10 Best Rooftop Bars In San Diego, California

rooftop bars in san diego
Sumit
Sumit 
Published
| 5 min read

Dining at a height, overlooking stunning views is a dream come true for many in one of the most beautiful cities of America, San Diego. The city of skyscrapers is the best place to keep your head high in the clouds amidst the glittering skies and look down for breathtaking views. Rooftop restaurants in San Diego, California, are one of the best ways to relax in an all-American way as the whole world watches with envy. These fancy restaurants provide not only fantastic cocktails but also farm-fresh delicacies and music-filled evenings. Check out below the best rooftop bars in San Diego and stargaze with a cocktail in hand for a beautiful evening with friends and family.

1. The Rooftop by STK


Undoubtedly one of the best rooftop restaurants in San Diego is The Rooftop by STK which is also known as the Andaz Rooftop Bar. Apart from providing a 360-degree view of the splendid city, you can enjoy sipping on your favorite cocktails at the best swimming pool in the sky. Viewing the landmarks like Coronado Bridge right over the sparkling ocean waters is a beautiful sight to behold during the happy hours of sunset or even while partaking in a delicious luncheon.

The Rooftop by STK

Address: 600 F St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: The Rooftop by STK

Opening hours: 6:30am - 11pm (daily)

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2. Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar


Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar is another American dream come true in the heart of San Diego on top of Hotel Republic. Famous for its bottomless bloody mary and margarita cocktails, it is also known for its kitchen expertise. The bar food comprising deep-fried avocado fritters along with excellent kids’ food options make it a cozy spot for a family get-together on the San Diego skyline. Kids can tuck into the al dente penne pasta or the oozy cheese quesadilla, while the elders have the best cocktails the city has to offer.

Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar

Address: 421 W B St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 11pm; Fri: 4pm - 12am; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 3pm

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3. Kettner Exchange


To enjoy the evening out in Little Italy, without a doubt, Kettner Exchange is the idle bar is the right destination for you. Though it does not come with wonderful views of the cityscape, it is one of those bars that has a hip, trendy hangout vibe. You can book a cabana if going out in groups to get a bottle offer service. Chef Brian Redzikowski, with years of experience working at some of the most famous restaurants in the world, makes sure that the food is perfect, service is top-notch and the cozy, yet modern ambiance ties everything together. The dinner comes in two offers - as small and large plates - with desserts to make for a memorable dining experience to remember for a long time.

Kettner Exchange

Address: 2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: Kettner Exchange

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 5pm - 12am; Thu & Fri: 5pm - 2am; Sat & Sun: 11am - 12am

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4. Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge


Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge is a local legend in San Diego, having excellent natural lighting accompanied by great architecture for the best beach views. Even the entrance will enthrall the visitors with its Japanese shou sugi ban wood. And the intermittent mirror installations which juxtapose the shou sugi ban wood reflect the rising tide of the Pacific Ocean. Leisurely sip on a wide range of cocktails, have a hearty meal and view the Pacific tides; Firehouse is the idle bar in San Deigo that has it all.

Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge

Address: 722 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

Website: Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge

Opening hours: Sat - Wed: 10am - 12am; Thu - Fri: 10am - 2am

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5. The Nolen


The Gaslamp neighborhood’s gem, located on the 14th floor of Marriott in San Diego, provides a dazzling view of the Coronado Bridge to Point Loma. The Nolen’s original cocktails are cherished not only by the locals but also by the visitors for their uniqueness and taste. They also serve timeless classic cocktails along with mouth-watering bar bites, a perfect recipe for a good night out. The beautiful interior design with a sophisticated setup and a communal fire pit brings forth the right ambiance to match the exterior view.

The Nolen

Address: 453 Sixth Ave #7007, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: The Nolen

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 1am; Sun: 11am - 12am

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6. Altitude Sky Lounge


The closest to the clouds for drinking and dining in sunlit San Diego is the Altitude Sky Lounge. Perched at the top of the 22nd floor, this lounge serves up excellent cocktails, with Saturdays being the official days for DJs, playing great music to complement the vibe of the place. Also, this lounge is a great spot to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the city, including the baseball game at Petco Park free of cost! But, a proper dress code is essential when you visit the stunning Attitude Sky Lounge. .

Altitude Sky Lounge

Address: 660 K St #7036, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: Altitude Sky Lounge

Opening hours: 5pm - 1am (daily)

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7. Ocean Beach Brewery


Enjoying the sunset from atop the Ocean Beach Brewery sipping their famous craft beer is an experience beyond words. It is the reason USA Today votes them as the best brewpub in the whole of America. The beer wings, chicken wings soaked in house beer and fried till crispy and golden, to go along with said beer are as tasty little nuggets of heaven. Everything that they serve-up is made in-house by their talented chefs and brewers. So don’t miss out on this amazing brewery and eatery for a great time!

Ocean Beach Brewery

Address: 5041 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107, United States

Website: Ocean Beach Brewery

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 12am; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 9:30am - 10pm

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8. Cannonball

Coastal Cuisine at its finest! Located on the boardwalk of Mission Beach at Belmont Park. #coastalcuisine #sushi...

Posted by Cannonball on Monday, 10 February 2020

Being San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop restaurant, Cannonball provides the best view of the beach on any given day. This picturesque Southern California establishment enthralls its guests with its splendid view of the Mission Beach Boardwalk. It also has the best Californian cuisine and scintillating sushi. Children can enjoy the kids’ burger that contains lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and it comes with a side of free fries. When it comes to excellent views, fresh ocean breeze, and great food, this establishment has got you covered on all fronts.

Cannonball

Address: 3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

Website: Cannonball

Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)

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9. Rustic Root


Another gem coming from the Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood is the Rustic Root, which has a relaxed atmosphere that makes anyone feel comfortable. If you are looking for a quiet night out with a mix of friendly locals, the Rustic Root has you covered. Along with the rustic American cuisine, there are creative cocktails served with the best ingredients to make even simple favorites taste exquisite. For every mouth-watering lobster pappardelle bought by a customer, Rustic Root donates a meal to one San Diego based child through the Kid’s Foundation. So get going, sampling some great cocktails and feasting on delicious foods while also indirectly helping a child in the process!

Rustic Root

Address: 535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: Rustic Root

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 9am - 2am

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10. Upper East Bar


The best place to socialize in San Diego is the Upper East Bar, which is a renowned bar in the city. Right in the middle of Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood lies LoungeSix, a pool bar frequented by many locals. There is a lot to do here, including enjoying outdoor games, unwinding in private cabanas sipping on some classic cocktails, and dining on delicious dishes. The charcuterie, as well as rosemary French fries, among others, has most coming back for more.

Upper East Bar

Address: 616 J St #101, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Website: Upper East Bar

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm

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Sip a drink on a rooftop bar in San Diego

San Diego by Night 2013
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tuxyso used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The lively city of San Diego in California has many attractions such as the Maritime Museum, Belmont Park and more that would keep you occupied if you are new here. The city is also a great place to be for night owls or simply for family get-togethers; serving up great food and drinks. So head to one of the best rooftop bars in San Diego for an unforgettable time.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Sumit lived in the UK for 10 years and experienced the hustle and bustle of the urban life. However, the serene Scottish country side is where his heart lies. He is still unable to understand Welsh...Read more

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