The 15 best places to grab a drink in San Diego

This could easily be an advertisement for San Diego's weather, which gets top-billing at the bar overlooking Petco Park. Surrounded by sunshine, flowers, and blue skies, Fairweather is the perfect place to grab a spritz and enjoy all that San Diego has to offer, including their baseball team playing right across the way. 

Follow the music to Kettner Exchange, a split-level restaurant that turns into a lively scene after dark. It's one of the few places you can dance to something other than techno.

Brought to you by Good Time Design, the folks behind some of the best spots in town, Go Go Amigo is the closest you can get to Mexico without crossing the border. The tacos are legit, the decorations are authentic and the drinks are similar to the ones I've had in Rosarito. Maybe even better... 

Prepare to have your mind blown... This place is shaped like a carousel ride, complete with lights, horses, and paintings, and the centerpiece rotates every 14-minutes like an actual carousel ride. But wait, there's more! The cocktails range from strong to delicious to downright euphoric, and the service is better than any other spot in town.  

Hotel rooftops can feel a bit cheesy, but this one feels right. Thanks to its location, perched on the 14th floor of the Courtyard Marriott, and its laidback vibe, The Nolen has all the amenities of a high-end rooftop without any of the drawbacks. 

The four and eight-course Japanese menu is the star of Matsu, but don't forget about the restaurant's sixth man: cocktails. The Kaku-Hi elevates this spot from fifth-seed to title contender, and the Kitsunu's mix of gin, yuzu, and shisho is what every meal should be paired with.  

Crushed has quickly become the spot in Pacific Beach. Whether you're a family of four, a group of seven, or a party of two, there's no better place to spend an afternoon. There are a number of lagers on tap, including a local favorite called Ashland, and the menu has more side options than Tiger Woods.  

This is the kind of nightclub you'd find in Vegas or Miami, but without the overpriced cover charges or rude bouncers... OK, so there are still a few of those, but mostly this is a nightclub with good vibes and great music. 

Polite Provisions turns alcohol into art. There's simply no other way to describe the tasty, colorful concoctions this James Beard-winner churns out. Over the course of a day, we recommend you try the Mayan Concubine, an elixir of tequila, lemon, and apricot, and the Isla Bonita, an elixir of rum, lemon and rose'. Both play on the drug store theme, and both are strong enough to knock you out. 

Beer is to San Diego what Ron Burgandy is to San Diego. It's ingrained in the culture, and locals take pride in the many brews and breweries this fine city has to offer. Take Modern Times, for example, their tasting room is always packed with locals sipping on the company's many crafts, each of which gets a 5/5 on my rating scale. 

More crafts! This time we head over to O'Briens, where beer is served by the pint and games are served by the bar. If your favorite team is playing, there's no better place to cheer them on. 

Tired of drinking beer? Shame on you...But if you must drink something else, make it the wine at Rose's. This place is packed with locals who like to pair starry nights with red glasses, and having been there, I can't really blame them. 

Head over to Level 2 at Georges for ocean views and inventive drinks. Stephanie Kurpinsky has put together a menu fit for a king...or Poseidon...with margaritas lined with seaweed, sea salt, and seasonal ingredients. 

Ever wanted to do a pub crawl without the walking? Now you can. With The Pendry, you can hop between four bars in the span of two hours. If you start with a slushie at the pool, then sample a pint at the bar, you can finish your night with some good ol' fashion dancing at the Oxford Club. 

This one's for you 20-somethings out there: if you're in town and don't have an-in at San Diego State, head over to Onyx Nightclub. There are plenty of "adults" here too, but this is mainly a spot for kids under the age of 25.