Top Ten San Diego Pubs

For a neighborhood to be worth its salt it has to have a great local pub. While we all might enjoy getting dressed up for a night Downtown, nothing will ever beat being able to cruise down the street in your finest jeans and tee shirt for a cold beer. Whether you are trying to blow off some steam after a difficult day or just want to sit down with a brew and people watch, there is sure to always be a seat for you at a local San Diego pub.

One of the commonly overlooked benefits of living in San Diego is all of the local craft beers and microbrews we have locally available. Luckily, many local pubs have taken notice and carry a wide variety of these local beers, and it is all yours for the tasting. While nobody here will force you to trade in your Bud Light for a Ballast Point, chances are you won’t have to search very hard if it piques your interest. Pull up a chair, sit back, relax and we will pour you a cold one at one of these local pubs.

Discover ten of our favorite local San Diego pubs for a cold one.

Hamilton’s Tavern in South Park

This South Park pub is notorious for its casual, neighborhood atmosphere and unbelievably large selection of beers. Serving up cold drinks and hearty fare to locals for more than 75 years, Hamilton’s Tavern is literally packed to the rafters with craft beers and micro brews; hundreds of decorative tap handles line the ceiling and are plucked down by bartenders as needed. See what else is on tap at hamiltonstavern.com.  

O’Brien’s Pub in Kearny Mesa

With an extensive list of beers, both on tap and in bottle, and a menu full of intriguing gourmet bar food, O’Brien's is a commonly overlooked San Diego pub. With a fair amount of indoor seating and a large outdoor patio, O’Brien’s is a great place to grab a cold beer with a few friends after a day at work. Check out what’s brewing at obrienspub.net.  

Public House in La Jolla

Beer and burgers are abundantly found at this “locally world famous” La Jolla location. Interestingly enough the world “pub” is a shortened version of public house, so you know this place has got to be great. Serious happy hour deals and a knowledgeable staff help it stick out among the local competition. Check out the rest of the menu and even a wine list at the-publichouse.com.  

Rocky’s Crown Pub in Pacific Beach

Surviving amongst the many local bars in the Pacific Beach scene, Rocky’s gets points for being a no-gimmick local pub with tasty brews and juicy signature hamburgers. The cozy atmosphere is sure to get everyone talking and it is always a delight to meet a few of the friendly patrons. Find out everything else about this pub at rockyscrownpub.com.  

Toronado in North Park

Plenty of seating, plenty of beers and plenty of music help Toronado become one of the most well respected beer bars in all of San Diego. While many first-timers are usually intimidated by the rather gargantuan list of available beers, a helpful staff can be counted on to always put you in the right direction. For more information, visit Toronado. 

Churchill’s Pub & Grille in San Marcos

30 minutes north of Downtown San Diego lies one of the areas lesser known pubs. Once again, local microbrews make an appearance at a moderate price accompanied by an impressive menu. A great spot for lunch or when visiting the area, learn more about this original spot at churchillspub.us.

The Ould Sod in Normal Heights

Boasted as “San Diego’s most authentic Irish pub,” The Ould Sod is an unpretentious location with stiff drinks and live entertainment. You can expect to have a great time at this pub and it was actually voted as the “best place to forget about a bad day.” Learn what they are about at The Ould Sod. 

The Field in Downtown San Diego

With literally each piece of the bar shipped in from Ireland to be assembled in Downtown San Diego, The Field is an absolutely beautiful local pub. Located near PETCO Park, this pub makes for a perfect pit stop on the way to or from a baseball game. Take a look at the authentic Irish menu and all upcoming events at The Field. 

Shakespeare Pub & Grille in Mission Hills

Hands down, Shakespeare Pub & Grille is the most authentic English experience we can hope to expect here in the states. A local meeting spot for soccer games and delicious fare, patrons are treated to a comfortable interior or gorgeous outdoor patio seating. Visit Shakespeare Pub & Grille for more information.

Stout Public House in Gaslamp Quarter

A casual attitude and fantastic specials help this pub stand out from the more expensive establishments in the Gaslamp. It has everything most people are looking for in an Irish pub: cold Guiness, a friendly crowd and sports on television. Read more about the Stout Public House. 

Are we still missing one? Leave a comment below to share your favorite San Diego pubs to grab a pint with us. 

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