Best Nightlife in San Diego

FLUXX is Downtown San Diego's high-end dance club. Just as its name implies, FLUXX nightclub's mood and motif are kept in a constant state of change designed to create a unique experience with every visit. The venue incorporates organic decor amidst bright, bold colors and playful design elements including a large-scale adult tree house, a 15-ft custom rope chandelier and eye-catching art. FLUXX is your excuse to revive your most stylish apparel as there is a dress code. FLUXX offers a Vegas-style VIP bottle service and centrally located VIP tables. Or, reserve the tree house which also has a private bar!

There's live music at Belly Up almost every night. Belly Up is not pretentious and has a more casual vibe, despite being an award-winning nightspot. Up-and-coming artists as well as established legends in genres ranging from alternative rock, rock, reggae, and hip-hop to blues, folk, jazz, Latin and more perform here. Recent concerts include the Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chili Peppers. No dress code enforced other than don't forget to wear shoes. Check the online calendar for upcoming shows where you can even hear a sample or two of the featured band's music. Limited bar food is available for purchase. Be prepared to dance.

Oxford Social Club is the new nightlife and chic boutique lounge experience inside of the Pendry San Diego hotel. Sure, DJs spin tuns and there is a dance floor, but the emphasis is also about conversation and relaxation in comfortable seating areas. However, the experience is far from sleepy especially as it's become a popular place for celebrities to be seen and host events. Bottle service here is a true VIP experience with your own space, server, security staff, bussers, selection of mixers and guaranteed club entry. Otherwise, to get in you'll need to go online and put yourself on the guest list. You'll find a more affluent crowd here of all ages.

Rooftop STK is Andaz San Diego's newly refreshed and rebranded poolside lounge that offers incredibly picturesque views of the Downtown San Diego skyline. It is a sexy, swanky and scenic spot to enjoy handcrafted cocktails, and delicious dishes from a menu specially created by Executive Chef J.C. Colón. By day, The Rooftop by STK will sweep you away with stunning views and creative regional cuisine for breakfast and lunch. By night, The Rooftop by STK is San Diego's ultimate rooftop destination and nightlife experience high above the city, with live DJs spinning underneath the star-lit San Diego sky at the see-and-be-seen nightclub and lounge.

The Grass Skirt is new to the San Diego dining and nightlife scene and already people love it. It's a hidden tiki bar located inside Good Time Poke, a grab-and-go poke spot that is open in the evenings until 2:00 a.m. The goal is to use traditional tiki elements interlaced with seductive details to transport guests to a place of eternal sunset complete with fire pit tables and swings. Yes, expect a variety of tropical cocktails here (including a secret cocktail menu that you may want to ask about). They also have over 150 rums including some very rare and pricey options.

Moonshine Flats is a ton of country fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. It's one of two places in San Diego to dance to country. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout, including the longest bar on the west coast spanning 80 feet, San Diego's largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a 6' x 6' raised "dance pod" and a moveable DJ booth, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen. Drink from old school barber "shot" chairs (drink and spin!) or play pool and arcade games like Buck Hunter and a Boxing. You'll love it, even if country music isn't your thing.

To enter Prohibition, simply show up (no reservations are accepted) and find the door marked Law Office of Eddie O'Hare. It is a speakeasy with a 1920's vibe designed for those who would like to step into the Great Gatsby era for an evening. A dress code is enforced so no shorts, flip flops or sandals, or baseball caps on Fridays and Saturdays. And, they didn't have cell phones back then so using them at the bar. Guest also enjoy the creative and witty cocktail menu such as the "These are not the droids you're looking for" cocktail featuring tequila, lime, allspice, Averna and apple Jarritos soda.

Polite Provisions serves up cocktails and classic American fare in University Heights. Their massive custom tap system not only features 18 craft beers on tap, also ten wines (red, white and rose), carbonated cocktails, non-carbonated spirituous cocktails, spirits and one tap of each--amaro, dry vermouth, aperitif and sherry. There's also four seltzer water draft handles and iced coffee on draft brewed with beans roasted just four blocks away at the locally owned Coffee & Tea Collective. The coffee is kept at temperatures just above freezing so it stays fresh. The also offer a rare line-up of amari. Come here to lounge with friends until late night.

People come for the cocktails and say that you'll never drink a better one. This San Diego speakeasy is found via a somewhat secret door near the door to the kitchen at The Neighborhood. Reservations are by text message only and Noble Experiment is always full, as there are only 32 seats. Cocktails are made with premium spirits and all natural, sustainable ingredients. There isn't any food for sale so go to The Neighborhood if you're hungry. A wall of gold-plated skulls lines the wall of this speakeasy and service is top notch. There isn't another drinking experience like this in San Diego. It's special.

Onyx Room is three-level dance club, one at street level and two below. This nightclub draws the ultra-cool who want to party with inventive cocktails in hand and plenty of eye candy located throughout the room. Different nights feature different music styles, from jazz to hip-hop and old-school (the schedule is online). Typically, hip hop is played upstairs while house is played below ground. As an upscale nightclub, Onyx Room has a dress code so skip the beachwear. VIP bottle service is available by reservation. Register online for the guest list which may feature a discounted or no cover charge and you must sign-up before 8:00 p.m. on your desired night.