Hydration is life. We love drinks, and we know you do, too. So this month, for our issue dedicated to the outdoors, we’re focusing on liquids. Because nothing hits like a cold draft after a hike (beer or kombucha!), and the right cocktail or milkshake can turn around even the worst of days. Aprés ski? Aprés me. Here are a few handfuls of drinks to consider after a day of outdoor adventure. Turn it into a bingo card. Go nuts.
La Puerta Mission Hills
Demon Fire
The Demon Fire at La Puerta is made with mezcal, gin, carrot, chile, and lemon and is basically a Whole Foods wellness shot infused with alcohol. The flavors mix together perfectly, making it a cocktail that is semi-sweet with a bit of smokiness that all comes together to give our eyes and immune system a little love. –NM
Tap Shack
Kombucha Flight
Choices are hard. Go for the flight. A nonalcoholic oasis on a stressfully busy corner of OB, Tap Shack’s success nods to the quality. (It opened a second location in East Village.) With numerous rotating flavors of booch on tap—plus nitro cold brew—there’s a drink for every time of day. The Night Surf kombucha stands out with coconut, charcoal, and lime. –MH
Yerba
Maté Ritual
As a lifelong daily maté drinker, I get overly excited each time I come across a café dedicated to the South American upper-delivery herb. Yerba in PB features a lovely, quiet, plant-heavy patio to enjoy a gourd full of maté with a house bombilla. Bring a magazine, why don’t you. Empanadas on tap and the chocolate alfajores can get it too. –MH
The Mad Beet
Lana Del Raspberry
The Mad Beet in PB offers a dizzying menu of smoothies, fruit bowls, juices, salads, and wraps, all with creative names and health-conscious ingredients. It can be overwhelming, but don’t panic. The Katy Berry? Sure. They’re all good. Skip Postmates; go in person. Sip your selection inside while playing old-school arcade games like Pacman, NBA Jam, TMNT, and Mortal Kombat. The Lana Del Raspberry smoothie is a crowd fav, but who can tell, really. –MH
Gelato Vero Caffe
Pistachio Affogato
They used to cram indie rock bands in this classic, rickety beaut. It was not in any way permitted, and it was lovely. The corner gelato store in Middletown is an icon with a thin sliver downstairs and what feels like an enclosed rooftop room that someone’s dad built with a hammer and cursing. Get a pistachio affogato (a scoop of gelato swimming in espresso from Caffè Calabria), and watch the planes land. –TJ
If this sentence is wacky, you know which bottle to blame. Izo Sotol has become SDM office water. Based in San Diego, Izo started with mezcal, expanding to tequila, sotol, and bacanora—all distilled in owner Gustavo Martinez’s hometown of Durango, Mexico. The sotol won our hearts because it’s imminently drinkable straight (like a well-aged bourbon) but also plays well in a spicy margarita situation. It’s served at serious cocktail places (George’s, Cantina Mayahuel), but also at everyone’s favorite pandemic superstore for home use. –TJ
Courtesy of Yelp
Bivouac Ciderworks
Pikes Peak Colada
From North Park’s heroes of craft ciders… it’s like a boat drink, on a boat lazily and dreamily anchored off the coast of the Philippines. It starts with pineapple-infused cognac, fresh pineapple juice, lime juice, and finally, the key—a jigger of ube coconut cream. Ube is a Filipino sweet potato, so Jimi Hendrix–hued that it makes Instagram seem invented simply to promote ube. It’s purple. It’s creamy. It’s tart. It’s dreamy. –TJ
Courtesy of Pure Project
Pure Project
Stoic Serenity Kombucha
Sometimes you need a little beer break, even if you’re at a brewery birthday bash with your pals. Enter hard kombucha, part gut-health guardian, part afternoon buzz extender. Pure Project’s Stoic Serenity is anything but sedate; its cranberry, lime, hibiscus profile is reminiscent of gummy bears in the best way, with none of that ’booch funk that can sometimes harsh your vibe. –SL
Sycamore Den
Syc Den Margarita
Deciding on a night-out destination is an internal war between my affection for cozy, no-frills locales and my devotion to really good craft cocktails. Syc’s Patron-based drink checks many of my margarita-snob boxes—not blended (sorry), real agave, generous dusting of salt around the rim—in a laid-back habitat complete with bar games and free popcorn. Bonus: Many menu options utilize fellow SD businesses, including Lestat’s Coffee and Cutwater Spirits. –AR
Fruittitude
Matcha Green Tea Slush
Boba is a treat. Made-to-order slushy boba? Even better. The Matcha Green Tea Slush at Fruittitude is a cold comfort on a hot day wandering La Jolla’s endless boutiques. Across from the 70-year-old Ascot Shop and next to a designer pet store, the sleek, all-white interior juice joint fits right in. Bare, sure. But what the place lacks in décor it makes up for in options. Soup, salad, even rice bowls. –MH
Señor Mangos
The Vampiro
The Leon family has been a cornerstone of North Park and City Heights for decades since its father, an ag worker in Mexico, moved all nine kids to San Diego. The kids sold bags of fruit on the streets. Now those kids own Señor Mangos (two locations), modest windows selling to-go smoothies, juices, and bowls—using the fruit that paved the way for their family. Try the Vampiro, a damn good cup of red beets and local lore. –TJ
J & Tony’s
Tony’s Negroni
Anthony “Tony” Schmidt was once an adjunct SDSU professor. Which explains why, as cocktail captain of CH Projects, he analyzes brix and dilution and surface area of ice and all sorts of other academic glass science that eventually leads to great drinks. Tony’s Negroni is equal parts Sipsmith L. Dry Gin, Campari, and sweet, heavy, round Carpano Antica Formula vermouth to balance it all, finished with a quarter-ounce of fresh lime juice. Drink it and stare at the dinosaurs in this Jurassic Park-ian art house in East Village. –TJ
Salt & Straw
Brownie Olive Oil Milkshake
Easily one of the best parts of being an adult is the freedom to give into 5 p.m. milkshake cravings with impunity. Enter Salt & Straw’s Little Italy location with its selection of boldly inventive ice cream flavors. Try a whipped cream–crowned blend of chocolate gooey brownie and Arbequina olive oil—rich, nuanced, studded with brownie bits, it’s my new favorite way to spoil my dinner. –AR
At local craft distiller Malahat, spirit whisperer Ash Easterly got the inspiration for this cocktail while on a motorcycle trek through Southeast Asia and its sprawling natural tea fields. It starts with the subtly sweet Malahat Black Tea Rum, mixed with a housemade rosemary-orange syrup and citrus. The key is the top of warm spices (think autumn) and tiki bitters. Could’ve called it the Sweet Teaki. –TJ
Bar man Eddie Avila’s milk punch starts with Don Fulano tequila (a favorite, from a family of agave farmers turned distillers). He takes mango skins and seeds leftover from the kitchen’s weekly chutney to create an oleo sacchurum (syrup), adds both sweet and dry vermouth for balance, then fresh lemongrass and Sri Lankan lemongrass tea. It’s all clarified with oat milk (an ancient bar magic trick), which makes a clear cocktail feel like silk. –TJ
Are you a restaurant or food- or drink-maker with something delicious that should be on SDM’s Hit List? Send the editors an email at [email protected] and tell us what you think we should try!
The NFL 2024 season kick-off is here and with it brings Sunday festivities, heartbreaking upsets, and the sullen reminder that the Chargers are no longer in San Diego. With a gridiron-shaped hole in our hearts, the NFL season is an opportunity to don your other hometown’s team jersey, apply face paint, and follow your top fantasy league draft picks each week at a nearby watering hole. Send your grievances to the Spanos family and rejoice with these local sports bars catering to your favorite NFL team, even if it isn’t the Los Angeles Chargers. (Before you @ us, not all teams are listed. We had to go check on our fantasy drafts.)
Taste and Thirst is a New Yorkers home away from home when it comes to football. This Jets’ fan homebase is always packed during game days—and win or lose—the bar serves happy hour from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., which is a win-win in our opinion.
Bring those red, whites, and blues out. The Local PB shows up for Bills games in a big way. Arrive early on game days, though, the line to get upstairs fills up quickly. But with TVs indoors, outdoors and a spacious pet-friendly patio, there are plenty of ways to cheer on your favorite team.
Originally a 1920’s era bike shop that was transformed into a bar 60 years ago, Saddle Bar is the quintessential San Francisco bar in town. Wear your Rice or Montana jersey and stick around for live music from local rock bands and DJs weekly.
A block away from the beach on Bacon street, Arizona Café is the local spot for Cardinal fans to catch the game. With a kitchen that’s open till 1 a.m daily., it’s the ideal spot for your post game discussion, late-night fantasy football trades, and an opportunity to win back your failed parlay bet during pool.
Catch the reigning 2022 Super Bowl champs at Kansas City BBQ take on the Detroit lions at this legendary outpost Downtown. Gather with local Chiefs fans to relish in historic San Diego memorabilia, recount your favorite Top Gun lines and watch Patrick Mahomes score six while enjoying their daily happy hour from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Immerse yourself in Philadelphia sports at this tucked-away gem in North Park ideal for America’s most passionate sports city. Like the name implies, Pretzels and Pints has an excellent selection of hot pretzels baked daily paired with local craft beer and even an irresistible beer cheese to fumble over as Jalen Hurts scrambles for another touchdown.
Watch Sunday night football with the remnants and hold-outs from the Chargers fan base at Park 101 in Carlsbad. With large outdoor LED screens, a spacious outdoor patio, a rooftop deck complete with a bar, this BBQ joint is the perfect space for parents, dogs, and kids to enjoy a bolts game.
Come see if the New England Patriots can earn themselves another Super Bowl ring this year at The Sandbox in Ocean Beach. Wear your Patriots jersey, paint your face red and blue, or don your signature Bill Belichick hoodie to this island-themed bar. Order one of their specialty pizzas like their meat lover’s Hungry Surfer and enjoy a game of skeeball or pool while you count down to kick off in Foxborough.
Despite a disappointing 2022 season following their 2021 Super Bowl win, Ram’s fans can rejoice at this three-story hotspot on the beach. On game day, members of the “ramily” can gather at Ocean Beach Brewery featuring a rooftop bar with oceanfront views, plenty of activities to after a quarter, and even their own microbrewery offering up craft beer brewed daily.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Nobody knows the booze scene like the bartenders who are in the trenches, mixing and pouring and chopping it up with their regulars night after night. These sophists of spirits can tell you the secrets of life—or at least where to go for an absolutely life-affirming drink. So we decided to play a game of boozy bartender telephone, asking these experts to tip their hats toward their favorite cocktails around town.
Photo Credit: Lucianna McIntosh
Smoke and Mirrors at Mister A’s
Mateo Hoke’s Pick
We begin with the Smoke and Mirrors at Mister A’s. “[We balance] mezcal and rye whiskey … with vermouth and dry curaçao,” says bar lead Alvin Pugeda. “We add a few dashes of Havana and Hide bitters, which lends a tobacco finish. The cocktail is finished with smoked hoja santa, imparting an anisette and pepper aroma.”
Courtesy of Lion’s Share
Cheeto Fingers at The Lion’s Share
Alvin Pugeda’s Pick
Pugeda says the Cheeto Fingers—a violently orange blend of tamarind mezcal, Fresno chile, cucumber, lime, and agave—at The Lion’s Share in downtown offers “a great balance between spicy, funky, juicy, and savory flavors.”The sip gets its cheddar hue from the fermented Fresno juice. “My coworker said it looked like Cheeto water,” adds bartender Cassandra Feather. “That sounded so gross I changed it to Cheeto Fingers—the signature acid-orange finger pads you get from mowing through a bag.”
Photo Credit: Mateo Hoke
Lazy Suzan at Happy Medium
Cassandra Feather’s Pick
Feather recently popped by North Park newcomer Happy Medium, where she fell in love with the Lazy Suzan. “It’s a bright, imaginative, and interesting rum cocktail,” she says. “It has [melon] and celery bitters. I found myself craving another after I’d gone.” The sip gets its name from Suze, a unique, bittersweet French aperitif.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos
Gimlet at Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Christian Siglin’s Pick
Happy Medium owner Christian Siglin doesn’t have to travel far for his favorite drink. He traverses a few North Park streets to get to Mabel’s Gone Fishing, where he orders a gin-and-sherry gimlet, finished with makrut, cardamom, and lime. “[It’s] an interesting take on an old classic: slightly salty with plenty of acid to keep me coming back,” Siglin says. “It pairs great with their oysters, as well.”
Photo Credit: Mateo Hoke
Esquire Martini at Turf Supper Club
Anna Canrinus’ Pick
Embracing all things retro is an unwritten requirement at this red-lit, 1950s-era Golden Hill haunt for DIY steaks. It’s no surprise Mabel’s Gone Fishing bar lead Anna Canrinus sticks to a beloved standby here. “They shake the martini, so tiny ice chips form on the surface and it’s very pleasant,” she says. “I like to grill up a ribeye when I’m at Turf Club, and the bleu cheese olives pair beautifully.”
Photo Credit: Megan Burgess
Pomona at Botanica
Jesse Ross’ Pick
For a night out in North Park, Turf Club bartender Jesse Ross recs Botanica’s Pomona, “a memorable cachaca, sherry, guava, Cinnamon Toast Crunch situation that’s punchy and somehow delicate at the same time—a total party in your mouth,” he says. “Marina Ferreira’s drinks are all bangers, and all the menu cocktails are accompanied by pretty pictures, which I love. Pro tip: Get the tempura olives.”
Photo Credit: James Tran
Dirty Ishigami at Realm Of The 52 Remedies
Marina Ferreira’s Pick
Ferreira, Botanica’s general manager and a self-professed “huge dirty martini fan,” appreciates Convoy speakeasy Realm of the 52 Remedies’ twist on an old standby: negi-infused gin, cocchi Americano, sansho oil, and housemade Japanese brine, with a teensy serving of pickled green onion. “It just hits it on the head of being interesting, yet familiar, eye-opening, and still comforting,” she says. “The balance between salinity and softness is incredible. Not to mention there’s a snack on the side.”
Photo Credit: Mandie Geller
Hugo Spritz at Marisi
Jonny Nguyen’s Pick
Diners often sing the praises of the housemade limoncello at La Jolla Italian joint Marisi, but Realm bartender Jonny Nguyen opts for the sparkling wine–based Hugo Spritz. “It’s a simple yet elegant cocktail that gets a touch of bright herbal flavors from basil and stone fruit from elderflower,” he says. “That liquid gets fully carbonated to order, making every sip as crispy as the last.”
Photo Credit: Elodie Boss
Old Fashioned at Jeune Et Jolie
Derek Cram’s Pick
“Andrew Cordero—the beverage director at Jeune et Jolie and Campfire—is one of the best recipe guys in San Diego,” says Marisi’s director of bar logistics, Derek Cram. “His old fashioned adds plenty of intrigue with a bourbon and cognac split-liquor base, cacao, and hazelnut, all while exercising restraint and keeping it within the comforting confines of an old fashioned template.”
Photo Credit: Shannon Patrick
Polynesian Forty Niner at False Idol
Andrew “Coco” Cordero’s Pick
From their cave-like perch in the back of Little Italy’s Craft & Commerce, False Idol’s bartenders mix orange-and chai-infused bourbon with pear brandy, lemon, orange, and gardenia to produce the orchid-adorned Polynesian Forty Niner. “It’s tropical and juicy with a hint of chai spice,” Cordero says. “It’s almost like a buttery Good Humor Creamsicle Bar.”
Amelia Rodriguez is a writer and journalist and winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her five-year Duolingo streak.
Pick your poison. Everybody has their favorite liquor, and San Diego is home to a vibrant and diverse bar scene, with many outposts specializing in a single type of booze. From record-setting collections of fine whiskeys to in-house distilled liquors and the wine cellars of your wildest dreams, join us on a tour through San Diego’s top establishments tailored to the most popular spirits.
Courtesy of The Whiskey House
Whiskey Bar in San Diego
The Whiskey House
For scotch enthusiasts and whiskey connoisseurs, The Whiskey House stands out as San Diego’s number-one destination. The bar, located in the Gaslamp Quarter, boasts the record for the world’s largest collection of purchasable whiskey, sourcing over 2,467 unique varieties from around the globe. You can sample a range with a whiskey tasting flight, which includes brands from San Diego, Kentucky, Ireland, and Japan. Join their Whiskey Club for monthly tastings and discussions with visiting distillers. | 420 Third Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Notable Mentions: Seven Grand, Aero Club
Courtesy of Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Gin Bar in San Diego
Mabel’s Gone Fishing
Cozy, Spanish-inspired seafood restaurant Mabel’s Gone Fishing lures locals for more than freshly shucked oysters and jamon iberico—they also have one of the best G&Ts in San Diego. Mabel’s and accompanying bottle shop, Bodega Rosette, offer an extensive collection of gin and a rotating gin and tonic of the month. For $75 per quarter, you can also join their gin club, which gets you curated deliveries of gins, tonics, and mixers, plus access to their exclusive release parties. | 3770 30th Street, North Park
Notable Mentions: You & Yours Distilling Co., Botanica Art & Cocktail Bar
Courtesy of 619 Spirits
Vodka Bar in San Diego
619 Spirits
The rare San Diego bar producing its own vodka, 619 Spirits was one of the city’s first craft distillery and tasting rooms to hit the scene in 2012 before expanding into a full-fledged bar and restaurant. Located in North Park, this under-the-radar watering hole offers unexpected farm-fresh vodka infusions, including pickle, coffee, rose petal, and scorpion pepper. You can order shots, pick up a whole bottle, or opt for a mixed drink (though, if you’re seeking complex craft cocktails, be aware that it’s all about the vodka here—libations are simple and spirit-forward). | 3015 Lincoln Avenue, North Park
Established in 1996, El Agave is home to the largest selection of tequilas in the US, with over 2,000 unique brands of tequila and mezcal (they call it their “tequila museum”), including their own award-winning spirit, Agave Artesanal. Attend one of their various tequila-tasting events on their lively outdoor patio overlooking Old Town. Or, if you really feel like treating yourself, opt for a shot of rare 1800 Colección for just over $185. | 2304 San Diego Avenue B, Old Town
Notable Mentions: Cantina Mayahuel, Tahona Bar, La Puerta, Quixote
Courtesy of Tanuki Sake Bar
Sake Bar in San Diego
Tanuki Sake Bar
One of San Diego’s only sake bars, Tanuki (the Japanese name for cute canids called raccoon dogs), is a must-visit for patrons seeking tough-to-find brands of Japanese rice wine. Located in Kensington, Tanuki offers over 100 junmai daiginjo, nigori, ginjo, and sparkling sake flavors from Dassai, Shinsei, and other major exporters. Keep an eye out for their omakase events, ticketed multi-course dinners thoughtfully paired with sakes. | 4191 Adams Ave, Kensington
Notable Mentions: Beshock Ramen, Cloak and Petal
Courtesy of The Rose Wine Bar
Wine Bar in San Diego
The Rose Wine Bar
Housed in the renovated 1927 Rose Grocer building, the Rose Wine Bar bar is a laid-back locale ideal for enjoying some of the city’s best natural wines. Relax with a glass of white and a charcuterie board on their dog-friendly patio or pop by the accompanying bottle shop for the finishing touch on a home-cooked Italian dinner. Membership in the bar’s wine club includes up to four bottles of wine of your preferred type per month and discounts on bottle shop purchases and tastings. | 2219 30th Street, South Park
Perched in the Gaslamp Quarter, Havana 1920 is inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s time in Cuba (it’s where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea). You can party like the famous author and daiquiri downer with one of our city’s most robust rum collections, from traditional agricole rhum to imported bottles from Barbados, Jamaica, Bermuda, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. | 548 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Notable Mentions: False Idol, Raised by Wolves
Courtesy of Womwood
Absinthe Bar in San Diego
Wormwood
From the shores of the French Riviera to the mountains of Switzerland, bar-goers can sip their way through a world tour of absinthe and pastis at Wormwood in Normal Heights. The dreamy French bistro serves the “green fairy” over a sugar cube, as many famous writers and artists enjoyed it, but they also mix the anise-flavored spirit into balanced cocktails like the A La 30th, a blend of absinthe, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters. | 4677 30th St, University Heights
Notable Mentions: Noble Experiment, The Lion’s Share
Courtesy of Realm of the 52 Remedies
Japanese Whisky Bar in San Diego
Realm of the 52 Remedies
For a taste of single-malt goodness, visit Realm of the 52 Remedies, an apothecary-themed Convoy speakeasy packed with traditional Japanese artwork and more than 20 whiskys from the Land of the Rising Sun. Order your favorite straight, or try a cocktail inspired by Japanese treats and even pop culture like anime and manga. Plan your visit in advance, as reservations for this underground spot are extremely limited and only available two or more weeks in advance. | 4805 Convoy St, Kearny Mesa
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
In this city, chef Brian Malarkey and restaurateur Chris Puffer are kind of like peanut butter & jelly, tacos and Tuesday, Padres and Petco—they just go together. This month, the duo celebrates 10 years of partnering on some of San Diego’s top restaurants including their first venture, Herb & Wood.
To celebrate this milestone, we stepped back and revisited their journey becoming some of this city’s most successful restaurateurs.
But first, let’s go back to the beginning. The duo met at Oceanaire in 2007 where they both worked. Malarkey was still riding the high from his stint on Top Chef Season 3 where he won runner-up. He was a great chef, Puffer recalls, if not a tad arrogant. Whatever he was doing, though, it worked. Sales doubled under his watch.
In 2009, Malarkey was approached by some patrons to start what would become Searsucker. He knew he wanted Puffer to be his partner. They had great chemistry and loved hospitality and food. “We both came to this with a bit of a chip on our shoulder,” says Malarkey. “We wanted to prove it to other people that we know what we’re doing.”
Courtesy of Puffer Malarkey Collective
Searsucker, Gabardine, and Herringbone (under the Fabric of Social Dining restaurant group) were born through the new partnership. But in 2012, they sold their concepts to Hakkasan and soon partnered on a new lease.
That building would eventually become Herb & Wood. “We were going to do it differently this time around,” says Malarkey as he reflects on Wood’s early days. “And we [wanted to] build it to last.”
The vision: Great food. Great music. Great service. It’d be a place where diners would let go, put their phones down, and be fully present to enjoy a meal together. When they walked into 2210 Kettner Blvd, they knew they had found their spot.
The only problem was that, at the time, that area of Little Italy was still severely underdeveloped. In a 8,500-square-foot space, they were going to have 230 seats to fill. “It may as well have been on Mars,” says Troy Johnson, San Diego Magazine publisher, content chief, and the city’s longtime food critic.
Courtesy of Puffer Malarkey Collective
And, of course, there were the naysayers. The prevailing feeling in the dining world was, “Let’s see what these f**king idiots do,” recalls Malarkey. The duo let all the noise be noise. In fact, the noise fueled them. “We weren’t going to cater to the haters,” Puffer says.
Their next hurdle would be to tackle the restaurant’s design. “There was nothing. It was literally a box,” says Puffer of the former space. Design teams were too expensive or didn’t quite get their vision—no, they didn’t want exposed beams or wooden tables made from reclaimed barns. “Then, Puffer was like, ‘f**k it, dude, I’m going to design this restaurant.’”
Having never really designed something like this before, he decided not to work in the programs that most professionals use to create their layouts. 3D mockup? Didn’t need it. CAD? That’s what a paper and pencil are for.
Courtesy of Herb & Wood
“It was all in my head,” he recalls. “I had this moment where I was like, ‘If I died right now, no one would know where any of this shit goes.’”
“Yeah, it made no sense,” Malarkey says.
And it still doesn’t if you hear him explain it. A mishmash of vignettes from the inner workings of his memory bank, evoking everything from Mississippi riverboats to Eiffel tower ironwork, Kensington home façades, an old theater he frequented, and a canoe, because why not? Yet somehow, it all worked.
“It’s a sense of nostalgia,” says Puffer. “People might say, ‘Oh, my gosh, this feels good’ and they don’t realize it reminds them of the time they were in Paris.’”
“We don’t play trends,” Malarkey says. “We play timeless.”
Courtesy of Herb & Wood
Over the course of many years and plenty of trial and error, the partnership has continued to thrive. And, the Puffer Malarkey Collective has found its sweet spot within their restaurants: The service had to be kind and unpretentious and the food had to come out quick, delicious, and consistent. “Consistency is key!” says Puffer.
They also learned to balance out one another. “He’s a go-go-go-go [person],” says Puffer, “I’m a let’s-take-a-deep-breath-and-sleep-on-it [type of person].”
So, when they opened the doors to Herb & Wood in April of 2016, with those lessons in place, everything was just right. “We knew it had to fire on all cylinders,” says Puffer. “And it did.”
Courtesy of Puffer Malarkey Collective
There was no pretense and the dress code was exceedingly simple. “Money in your pocket,” says Malarkey. “That’s all you need.”
The phones rang, the seats filled, and the haters had to give it to them, those gnocchi hit. People began embracing every aspect of the place, even the edgier ones.
“We thought people were going to complain about all the paintings with boobs,” says Puffer of the many John Lanes on the wall. “But the amount of people who take pictures in front of the boobs is amazing.”
They even had a middle finger statue that Puffer had picked up from a yard sale. If a table was rude or antagonistic toward the staff, he’d walk over to them with the finger. “Congratulations,” he’d say, handing it over. “You’ve won asshole of the night.”
Courtesy of Puffer Malarkey Collective
The point is, they were ready to laugh (and not take shit from anyone). When someone wrote a review of Herb & Wood and called it Weed & Boners, they both had a laugh. It’s one of the keys to longevity.
Along with the fun and deliciousness, they’ve also served as a culinary talent incubator for San Diego. “It’s like a centrifuge,” says Johnson about Herb & Wood. “They train up all these young chefs and start spinning all this talent into different parts of the city.”
There’s Sebastian Becerra with Pepino, Samantha Bird of Relic Bakery, Aidan Owens at Herb & Sea, and Tara Monsod of Animae and Le Coq (San Diego’s first James Beard award finalist) to name a few. “They’ve expanded the footprint of the food revolution in San Diego,” says Johnson.
Their plans for the next 10 years?
“We’re just going to keep the magic going,” says Malarkey.
Two of the top bar people in the country are taking over a North Park institution. And they have a pretty innovative idea for it: Do nothing.
No neon birdcages. No wallpaper that looks like an O’Keeffe mating with a Dalí. Instead, they’re keeping a local institution largely as it’s been, preserving the emotions of a room with favorite seats and preferred corner stools—only with world-class drinks at Tuesday prices.
A five-star dive bar.
The institution is Gilly’s Cocktails. The barmen: San Diego native Erick Castro, who co-founded cocktail temple Polite Provisions (he’s since sold his share in it) and who remains co-owner of Raised By Wolves (SDM’s “Best Cocktails” 2022). His partner is Jacob Mentel, who studied with national bar-brain Sam Ross at Youngblood and ran Polite for a bit.
“I’ve been wanting to do this concept for years, but I had to find the right space,” Castro says. Paul Ahern of Next Wave Commercial helped Castro find the place and broker the deal.
“I’ve seen places like this in Europe and around the US,” Castro continues. “An honest neighborhood place where you can walk in and play some pool and darts and watch the game, and then you’re like, ‘Holy shit, that’s a great old fashioned… with clear ice… What the—!’”
So aside from a minor name change—to Gilly’s House of Cocktails—that’s the one major update under Castro and Mentel. A hell of a cocktail program. An obsessive’s collection of spirits. Ice that’s clear as rain. Chefy garnishes that aren’t dumb. In skipping the billion-dollar redesign and just cleaning up a comfortable place, they can pass those cost savings onto the patrons.
“It’s going to be a local neighborhood bar that does incredible cocktails that aren’t $20,” he says. “Where you can get a great old fashioned for $10 … so you can afford to go there two or three days a week.”
Gilly’s, located right across the street from the new Lafayette Hotel and down the street from Live Wire, has been a bar since 1968. Originally called Gil’s, it changed names a couple times, but, since 2006, it has been named Gilly’s Cocktails after owner Martin Gill. Gill is retiring, and was picky about who he sold the place to—it had to be someone who would keep it a neighborhood place.
“I don’t see Jacob and I as owners,” Castro says. “We’re stewards of an institution. We wanna honor North Park and the neighborhood. No reason to try to do something fancier. I already own one of those [with Raised by Wolves]—I don’t want to own two. The neighborhood also needs an everyday place.”
Castro and Mentel take the reins on Nov. 15. They’ll shut down for just a couple days to do some maintenance, housekeeping, and cleaning. They’ll keep it open through the holidays, then probably close in January for a small stretch to paint, put in a pinball machine, make some un-drastic improvements.
Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.
What does “HTTP” stand for? What is Hermione Granger’s Patronus in Harry Potter? What is the least common zodiac sign? If you love a good trivia night, San Diego has plenty of ways to test out all the random facts and knowledge you’ve stored up over the years—while also enjoying a great craft brew.
We put together a list of the best bars and breweries offering trivia in San Diego where you can win fun prizes like t-shirts, free shots, tasty food, and most importantly, team pride.
Courtesy of Duck Foot Brewing Co.
Duck Foot Brewing Co.
Multiple locations
Duck Foot’s portfolio of gluten-reduced beers means you can have your trivia and beer too, without the gluten levels found in a typical craft beer. Both of their locations offer weekly trivia nights, as well as long tap lists and food trucks for the full experience.
When: Wednesdays in Miramar from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Thursdays in Leucadia from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What to drink: Their limited releases give patrons a chance to try something new, but I’m partial to their Duckzilla Double White IPA, a mashup between a White Ale and Double IPA.
8920 Kenamar Drive, Suite #210 | 978 N. Coast Highway 101
Black Plague Brewing
Multiple locations
Arrive early to snag a seat at the heavy metal-themed brewery’s trivia nights in all three of their taprooms—it gets pretty packed in all of them. Black Plague’s Purgatory Lounge in Escondido and Oceanside tasting room both have Full Metal Burgers to supply plenty of brain food, and the Dearly Departed taproom in North Park’s full kitchen offers omnivore and vegetarian-friendly fare as well.
When: Tuesdays in North Park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Thursdays in Oceanside from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Thursdays in Escondido from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What to drink: Stay hoppy with one of Black Plague’s IPAs, like their Dearly Departed Cold IPA, brewed with three hops for a tropical and citrus-forward refresher.
2899 University Avenue | 2550 Jason Court | 239 E. Valley Parkway
Kilowatt Brewing
Oceanside
See if you can beat Trivia Tim every Tuesday during Trivia Night and Music Bingo at Kilowatt’s Oceanside taproom. Can’t make it on Tuesday, or trivia not your thing? Check out the hidden speakeasy The Space Pad, a psychedelic journey through space and time (open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Reservations recommended.
When: Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
What to drink: With 25 taps to choose from, Kilowatt offers everything from hazy IPAs to hard seltzers. But I prefer to keep my wits sharp for trivia night, so a low-ABV option like a tangy Berliner Weisse is best.
406 Mission Avenue
Pali Wine Company
Little Italy
Bring a friend to Pali’s free trivia nights every Thursday in Little Italy. Their breezy, modern tasting room is the perfect spot to sip wine, shout answers, and share some small plates like charcuterie, oysters, and yellowtail tuna crudo.
When: Thursdays starting at 7 p.m.
What to drink: Not sure what to start with? Try a curated flight of five different wines, ranging from seasonal favorites to more esoteric natural wines from across California wine country.
Helix Brewing Co. is nestled next to car repair shops and dispensaries, but don’t be fooled by the gritty surroundings. Their indoor/outdoor patio is one of the best-kept secrets in East County and their weekly trivia nights are the perfect chance to come check it out.
When: Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm
What to drink: The Commercial Street location is actually home to two concepts: Helix and Sourworx, their wild and sour beer counterpart. Try a little something from both, but their Dark Sour beers like Animals in the Night and Betting On Stars are as complex as they are funky.
8101 Commercial Street
Resident Brewing
Downtown
Pop inside The Local every Wednesday to try your hand at Resident Brewing’s trivia night, paired with brews made by local brew icon and head brewer Bill Lindsay. The space gets pretty lively as the night goes on, so arrive early to stake out a good spot.
When: Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What to drink: It’s a tie between No-No Joe, their West Coast IPA collaboration with Joe Musgrove, and their Gaslamp Porter, a malty, smooth, and wildly drinkable robust porter. Or, of course, you could just try both.
Enjoy $2 off cider flights during Bivouac’s own Sunset Trivia nights on Wednesdays at their North Park location. Don’t skip their food menu, either—from a Mediterranean meze platter to a chimichurri-smothered steak, this is beyond basic bar food.
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let theBalboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.
16 Museums, One Pass
Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:FleetScience.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Phone: 619-238-1233
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:Niwa.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m. Phone: 619-232-2721
The Old Globe
A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:TheOldGlobe.org Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 619-234-8291
San Diego History Center
History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101 Website: SanDiegoHistory.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday Phone: 619-232-6203
San Diego Junior Theatre
Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101 Website:JuniorTheatre.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 619-239-1311
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Website: SDNat.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer Phone: 619-232-3821
WorldBeat Cultural Center
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 Website:WorldBeatCenter.org Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Phone: 619-230-1190
Event Calendar
Throughout 2026: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
June 8–Aug. 7: Theatre Summer Camps
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
