One of the coolest new spots in San Diego in my opinion. This is the original location of the Casbah, it then languished for years as the Kava Lounge, a strange spot for wooks, and finally it became Kiku Room. Kiku Room has a chic minimalist interior, with polish concrete, metal, and glass as the primary backdrop. The DJ booth is large and separates the front sitting area from a lounge in the back that is draped in deep red lighting. The bartenders are cool and welcoming, the DJs who come through are usually really good, and the lounge is quite comfortable as well. Pretty good price on drinks overall, too. You can get a glass of draft Asahi here for $7, for instance, which is pretty good for a place that's in this DTSD-adjacent area. read more

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The music is their main focus -- and you can feel that the second you walk in. It's not random Spotify vibes. Yes the space is small but that helps make it feel more intimate. The cocktails are just as dialed. Balanced, clean, strong (in a good way), and not trying too hard. They have some great NA options as well. The NA Asahi beer is amazing. You can tell there's real intention behind the bar, which makes the whole experience feel cohesive. Yes, there's usually a line -- but that's what happens when something is this good. I've heard they're working on expanding, which would be amazing because the space deserves to hold more people without losing that energy. Five stars. For the music. For the drinks. For the vibe. I'll happily wait in line for this one. read more

Finally got a chance to go to Kiku Room and it did not disappoint! Great vibes, great service! Bartenders were knowledgeable and carefully crafted each cocktail. Got the rotating $10 classic drink and the Mt. Midori ($14). Drinks were well made and the prices were fantastic! Dj was good and music was at a decent level. Loud enough to be enjoyable but can still have a conservation. Couches and lounge area were comfortable! Staff walked around often to clear empty glasses. Will definitely be back! read more

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We came on a Thursday night around 9:30pm and there was no line or cover. I'm not sure how it is on Fridays or weekends. I loved the vibes and music. Way different vibe than gaslamp or PB. read more

Kiku Room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Kiku Room is a listening room / cocktail bar on Kettner and in the building that once was the OG Casbah spot. Kiku adds to the list of lofi, Japanese influenced bars that seem to be getting very popular in San Diego; but definitely set their own unique spin and flavor to it that may set them apart from the more mainstream bars like Part Time Lover, and more low key ones like Longplay. Kiku stands out with their ambiance, music selection / guest DJs, and drink menu. You should be able to find street parking nearby, or if you take the trolley they are right by one of the stops. Ambiance: I won't lie that what Kiku provides is my vibe, where I've always been at home with the listening bar / lofi type of setting. We came in at opening both times so we didn't experience a crowd, but I'm curious if that changes as the night rolls on. You enter to a great aroma and complete view of the space. Their sound system is fantastic, where the music is set a high volume but not in a way that will disrupt your conversation or be too overstimulating. They also have plenty of seating where you can sit at the bar and get to know your bartender, sit at the DJ booth and be immersed in their curated lists, or lounge in the back where you can sit with friends for intimate conversation. They also have events throughout the week with guest DJs, which I look forward to keeping an eye on in the future. Drink-wise: I tried two drinks - one being the Yuzu flavored cocktail, and one of their mocktails. Both were very tasty and set at a solid price. I like that they have an option for affordable $10 dollar cocktails for those who prefer not to venture beyond their typical palate. Service-wise: the bartenders were super nice and approachable. It also seems that they take extra care in preparing your orders. The entire space is kept clean. Summary: I need to give it a couple more tries, but Kiku may have become a contender as one of my favorite bars in the city, with its clean and decorative space, tasty drink selection, great selection of music / amazing sound system, and for hosting great vibe in general (again, I'm a little biased towards this kind of vibe for a bar). I recommend a visit here for all sorts of people, whether you go solo or with a group. read more

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This venue let us in and had a frat house tell us we weren't allowed when the security had let our party in. This venue got no values of the patrons who wanted to just dance. Do not come here if you just want to waste an hour. read more

3rd group in line and waiting 45+ minutes at 1am. Multiple people cutting the line over and over because they know the bouncer. Lame.

Great for industry nights !! Martinis are top notch. Had a Mexico City vibe. If you're looking for a new place to go out in little Italy, this is it. read more

Kiku room brings all the vibes. We went in a little before 8pm on a Saturday and it was already crowded, but not that overwhelming, stuffy crowded. Even at full capacity, you have room to move around and enjoy the incredible acoustics and great decor. Their drinks were awesome as well. While they don't serve food, there was a great pizza spot posted outside by the time we left that hit the spot for post-bar munchies. By the time we left there was a long line to the end of the block. It's just far enough on the outskirts of Little Italy to have some parking available which is a plus. Will definitely be back! read more

Kiku Room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Small hole in the wall bar, super cool vibes very relaxed. The bar is beautiful and has lots to offer for anyone's taste! One bathroom, nice and clean. And overall nice service. Would come back again for another girls night out or a date night as they have DJ live music. P.S if you like girly strawberry drinks do not get the armed strawberry so strong and bitter to me haha! read more

Kiku Room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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My favorite bar of San Diego so far! I love listening bars but I especially loved how "casual" Kiku Room is with the live music! My friends and I have been looking for something fun but a bit more chill for post-grad and I thought the age range was very much so our crowd. The drinks were fairly priced and our bartender was friendly! We are definitely looking forward go coming back with a larger group :) read more

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This is the kind of place San Diego has been desperate for. Effortlessly cool and vibey but not pretentious. Approachable in every aspect; cocktail menu, sound, staff and atmosphere. Equal parts grab a casual martini ($8 on Mondays!!!) on a weeknight after work while chatting up the amazing staff and dance the night away with friends and strangers on a Saturday. Sound is top notch and every dj they've booked so far has had the crowd in a chokehold. Kiku room makes you feel simultaneously like you're at home but also embarking on an exciting new adventure. One million stars. read more

Kiku Room - Martini Monday! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I was excited to read about Kiku room as I enjoy a lounge experience with live DJ and good music. Stopped by a couple of weeks ago with some friends, it was packed but it didn't take much effort to get a drink from the bar and find a section of the couch in the back room to sit on. I found the cocktails to be excellent and not as pricy as some of the other venues downtown. The DJ playing that day wasn't exactly my vibe but it was still good. The only downside to the venue is that it is all hard surfaces so the sound bounces around a lot and makes it hard to have a conversation without yelling in the other persons ear. Hope something can be done about this, or maybe I'm just getting old lol. read more

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Great atmosphere but it was super packed probably will get better as its open longer. The drinks were strong read more

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You're not going to find another listening bar--or any bar, really--like this in San Diego. Honestly, I'm not sure there's another place like it anywhere. It's a music lover's dream: the drinks are top-tier, the vibe is dark, and sexy. The staff? Warm, genuine, and totally in tune. The music slaps--crisp sound, perfect playlists curated by DJs who also have a passion for music. The bar has the rare ability to make you forget what time it is. It's a high-end bar that doesn't act like one--a spot you can actually call home without any of the pretension. read more

Where do I start? If you crave discoverability, incredible music, divine and approachable cocktails and beverage selection and meeting likeminded people WHILE being surrounded by good design, this should undoubtedly be your go-to place. It is everything the San Diego scene had been missing. Thoughtfully curated in every sense of the word. Just like any other place (poppin' new restaurant with no reso, cafe on a busy Sunday morning, getting into a concert or festival, etc) you typically go, the best experiences are worth the wait. So how do you counter that? Go early, settle in, and enjoy the best experience blessing San Diego. It's worth the hype, every single time. Can't thank kiku enough for helping create some of the best music-filled memories with friends old and new. Kiku forever read more

Absolutely awesome addition to San Diego nightlife! The vibe gives New York City meets Japanese listening rooms with unpretentious bar tenders. Plus the fact that they can make such good cocktails is a huge cherry on top. Definitely recommend checking out for cocktails, music and vibes read more

There is not an experience like this in San Diego. On a good night with some of the European talent they bring in, the whole place is bumpin! This is the quintessential bar/listening room if you are a fan of great sound, a great time, and one of a kind music! This place is my go to now and more of a iykyk type of place. Wont be for everyone but if you like a genuine experience from folks that truly put their heart into a space you will love this place. One of a kind sound system that is intentional, when you walk in it's like you've been sent to a bar in NYC. They bring great and curated DJ talent. All of the drinks hit and are reasonably priced. There is a reason why there is a line every Friday/Saturday. You have to experience this for yourself! read more

Came here on a Saturday night and waited for 20 mins in line. The see curita guard literally told us "I can't let the line die down" and he literally took a break and posted in the street sign next to the door. It was pretty dam empty inside too. A group of 5ish or so came and he finally let some in because there was a line. read more

Love Kiku Room! To people with problems about waiting in line: my advice is to get there early, and there usually isn't a line. Also, there is a line because once people are inside, they don't want to leave!!! It is way too much fun. Personally, I have never left before 12, and usually dance my way to near closing time. It's such a chill, vibey space, with a rotating set of amazing vinyl DJs, ultra friendly staff, and extremely sexy lighting for all the photo ops you could want. It gets crowded, so buy two drinks at the bar instead on one, and you'll be golden. There isn't anywhere else like it in San Diego. Everyone is talking about it for a reason... read more

Came here on a monday for my birthday, bartender savana was super welcoming and friendly, she gave me a birthday shot how sweet! drinks were delicious, music was nice and groovy, i loved it read more

Kiku Room - behind the dj - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Waited an hour to get to the front of the line. The only reason we moved up in line is because people got tired of waiting and left just like we ended up doing. People constantly cutting in line im sure the bouncer was getting paid. read more

The vibe is intimate, intentional, and cool. $10 classic cocktails that are actually well made and balanced, not watered down gimmicks, which feels almost unheard of these days. The real standout though is the music. The DJs are bringing genuinely underground sounds on vinyl that you just do not hear around San Diego. It feels closer to a late night hifi club, unlike anything else in the city. The crowd feels like they are there for the right reasons. Good energy and ready to dance. If you love music, value quality over hype, and want something different from the usual scene, Kiku Room is a must. read more

This place is awesome! It has great vibes and is so cute inside. It's worth the wait!

Kiku Room was everything I hoped it would be! I recommend getting here early for the best experience. As you walk in the atmosphere grabs you. DJs perfectly curate the music to set elite vibes that build throughout the evening, and pared with their sound system... *chefs kiss*. Drinks are well crafted and priced fair. Treat yourself, and give this place a spin! read more

Bouncer was letting people cut the line?? Bouncer said they reached maximum capacity so we couldn't go in yet. But next thing you know, he's letting groups and groups of people in when they pulled up in front out of their car. Unprofessional. We ended up waiting over 40 minutes to get in. read more

I was excited to show our friends this venue. However, the security kept cutting in big groups of people in front of the line, and we had to leave after waiting for 45~ minutes. I wish it was managed better and more fairly. read more

100% recommended for a night out, whether you're on a date or with friends. great taste in music and expertly crafted cocktails, it's a spot that truly stands out in the San Diego scene! Oh and the design is amazing read more

Cannot finis my drink without spilling. The ambience was not great..........................................::::::::...............

Decent cover charge for the dj's but we waited over an hour in the rain. Even though "no reservations" is part of their slogan on ig, the bouncer had a mysterious list of people to let in. I don't think that any people who were in line actually ever got to go in and the only reason we kept moving up was because people (including us) decided it was not worth the wait. read more

While waiting in line, the bouncer was charging people for $700 to skip the line. That kind of behavior is sketchy at best and completely unacceptable. It ruined the entire experience before we even got inside. read more

Vibey. Decent drinks. But 2 single stall bathrooms for 120 people. No bathrooms for this many people is not very fun. You will wait 20 min to go to the bathroom. read more

first time was super fun & cute. music and drinks are good. after that we came back with friends on two separate occasions and the bouncers were rude BOTH times. first time, the bouncer was letting certain people cut while others waited 45+ min to get in. the second time, the bouncer was really dismissive. he was chatting with friends and didn't respond when we tried talking to him. we left. probably a good experience if you know the owners, dj, or bouncer. sad. read more