4 Best Bars in Little Italy, San Diego

This small club near the airport, the unofficial headquarters of the city's indie music scene, has a national reputation for showcasing up-and-coming acts of all genres. Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and the White Stripes all played here on the way to stardom. Check the calendar for daily shows and events.

A walk-in refrigerator harbors the secret entrance to this tiki-themed speakeasy, which is attached to the full-service restaurant Craft & Commerce. Beneath fishing nets full of puffer-fish lights and elaborate tiki-head wall carvings, the knowledgeable staff serves creative takes on tropical classics with the best selection of rums in town.  The bar fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Make a reservation online a week or more in advance.

It isn't really on the waterfront, but San Diego's oldest bar was once the favorite hangout for Italian fishermen. Most of the collars are now white, and patrons enjoy an excellent selection of beers, along with their famous Charlie's chili, burgers, fish-and-chips, and other great-tasting grub, including fish tacos and even breakfast until 2 pm daily. By midday, there's almost always a crowd.

Inspired by 18th-century carousel design and an homage to owner Matt Spencer's grandmother Wilma, Wilma's Carousel Bar is an actual, operational rotating bar that makes a full 360-degree turn every 10 minutes or so, which along with its vibrant decorative motif, gives it the feel of an adult indoor amusement park. The spectacle itself is the major attraction, but the menu is no slouch either, offering new interpretations of classic cocktails as well as French-Creole inspired fare like shrimp and grits or fresh beignets dipped in chocolate. Order a glass of bubbly or a Sazerac cocktail and hop on for a few spins. (Reservations to ride strongly encouraged.)