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False Idol

4.4 (1.4k reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
Updated over 3 months ago

False Idol Photos

FALSE IDOL ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - False Idol

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Penicillin
Cody P.

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.

Decor
Joey D.

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.

Missionary Downfall and Jet Setter
Stacey I.

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!

Menu item for the 151 Swizzle.
Stephen M.

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!

Michelle V.

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

Bar
Annabelle R.

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.

Mai Tai, Ube drink, and funny named drink
Rachel M.

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

Original Mai Tai
Matthew A.

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!

Tracy M.

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.

Ashley M.

False idol is a tucked away Hawaiian themed speakeasy behind a restaurant. Reservations are required so be mindful of that before going. Once inside seating is first come first served so the place is insanely crowded with people trying to get drinks. Service is a little confusing as the waiters will come up to you with a menu asking for your order instead of an order at the bar type of thing. Once we actually got a seat things were okay. The menu is mostly rum drinks since this is a rum bar however since I'm not the biggest fan I ordered the only thing with tequila on the menu. My drink was actually really good, it was refreshing, not too sweet or strong at all. I just wish there would be more variety.

Kathleen D.

My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been on a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

Menu

False Idol is a neat little tikibar and speakeasy tucked inside Craft & Commerce. I made a reservation for two on a Thursday night and we were both glad we went. We're lightweights. He had 2 of their 3 mocktails, namely the Tropic Thunder and Chi Breeze. I had a Tradewinds. The drinks were great and shockingly inexpensive, for someone based in the NY-metro area. The atmosphere is always fun in a tiki bar. Service was also great. Reservations are recommended if you want a table. Parties of 2 have a maximum of 90 minutes, and 2 hours if you have 3+ in your party, which is nice because you're not being rushed if you want to just enjoy a drink or two without pressure. The bathroom is also pretty wild. Stop in before you leave.

Nikita K.

False idol is a cute tiki bar and very aesthetic especially in the inside room. There was a line on a Friday especially for the inside. The lighting is perfectly dim and the colors inside are cute for pictures. The frozen tiki rum drink we got was very strong and very cold but good. It was also huge.

Inside

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Lamar K.

-FI management

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Thank you, Elle! It was a pleasure to host you.

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False Idol Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - False Idol

Are kids allowed?

No. 21+ only.

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.

Are you having special hours this week for Tiki Oasis?

Normal hours.

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

Is there entrance fee?

Nope! Free to enter

When do they release reservations?

30 days in advance.

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… 

Are they open Christmas Eve?

Yes

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.

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This was such a cool bar with very nice staff…read more It's easy to find, street parking was a nonissue, and they have a huge selection of cocktails with a decent selection of mocktails as well. I love their menu design. It gives a lot of attention to each drink with a clear description breakdown along with the level of alcohol meter. A lot of the drinks are STRONG and their presentations are magnificent.

We had such a great experience at this space themed bar! One thing that I would make a note of is…read morethat we did make a reservation for 10 pm on a Saturday night, but still had to wait in a very long line out the door for a good 15 minutes. We were confused, along with many other folks in line. I think they were just preparing their tables way longer than expected. Other than that inconvenience, the bar itself was beautifully decorated and very on-theme. The drinks were very much giving "tiki bar but in space" and were veryyyy strong. They have an alcohol strength spectrum on their menu so you can guide yourself through the drinks. We got drinks that weren't even on the strong side of the scale and they were still pretty strong. This would be a great place for a pregame for sure! They even have some food and seasonal soft serve other than their normal drinks. Overall, great service, strong drinks, and fun vibes. Perfect place for a pregame!

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The Grass Skirt - Tuna cones very interesting

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4.1(1.4k reviews)
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Really a fun place to stop in. I highly recommend. I was actually super impressed with the food…read morechoices. The Dan Dan noodles were really quite tasty. Definitely have a mai tai!

The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach is a fantastic tiki bar. This place is everything you'd want in a…read morelegit tiki experience. They pay attention to details which is why you feel like you're in a Hawaiian cave somewhere or in the Hawaii episode of the Brady Bunch . We tried a number of their signature recipes. I started off with "Boozin Susan's World Famous Chi Chi". It's a frozen vodka cocktail that tastes like vacation. The vodka is complemented with pineapple, coconut, lime, Demerara syrup and cinnamon. It was a perfect recipe when you think about tiki. (Pic 2) We also tried "Hella Missionary" which is another frozen cocktail with tequila, mezcal, adobo-spiced honey, pineapple, lime and mint. It's the blended mint that makes it green. It was quite tasty with a very fun crazy straw. (Pic 4). We had some bonus fun with a signature shot called "OJ Did It". It was a delicious add to the vibe with vodka, liquor 43, coconut and orange juice. (Pic 7). I couldn't remember what pic 6 is but it was tasty. Maybe it's "OOO-BAE I Love You So". It starts with rhum agricole, salted cream, pineapple, cinnamon, macadamia nut and toasted coconut flakes. I could be totally wrong so oh well. The Grass Skirt is always a great idea if you're in the PB area when in San Diego. Go check them out. Salute @thejohnnycocktail

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The Grass Skirt - Tuna Tartar cones. Incredible!

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Raised By Wolves - Lots o' Scotch

Raised By Wolves

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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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Raised By Wolves - Tiramitini and Mojito.

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Raised By Wolves - The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

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Realm of the 52 Remedies - Softly Spoken

Realm of the 52 Remedies

4.4(906 reviews)
7.6 mi•Kearny Mesa
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It has been a while that I wanted to check out this place. You have to make reservations and they…read moreare open two weeks before the day you would like to go. The Speaksey is located inside Common Theory restaurant. Parking is a little tight in the shopping strip due to the amount of businesses in the same area. You can also do street parking, but do plan because on a Friday night it does get challenging. The hostess were super nice at the Front and showed us the way inside this hideout place. We were a party of 2, so we were seated at the bar. It was perfect because we had a lot of attention from the bartender. Each cocktail is handcrafted delicately. Beautifully presented and the flavor was exquisite for each one of them. We had the Lalisa, Softly Spoken and Purple Petunias. For the food we ordered the Scallop Ceviche, spicy but so delicious. Pork Loin dish which was tenderly soft and an explosion of flavors with the sauce, salad, rice and egg. For a different twist we also ordered the Korean Fries Quail..... what an amazing dish. One of my favorites now. Ambiance is Japanese style decor like being totaly immersed in that culture. Perfect lighting and background music at perfect volume to be able to enjoy a good conversation. The only thing that you have to be aware is that the time limit, doesn't matter the size of the group, 2 hours maximun at the place to enjoy.

The drinks are good, but... From the hostess to the bartenders, the staff's attitude and pomposity…read moreabsolutely prevent the quality of the cocktails from enticing me back. I have never encountered such morose, frowning-countenanced douches as those who serve as both the face and service arm of the Realm of 52 Remedies. The name itself should give insight into the self-puffery of this house of inhospitality. Steer clear... You can pay $25 a drink at many other places (unfortunately) while at least receiving an obligatory smile and some feigned courtesy (fortunately).

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Realm of the 52 Remedies - Bathrooms

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Realm of the 52 Remedies - Clouds over Thailand

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Realm of the 52 Remedies - Sitting area

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Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

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4.5(1.9k reviews)
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My husband and I recently spent some days in San Diego. He found this speak easy and we decided we…read moreneeded to try it out. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. From the spooky, dark, skulls old school ambiance and decor, to the experience of not ordering from a menu, everything about it made it feel unique and curated making it feel like a true individualized experience. As mentioned, there are no menus. We sat at the bar, the bartender makes casual conversation with you regarding the types of drinks you enjoy. He curated something for both my husband and I based on what we shared we enjoyed. The drinks were delicious. The entry was very cool! It felt as if you were entering a hidden spot - which you do. When you enter the restaurant, you let the hostess know you're there for the Noble Experience. She let us know to head to the wall with the kegs (which is actually a door). You enter and there's a small waiting area where you're greeted by another hostess. This place is a 20/10. We can't wait to return on our next visit to SD.

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Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

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False Idol - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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