As the birthplace of contemporary California, the neighborhood remains haunted with history. This is where California’s first European settlements took hold on land long-occupied by the Kumeyaay. Since the 1700s, San Diego has been growing and changing around this nucleus. No other city can claim such a start.

Today, much of that history lives, while other aspects are buried in the ground beneath vibrant restaurants and shops housed in buildings whose footprints date back hundreds of years. These are streets and alleys in which to linger, to get a bit lost. But worry not—if you find yourself bone-dry while wandering, divine drinks await. Here are five cocktails and beverages worth seeking out next time you’re in our oldest and most uncommon ’hood.

Garden Of Death

Oculto 477

Confess your sins on your way into this cemetery-adjacent speakeasy and belly up to one of SD’s most photogenic bar programs. The Garden of Death is a mezcal-forward affair served in an ornate pewter globe, garnished with fresh marigolds. The smoke of the mezcal shines with lemongrass and ginger, but the kick of pasilla-chile liqueur and serrano bitters lingers on the palate like a kiss from a lost love. Though it’s spooky back here, don’t be afraid to order off-menu. Since 477 bodies are buried just outside these walls, may we suggest a Corpse Reviver #2?

Tequila Mule

El Agave

El Agave is a shrine to the sacred succulents that give us tequila. The walls of this restaurant-slash- tequila-museum are practically built from backlit bottles. It’s a gorgeous place to sip a shot of something rare or to enjoy cocktails paired with food in the intimate dining room. The Tequila Mule—made with passionfruit and ginger beer and served in a copper cup (properly)—is a day drinker’s delight or the perfect pre-dinner liquid hors d’oeuvre before digging into El Agave’s massive mole and margaritas menu.

Chicle

El Sueño

Opened last summer next to Casa Guadalajara by industry veterans Pietro Busalacchi and Gustavo Rios, El Sueño is one of the newer kids on the Old Town block. The restaurant and bar’s upbeat party atmosphere pairs nicely with their cocktail offerings, with technicolor bevs ranging from classic mezcal and tequila combinations to margaritas and creative shots. A standout is the Chicle, a bright pink drink named after the Mexican gum and made with Casa Noble Blanco, watermelon, Amaro Montenegro, and pistachio, served in a classic coupe glass with a floral garnish.

Michelada

Elote

Simultaneously heating you up and cooling you off, the michelada might be the perfect noon beverage. Made with Escondido’s Cultura michelada mix and rim paste, the spicy beers here are hot enough to be served in hell, but delicious enough to bring you back to heaven. Located in the Old Town Urban Market, Elote occupies a cute corner perfect for a lunchtime drink and Instagrammable fire-kissed corn (served on the cob or in a cup).

Queen’s High Tea

Coral Tree Tea House

A visit to Old Town doesn’t have to involve alcohol. There’s plenty to do before darkness drowns the daylight and the devils come out to play. Coral Tree is located in the haunted McConaughy House (built 1887), so you can sip proper English tea surrounded by ghosts. The Queen’s High Tea includes all the standards, like fresh-baked scones, tea sandwiches, tiny desserts, and even Waldorf salad (mayonnaise and fruit!). Keep your ears open for phantom footsteps from above, where original homeowner John McConaughy is said to wander upstairs.

For more Main Dish, tune in to Happy Half Hour, our food and drink podcast, every week: sdmag.com/hhh.

The post 5 of the Best Old Town Drinks and Cocktails to Try Right Now appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Lionfish

Courtesy of Lionfish

Gaslamp Quarter isn’t particularly easy to navigate unless you live or work downtown knowing which one-way streets will get you where you need to go, exactly when you can park alongside what color curbs, and, of course, identifying the best places to eat.

I acquired this know-how after several years of living in the neighborhood, bartending in a notorious Gaslamp hot spot, working overtime at a few Comic-Cons to help pay the sky-high rent in my high-rise apartment, and falling asleep to pedicab tunes every night. I saw so many Gaslamp restaurants come and go while other, more mediocre ones remained, financed by a steady stream of corporate credit cards shuffling through the convention center.

From the new and notable to long-standing favorites, here are some of the best dishes in Gaslamp:

Hokkaido scallop ceviche at Lumi

Courtesy of Lumi

Scallop Ceviche at Lumi

Lumi thrives on showstopping dishes swirling with smoke, the type of dinner that TikTok dreams are made of. But, even better, Lumi’s omakase menu at the sushi counter is quieter. It’s still beautiful, of course, but it’s also a journey that leans more into subtlety than spectacles. The proximity to the artists behind the food allows you to smell the torch charring the Wagyu and watch the grace with which warm rice transforms into nigiri. Look for the Peruvian influence weaved within the eight-course omakase, like Hokkaido scallop ceviche with ají amarillo leche de tigre and salsa criolla.

“Angry” Whole Grilled Snapper at Lionfish

Whole Grilled Snapper at Lionfish

For sustainable seafood in Gaslamp, look no further than Lionfish’s chef JoJo Ruiz, who excels at finding the best way to showcase his catch, whether pan-seared in delicious sauces or served raw and nearly naked. As the signature restaurant of the Pendry Hotel, Lionfish attracts its fair share of tourists, but locals return again and again for its consistently impressive cuisine. Feast on the “Angry” Whole Grilled Snapper bursting with flavor from fermented chili and garlic butter, topped with Thai basil salad and served with paratha bread.

The Rolls Royce Maki at Zama

Courtesy of Zama

Rolls Royce Maki at Zama

Whether you’re looking for an upbeat dinner spot before a night out or, in my case, wanting a dinner that can stand in as nightlife in lieu of going out to a club, Zama brings the heat. Soak in the rainforest atmosphere with twinkle lights raining down from the ceiling and listen to upbeat Argentinian music from the DJ booth while noshing on outlandish sushi rolls like the Rolls Royce Maki with softshell crab, Wagyu strips, avocado, cotija, truffle aioli, and mashed yuca.

Spill the Beans

Courtesy of Spill the Beans

California Bagel at Spill the Beans

Don’t come looking for knock-off New York bagels at Spill the Beans—chef Kevin Templeton decided to create a California bagel instead. The fluffy, chewy bagels were inspired by the hamburger buns at Barleymash, a fixture on Fifth and Market. The bagels are the perfect utensil for devouring housewhipped cream cheese in standout flavors like wasabi, ginger, and soy or white truffle and Parmesan.

Brick-oven pizza at Lavo

Courtesy of Lavo

Aperitivo at Lavo San Diego

Apertivo (happy hour) at Lavo, Tao Group’s Italian concept, offers $8 cocktails and bites like arancini along with $10 brick-oven pizzas on fermented sourdough crust. The central bar is the perfect spot to post up and watch the crowds walk by, or you can sink into a plush banquette for more privacy. With portions big enough to share, Lavo suits a date night or a dinner with friends before promenading on Fifth Avenue.

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Japanese Affinity at The Whiskey House

With 4,500 bottles—and counting—The Whiskey House was born out of a quest to become the Guinness Book of World Records holder for the most varieties of whiskey commercially available. It achieved this feat in 2019 and has continued to grow the collection ever since. From a flight of five Pappy Van Winkle tasters to an extensive cocktail collection of old fashioneds, Sazeracs, and whiskey sours, The Whiskey House takes its namesake spirit seriously. Especially notable is its Japanese Affinity, a take on a Manhattan with Suntory Toki, Kiuchi No Shizuku, red vermouth, and housemade barrelaged bitters.

For more Main Dish, tune in to Happy Half Hour, our food and drink podcast, every week.

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