The Best Hotels for Nightlife in San Diego
If nightlife is your jam, the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to be. The historic district is home to more than a hundred restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues and some of the hottest Gaslamp spots are at hotels, from rooftop lounges with weekend scenes to see-and-be-seen dance clubs. We've included a couple of options outside the urban core, as well, but the Gaslamp has an advantage: If one place is a dud, many others await.
Hotel Palomar San Diego
Why it made the list
By day, the wood-decked Level Four Rooftop Deck and Lounge is perfect for poolside morning mimosas. Tucked under a wooden veranda, the tiled bar has stylish bar seating, and the deck itself has clusters of boho-tinged contemporary rattan chairs. At night, the scene picks up, and during the summer there are DJ’d pool parties.
Hotel Solamar
Why it made the list
The rooftop Upper East bar offers artisan cocktails, including some fruity concoctions perfect for sunny afternoons, and a bar menu with nibbles like rosemary French fries and house-made charcuterie. Ample seating, great views, and fire pits make the rooftop a popular spot for late-night lounging.
Tower23
Why it made the list
JRDN makes a great first impression, with a 70-foot light sculpture that resembles waves and pulses with color. At night, JRDN’s bar area is all aglow in swathes of gold and amethyst light. The scene picks up in the post-dinner hours, spilling out onto the patio, just steps from the boardwalk above the beach.
The Pearl Hotel
Why it made the list
The Pearl’s bar serves unique craft cocktails like the Marie Antoinette and the Dixie Fried Damsel, as well as a good selection of wine and craft beer. A small bar area has bar tables and stools, but there are plenty of spots around the pool if those are all full. On weekends, the scene can get very lively.
Andaz San Diego
Why it made the list
The Rooftop by STK, which has the hotel’s best city views, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring American dishes with a SoCal twist. At night, The Rooftop by STK has a clubby vibe, with music and weekend crowds. There’s a happy hour from 5 to 8 pm every day except Saturday.
Hard Rock Hotel
Why it made the list
On the ground floor, the Hard Rock’s 207 Nightclub has a decent scene -- it’s not the best dance club in town, but it’s right there. The hotel’s rooftop Float lounge, a weekend scene hotspot, features chic seating, fire pits, and panoramic bay and Gaslamp Quarter views. During the summer, the bar hosts Intervention Sundays, a daytime pool party with DJs.
The Pendry
Why it made the list
The Pendry's Oxford Social Club takes its style cues from gentlemen's clubs of yore, with deep-hued walls, dim lighting, oil paintings, and plush velvet seating in copper and teal. With an extensive selection of craft cocktails, the swanky nightclub, which has a dance floor, hosts regional DJs and surprise acts. Cover charges can be steep; look for discounts online.
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Why it made the list
Perched on the 22nd floor, the Marriott's Altitude Sky Lounge features panoramic views of the city skyline, bay, and Coronado Island. Even cooler? You can see right into Petco Park on game days. The spacious features ample seating and a large fire pit. On weekends, it gets packed. Drinks don’t come cheap here, but you get what you pay for with those views.
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