Realm of the 52 Remedies ★ 4.7
$$$Convoy / Kearny Mesa{'monday': '17:00-00:00', 'tuesday': '17:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-00:00', 'thursday': '17:00-00:00', 'friday': '17:00-01:30', 'saturday': '17:00-01:30', 'sunday': '17:00-00:00'}
Realm of the 52 Remedies hides inside Common Theory on Convoy Street, a 1920s Shanghai parlour speakeasy in San Diego's Convoy District named a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Bar.
Tip: Tock reservations strongly recommended; walk-in waitlist past 22:00 only. The herbal tonic menu is the kitchen's collaboration with the bar program.
Urban Mo's Bar and Grill ★ 4.5
$$Hillcrest{'monday': '10:00-23:00', 'tuesday': '10:00-23:00', 'wednesday': '10:00-23:00', 'thursday': '10:00-23:00', 'friday': '10:00-01:00', 'saturday': '09:00-01:00', 'sunday': '09:00-23:00'}
Urban Mo's on University Avenue has run as Hillcrest's flagship gay bar and grill in San Diego since 1988, a covered patio room with drag shows, line dancing and a Sunday revue.
Tip: Drag brunch Sunday from 10:00; Dreamgirls Revue Thursday and Saturday late. Walk-in, no cover most nights.
Rich's San Diego ★ 4.4
$$Hillcrest{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '22:00-02:00', 'thursday': '22:00-02:00', 'friday': '21:00-02:00', 'saturday': '21:00-04:00', 'sunday': '21:00-02:00'}
Rich's on University Avenue is the largest gay nightclub in Hillcrest San Diego, two dance floors with rotating DJs, drag shows and a Saturday extended-hours license to 04:00.
Tip: Saturday runs 21:00 to 04:00; the rest of the week closes at 02:00. Cover varies by night. The mezzanine has sightlines on the main floor.
Gossip Grill ★ 4.5
$$Hillcrest{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '14:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '14:00-00:00', 'thursday': '14:00-00:00', 'friday': '14:00-02:00', 'saturday': '11:00-02:00', 'sunday': '11:00-22:00'}
Gossip Grill on University Avenue, opened 2009, is the Hillcrest women's bar and LGBTQ restaurant in San Diego, with a year-round outdoor patio, firepit and femme-forward art.
Tip: Closed Monday. Cabaret brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11:00. Happy hour 14:00 to 18:00 daily; Saturday goes 21+ after 14:00.
Number One Fifth Avenue ★ 4.3
$Hillcrest{'monday': '15:00-01:30', 'tuesday': '15:00-01:30', 'wednesday': '15:00-01:30', 'thursday': '15:00-01:30', 'friday': '12:00-02:00', 'saturday': '12:00-02:00', 'sunday': '12:00-01:30'}
Number One Fifth Avenue on Fifth Avenue has run as Hillcrest's gay dive bar in San Diego since 1981, a slender front bar and back patio with karaoke, trivia and drag race viewing.
Tip: Happy hour weekdays 14:00 to 18:00. No cover, walk-in, cash and card. Latin nights and pictionary rotate weeknights.
Pecs Bar ★ 4.2
$North Park{'monday': '14:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '14:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '14:00-02:00', 'thursday': '14:00-02:00', 'friday': '14:00-02:00', 'saturday': '12:00-02:00', 'sunday': '12:00-02:00'}
Pecs Bar on University Avenue is the North Park leather-friendly gay neighborhood dive in San Diego, with a pool table, digital jukebox, dart boards and a back patio for the regulars.
Tip: Walk-in, no cover. Happy hour weekdays before 20:00. Themed leather nights rotate Saturdays.