There is so much to love about San Diego, from sun-soaked beaches to the ever-cool beach vibes. As for the lovers of nighttime, the nightlife is chromatic and pulsating with energy, just like the city during the day. When the sun sets, the city's surrounding urban setting comes to life in a post-sunset playground. 

Rooftop Bars

Sipping cocktails above the city lights is magical, and San Diego offers a top-notch collection of rooftop bars. These spots should be at the top of your list when looking to elevate your evening with a touch of class and a view. And just like placing a smart bet on this website, choosing the right rooftop bar can make all the difference in your night out—ensuring you get the best odds for an unforgettable experience.

• Altitude Sky Lounge offers sweeping views of the city skyline, Petco Park, and the Coronado Bridge. It's an elegant, open-air vantage from which one could want to share a signature cocktail while viewing a Padres game from above or just adoring the night sky. In a word, the atmosphere is upscale yet still mellow, making it always just what you need to commence your night.

• The Rooftop by STK at the Andaz Hotel is an injection of both exclusivity—a rooftop bar and a fashionable lounge—and its contemporary ambiance, together with its plush décor. With every passing hour, the venue takes on a higher octane of a hot place with a DJ spinning the hot licks. 

Nightclubs in Style

If the music has to be turned up and danced to until your feet hurt, then San Diego's nightclub scene is for you. 

Omnia Nightclub is a must on a Gaslamp Quarter itinerary. This is a three-story club radiating a design of the future—already in place to charm you amidst a giant kinetic chandelier, thereby providing movement with the induced beats of the music.

For a closer yet electrifying experience, venture to Bang Bang. Catch a show or just go wild on the sushi—this place is part sushi restaurant, part nightclub, and every ounce eclectic and electric. Step through the entrance and find yourself in a neon-bathed wonderland. The place is jammed, with the dance floor coming to life with beats that tend a bit towards everything from house to hip-hop. 

Craft Cocktails and Speakeasies

While San Diego's nightlife scene certainly includes its fair share of glitz and glamor, the city's also become a haven for craft cocktail lovers and anyone who enjoys a bit of history with their drink. The city's speakeasies and craft cocktail bars deliver a more laid-back, although no less rewarding, night out.

• The Noble Experiment is probably the best-known of the handful of speakeasies in San Diego. Hidden behind the kegs in the back of a restaurant, this is an underground, really secretive place. The decor is magnificent, the lighting is dim, and the drink wizards are definitely behind the bar. Literally crafted with fresh and wildest imagination captured somehow through fresh produce, their cocktails are masterpieces. Make sure to make reservations, as this spot is hot and fills up fast.

• Prohibition in the Gaslamp Quarter is another spot where you truly get a speakeasy feel, entering through the secret door into a dark, swanky interior. And the bartenders in this place are real craftsmen; the drink menu is full of classics with a shake-up of modernity in between. Live jazz music complements the place for a more relaxed night out.

Live Music Venues

San Diego is full of awesome choices where you'd rather leave the DJ at home. Those who prefer live music to DJs find themselves in a real sweet spot with respect to live music venues for every taste, including rock, jazz, indie, and alternative.

Legendary venue Casbah has been a staple of the San Diego music scene since 1989. Situated in Little Italy, this cozy club has seen tons of up-and-coming bands grace its stage, and plenty of established acts share their talent while the gritty, no-attitude vibe of the Casbah is perfect for patrons who want to get right up close and personal to the live music. 

For a bit more upscale in terms of venues, there is Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Now, this is a purely outdoor venue, quite unlike the others; this one is located on Shelter Island, with the setting absolutely stunning as they offer concerts right on the water. You will be in awe of the setting, and the lineup consists of big names combined with local talents.