Sarah Slater

We sat at the bar for a snack and a couple drinks, and Josh was awesome! Very welcoming, engaging, and knowledgeable. Drinks were yummy, especially the Papaya Salad cocktail, which tastes pretty much exactly like the name. Loved the presentation, and the overall vibe!

Sky Thai

Really grateful for how accommodating and friendly the host was for our large group! We had a party of 10 and everything went super smoothly and were nice and attentive. Love me a good tiki bar and this place had a fun tropical whimsy vibe with a lot of great cocktails to choose from. They also serve food here and we ended up getting some Okonomiyaki Fries also that really hit the spot. Great vibe and good service — definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun place for drinks or snacks!

+14

Amani Almadani

It was me and my boyfriend’s first time in San Diego and we were recommended this spot by some locals. So grateful that they did because it was more than we could ever imagine! Henry the bar back (which we thought he was a bartender with how exceptional his service was) gave us a good time!! We would come here more often if we were in the area. Thank you Henry for your good energy and attitude behind the bar!!

Jeff Hug

Sure! Here's a more engaging and vivid rewrite of your review: --- Every time I’m in San Diego, a stop at **The Grass Skirt** is non-negotiable. What looks like an unassuming poke spot from the outside quickly transforms into a hidden tiki paradise once you step through the doors. You're instantly transported—fireplaces crackling, music pulsing, neon glowing, and tropical cocktails flowing. The drinks? Always on point. Creative riffs on classic tiki concoctions that are both refreshing and bold, served with just the right touch of flair. The food? Designed for sharing, but equally satisfying if you're flying solo or dining as a duo. And the vibe? Pure escapism. Between the jaw-dropping décor and the occasional themed drink events, The Grass Skirt isn’t just a bar or a restaurant—it’s an experience I keep coming back to.

+10

Kaia Sims

Can’t speak on the food here bc I’ve never had it, but I’ve been here multiple times for drinks now and absolutely LOVED every single one. Even the drinks that I found too sweet for my taste were well balanced. I also find that even when there’s live music in here it’s still at a reasonable volume to where you don’t have to YELL to hear your friends. 10/10 will be back again :)

+2

Adan Banda

I always love coming here because of the food and atmosphere. Super solid! Great place to get some good drinks too. Great selection of good cocktails and small eats. The service was super prompt and I loved that they were very helpful with the menu items and answering any questions. Looking forward to going back!

+1

Tiffany Moseley

Very cute tiki bar with friendly staff, good drinks and good food. I think the food was a little overpriced for the portion provided, but I guess you were paying for the ambience . You enter this restaurant through what looks to be a kitchen. We went on a Thursday night around 5:30 PM and it was pretty empty when we arrived, however, when we left, there was a line outside. They had a really good happy hour menu that had both drinks and food, I did not get a photo because it was too dark. If you plan to drive there, do not try to park in their parking lot, all the spaces are privately metered and super expensive. You can either park on some areas of the street for free or pay a much cheaper rate at a street meter.

+1

Natalie Viernes

The Grass Skirt has quickly become our go-to spot, especially for special occasions. We were searching for a place for drinks and were delighted we chose this spot. Although we didn't have dinner reservations, they seated us right away. Greeted by a hostess, we had a view of the kitchen and walked through a fridge-like door, which was pretty cool. Initially seated near a heater, we requested to move to a booth as it was too warm, and they happily accommodated us. The place has a dim, colorful vibe with Christmas decorations. Initially drawn in by the Christmas theme, once we saw the food menu, we knew we had to try their offerings, though it took us a while to decide what to order. For drinks, we tried the Jungle Bird, evoking tropical paradise, and the Yule Tide, with a fruity Christmas essence. As for food, we ordered Dan Dan Noodles, Grilled Shrimp Pad Thai, Fiji Albacore Poke Bowl, and the Snow Globe dessert, which was the highlight of the night—a magical creation made with Julian Apple Cider Donut, Almond Cake, and Pine Needle Ice Cream. The portions were decent, and the prices were fair. Everything we tried was delicious, leaving us completely satisfied. The service was quick, and our server was friendly, accommodating, and offered great food and drink recommendations. Additionally, she suggested other places in the area worth visiting. We plan to return, especially since we heard they frequently change their menu, showcasing their dedication and passion in curating their offerings.

+8

Heidi Emanuel

Very fun place to check out. All the staff were great - and special kudos to Sarah the hostess who was extremely friendly and so good at her job! She had us "just check out" the Captains Quarters speakeasy after we (thought, LOL, we) were done at the Grass Skirt. That bar was so cool, and the staff behind the bar there were great.

Eric Yeeger

One of my favorite happy hour deals in San Diego can be found @thegrassskirtsd . 50% off from 5-6pm and these cocktails were wonderful. They are steep at $15-$18 per cocktail outside of happy hour, but I would be a regular with the HH deal. Great decor and service. This is functionally a speakeasy where there is a visible, locked door (pictured), and an unlocked hidden door somewhere nearby… 4/5 - normal prices are too high for what it is is the only negative I have.

+3

This was a very tough review, I like to think of myself as an avid tiki explorer and was really looking forward to seeing this place. Food was awesome, staff were helpful and hilarious and the drinks were well rounded and good. The decor and furniture were really awesome I loved the feel of it. Sadly the deafening (really hard to hear each other) club music was an absolute stopper. I like loud music and all but this was too much when you want to socialize with your friends. That said, the staff were SUPER accommodating and let us move to the Captains quarters and they were very generous. Speaking of which it's right next door and a MUST 'sea' lol

Dayana Arias

The drinks were AMAZING 🤩. We got the virgin piña colada. The food was not it. I asked for medium well and got rare for most of it. The tacos were ok.

Eric Smith

A solid, if unspectacular tiki bar. Food is pretty good, but way overpriced given the portion sizes. Drinks range from mid to good - nothing here is really AMAZING. Decor is fun, but minus a whole star just for the insanely loud music. Every time I have been here, I've had to shout over the terrible music blasting throughout the bar.

the_moonglade

This review is primarily based on the patio seating area. We were a party of two and were seated in a section that felt completely disconnected from the main indoor space (seperated by a glass) which made the experience feel isolating. There was no music, no vibe, and the area felt congested with small, tightly packed tables. We originally came to dine and have drinks but ended up leaving after one drink because of the disappointing atmosphere and uncomfortable seating that deserves 0 stars. On top of that, the 4% service charge felt unreasonable given the overall experience. Drinks were okay but definitely not worth it IMHO.