Cheers to the best time of the year!

It’s officially Holiday Cocktail Season, which we take very seriously around the halls of ThereSanDiego! 🥃 That means we are busy planning out our route around San Diego’s best bars to make sure that we can get to all of our favorite destinations before the season is over!

And you should too, so we figured we’d give you a roundup of our favorite places (old and new) to enjoy the tradition to make it easy for you to plan your route.

Whether you’re on the hunt for an over-the-top Christmas cocktail, need something stiff to get you through your holiday shopping experience, or are looking for the perfect place to take a date for a hot toddy over the holidays, this list has you covered!

San Diego’s Best Bars for Holiday Cocktails

Nolita Hall

Nolita Hall has one word to say about their holiday lineup: sleigh.

They take their fun very seriously—including their holiday decorations and cocktails. It’s one of our favorite places in San Diego for drinks and conversations with friends, and we plan on being there a lot over the holiday season!

California English

This holiday season, yule be delighted by California English‘s English-inspired yuletide elixirs. A relatively unknown newcomer to our list of San Diego’s best bars—you won’t be disappointed. Those cheeky Brits do know how to drink, and the cocktails here are always impressive!

Imbibe on spiked classics like the Holiday Nog with Buffalo Trace Bourbon & bourbon cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, and egg white.

There are also new creations, including the Mistletoe with Titos, maraschino, lime, and cranberry bitters; the Fireside with bourbon, Averna, chile, cinnamon, and cardamom; the Candy Cane with Titos, and peppermint schnapps; the Mozart white chocolate; and the Yule Mule with buttered rum, cinnamon, nutmeg, lime juice, apple cider, black walnut bitters, and ginger beer. 

Non-alcoholic delights are also available, like the Cranberry Basil Cooler with cranberry, lime, basil, and cranberry bitters. 

Craft & Commerce

Little Italy’s Craft & Commerce has decked the halls for a festive season of eating and drinking. And for an extra dose of holiday cheer, visit during happy hour, 4-5 pm Monday through Thursday and 3-5 pm Fridays.

They’ve churned out a new menu of 8 seasonal drinks, including the Ms. Shugga Plum’s Hot Stuff with white chocolate, marshmallow, orange liquor, Meletti Amaro, Demerara Rum and sugar plum whip; the Santa’s Rootin’ Bootin’ Old Fashioned with bourbon, Amaro Meletti, herbsaint, and St. Schmitter’s Root Beer Cordial; or the Chwithmuth Twee with London Dry Gin, bianco vermouth, elderflower, lemon, and winter bouquet bitters.

Fort Oak

Fort Oak is going full North Pole glam with “Snowed In,” turning their bar into the most magical snow globe you’ve ever stepped into! This festive cocktail wonderland sparkles from November 25 through December 31, 5 PM to 11:30 PM.

Cocktail wizard Jess Stewart is unleashing pure holiday joy in liquid form. Santa Slaps (yes, that’s the real name!) takes your basic espresso martini and decks it out with vodka, cold brew, chai, vanilla, cream, and amaretto.

Missing summer? The Vacay Holiday brings the beach to your winter with spiced rum and passion fruit. When the temp drops below 70 (brr!), wrap your hands around the Big Nic Energy—a soul-warming hug of Maker’s Mark Christmas Spirit and spiced apple cider.

With twelve seasonal sips served in what feels like your own private snow globe, this is the winter escape San Diego didn’t know it needed!

Wormwood

Wormwood absinthe bar and French restaurant is one of our favorite places for a good cocktail in San Diego any time of year, and the holidays are no different.

We always feels like we’ve escaped to a cafe in Paris for the evening, which makes it the perfect place for a special holiday drink with friends or someone special. I mean, who wouldn’t like a quick trip to Old Paris for Christmas?!

Don’t expect any over-the-top decorations or Santa mugs here; Wormwood is one of our favorite places in San Diego for a more refined experience, and we don’t expect anything different during the holidays.

Bleu Bohème

Award-winning French food is always a good idea around the holidays, and that’s something that Bleu Bohème has delivered for years. But they may be just as known by regulars for their wine and cocktails (the Basil Martini is a MUST!).

Bleu Bohèm is embracing the holiday season with a selection of cocktails, including the Ma Cherie, made with Bleu Bohème’s house cherry-infused brandy, port wine, and bourbon, served over ice, topped with rich vanilla ice cream and garnished with a Bleu Bohème’s house cherry-infused brandy, port wine and bourbon.

Or try the Fig et Fenouil, a combination of fig and fennel-infused vodka, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lavender, and sparkling wine, each priced at $15.

Madison on Park

You really can’t go wrong at Madison on Park anytime, but it’s always on our list for a cocktail during the holidays.

This year, the specialty cocktail menu includes a Peppermint Espresso Martini, Nogzilla, Snowfall Sour, and Grinchy McGrinchface Shooters!

Wilma’s Carousel Bar

It’s hard to imagine a bar that feels more whimsical and festive than Wilma’s does—a perfect place to raise a glass to celebrate the holidays.

They’re even hosting an ELF movie night this month – a perfect excuse to stop by for a drink or two!

Youngblood

Stepping into Youngblood is like taking a boozy trip to Paris with your best friend…who happens to be one of the best bartenders in the world. That sounds like a perfect way to celebrate the holidays to us!

Youngblood isn’t just one of San Diego’s best bars; they’ve also been recognized as one of the best bars in America, and seats are already very limited due to its intimate setting. Make reservations early!

Marisi

La dolce vita meets holiday cheer at Marisi, the Italian gem in La Jolla Village. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by the warm glow of the bar—a stunning centerpiece that beckons you to unwind with a festive cocktail or savor the rich flavors of Italian wine.

On the menu during the holiday season is a Hazelnut Manhattan made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Reisetbauer Hazelnut, Sweet Vermouth, and Meletti Amaro; the Mulled Apple Cobbler with Laird’s 7 1/2 year Apple Brandy, Amontillado Sherry, House Mulled Apple Cider, and Lemon; or Marisi’s signature Hot Chocolate with Cognac, Benedictine, Valrhona Milk Chocolate, brown sugar, and milk served and house-made Green Chartreuse Marshmallow. 

Rare Society

We could have recommended every one of the Trust Restaurant Group’s venues for this list—they are all fantastic for a celebratory cocktail anytime. But Rare Society’s location on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach has a unique ‘laid-back surf town meets Vegas’ vibe to it that we love (yes, that’s an odd sounding combo…you have to experience it to get it!)!

This is our go-to North County spot for celebrating something special with friends—it never disappoints. Get there early; the bar fills up fast.

The ‘Over the Top Holiday Lounge’

The Over the Top Holiday Lounge is back for its second year atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt, and it’s a must-visit for holiday cocktails with killer views until December 27.

Find a cozy spot around the warm hearth or sit near the homey pair of bunk beds that set the scene of a nostalgic family vacation, all with epic panoramic views of the San Diego Bay that Top of The Hyatt is known for, paired with a themed food and beverage menu, featuring Maker’s Mark.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a special place any time of year, but it has a magical feel when decorated with the sights, smells, and flavors of the holidays.

Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of nature, the spirit of the holidays at The Lodge is alive with a sense of timeless luxury and tradition.

The warm and inviting ambiance is reminiscent of your favorite ski lodge, beckoning you to escape into a winter wonderland that feels like a cozy retreat in the heart of the mountains…but with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Hotel Del Coronado

The Hotel Del Coronado is truly one-of-a-kind during the holidays. The legendary resort shimmers and shines as it transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with ice skating on the beach, giant Christmas trees, thousands of lights, outdoor fire pits to snuggle around, holiday movies on the beach, and much more.

This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, holiday.” The theme pays homage to the hotel’s Hollywood ties and the 65th anniversary of the 1959 comedy classic ‘Some Like It Hot,’ which was filmed on-site in 1958. 

Grab a cocktail, sit by the fire, and soak in the glamour and glitz that only The Del can provide!

The Grass Skirt

We have to have at least one tiki bar on this list! The Grass Skirt has once again gone all out for the holidays, and if ‘rum-soaked’ is your idea of a warm holiday buzz, you’ll want to make sure this is a stop on your list!

Their ‘Sippin Santa’ holiday-themed experience is guaranteed to have you feeling warm and fuzzy. They even have their own Christmas sweater for sale to pick up for your favorite bar-hopping buddies!

Miracle at Draft

The highly anticipated Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up is back at Draft! Decked out with over-the-top holiday decor and collectible mugs, this whimsical wonderland is the perfect spot to sip on exclusive, handcrafted cocktails that celebrate the flavors of the season. 

See you there!

There you go—a full itinerary of San Diego’s best bars for holiday cocktails that are sure to make your spirits bright this holiday season!

See you there, San Diego! Cheers!