasy" option. It's probably been 5+ years ago that I had last came to Craft and Commerce. I was stoked to finally come check out this tiki bar I've had my eye on after being in the area the other night, as I've always wanted to come back and it had been forever. I told the hostess that I wanted to go their speakeasy bar, and she guided us in and we got to pick our seats which was nice as it was a mellow decent time/crowd when I came on a Sunday evening. This is tucked on the left side of Craft and Commerce and a neat option when in Little Italy. Upon entering the "hidden bar" I was immediately drawn to the stunning design and dim speakeasy vibes, it is one of a kind and reminds me of the other local similar speakeasy type bars-The Noble Experiment or The Charles Kenneth. The Hawaiian theme and fun drink options are plentiful! I decided to order Lona which was delicious and creamy, loved my tiki cocktail. I had originally asked for my usual "The Painkiller" which isn't on the menu, and the server said they could make it, but then "lychee liquor" caught my eye for the Lona drink which I browsed on the menu. The service here is awesome and the atmosphere is perfect for one on one or small groups to sip on some fantastically crafted tiki cocktails. 5 Stars.~ read more
This place is really cool, has great music, great vibes, and amazing drinks. I had the false idol old fashioned and the allalas rum barrel. The bar tenders were friendly, answered any questions we had with a great attitude and checked in on us to make sure we were happy with our orders. Only downside was the wait to get in, but once you're in, you forget about the wait! read more
Business owner information
Hillary H.
Thank you George!
2 years ago
LOVEEE this spot!! this speakeasy is located inside Craft & Commerce, we had trouble finding it at first & had to ask around. i recommend making reservations if possible, or else you'll need to stand up & it gets crowded (like at all speakeasies). my boyfriend & i made reservations on a sunday night, & we ordered 2 drinks. they had a large menu so it was hard to decide on our drinks! but they tasted great & i loved the tiki vibes. would love to go back when in san diego! read more
6 years ago
If youre going on the weekend definitely make reservations. We were nervous about sitting inside during COVID but due to our reservation we were seated very far away from everyone else in a little hutch for privacy and space. The decor is outstanding, the music is fun, and the drinks are so so tasty! Worth noting though, it is so dark in there i could barely read the menu and i have 20/20 vision. read more
4 years ago
Love this cute, immersive spot! I would highly recommend making a reservation in advance since seating is limited but it's a very cute spot with a huge array of drinks with varying strengths depending on your preferences! They also have cute little thunder and lightening effects if you ever order a group drink so beware if loud sounds and flashing lights make you uneasy! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
This place is a must have to visit in San Diego!!!! Amazing atmosphere and great cocktails! Ask for Painkiller 3! It's hidden inside of the restaurant and wait is not too long! Totally worth it! read more
3 years ago
This was a really cool speakeasy. It is reservations only so make sure to email them to grab a spot. My friends and I got their Pacific Shores Punch which was a sharable fish bowl. The fire part of the drink was a fun touch. Drink was strong but the fruit flavors were there. Would def rec coming here for the vibes and strong drinks! read more
5 years ago
I've been wanting to try this place since it opened, but there's no way to contact them or the C&C by phone, and the Open Table Reservation system doesnt work AT ALL. I took the time to try to pull up an OT Reso with ZERO luck. I tried OT for EVERY SINGLE HOUR of the day/night that FI is open, and tried/tested it for EVERY SINGLE DAY for a entire month - and it just said that there was NOTHING AVAILABLE at any HOUR of ANY DAY OR NIGHT. I'm not taking the three hour drive to get to SD from LA on a blind wish, no matter how epic it is or how much I've wanted to try it. JUST IMPOSSIBLE read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
We ended up here while on our adventures in San Diego. Needless to say we were extremely lucky, we were able to walk in without reservations as we arrived on a Thursday and it wasn't overflowing with people. That being said reservations are EXTREMELY recommended, I can see how this place would fill up quick on a busy weekend! We were seated immediately and started things off with some Aloha Fries which are a 10/10 solid choice, unfortunately we have no picture of this since they were devoured before we had a chance to do so! Off of our servers recommendations we went with a "Jet Pilot" for myself and a Mac Nut chi chi for my lovely girl. Both of these were perfect, the jet pilot was definitely on the stronger side which is exactly what I asked for, and the Mac Nut Chi Chi was just perfect for my date, not overpowering and easy to drink. During these uncertain Covid times it's good to see places taking precautions and keeping us safe. False idol is no different, between each table was what looked to be thick wooden dividers carved with tiki motifs that fit in so perfectly with the scenery that you wouldn't think it was added in as a precaution after the fact. Our server was more than accommodating when we asked for straws for our waters, masks all around except when seated. Our only gripe was the place was most certainly a bit too hot for our personal comfort, maybe we were just in a bad table or the A/C was down for the night but we did decide to head out after our first round due to the temperature of the place. BUT as this is subjective and what's got to us could be freezing to you, we still believe this place deserves all 5 stars and definitely worth checking out, just make sure to make reservations in advance!! read more
2 years ago
Always love going here, especially for the ube drink. Crizel, the host, was so welcoming when we came in and was able to get us seated in record time. She even came in to check on us to see how we were enjoying our drinks!! Our server Ellie was super helpful when it came to picking out different drinks and looking over the menu. Ellie never let our water or drinks go empty and made us feel very attended to! The drinks were great and beautiful, as usual. read more
4 years ago
Super fun tiki bar. Very dark, needed flashlight to read menu. Drinks were great, wish they had food read more
Business owner information
CH Projects I.
We can’t thank you enough for your generous comment and rating, Lisa.…
3 years ago
Great time! Jordan was unbelievable! Coranado drink is great! You have to go into Craft and commerce then ask to go into the speakeasy! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
Awesome cocktails and experience. Staff was super friendly, would be here weekly if I lived in San Diego. read more
Super cute SpeakEasy! I definitely got lost trying to find it. Once you go in the restaurant it's to the far left..would have never realized it's there. You walk in to a cave with skulls and then a Hawaii tiki theme cave. It's small so it gets packed. Try to reserve a table way ahead of time If you go with a group. Theres only two first come first serve tables. Bartenders were super friendly. But heads up they serve mostly rum. No vodka at all. But the drinks were pretty and strong! read more
2 years ago
More info about False Idol
675 W Beech St
San Diego, CA 92101
Little Italy
Directions
Visit Website
http://www.falseidoltiki.com
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Services
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
False Idol Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - False Idol
Coming from Wisconsin (where we are used to some pretty lax rules) next month and wondering if we come around opening time on a Wednesday evening, are school - age children allowed inside?
I would say no, because it's a bar. But you could call and ask just in case.
Are there tiki mugs available for purchase?
Yes! Currently we have 4 different mugs for purchase only at the bar.
Are the reservations still available? It looks like the site on opentable is down on my end
Yes! We do book up quite fast. We always run a waitlist, nightly. The waitlist can be for standing room, the bar or a table if we have any cancellations.
Can't get a reservation! What's the chance of getting a walk in? Late on a Friday night for 2.
They'll let you in on a space available basis. It's tight in there, and weekends are usually packed. You may have to just stand the entire time you're in there. If you're only planning to have a drink or two, it won't be too bad.
How do I make reservations? I tried sending a DM on Instagram because I can't find a phone number? I'm trying to make a reservation for 12 people but the website leads me to open table and it says my party is too big and doesn't allow me to
https://falseidoltiki.com/
Do I need a reservation or you take walk ins?
Reservations are recommended but not required. Walk-ins accepted.
For Dec 2022 Xmas, when is the Xmas decor put away? Please say February 😬
February
If I come on a Friday between 8-9pm with 4 people, what would be the estimated wait time?
Anywhere from 30-60 minutes, and you'll very likely be standing. If you want to sit, you need a reservation.
Would like to visit, but have 2 people in our group who do not drink. Do they serve any mocktails or non-alcoholic beverages?
They have mocktails
Can you take drinks to go?
I don't think you can. They don't have prepackaged ones to go
Hello - I am trying to book a table for 8 people but OpenTable does not allow for that large of a party size. There doesn't appear to be a phone number anywhere to reach them. Any ideas on how to get that booked?
This number was on their OT page. +1 (619) 365-8454…
Do we need a reservation on Wednesday nights?
Yes and no. It is highly recommended to get a reservation but I was able to walk up (party of 2) and get accommodated for less than 45 minutes. Note that when you get in, you might not get a seat until a spot opens up. We were standing near a…
Does this place have a phone number? If not, is there someone to talk to for larger reservations?
No phone number. You can try calling Craft and Commerce (False Idol is inside the restaurant) but I'm not sure if they can help.
Does anyone know if they do reservations for 2? I've been trying but it says that there are no tables available, but when I put 6 people it says there are several tables available?
Two tops go pretty quickly via Opentable! The waitlist is a great tool. We fill the bar and our high tops then move to standing room. Just come in any day during service and add your party size, name & number. We’ll text you once we have any space.…
Do they take walk-ins?
Yes they do take walkins. For small parties of one or two. Only if they do have room. The earlier in the night the better. I think they open at five or six.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
80 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
10 years ago
2 months ago
7 months ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
