Need a drink after a long Comic-Con day? Here are the 8 best downtown San Diego bars
Carl Shipi in the Historic Gaslamp district.
The Gaslamp: A boozy wonderland packed tight with bars, nightclubs, swanky lounges and rooftop sanctuaries. For visitors to San Diego during Comic-Con International 2015, you’ll want to follow the yellow-brick-roads, known as Fourth and Fifth avenues, toward liquor-infused dreams.
With so many options and only four days to soak it all up, here are our favorite watering holes not to be missed.
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barleymash
Occupying prime real estate in the Gaslamp on the bustling corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street, the massive barleymash acts as a main hub of action during the Con. There are 30 beers on tap from the city’s best micro- and nano-breweries here, plus garage door-style windows that allow patrons to feel the pulse of downtown. Save room for a generous menu of bar-grub-done-right such as barley pies and iron fries.
600 Fifth Ave., downtown. (619) 255-7373 or barleymash.com
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Searsucker
Across the street from barleymash, you’ll find the noteworthy Brian Malarkey fingerprint on Searsucker, a ritzy restaurant with a lively bar scene. “Dressed up, but comfortable” is the motto here, with specialty cocktails like the Peter Rabbit (Pimm’s #1, bruised basil, pressed lemon and pickled carrot, $12) and the Comic-Con-themed Walking Dead (Bacardi, Hamilton’s Black Rum, Lemon Hart 151, cinnamon syrup, pineapple, ginger, $15).
611 Fifth Ave., downtown. (619) 233-7327 or or searsucker.com
The New Yorker
This too-hip-to-quit bar specializes in stand-out pizza, but also happens to have a strong presentation of beers, cocktails and happy hour specials. This is where to imbibe when you’re ready to try some of San Diego’s most celebrated craft beers like Green Flash Hop Head Red ($6), Stone Cali-Belgique IPA ($5) or Ballast Point Sculpin IPA ($6). Happy hour runs Monday through from 3 to 6 p.m. with $5 premium drinks and $4 draught beers.
535 Fourth Ave., downtown. (619) 238-0048 or thenewyorkersd.com
Neighborhood San Diego
Nearing East Village territory, but still essential on the must-try bars of San Diego list, is Neighborhood, a craft cocktail and beer bar with spunk. Pull up a chair to a big list of San Diego-brews like Coronado Señor Saison and Latitude 33 Vanilla Porter. In desperate need of an energy boost? Order their R&R coffee cocktail: Cold brew coffee with stout, a splash of housemade fireball bourbon and a touch of cream ($8).
777 G St., downtown. (619) 446-0002 or neighborhoodsd.com
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Quad AleHouse
New this year, Gaslamp Tavern has just debuted the addition of a craft beer bar located on their third floor on Fifth Avenue and E Street. “The Quad” pairs killer downtown views with 28 beers on tap, curated by local beer expert Beau Schmitt. The focus here is on San Diego beers and the nation’s best small batch independent brewers. Happy hour runs from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday with $5 selected drafts, $2 off all whiskeys and $5 specialty cocktails.
868 Fifth Ave., third level, downtown. (619) 239-3339 or quadalehouse.com
Fairweather
A short walk into East Village, and you’ll spot the massive Petco Park stadium, home to the San Diego Padres. Bordering the field on J Street, Fairweather beckons as the rooftop area above Rare Form, a must-stop on your San Diego bar tour. The brains behind this bar are craft cocktail connoisseurs who decided it was time to bring some island vibes and vacation spirit to the space. Tropical cocktails abound here, plus 12 beers on tap and sun-soaked seating.
793 J St., East Village. (619) 255-6507 or godblessrareform.com
UNION Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp
This gigantic space is prime for large groups navigating through Comic-Con’s costumed chaos. Two main bars frame UNION Kitchen & Tap downtown, serving local craft beer, unique small vintage wines and handcrafted cocktails in an inviting, contemporary bar scene. Try the Smoked Peach Old Fashioned with Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, vanilla bean syrup, angostura bitters and smoked peaches or their sangria flora for a refreshing treat.
333 Fifth Ave., downtown. (619) 795-9463 or localunion101.com
The Blind Burro
This Mexican joint serves up inventive tacos and Baja coastal cuisine alongside tequila, mescal and spirts with outdoor patio seating. Even superheroes need a drink; take a rest with one of their Burro margaritas available in flavors such as mango tajin, cantaloupe sage or muddled jalapenos. Party people can order a pitcher of margarita, Paloma or sangria.
639 J St., East Village. (619) 795-7880 or theblindburro.com
Dederko writes for the California News Group, publisher of the Union-Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.
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