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    Fernside

    4.1 (384 reviews)
    Open • 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Order Fernside Takeout or Delivery

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    FERNSIDE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Fernside

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    DIET FERNSIDE BURGER with CHILI CHEESE FRIES
    Kia S.

    Amazing "get in my belly" burgers. I will be honest. I immediately start eating and never take pics. My food is destroyed within seconds kinda good. Fantastic drinks! They are known for the slushees but don't sip too fast as these tasty treats will both sneak up on you and give you a brain freeze. The fries are crisscross cut and absolutely delicious! The burgers fantastic, even the bread (I'm not a bread person but I am here). Huge fan of their wings also, I recommend their Korean bbq wings. Just go. I'll try to take a better picture next time, but I won't be surprised if I post a half eaten burger! Service is chill. You order at door and you get a number. You walk up to the bar when your food is ready. Everyone here is always in a great mood. I bring friends here when they are in my neck of the woods. Love this place, never disappoints.

    Second order of PORK SCHNITZEL. Absolutely disgusting
    Melissa W.

    After working in food service my entire life...and growing up with an executive chef as a father- I really try not to be too critical, however, I find it hard to understand how these two schnitzel dishes passed the chef/cooks inspection, the expo peoples, etc. they are burnt beyond recognition. I will say my son's plain cheeseburger was fine. Everything else? Disgusting. My money will be better spent elsewhere.

    Julie T.

    Kudos to Fernside for supporting the South Park Cleanup today. The fig and burrata salad was delicious! Can't want to try the pumpkin spice whoopie pie when I get home.

    Friday night fun!
    Benjamin W.

    The place is popping on a Friday after work. Open seating, so keep a sharp eye for an open table. My wife and I came here on a recommendation from a friend but were left a little disappointed. The food had great portions and was served quick and hot. Unfortunately, the chicken was bland (my description) or flat (my wife's description). It's like the chicken wasn't crunchy and it didn't seem seasoned. I don't think I'll be back here. That said, the people next to us really enjoyed their drinks and the open air seating was so relaxing on a warm spring evening.

    Breanna K.

    great atmosphere! the drinks were good and the loaded waffle fries were FIRE. lovely neighborhood spot

    Cool decor
    Tiffany C.

    Stopped by for some beers after dinner. The place was chill and the Christmas Story decor was dope! Tried this pickle beer, it definitely tastes like pickle juice from the jar with a light beer taste. A must try for anyone who likes pickles.

    Ocho Margarita is Ocho bueno!
    Jaz A S.

    This is my seventeenth thousandth time at Fernside. What a cool bar pad it is! Just ordered a tart "Ocho" margarita and it is hitting IL posto! Cheers, great drinks, beer, snacks and overall service If you're looking for a cool spot while in South Park [ San Diego's most chill and cool neighborhood ] well then, you've found it. Enjoy!

    Maximus says the pulled pork is 10 out of 10 PULLED PORK SANDO
    Jeannette F.

    Max says the pulled pork is 10 out of 10! amazingly delicious! The people were amazing! Love all of things

    Catrina R.

    This is a neighborhood classic but the food isn't wonderful but it isn't bad either. I've had their breakfast sandwich and their burger. The burger is greasy as hell which was disappointing but their homemade sauces are tasty. They are kinda known for their alcoholic slushees but be fully warned they aren't really strong and I think a bit overrated. Parking is street which isn't too bad. Come here for drinks, to watch a game, and appetizers.

    FERNSIDE BURGER FRIED CHICKEN SANDO CRUSTY CAULIFLOWER
    Erik L.

    Fernside is such a gem of a neighborhood spot--one of those places that feels welcoming the second you walk up. The staff is always incredibly kind, and they never forget to treat my dog to a little snack at the counter. Big points for that! The menu has plenty of variety, so I like to switch it up with different burgers and entrées each time. But one thing's for sure: I'm always ordering the fried cauliflower--crispy, flavorful, and totally addicting. The space is open and airy, with a great vibe whether you're inside or out. Honestly, there's never a bad seat in the house. It's casual, friendly, and consistently good--can't ask for much more.

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    Picked up an order of Fish and Chips. Absolutely fresh flaky thin batter, little baby potatoes and coleslaw. Worth every penny.

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    5 months ago

    Best bar in town in my opinion. Food is stellar, ambiance is great and the staff is awesome. Shout out to Domo!!

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    Page 1 of 10

    Fernside Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Fernside

    How late is the kitchen open on a Sunday night?

    I believe it is open until midnight. I do know it's open that late every other night during the week

    Do they have gluten free or vegetarian options?

    Check out the site here: https://www.fernsidebar.com/menus I saw a few vegetarian and vegan… 

    Is there enough street or lot parking for a large group to meet up?

    Yes, you can park at the target parking lot across the street. Always parking available.

    Do they have a happy hour?

    Yes they do was there this past week 3-6 weekdays.

    View All 6 Questions

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    Mothership

    4.3(991 reviews)
    0.3 mi•South Park, Golden Hill, North Park
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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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    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    1.9 mi•East Village, Core
    •$$

    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.

    Drinks are hit and miss. No menu bar is more gimmicky than anything…read more I'm sure there's some set menu that the bartenders just play off of and quality of the drinks really really just depends on who's your bartender. First round was great, not exactly what we ordered but still quality cocoktail. Second round was not good at all. And especially not what we ordered lol The wait on off days can be 5-10 minutes. Busy days it can be 1-2 hours. Drinks: 5/10 Service: 6/10 Atmosphere: 7/10 Value: 4/10

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    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment - Ceiling and chandelier

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    Kindred - Skewer Battle

    Kindred

    4.3(2k reviews)
    0.3 mi•Golden Hill, South Park
    •$$

    Had brunch at Kindred, I had the pancakes and they were really good. We sat under the wolfs head,…read moreand brought no vegan friends. Kindred never disappoints. The server could have been more attentive, considering we were the first ones seated at opening. Love the aesthetic, and the heavy metal music they play.

    We were really excited to try Bar Kindred. A vegetarian restaurant with a fun, creative setting…read moresounded right up our alley, so we made a reservation and were looking forward to dinner. Unfortunately, the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. First, we had to wait another 20+ minutes after our reservation time to be seated, which was disappointing. Once we were at the table, though, the service was excellent. Our waiter was absolutely terrific: friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely welcoming. The room itself is also a lot of fun, with a great vibe and a really interesting interior that gives the restaurant plenty of personality. The food, unfortunately, didn't quite live up to everything else. The Brussels sprouts appetizer was easily the highlight of the meal and was genuinely delicious. I ordered the double meatless cheeseburger, which was unfortunately soggy and pretty flavorless, accompanied by what may have been the most pedestrian french fries I've had in a very long time. My husband ordered a bowl of some sort and his assessment was simply, "fine." In hindsight, perhaps we should have leaned into the smaller share plates, which may have given us a better sense of what the kitchen does best. There is clearly a lot to like about Bar Kindred. The concept is fun, the space is great, the service was outstanding, and there is a real sense of personality here. I just wish the food had delivered at the same level as the rest of the experience. Hopefully they'll continue to refine the menu and find that sweet spot where the food matches the creativity and energy of the restaurant itself. I'd certainly be willing to give it another try.

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    Kindred - Bar area. Ig @mel_foodie_ventures.

    Bar area. Ig @mel_foodie_ventures.

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    Doom Bloom

    Kindred - Camino Muerto (Mezcal Drink)

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    False Idol - Reserve Mai Tai

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.3 mi•Little Italy
    •$$

    False Idol is a tiki bar and speakeasy hidden away at the back of Craft & Commerce. Although…read moreindistinguishable 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.

    We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we…read morelined 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.

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    False Idol - Rum Old Fashioned

    Rum Old Fashioned

    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

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    Books & Records - Table setting

    Books & Records

    4.3(428 reviews)
    1.9 mi•Banker's Hill
    •$$

    Books & Records Delivers Live Jazz, Standout Cocktails, and Exceptional Happy Hour Bites…read moreAs a fan of Common Stock, expectations were high for its Bankers Hill sister spot, Books & Records--and it easily delivered. The moment you step inside, the bi-level space makes a striking impression with its mid-century accents, exposed brick, and warm, moody lighting. It manages to balance a lively, energetic atmosphere with an effortless chicness that feels tailored for a memorable night out. The happy hour here is an absolute standout, featuring an expansive array of creative food options and crafted drinks. The menu brings an inventive Asian fusion twist to bar bites, offering flavor-forward small plates that pair seamlessly with the beverage program. The drinks deserve equal applause: the craft cocktails are meticulously balanced, and the signature ube-inspired cocktails are as vibrant and distinct as they are delicious. Adding to the venue's overall charm is the live music program. Catching live jazz, soul, and blues sets elevates the entire experience from a simple dinner run into a full sensory event. The music creates a vibrant, soulful backdrop without overpowering table conversation, striking just the right rhythm for intimate catch-ups or energetic group gatherings. Whether you are dropping in for a quick drink, indulging in a multi-dish happy hour spread, or lingering late for the live tunes and exceptional cocktails, Books & Records captures everything that makes CS Hospitality's concepts so special. It is a stylish, fun, and flavorful addition to San Diego's dining scene.

    New breakfast spot for me! Super cute decor. Love the vibe here. Bar seating looks cozy and open…read more I love the books & records they have displayed. Patio seating also very cute. Lots of inside seating. Our waitress Allie was super friendly. We had the short rib hash & the florentine Benedict. Both were delicious and the presentation was great. Visited on a Sunday morning and they weren't terribly busy. Looks like they have music on Saturdays. Not a huge menu but good options. We found parking on the street. Try it! Super cozy here.

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    Books & Records - Interior

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    Crispy Brussels (Happy Hour)

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    Good Enough Cocktail Club - OST Cocktail in the making

    Good Enough Cocktail Club

    4.5(40 reviews)
    2.2 mi•Little Italy
    •$$
    Private events
    Large group friendly

    555 those are great numbers & the address to this establishment. Came for one last drink before I…read moreleave. It's been great, fantastic Little Italy & this spot is perfect for afternoon easy breezy vibes. The decor is inviting & the music is chill, relax with a laidback groove. The bartenders on point with this drink. I ordered the MMM. . . Food. It's more sour in the Whiskey Rye sour category Love the record collection. Wanna just hang after dinner, this is your spot. I'm including the screen shot of the music playing right now. Bravo bartender/DJ You can also order & pay by barcode. How convenient when the night gets busy. Will definitely be back.

    I came here on a Tuesday around 5 PM, just as they were opening. They have patio seating right next…read moreto the bar as well as a really cute indoor seating area if you prefer to escape the heat. The bartender was fantastic. She was friendly and on top of it. She appeared to be the only one working, yet there were already eight or nine people on the patio. Even so, she stayed on top of everything, and we never had to wait to place an order or receive our drinks. I ordered: * Static Age: This refreshing green cocktail is served in a tall Collins glass and is made with vodka, matcha green tea, vanilla, yuzu, and seltzer. It wasn't overly liquor-forward, making it light and perfect for a warm afternoon. * MM..Food?: Served in a cocktail glass, this drink features masala chai rye whiskey, vanilla honey, ginger bitters, lemon, and egg white. While the flavor combination sounded interesting, it ended up being just okay. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really stand out and wasn't my favorite of the two. *Espresso Martini: this was also enjoyable and not too sweet. Overall, this is a fun spot with a great atmosphere. The courtyard has plenty of energy, live musicians performing, and several restaurants surrounding the area, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a drink. Although none of the cocktails I tried really stood out or have me rushing back for more, it's a nice spot to stop by.

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    Good Enough Cocktail Club - OST Cocktail
 Tequila, Black Sesame Syrup, Yuzu, Melon Calpico, Hibiscus Float

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    Good Enough Cocktail Club - Comfy bench seating

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    Charade - In house artist during the jazz performance

    Charade

    4.5(85 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Banker's Hill

    As the self-appointed king of speakeasies, I'm back at it with another one. After having dinner in…read morethe area, we stopped by Charade for some drinks on a Monday night. I parked on the street close to the dinner spot I went to and then walked over to Charade. Ambiance (5/5): Charade is a speakeasy so here's your clue. It's located inside Balboa. Look for the room with the arcade games and you're on the right track. Once you enter the speakeasy, you'll immediately be impressed with the old school charm. It seats roughly 20-30 people and there's a bar on one end and a stage on the other end. Old school red curtains add to the vibe. And here's the best part. On Mondays, it's jazz night. Local musicians will play which makes for a great time. Service (3/5): There was one bartender working when we were there. Overall, she provided pretty good service. There was one comment she made which rubbed me the wrong way but no biggie. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so were on a liquid diet. I did notice that they have a few snacks available like popcorn. Drinks (4.5/5): When you think of speakeasies, you think of elevated cocktails. I look for creativity and an interesting blend of flavors and ingredients. The menu here, while not huge, has some interesting options. Outside of the menu itself, the prices are reasonable (especially for California). And they make you stiff drinks which is always appreciated. Taking into account the cocktails and the ambiance, Charade is an awesome laid-back speakeasy. Make sure to stop by on a Monday for jazz night. That takes things up a notch.

    This review is long overdue! My friends & I came here when they first opened, even before they…read morestarted hosting entertainment shows (which we were so bummed to have missed out but excited to check out soon). Friendly service & good cocktails. Located in The Balboa Bar & Grill.

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    Fernside - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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