While it’s hardly Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, Petco Park in San Diego does have a pretty good pre-game social scene. Here is a rundown of the best bars and places to be before, during and after San Diego Padres games.
The bars are listed in alphabetical order.
ALTITUDE Sky Lounge (Marriott hotel)
This upscale lounge has a patio in which you can peer down into Petco Park. It also has a sunset Happy Hour with $5 beers and $7 well cocktails, Mondays-Fridays 5-7 p.m.,
Baja Rick’s Cantina
A casual joint at the Green Line trolley stop, Baja Rick’s Cantina has $5 margaritas and well drinks and $6-8 large beers all day when the Padres play. A musician strums songs on a guitar before first pitch.
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails (Hotel Indigo)
The newest player in the ballpark bar scene, Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails on the 9th floor of Hotel Indigo (9th & Island) has the best rooftop view of Petco Park in all of San Diego. It’s a direct look to home plate through Galllager Square and the outfield. It also has great food and fire pits in a lounge setting for during and after games and even non-game evenings.
Bub’s At The Ballpark
This is the most popular bar before Padres games. Bub’s At The Ballpark is on the corner of 7th & Jay, equal distances from two Petro Park entrance gates and there is usually a line to get into the place so if you want a table or seat at the bar, get there a good hour before first pitch. There’s nothing fancy about Bub’s – and you would not expect it to be with that name, right!? – as it’s a sport bar with beer, wings and lots of fried things on the menu. Pro’s Tip: Bub’s does not have Happy Hour during Padres games.
Fairweather Rooftop Bar
This second-story rooftop bar is difficult to get to but it’s worth the little bit of effort (go down the walkway adjacent to the J Street entrance, go inside Rare Earth, to the back, to the right and take the elevator to the second floor). This is one of the biggest Padres social scene bars in San Diego. The rooftop overlooks Gallagher Square so you can’t peer into Petco Park but it’s a lively setting fueled by a menu of strong drinks. Fairweather also gets a good crowd after the games.
Margaritaville San Diego
This Jimmy Buffett-themed restaurant (with a 4th floor pool bar) is sometimes its busiest before and after Padres games. It often has live music at night. It’s location is 6th & J, two blocks from Petco Park.
Social Tap
The largest of all the places, Social Tap (right next to the Petro Park’s J Street entrance) has a big indoor area, a large bar space and an outdoor patio adjacent to Gallagher Square. There are many San Diego craft beers on tap.
The Blind Burro
Just across 7th Ave., from Bub’s At The Ballpark is The Blind Burro, which has. really nice outside sitting area facing the bar. Most people go in there to eat, rather than party and socialize, before the games.
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