3 Best Bars in Mission Bay and the Beaches, San Diego

This pair of speakeasies delights guests with high-theme decor and engaging menus. Entering the nondescript storefront, a sign above the desk in the seemingly cluttered travel agency reads "Other World Travel," but the working kitchen behind offers a hint that all is not as it seems. Accessed through a false freezer door on the left, the Grass Skirt tiki bar serves a wide selection of rum-based tropical cocktails and a menu of shareable pupus in delightfully kitsch surroundings. Venturing through the hidden door to the right transports travelers to the refined Captain's Quarters of a 17th-century sailing vessel where small bites are served alongside a gin-centric cocktail menu. Be sure to reserve a table through the website—these hidden gems are no secret!

This contemporary lounge (pronounced "Jordan") occupies the ground floor of Pacific Beach's chicest boutique hotel, TOWER23, and offers a more sophisticated vibe in what is a very party-happy neighborhood. Sleek walls of windows and an expansive patio overlook the boardwalk.

Enjoy Caribbean-inspired fare and plenty of rum drinks at this pink-and-teal tropical getaway. Miss B's appeals to a younger, sometimes raucous crowd at night, but during the day it provides a pleasant oasis just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Mission Beach's busy boardwalk, though it's an easy walk from there. Parking can be difficult in this more residential and vacation rental-heavy area, but once you find a seat either indoors or on the outdoor patio, be sure to order a plate of jerk chicken, sample one of their many rum cocktails, and plenty of live sports on one of their many TVs.