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    Hennessey's La Jolla

    3.9 (299 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Hennessey's La Jolla Takeout or Delivery

    Hennessey's La Jolla Photos

    HENNESSEY'S LA JOLLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    live music
    Fumie W.

    awesome spot for some live music and drinks on friday nights 8-12!! good vibes and street parking available

    Christina L.

    I will be honest it's a nice bar but I was not a fan of the crowd. That in no way is the bars fault. But the drinks were really over priced even for something basic. The bartenders were nice, place was clean but I wouldn't drive out of my way to come back here.

    Jennifer L.

    You seat yourself and the wait staff will come to you with a menu. I'm a bit of a fish and chips snob and Hennessey's knocked my socks off. They hand dip their fish in a light breading and fry it to a crispy finish. It was honestly one of the best I've had.

    Curro Waffle Sundae
    Steve H.

    Churro Waffle Sundae w/ Irish Coffee. That's really the important part, whether you eat here or somewhere else. Just came in for some evening drinks, unhurried and low-key, perfect fit. In La Jolla proper, but not pretentious. Plenty of outdoor seating, either out front or near their fire pit. (They do allow quiet dogs at the tables outside). Service (Grace?) was awesome, patient and helpful. They had nice live jazz (Sat night) in the enclosed bar area, and you could pick your volume level just by where you seat yourself. The Buffalo Wings (10pc/16$) were legit -- crispy and traditional, served hot. Hennessey's Lemonade was easy drinking, fresh squeezed. The Irish Coffee was exactly Buena Vista style, not tarted up.

    Calamari
    Jan H.

    Pretty easy to get a reservation and I like that they have a separate semi private room with a TV and fireplace. The service was good and everyone was friendly. Parking can be a challenge, there are a few lots around, or else it's basically Street parking. For food I wanted to get something a little more traditional so I went ahead and tried the shepherd's pie. The portion was a pretty good size, I couldn't quite finish it. It tasted pretty good, although I've had better. It came with a side of broccoli, which I thought was a little unusual and didn't really fit. We also ordered the flight of fries, which came with three different fries, and three different sauces for dipping. The fries were good, the whiskey sauce was our least favorite. I enjoyed the calamari, it wasn't too chewy and I liked that it had a good mix of legs and rings. Overall this is a pretty good Irish pub, and if you are in the area or live nearby I definitely think it's worth a visit. If you're coming from pretty far like I was, I'm not sure it would be somewhere to repeat often.

    Covered exterior dining
    Jiansen W.

    Hennessy's La Jolla is a lively Irish-themed tavern serving bar food and drink. There are lots of interior and exterior seating. Happy hour is on weekdays 4-7pm. SERVICE Friendly, helpful, attentive. DRINK 4/5 Hennessey's Elijah Craig Small Batch Old Fashioned: whiskey-bourbon forward, with a sweeter taste towards the bottom of the drink. Wish luxardo cherries were used instead, however I understand this is a happy hour drink. FOOD 5/5 SMOKED BBQ BRISKET SANDWICH Thin-sliced, tender smoked brisket topped with melted cheddar, BBQ sauce & crispy onions, served on a fresh bun, with kettle chips 4/5 Smash Burger Cooked onions that still have a kick, bacon, two beef Pattie's (a little too cooked), melted cheddar in between buns all for $7 on Thursdays is a deal. 3.5/5 Nashville Hot Chicken Bites Flavor is Nashville spicy, honey sweet, served with sides of sliced pickles & ranch dip. Breading texture could be improved

    Wine and old fashion
    Macarena O.

    Very nice Irish style bar with a lot of different areas to hang out. Their happy hour is from 4-7pm. My husband got the old fashion and I got the jumbo house red wine (a Cab). We also got the 3 samplers of fries - very big quantity and I loved all the sauces it comes with. Dogs are allowed anywhere which is a plus. Service was nice but very slow. We had to ask for someone to come take our order and to bring check a few times but I would still come back, maybe for St. Patrick's day!

    French Fry Sampler
    Jemiah J.

    Went here on a Sunday morning during the 16th Annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. It was a great spot for brunch since they weren't busy. I've been to Hennessy's in Carlsbad, and both locations have a similar pub-style vibe. I really liked how spacious this tavern is. Service Food came out quickly. The manager was very nice and welcoming. Food We ordered the French Fry Sampler, which included Classic Tavern, Zesty Garlic Parmesan, and Spicy Sriracha fries, served with Guinness Ketchup, Sweet & Smokey, and Chipotle Aioli sauces. I wasn't a fan of the Sriracha fries, but the Classic Tavern and Zesty Garlic Parmesan were delicious! I didn't even dip the fries into the sauces much, but all the sauces were pretty good. The tomato soup was tasty! My husband had the Red-Headed Reuben. I found it a bit dry, and he thought it was okay, but said he wouldn't order it again. Beverages The drip coffee was great. Coors Light on tap hit the spot for my husband. Parking We parked at Air Garage, conveniently located right across the street. Hot Tip Check-in through yelp and you'll receive 50% off any appetizer!

    Entrance
    Michelle N.

    While in La Jolla we were nearby and the outdoor seating was perfect. We had burgers & beers! Server took great care of us and we didn't feel forgotten about because we chose to sit outside. Definitely great lunch spot!

    Ash M.

    Great spot for karaoke! Came here after a comedy show nearby and the place was packed and they had a great $7 burger and fries deal my friend loved. We had great service and sang our hearts out (with a little liquid courage of course!). Would come back when I'm in San Diego again!

    Pool of grease... the whole bun was saturated with grease.
    Jessica M.

    The burger bun was so saturated with grease I could not even cut it. The bartender/server never checked back so I did not eat. I would not go again.

    Great Irish Nachos
    Gaby J.

    Came here on a busy Sunday afternoon to celebrate St. Patrick's day. Unfortunately, we didn't get a seat in the patio as it was first come and first served or so I thought until the people behind us kept getting seats before us, which sort of pissed me off. They also had the fireplace turned on at 5 in the afternoon which made the room unbearably hot even with the windows open (that I had to ask on my behalf). Although the server came right away after we sat down, we weren't given a drink menu and she seemed annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted (ma'am you need to give us a drink menu if you want us to order a drink other than a Guinness). Plus, she also asked what we want less than a minute after we sat down. Great for impatient people but not good for us indecisive folks! Like another review said, the servers can feel unwelcoming at times but by a few drinks, I would say I would come back (the food was great!) but only if I get a patio seat. It was way too hot to be sitting indoors with the fireplace turned on and lots of guests inside especially if you're here in the afternoon (It was like they didn't want the indoor guests to stay too long. Just order, drink/eat and leave) Parking: Street parking Price: $$ Service: Was a hit and miss. Sometimes, they were friendly and sometimes they felt rushed but I think it was mostly due to the holiday weekend... Recommendation: Irish pub nachos & burgers. Skip the fries. Try to get an outdoor patio seat in the day. They have the fireplace indoors and it can get pretty toasty on sunny afternoons.

    Hannah R.

    I am obsessed with this place. I love it here. The bartender was amazing. I will not lie. I had never done a proper shot of tequila until the bartender took the time to tell me how to do one with salt and lime in the right way to do it. And the food alone could make me come back every day of the week if I can afford it. And the whole feeling of the place is very welcoming. They do have live music. I don't know what days. But I would recommend it to anyone that goes to La Jolla. Do not pass up this place. Make sure you stop by.

    Muck

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    Dan L.

    Thank you for the outstanding review Jiansen! We hope to see you soon.

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    Dan L.

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    1 month ago

    Amazing staff. Friendly and the manager Dan is great, Food is great as well. Couldn't recommend highly enough.

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Tim's open mic on Monday nights is well worth the visit! With good service and drinks, the music makes it a place to hang out.

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    8 months ago

    Sat outside waited 20 minutes nobody came to take our order why have us sit down at all waste of time

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    5 months ago

    The food was amazing! Service was great. There was a live band that was fun. Definitely will be back!

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    7 months ago

    Food service late hours and prices. It reminds of an old neighborhood gathering place.

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    9 months ago

    Good food and atmosphere! Service was very attentive. Had the fish and chips which were excellent.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Hennessey's La Jolla

    When does the live music start on Fridays?

    Happy Hour Musician at 4pm. Night time musicians at 8 or 9pm. Please reach out to us at the restaurant for a quicker response.

    What time does Karaoke start on Thursdays?

    9pm!

    What are suggested, healthy vegan options (ideally gluten free)?

    Hello Tara, We do not have a wide variety of vegan options here at Hennesseys. Any of our salad options with our balsamic or Italian dressing would be suitable as long as… Read more

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    The Whaling Bar - Caesar twinkies

    The Whaling Bar

    3.9(130 reviews)
    0.2 miLa Jolla
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    We arrived at The Whaling Bar just after the La Jolla Concours, on a mission for dessert--and…read morewalked straight into the buzz of their Martini Hour. The place was lively, but luck was on our side: one perfect booth remained for the four of us sweet seekers. We settled in and immediately starting gabbing (versus checking out the menu). George came over to take our order. Without even glancing at the dessert menu (a bold move, I'll admit), I asked for one of each dessert to share--paired, of course, with a couple glasses of Scarpetta Rosé bubbles (okay so I glanced at te wine menu). Priorities . What arrived was equal parts surprise and delight. First, a charming little glass jar filled with lightly whipped crème fraîche and topped with salted caramel--simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious. And then... the "hamburger." Cue the table going completely silent. Naturally, we had questions. Our server walked us through this masterpiece from the bottom up: a golden caramel cake "bun," topped with a chocolate-coated ice cream "patty," a delicate mango gelée "cheese," and even "pickles" made from matcha cake. Finished with a second warm cake layer and a touch of garnish we were too excited to fully catch--because at that point, we were already diving in. The contrast of warm cake, cool ice cream, and rich chocolate was nothing short of fantastic. Playful, unexpected, and genuinely delicious--exactly the kind of dessert experience you hope to stumble upon. Thank you, The Whaling Bar, for the sweet surprises. We'll absolutely be back--next time for martinis, and I've already been told the duck meatballs are not to be missed.

    Note to self: happy hour red blend is disgusting…read more Service was nice but not fast. Vibes very cute.

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    Paradisaea - Sage Hill Carrots

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    4.1(279 reviews)
    2.1 miLa Jolla
    $$$$

    An eclectic and fun restaurant!…read more Came here for date night with my boyfriend and we enjoyed the chef's menu with the wine pairing. Staff was very friendly and were even helping a group of girls find a lost ring underneath all of the furniture and decor.

    Booked this for a date night with my fiance, and while our service was great and the ambiance of…read morethe restaurant was nice, we both felt the food fell short, especially for the price. We ordered the hamachi, sourdough, steak frites and the Cacio e Pepe to share. Hamachi had good flavor, but there was a noticeably fishy aftertaste - more than expected ($36) Sourdough came out hot and was tasty, but both the bread and butter were over salted. I tend to like salt more than most and even for me it was a bit much ($15) Steak Frites were the most disappointing. For $77, the portion was small and the steak wasn't particularly tender, but it was edible. The fries were also heavily salted to the point that we couldn't finish them. Cacio e Pepe was probably our favorite but if I'm going to go off of preference here, the tagliatelle was thinner than we prefer for a sauce that rich. Also, $40 for cheese and pepper will never make sense to me - even if it's premium. Overall, a nice setting and good service but I really just felt the food didn't live up to the price point.

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    Paradisaea - Dessert #1: short bread cookies & tangerine bubbles over a white chocolate mousse

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    Bernini's Bistro & Bar - View of Restaurant

    Bernini's Bistro & Bar

    4.3(690 reviews)
    0.3 miLa Jolla
    $$

    This was our first visit and it certainly was memorable. We were seated in a quiet little table…read morethat was private and perfect for us. Our waiter came over and welcomed us and set down a bottle of cold water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. The evening was underway without a hitch. We asked a few questions and then we reviewed the menu. When Robert came back with the glass of wine, we were ready to order and the process was easy. We shared the fried calamari which had two shrimp and several different kinds of vegetables. It was served with two kinds of sauces. It was very good. My husband ordered the Salmon a la Griglia and he really enjoyed it with the risotto. I had the Seafood Cioppino. It had a great deal of seafood including really big mussels, shrimp and salmon. The broth was great too. The service was great and the meal was terrific. It has a nice variety on the menu. It seems to be a popular neighborhood place. we will be back to try some of the other treasures.

    I dined here over the weekend for a special occasion and was hoping to love this spot based on a…read morefriend's recommendation. Overall, the food and experience felt average to me, which is why I landed at 3 stars. Not bad, just okay. I had no prior knowledge of the restaurant, their brand, popular menu items, or social media presence. To be fair, doing a bit more research beforehand might have helped me get more out of the experience and try what they're best known for. This is a casual neighborhood spot, so there's no need to dress up. Their tagline, "Where the locals eat," fits the vibe well. The staff are friendly. An older woman was kind and social. She showered me in compliments and the spent some time chatting with the table next to us. It gave the place a neighborhood, familial feel where the staff seem comfortable engaging with guests. Our server was polite, though a bit rushed. He would check in, start a conversation, and then quickly move on mid-sentence. I ordered the Malbec, Antigal (Argentina). It's a $15 bottle retail and priced at $15 per glass. We ordered the Mussels and Focaccia bread as an appetizer. The broth was a bit on the salty side, though the fries on top were cooked well. The bread felt a little firm and could have been fresher. If you're seated at a 2-person table, space can be tight once both appetizers and entrees arrive. We ended up moving to a larger table to accommodate everything. The portion sizes and plates are large and can be shared among 2-3 people. I ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese, which was underwhelming for me. My husband ordered the 24-Hour Braised Beef Short Ribs and really enjoyed them. He said they were tender and flavorful. For our special occasion, we were treated to their homemade mud pie dessert. It's a coffee flavored ice cream with an Oreo crumb crust topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. The portion was very HUGE and more than we could finish. It became a bit repetitive after a few bites. The slice portion can be shared up to 3-4 people, in my opinion. If I were to return, I'd be interested in trying some of the dishes they highlight on social media rather than sticking to the more standard Italian options.

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    Hennessey's La Jolla - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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