As soon as you land in San Diego International Airport, whether in Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Balboa Park,Torrey Pine, Petco Park, North Park, or San Diego harbor, you’ll find plenty to see and do in San Diego. During the daytime, of course, you should check out contemporary art in San Diego Museum, stroll in Belmont Park, swim on Ocean Beach or Mission Beach, watch a San Diego Padre game, and many more attractions. It’s no wonder many people consider San Diego as the finest city in Southern California. But the fun really starts once the sun sets, which is why you can find some of the best clubs in San Diego.

San Diego is a city known for its pleasant atmosphere and laid–back lifestyle – but by no means does that imply that things don’t get active when the sun goes down! As a matter of fact, San Diego cocktail bars and nightlife are on par with the best the U.S. has to offer. Whether you’re looking to dance ‘til dawn at a nightclub in the Gaslamp District, enjoy the views at a rooftop bar downtown, or drink delicious cocktails with your friends while listening to live music, the San Diego nightlife scene has something for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the best clubs and casinos in San Diego!

BEST CLUBS IN SAN DIEGO

SIDE BAR

Side Bar is slowly becoming the spot for the bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, company parties, and even divorce parties! Think about how fun a club is to celebrate a couple’s separation. But as extravagant as these events are, Side Bar also has a solid lineup of cocktails and mocktails. They also have an exquisite collection of champagne whenever you want to book a special occasion. And if you sign up as a VIP member, you get exclusive access to their lounge and other exclusive benefits.

NOVA

If you want to enjoy some quality entertainment, Nova is the place to be. Some of the city’s top DJs and bands have performed there to play music that makes people flock to the dance floor. However, if you want to avoid the crowd and enjoy your own party, you can also book your own VIP experience including an exclusive bottle service. You can also choose the ideal VIP lounge for your party, whether that’s the terrace (if you want somewhere quiet) or the club balcony (if you want to be nearer to the party).

MOONSHINE FLATS

Ever wondered what a saloon is like? Wonder no more and visit Moonshine Flats. You can enjoy performances from the best country musicians in the city. If you want to up the ante, you and your friends can challenge yourselves by conquering the mechanical bull. But if you just want to enjoy some ice cold beer, you can do that, too. You can enjoy a pale ale on the floor or even on the deck. On top of that, you can also enjoy some of the best comfort food.

PARQ

Offering both a premier restaurant experience and a nightclub, Parq is one of the best clubs in San Diego. Guests can eat world–class cuisine before dancing the night away in the Gaslamp Quarter. The stadium-like venue offers state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems designed by Electric Daisy Carnival veterans. You and your friends won’t want to miss Parq’s upscale yet electric vibe!

OTHER NIGHT TO DO IN SAN DIEGO

If the club scene isn’t your vibe, San Diego has plenty of other fun things to offer!

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

Undoubtedly one of the premiere theater venues in San Diego, La Jolla Playhouse attracts unmissable productions, legendary performers, and a progressive approach to theater both classic and contemporary. If you’re looking for family-friendly diversions to round out your nightlife tour of the city, check out the Playhouse’s WOW or Without Walls Festival—one of the city’s most lavish creative events of the spring.

THE CYGNET THEATRE

For a performing arts venue that’ll take your troupe of thespians off the beaten track, head to the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town. The Theatre’s setting is quirky and charming, as are the acts you’ll find staged here. It’s the perfect hidden gem to impress any ex-theatre kids in your group, whether they were a high school prima donna or behind-the-scenes techie.

Plus, the cozy space is surrounded by three cozy parks—Heritage County, Old Town, and Presidio Park—which make for the perfect picnic grounds for a pre-theater round of wine and cheese.

RADY’S SHELL

For some of the best views and acoustics in all of San Diego, head to Rady’s Shell on the Marina. The sheer architecture of this venue is worth seeing and hearing, and is sure to make any act you see sound sublime. Come early and grab a nautical meal at Joe’s Crab Shack, then tour the park pier before heading over to the main event.

WATCH LIVE PERFORMANCES AT OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO

Musicians showcase the best of their music in Old Town, particularly in Fiesta de Reyes. However, Old Town is particularly known for its array of Latin restaurants. So if you were craving some Mexican food while enjoying the lively music of a Mariachi band, head to Old Town. If you’re planning a trip there, consider joining us on our San Diego taco tour, as we indulge in several Mexican restaurants, pairing food tastings with specially curated tequila cocktails!

SAN DIEGO ZOO

Did you ever wonder what a nighttime zoo looks like? While there’s plenty to explore in the San Diego Zoo during the day, most people are too tired to wait around at night. That’s a shame because that’s when the nighttime zoo really comes alive. The zoo always have nighttime activities lined up for visitors that stay long enough.

HOTEL DEL CORONADO

Perhaps one of the most famous in the city, guests at Hotel Del Coronado can enjoy roasting marshmallows by the beach at night. However, you don’t have to be a guest to do the same thing. As long as you book a reservation, you have access to the resort’s private beach. This is one of the best pastimes you and your friends can enjoy in the summer.

LA JOLLA COVE

While considered as a quintessential urban metropolis, San Diego has surprisingly diverse wild life, which are thriving in La Jolla Cove, particularly the sea lions and phytoplankton.

USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

The USS Midway was an important vessel not only in the city’s history, but in the history of the United States. At one point, USS Midway was the longest serving naval ship. No longer in service, it now serves as the base of the USS Midway Museum. Don’t just visit the museum, make a reservation for their Snooze Crewz program, which allows you to spend the night aboard the ship. Talk about a unique way of experiencing the San Diego Bay. 

LITTLE ITALY SAN DIEGO

Italian cuisine is another staple in San Diego, so it’s no surprise there is Little Italy San Diego. This is the district that any San Diegan would go if they are craving for Italian food. After you’ve had your fill, you can then wander to the fountain and enjoy the light show. Fun fact: The Little Italy in San Diego is actually the biggest in the country. 

THE CIVIC THEATRE

The Civic Theatre is part of the heart and soul of San Diego’s heritage, held in a restored theater that’s over 110 years old. It’s a smaller, more intimate venue, and any show you catch here is bound to be an immersive experience that’ll make you feel bonded to San Diego’s performing arts scene for life.

As for the lineup? There have been some historic musical performances here, but it also features a wide array of artists. Singers, comedians, dancers, musicians, and more performing artists can be found on the venue’s rollicking year-round calendar. If your taste in culture is a little more eclectic, you’ll also find plays, opera, and even hard-to-categorize cultural performances.

THE OBSERVATORY

Any musical historian worth his salt knows that San Diego’s The Observatory is one of the most coveted theaters for any musician to perform in. With a sister venue up north in LA, The Observatory North Park is a crucible for both well-known and up-and-coming musicians. You’ll also find some laugh-out-loud live comedy sets peppering the lineups (for nights when you’re keener to bust a gut rather than a move).

CASBAH

While it’s not been around as long as The Observatory, Casbah does draw the same caliber of talent. However, if you want to check out some new talent, this is the place to be. Country acts, jazz acts, rock acts, and even heavy metal acts, you can find both established and new artists that would suit your musical tastes.

But the genre Casbah does best? Rock. The era of rock is far from over at Casbah (just as fans of The Clash would have it). It’s a gritty, more casual spot with some legendarily friendly bartenders and sure to please any die-hard punk fans you have in your group.

HUMPHREY’S

The Bay is one of the biggest attractions in the city. And with such a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay, it’s no wonder that it’s the perfect place to hold big events like concerts. At Humphrey’s, not only can you enjoy live music, but also the best food San Diego California has to offer.

MUSIC BOX

Smack dab in the middle of Downtown San Diego, this industrial sleek live music haunt is an absolute must. If your typical night out includes a fancy beverage or two at a bar, then heading out to see a show, Music Box will save you the extra trip—the venue has some of the best craft cocktails in the city. 

As for music, here you’ll find everything from live shows to DJs spinning the classics of yesteryear. If you and your crew love to boogie, each of you will find an excuse to lace up your dancing shoes every night of the week. 

BELLY UP

No matter what set you catch at Belly Up, you’re sure to take a little sonic slice of history with you. The tavern has hosted some of the most esteemed, versatile artists on the planet, from Etta James to Childish Gambino (not to mention forefather of American music, John Lee Hooker).

We recommend making a night of it by toasting to music Hall-of-Famer greatness at one of Solana Beach’s best bars. Culture Brewing Co’s patio is a coveted spot for savoring crisp, earthy brews outdoors. And for the wine crowd, head to Carruth Cellars for a gritty, grapey urban winery experience.

LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY

Where Casbah is for the punks, this venue is for true “finer things” enthusiasts. Located in San Diego’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, La Jolla boasts one of the city’s most adventurous performing arts schedules. On any given Sunday (and any other day of the week), you’ll find a planet’s worth of cross-cultural experiences: 

• Maestros from the chamber music world? Check. 
• Tango musicians hailing from the other hemisphere? Got it. 
• World-class contemporary jazz mega-stars? Present.

And with mesmerizing events like Summerfest to get the whole city involved, there’s never a dull or off-season moment at La Jolla—just endless entertainment.

HOUSE OF BLUES

Trade in hip–hop and dance clubs for blues and rock and roll at this iconic venue! With locations around the country, this spot is one of the best in live entertainment. Guests come to watch both big and lesser–known artists play intimate live music. The House of Blues is a great place to spend a Friday or Saturday night if you’re looking to have a ton of fun but still be in bed before 2 am.

THE NOLEN 

If you party with a view overlooking the city, then The Nolen is one of the best rooftop bars in San Diego.Found in Gaslamp Quarter, it is considered to have one of the best views of the city. One of the highlights is there are tables with a fire pit in the middle, making for a cozy atmosphere to lounge in. Perhaps one of the most notable is you can start hanging out as early 11 am and have some brunch.

Visiting any of these spots would make any San Diego itinerary worthwhile. When the sun comes up and you turn from a night owl to an day bird, check out some of the best tours San Diego has to offer with So Diego! Kickoff the night early with a brewery tour, or learn about the San Diego gaslamp district with our signature brothels, bites, and booze tour!