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    Tortuga

    3.8 (13 reviews)
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM

    Tortuga Photos

    TORTUGA ATMOSPHERE

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    Coconut shrimp
    Samuel C.

    Island vibes in downtown San Diego? Yep, turns out paradise comes with hotel key card access. We wandered down from the Omni pool expecting, I don't know, maybe a soggy nacho plate. Instead--BAM--coconut shrimp so good they should come with a warning label. Dip them in the sweet chili sauce and suddenly you're contemplating permanent residency. The wings? Equally dangerous. The decor and view scream "vacation," while the staff is so friendly and attentive you start wondering if they're secretly auditioning for "Best Human Alive." Honestly, I was waiting for something to complain about--lukewarm fries, slow service, maybe an umbrella that wouldn't open--but nope. Nada. Zero. Basically, if you're in San Diego and don't stop here, you clearly hate yourself.

    Celiac hating menu

    Everything that was good about Tortuga is gone now that it's Tiki (Anti)Social. It's loud. We waited 15 minutes before walking out because we never got a server even though the place was less than half full and other tables were being served. The menu says gf at the bottom, which was incorrectly identified as "gluten friendly." That's wrong. I don't need it to be friendly to gluten; I need it to be gluten free. Never mind. Absolutely nothing is gluten free! You have to be pretty belligerent to develop a menu that's openly antagonistic to a large swath of the population.

    Melissa L.

    The Tortuga bar is located on the sixth floor (partial rooftop) of the Omni Hotel. In order to drink here you'd have to be a guest as it requires a room key to get up the elevators to the six floor or you would just have to know someone who is staying here to let you up. So that is a nice perk if you are staying at this hotel as you essentially get your own private rooftop bar and pool area. Tortuga was truly awesome. Our first day I'd give it a 5/5 and the second day it was more a 3.75/5 but that was more because service was hurting the second day. Overall though the bar area and rooftop pool area is stunning. Very posh and well done. Plenty of lounges and bed style chairs with cushions. No plastic pool chairs here. The bar and pool area was decorated and constructed very well. There was plenty of seating and some nicer cabana style suites you could rent but there were covered comfortable nice fire pits and cushioned benches and lounges throughout that if you sat near the bar you still got a relaxing and lovely spot to sip a cocktail or to order some bites. They also have a formal bar if you want to sit at the bar top. Service just depended. Our first day we had a gentlemen who was super on it. Approached us right away, drinks came fast, and he continued to be attentive. The second day we had a less attentive Queen. She was very nice but when drinks were empty she never came back to suggest a second and when we asked for our checks she took so long that I had to go back up to her when I caught her at a register to get the printout. While I could dock a star I feel like everyone was nice and that our first day the service was so exceptional that I'll give them a pass for the second day not being as consistent. Cocktails here were so good! And even the mocktails were legit. My first day I got the lychee blossom cocktail which was actually one of my favorite cocktails the whole trip. It was like a better version of a pina colada but with more lychee flavor. Omg so heavenly. My the second day I was hung over and opted for a mocktail lol. I got the raspberry limeade and oh gosh was that good. Pretty presentation and good flavor. Tortuga bar delivered and was the perfect cherry on top to our stay at this Omni hotel. In a way I'm glad it's not open to the public because it was intimate and private but I also really want to come back to this pool bar so that incentives me to stay at this hotel again, good work!

    Inside seating
    Annie D.

    Had a staycation at the Omni at the Ballpark. Hung out at the pool and ordered food and drinks from Tortuga the pool bar. Danielle our bartender was great! Drinks were all delicious with my favorite being the creamsicle (tasted just like one). For food, the pupu platter was delicious and great to share between 4 people. The wings had a delicious sesame sauce. For lunch I ordered the smash burger no cheese and it came with 2 hearty patties. Would have ordered French fries. Overall we had a great experience and really enjoyed the Tiki vibes.

    Business logo on a hallway sign
    Emmett T.

    Tortuga is the rebranded pool deck and bar at the Omni San Diego Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. Previously, there was no name to this area on the sixth floor, but now a turtle mascot leads the way. One sign said Tortuga was open from 12 to 7 pm daily while the website mentioned a 6:00 pm closing time. Guests of the property could scan their room card to unlock the doors. If you were a visitor, then you had to knock on the window to catch the attention of a bartender who could use a fob to remotely unlock the entryway. The view faced south overlooking part of the San Diego Bay. The bar and lounge area were under cover while the pool and chairs on the deck were exposed to the sun. It looked like a comfy spot to unwind after an event like a Padres baseball game next door at Petco Park. The food menu had four pages with the categories of Starters and Salads, Handhelds, Bowls & Tacos, and Desserts. I chose one of the two available mocktails for a drink. The frozen slush machine was not working so the bartender crafted a Pina Colada out of coconut cream, pineapple juice, and lime juice. For food, I picked a Crab Cake Burger which was a lump crab patty dressed with lemon caper aioli, arugula, and marinated tomatoes on a poppy seed bun. Chips or seasonal fruit came with the order so I opted for the latter. The price was actually one dollar less than the bacon cheeseburger which was not a bad deal for a crab cake patty. The aioli's tartness and arugula's spiciness helped cut through the crabby flavor. Between the setting and the food choices, I was more impressed with Tortuga than the ground level bar/restaurant at this hotel.

    Tortuga poolside bar

    Really fun poolside bar; great atmosphere and friendly staff. I had the poke nachos and they were delicious.

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    Raised By Wolves - Lots o' Scotch

    Raised By Wolves

    4.4(2.3k reviews)
    11.9 mi•University City
    •$$$

    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.

    LOVE THIS SPEAKEASY…read more Shoutout Taylor and Lexi for the incredible service. The ambiance and drinks are unmatched.

    Photos
    Raised By Wolves - Tiramitini and Mojito.

    Tiramitini and Mojito.

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

    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

    Raised By Wolves - Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

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    Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

    False Idol - Reserve Mai Tai

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    1.1 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.

    This is a very small but beautifully decorated tiki bar inside the Craft & Commerce restaurant. I…read morerecommend making a reservation but you can also try walking in (you may be allowed access but may not get a table, so be prepared to stand). The place is not exactly hidden; there is a host stand near the entrance. For what it is worth, the parking lot next door to False Idol and Craft & Commerce should be renamed Butch Cassidy, not because of the entertaining movie, but because it charges highway robbery rates. We paid $40 on a Friday night. That is...outrageous. The menu at False Idol is long and delightful and the drinks are delicious. As far as I can tell, none of the drinks are blended, so sorry for you Pina Colada fans, which includes me. They also offer three mocktails. We tried a Mac Nut Chi Chi (macadamia based) and a Chi Breeze mocktail (also macadamia based). They were both very nice. I appreciated the detail in the menu. If you want stronger and boozier drinks, they are available. If you want something lighter, they have that, too. Most of the drinks seemed reasonably priced. The lighting and music were excellent. When someone ordered a shareable "bowl" drink, loud volcano rumbling noises played and the lighting flickered. That was fun. As a tiki fan, I would return, but I would never, ever park in that evil thieving parking lot next door again.

    Photos
    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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    Tiki themed decor

    Mothership - Amazing decor

    Mothership

    4.3(992 reviews)
    2.3 mi•South Park, Golden Hill, North Park
    •$$

    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!

    Photos
    Mothership - Deceiving Exterior

    Deceiving Exterior

    Mothership - Mindkiller

    Mindkiller

    Mothership - Away Mission

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    Away Mission

    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    0.4 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

    Photos
    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment - Ceiling and chandelier

    Ceiling and chandelier

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

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    Skull wall

    Part Time Lover - The record room

    Part Time Lover

    4.2(533 reviews)
    3.3 mi•North Park
    •$$

    Great vibe and speedy service!…read more We loved the Vinyl room and security was very attentive to their surroundings.

    I came to Part Time Lover last year after eating at a restaurant nearby. I don't drink alcohol in…read moregeneral so I had asked if they could make a drink virgin... They told me no. The only options then were "a fruity drink, a chocolate drink, or a bubbly drink" and so I asked for a fruity. It tasted like juice in sparkling soda. I honestly was underwhelmed and turned off by the fact they hadn't put any effort in thinking about customers who come for the vibes but don't actually drink alcohol. It was also a jam packed Saturday night and it was incredibly loud so when trying to talk to my friends sitting next to me I had to shout. Ended up straining my voice by the end of the night. This experience last year was probably 2-3 stars, not good. But fast forward a year and some months later, they have a "Free Spirited" section on their menu now!!! This time I also went with a fruity drink and it was actually really good!! I'm glad Part Time Lover has turned a new leaf and actually put conscious effort into their mocktails. We also came here earlier on a Thursday night so it wasn't packed, was very easy to get a seat and just hangout. This better experience bumped up my impression of the place, so 4 stars!

    Photos
    Part Time Lover - The bar at PTL San Diego

    The bar at PTL San Diego

    Part Time Lover - Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)

    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)

    Part Time Lover - Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead

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    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead

    Convoy Music Bar - Lychee Martini

    Convoy Music Bar

    4.5(432 reviews)
    8.2 mi•Kearny Mesa
    •$$

    Such a great speakeasy-style music bar! The drinks are strong, delicious, and really well made. The…read morebartenders are also incredibly friendly and go above and beyond to make sure you get something you'll enjoy. They're happy to suggest unique drinks or even create something specifically tailored to your taste, which made the experience feel really personal. Getting to the front door is probably the only slightly questionable part because you have to walk down an alley, but once you get inside, it's completely worth it. The place is beautiful, clean, and has a really great atmosphere. Even the bathrooms were spotless! I also loved the little personal touches. If you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary, the staff gives you a personalized card, which I thought was such a thoughtful touch. One of my friends and I were sitting at the bar, and the bartender noticed how much I loved their cheese-stuffed olives and brought me a few extra. It's those little details that really stand out and make you feel welcomed. Overall, such a fun and unique place with great drinks, great service, and an amazing atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd come back to!

    We had RSVP Walk past the dumpster alley…read moreDo not knock they will see you on camera Dark moody vibes 4 stars cute little space Drinks delicious 4 stars Service 4 stars Not too ridiculously expensive either

    Photos
    Convoy Music Bar - Corner table view:  large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Corner table view: large JBL speakers with Macintosh amps

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Convoy Music Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

    Prohibition

    4.0(1k reviews)
    0.3 mi•Gaslamp
    •$$

    So came down to San Diego to celebrate my brother birthday and we decided to take a whiskey class…read morewith our ladies. So we found that Prohibition offers a whiskey class where you can make drinks yourself. Met the owner Ryan who is the owner of Prohibition Whiskey and he told us the story about how he started the business and we connected because he was from Oakland. From that moment it was on and poppin. The vibes of the class was great and conversations along with the drinks were flowing. We ended the night by making an espresso martini made with whiskey and it was amazing. Plus it was dope that I got to make the drink myself. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to patron this establishment

    I went to Prohibition when I was attending a conference at the Convention Center, so I think my…read moreexperience is a little different. A sponsor had rented out the whole place and all drinks were comped with food being passed around. We had cuban sandwiches and empanadas, which I think were all from the Havana restaurant upstairs. Food was great! Drinks were good, but the menu was so confusing to me. I didn't really like how they categorized them. Sometimes I feel like just being straightforward is better. Too cute with trying to do the prohibition/speakeasy menu. It did take a while to get drinks when it was packed. Understandable. But I had a few that were good, the boats and hoes, and keffir lime tequila drink were great. I would say that the bathroom had a bit of a stink to it...not sure what it was but smelled just like coming up from the pipes. May just be a basement issue. Overall, good experience. It didn't feel super special but just like any other speakeasy. I like False Idol better in terms of overall vibe.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    Prohibition - El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    Prohibition - Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

    Starlite - Starlite Burger

    Starlite

    4.1(2.7k reviews)
    2.3 mi•Middletown, Mission Hills
    •$$$

    Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India…read moreStreet. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends.

    Every thing from the food to the service was amazing!! My fiancé and I went for our anniversary,…read morethey sat us next to the waterfall and it was absolutely beautiful! Our favorite meals from our trip were actually from here! The sides are best in my opinion but we did not have a single dish that we thought could be improved! Our servers were so sweet and on top of it!! We also really enjoyed all of the cocktails we were able to try. If you're thinking about going here I'd say book the reservation!

    Photos
    Starlite - Bar area after entering

    Bar area after entering

    Starlite - Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!

    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!

    Starlite - Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!

    Polite Provisions - Uncle Jalapeño

    Polite Provisions

    4.3(2k reviews)
    4.2 mi•University Heights, North Park
    •$$

    Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

    You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

    Photos
    Polite Provisions - Want. Make. Disco.

    Want. Make. Disco.

    Polite Provisions - Real oil lamps!

    Real oil lamps!

    Polite Provisions - Art deco

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    Art deco

    Kiku Room - DJ in the front room. Back room behind him that can be accessed from the side.

    Kiku Room

    3.4(46 reviews)
    2.0 mi•Middletown

    Maybe it's because we went right at opening time 6pm on a Saturday- our group enjoyed this spot…read more The bartender was great and we got a few rounds before heading to our next destination. Being here for about an hour and a half, people started to arrive. It is on the smaller end but it was a vibe! Would come again even with the mixed reviews on yelp.

    I've visited here a couple of times, and my experiences have been completely different depending on…read morewhen I went. The first time was fantastic. The atmosphere immediately reminded me of Berlin with its moody red room aesthetic and unique vibe. There's a DJ right when you walk in next to the bar, and as you make your way toward the back, you'll find additional seating. It's a fun, energetic space that's unlike many other spots in San Diego. However, my visit this past Friday was a completely different story. We had to wait outside for people to leave before we could get in, although thankfully that only took a few minutes. Once inside, it was packed shoulder to shoulder. There are only two bathroom stalls so it took about 20 minutes just to use the restroom. The biggest issue, though, was the temperature. It honestly felt like it was 100 degrees inside. It was unbearably hot, and after a while we had to leave because we were so uncomfortable. During a crowded San Diego summer night, having air conditioning or at least improved ventilation would make a huge difference. That said, I still recommend checking this place out. My advice is to visit on a weekday instead of a weekend, and avoid especially hot or overly crowded nights. When it's not packed, the atmosphere is unique, stylish, and definitely worth experiencing.

    Photos
    Kiku Room - Pay to get in bar.

    Pay to get in bar.

    Kiku Room - Entrance to the back room

    Entrance to the back room

    Kiku Room

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    Tortuga - bars - Updated October 2026

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