Dark lights, cheap drinks, and colorful characters are what make dive bars special. Each one is a glimpse into the heart of the surrounding neighborhood, and these reveal San Diego's depth of character, grounded in its nautical, port-city history. So for those nights you don’t feel like paying a $20 cover charge and just want to relax with a cheap drink amidst traditional sailor tattoo flash and ship remnants, here are the best dive bars to unwind at in San Diego.
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Captain Keno’s
Encinitas
If the boat’s a-rockin’ you’ve probably had a few too many of Kenos’ dirt-cheap well drinks. The interior feels like a wooden pirate ship -- it’s dark with plush red leather booths and, if you’re lucky, a few crusty-looking sailor types. This place doesn’t start seeing a younger crowd until at least 10pm on a Friday or Saturday, which is unfortunate, seeing as last call is at 11pm. No fear, Encinitas has a plethora of late night joints open until 2am, making Keno’s the perfect jumping off point.
High Dive Bar and Grill
Bay Park
High Dive is the dive for craft beer lovers with more than 20 local draughts and regular tap takeovers showcasing local breweries. It’s got pinball and a good amount of TVs, making it a good spot to watch a game, since ain’t NOBODY making the drive up to Carson City for a Charger game (if that does, in fact, eventually go down).
The Tower Bar
City Heights
Home to drinks like the Hello Kitty Duck Fart, Tower Bar is just about as unpretentious as it gets. Named after the tower that sits above it, it's half dive bar, half music venue. Don’t go expecting to hear a lick (or beat?) of EDM or pop radio jams -- it’s pure rock n’ roll.
Aero Club
Mission Hills
If you’ve been to the San Diego Airport, there’s a 95% chance you’ve driven by the Aero Club and its bright red neon airplane (it's tough to miss). It’s what is inside this venerable dive that makes it a must-try: the bar is home to more than 800 different whiskies, making it one of the most absurdly well-stocked whiskey bars in America.
The Silver Fox Lounge
Pacific Beach
Perhaps the only place in San Diego with an early morning happy hour, Silver Fox opens its doors at 6am offering Bloody Marys and screwdrivers. It's the less clean Sunday brunch version of a hangover cure, but it’s a dive bar, so no judgment here! There are also a ton of games, including pool, darts, and a pinball machine, making it a good place to hang out in the evening, or daytime, too. Really, there's no wrong time to hit the Silver Fox.
Star Bar
Gaslamp Quarter
Located in the Gaslamp, Star Bar has stiff, cheap drinks and low lights. Vintage tattoo flash lines the walls while ships sail above on the ceilings, throwing it way back to a time when the Gaslamp’s biggest clientele was a bunch of sailors.
Pacific Shores
Ocean Beach
If you want to escape the rowdy PB scene, head over to the nautically themed Pacific Shores. There's almost always an empty table, and you can nab a drink for $2.50, all beneath giant clam decor that feels straight from the '80s. This may not be the spot to bring a date, (although what dive bar is?) but for a chill night catching up with friends, this place fits the bill.
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Ellen Wright is a freelancer at Thrillist who hopes her mom doesn’t see how much she knows about the local dive bars. Follow her on Twitter: @PacificPolished.
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1. Captain Keno's Restaurant
158 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas -
2. High Dive Bar & Grill
1801 Morena Blvd, San Diego -
3. Tower Bar
4757 University Ave, San Diego -
4. The Aero Club Bar
3365 India St, San Diego -
5. The Silver Fox
1833 Garnet ave, San Diego -
6. Star Bar
423 E St, San Diego -
7. Pacific Shores Bar
4927 Newport Avenue, San Diego
With a dark interior and red leather booths, Captain Keno's might feel more like a pirate ship than a bar, but hey, with a fully stocked bar and plenty of beer on tap, we're not complaining.
Park Bay's High Dive Bar & Grill lives up to its name with a laid-back and fun atmosphere, but surprises with indulgent and zany American food that your typical dive bar surely lacks. Twenty craft beers are on tap, plus a few spirits (options rotate but expect vodka, gin, or rum). Burgers are an obvious choice here, featuring unpredictable takes like a beef patty stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeños. The king of them all is the Kraken, a large beef patty sandwiched between two grilled, Sriracha-infused PB&Js. Swallow that.
You can't miss Tower Bar, just look in the sky for the art deco monolith and it'll point you the way to cheap drinks.
The first thing you’ll notice after landing at Lindbergh Field is a pink neon sign glittering in the distance. Let it guide you to this San Diego drinking den that's been serving whiskey aficionados since 1947. The Aero Club boasts some 800 bottles of whiskey stacked like glass bottle-shaped Legos behind the bar; more than a sight to behold, this infamous liquor wall is one of the largest whiskey collections in the country.
Pool tables, darts, a leopard-print carpet, and good, cheap drinks define this no-nonsense dive. The Fox plays host to a varied crowd, but always keeps up a friendly, neighborhood vibe.
The Star Bar is Gaslamp's best dive bar and there's a reason for it: they serve hearty portions of booze with a good atmosphere. Drinking done right.
This under-the-sea-themed landmark opened on December 6, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed. Patrons love the (insanely) cheap drinks, kitschy decor, and authentic jukebox, which plays everything from Patsy Cline to The Clash.