The best bars & nightlife in San Marcos

Easygoing restaurant fixing up local staples such as burgers, tacos & wings, plus craft beer on tap.

17877 Von Karman Ave Unit 110 (Irvine)

Intimate, low-key spot for craft cocktails, beer and wine, plus live music and board games.

1261 Garnet Ave (San Diego)

Snug, cash-only beachfront bar with a menu of burgers & tacos, plus a vast patio with sunset views.

710 Oliver Ct (San Diego)

An over-the-top ambiance sets the stage for a fusion menu of French & Italian favorites.

2015 Birch Rd #720 (Chula Vista)

Family-friendly chain outpost pairs familiar pub fare with an extensive list of house brews.

13130 Jamboree Rd (Irvine)

Compact cocktail joint serves standard drinks in a sailor-themed venue with a laid-back atmosphere.

1310 Scott St (San Diego)

Trendy, spacious social club offering entertainment, food, and cocktails, plus dancing.

3630 University Ave (Riverside)

A contemporary-styled eatery showcasing 25+ domestic & global wines by the glass.

2907 Shelter Island Dr Unit 108 (San Diego)

Specialty cocktails & creative bar bites served in a hip lounge with midcentury-modern decor.

4281 Main St (Riverside)

Relaxed cafe offering freshly brewed coffees and espresso drinks such as vanilla lattes and cappuccinos plus fresh pastry and lunch fare…

2907 Shelter Island Dr Unit 107 (San Diego)

Festive pub offering myriad beer options, wine & TVs tuned to sports, plus live music.

8295 E Monte Vista Rd Ste B (Anaheim)

This brewery offers samples, pints & growlers of their own brand of beers in a low-key pub space.

6421 Central Ave (Riverside)

Mexican small plates & entrees along with cocktails & DJ music in a colorful, art-adorned space.

3737 Main St Ste 101 (Riverside)

An old-style, underwater-themed bar offering traditional cocktails in a dimly lit space.

4927 Newport Ave (San Diego)

Unassuming cocktail bar features an array of house drinks & pool in an old-school spacious interior.

5034 Newport Ave (San Diego)

Chic, breezy place with patio seats for New American fare with flair & clever cocktails.

19530 Jamboree Rd (Irvine)

Live music plays at this retro bar opened in 1972 with red velvet wallpaper & pin-up art.

2370 N Tustin Ave (Santa Ana)

Laid-back hangout with a rooftop lounge known for its extensive selection of craft brews on tap.

305 E 4th St Ste 200 (Santa Ana)

Relaxed microbrewery & tasting room with games, such as ping pong, plus craft beers & a snack menu.

9900 Indiana Ave #7 (Riverside)

Family-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.

800 Paseo del Rey (Chula Vista)

Outpost of a craft brewery specializing in ales & lagers, situated inside the Lamppost PIzzeria.

14450 Culver Dr Ste E (Irvine)

Family-friendly chain serving classic Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern-style setting.

2015 Birch Rd Ste.2400 (Chula Vista)

Open 24 hours a day, this club offers card games such as blackjack & poker, plus drinks & food.

285 Bay Blvd (Chula Vista)

Live music venue draws crowds with popular rock, alternative, jazz & blues acts, plus food.

3503 S Harbor Blvd (Santa Ana)

Candy Shop Topless Nightclub blends high-energy club vibes with stage shows, DJs and concerts, while the Candy Shop Sweeties deliver live…

4000 Kearny Mesa Rd (San Diego)

619 Spirits North Park is a neighborhood distillery and cocktail bar turning out smooth, house-distilled pours and easygoing American…

3015 Lincoln Ave (San Diego)

This casual haunt offers karaoke nights, line dance lessons, bar food & a patio in a chill ambiance.

316 W Mission Ave Ste 115 (Escondido)

Industrial-style wine bar offering simple dishes made with local ingredients, and a popular happy hour.

2981 Michelson Dr Ste e (Irvine)

Dance-friendly hot spot for beer, wine, cocktails and mixed drinks, with themed events.

401 G St (San Diego)

Local meadery and cidery using San Diego County fruit and honey in a cozy setting.

177 Newport Dr suite b

Famed brewery's bistro has an American menu, California-modern space with indoor firepit & a garden.

1999 Citracado Parkwy (Escondido)

This 1933 institution outlasted the waterfront but still draws crowds with pub grub & happy hour.

2044 Kettner Blvd (San Diego)

Warm eatery offering seasonal fare alongside classic cocktails and beer in modern quarters.

18555 Jamboree Rd (Irvine)

Lively, low-key option decked in tropical decor, offering cocktails and karaoke.

7123 El Cajon Blvd (San Diego)

Cozy, family-run restaurant known for seafood dishes and traditional Italian fare, plus a vast wine selection.

1445 India St (San Diego)

Laid-back bar featuring Japanese-inspired cocktails, tiki cocktails and highballs.

3829 30th St (San Diego)

Historic tri-level hangout serves pub grub & signature drinks alongside games, comedy & live music.

770 Fifth Ave (San Diego)

Sports TV & DJs accompany visits to this mod spot, known for craft beer, bourbon & flatbread pizzas.

600 Fifth Ave #6916 (San Diego)

Hip tasting room with industrial decor elements offering a selection of craft cider.

10045 Carroll Canyon Rd A (San Diego)

Charming spot offers eclectic fare, wine flights & a fixed-price menu served at communal tables.

3731 India St B (San Diego)

Upscale speakeasy cocktail bar with a hidden entrance offering custom drinks and themed cocktails, plus a set menu.

777 G St (San Diego)

Comedy club featuring big names & up-and-comers, plus offering a full food & drink menu.

527 Spectrum Center Dr (Irvine)

Dive bar, located in iconic City Heights building since 1932, offers full bar, live shows & jukebox.

4757 University Ave (San Diego)

Relaxed bakery hiding a speakeasy-style bar (via a hidden door), offering Japanese-inspired dishes and cocktails.

634 14th St #110 (San Diego)

Intimate, moody bar pairing handcrafted drinks with New American plates featuring exotic meats.

629 Kettner Blvd (San Diego)

Small, casual tavern known for cocktails, burgers & fries, offered amid vintage decor.

1863 Fifth Ave (San Diego)

This industrial-chic spot serving elevated Southern classics stocks an extensive array of whiskeys.

18169 Von Karman Ave (Irvine)

Burgers, pizza and hot dogs served in a casual, open-air space with garage-door windows.

190 W El Norte Pkwy (Escondido)

Neighborhood bar for casual drinks & bites plus popular karaoke & other theme nights.

4012 30th St (San Diego)

Open, airy fixture offers a range of thoughtfully sourced wines amid a cool mixed-material backdrop.

2219 30th St (San Diego)

Cellar Hand turned Hillcrest into a wine lover’s happy place with California-heavy pours and hyper-local plates. Their spirit rolls on with…

1440 University Ave (San Diego)