Number One Fifth Avenue

Number One is definitely one of my top three favorite bars in Hillcrest! The bartenders are very nice and friendly, the music is great, and the tight mix of locals/tourists gives it a very unique vibe compared to some of the other bars in the neighborhood. I personally like the weekend crowds, but I wouldn't be opposed to going on a weeknight for a special event or just to socialize with friends. Highly recommend!

Love this place. Since 2018 it's been my (first) go-to neighborhood bar. Great atmosphere, great staff, inexpensive, strong drinks, nice diverse crowd. Holiday decorations aren't what they were when Marc bartended there, but they still make an effort, and the new owners made some much-needed and overdue improvements - especially to the bathrooms. They were awful, and are now really pretty nice. I've met some great people here, too!

Best gay bar in San Diego! I had so much fun here, staff is so friendly and welcoming. Such a safe space for the community! Fantastic music and there are always drag shows with incredible performances! I loved every minute spent in here!! Definitely the place to be!! :)

First time to an establishment like this. I'm straight, went with a friend who is gay, damn y'all know how to have a great time, no drama, no bullshit, had a great time! Will be back next time in town

Came here twice during our trip to San Diego. Thursday night was pretty relaxed and chill, and the patio was not open at the time. When we went back Saturday, it was much busier and the patio space really made a difference. It added a great open vibe and more room to move around. There is also an upstairs outdoor patio, but it was being guarded by a bouncer and was not open to guests. That would have been a nice space to use. Music was upbeat and fun, but very loud, so it was hard to have conversations. Overall a fun spot, especially on a busy night.

I’ve been to San Diego 3 times from 2013 to 2025. It is always a blast in San Diego. I don’t remember if this bar was here in 2013, but if it was I am sad I missed out at that time. I’ve lived in Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Irving, Phoenix, Tucson, & Baton Rouge. It was awesome to see a popping gay bar in 2025. Patrons were laughing, dancing, being goofy, and having a wonderful time. I’m happy I didn’t see any down low sexual activities going on. Just a relaxed atmosphere. The atmosphere and service was fast, especially being Halloween. There is a dance room in the back and a more social environment in the front. There is also what appears to be an upstairs area for VIP. I went on Halloween and it was fantastic vibe to see everyone dancing and having a great time drama free. I went solo like I normally do to places, and felt I could be myself. I was in the back dancing by myself having a great time being present and in the moment without any Interruptions. My only suggestion and I know everyone will disagree and it is my own fault. I wish the glass drinks were just like a 1/4 inch less filled because I tend to spill on myself while trying to walk through the bar after grabbing my first drink. But, that’s my problem I know we all want the max alcohol for our dollar ha. Every bar does it though not just Number One. So can’t fault them for that. The place was lite up well, you could actually see people and the decorations they put up. The environment was nice and cool and not humid or musty. There was no fog or anything strange. I miss these types of bars, but I think I found a new home bar when I move in San Diego in 2026 Lastly, I think the DJ killed it personally Halloween 2025, great music, great vibe, keep it up! Also, some of these comments complain about the prices.. if you can’t afford a drink maybe you shouldn’t be going out on the weekends.. $10 - $20 a drink is the average cost at any club gay or straight and I am comparing that to the many hundreds of bars across the 25 states I’ve traveled and visited. Also, I doubt anyone at the bartender is stealing $100 from you when they make more than that in probably less than 30 minutes. It’s most likely a preauthorizariom on your card.. just close out the tab each time if you think any bartender would steal from you.. Finally, yes your identification card can be scanned. I live in Arizona currently anytime you buy cigarettes at the gas station they scan your ID, and I’m 35 years old. They need to ID you so if they get audited they don’t lose their license on an audit and pay fines. Some people need to get out more.. I’ll be back!

This was my first visit, but it won’t be my last! We enjoyed playing Pictionary on the back patio and we also heard some very untalented people singing karaoke inside. The bartender was very friendly and easygoing. I particularly loved the “please don’t do cocaine in our restroom” sign!

Always a chill place to grab a drink, relax, and hang with friends. It definitely gets crowded and a busy on the weekends, but otherwise it's pretty chill.

I genuinely love coming here for drinks and laughs. Central location and friendly staff!

Randy T

I’ve been to San Diego 3 times from 2013 to 2025. It is always a blast in San Diego. I don’t remember if this bar was here in 2013, but if it was I am sad I missed out at that time. I’ve lived in Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Irving, Phoenix, Tucson, & Baton Rouge. It was awesome to see a popping gay bar in 2025. Patrons were laughing, dancing, being goofy, and having a wonderful time. I’m happy I didn’t see any down low sexual activities going on. Just a relaxed atmosphere. The atmosphere and service was fast, especially being Halloween. There is a dance room in the back and a more social environment in the front. There is also what appears to be an upstairs area for VIP. I went on Halloween and it was fantastic vibe to see everyone dancing and having a great time drama free. I went solo like I normally do to places, and felt I could be myself. I was in the back dancing by myself having a great time being present and in the moment without any Interruptions. My only suggestion and I know everyone will disagree and it is my own fault. I wish the glass drinks were just like a 1/4 inch less filled because I tend to spill on myself while trying to walk through the bar after grabbing my first drink. But, that’s my problem I know we all want the max alcohol for our dollar ha. Every bar does it though not just Number One. So can’t fault them for that. The place was lite up well, you could actually see people and the decorations they put up. The environment was nice and cool and not humid or musty. There was no fog or anything strange. I miss these types of bars, but I think I found a new home bar when I move in San Diego in 2026 Lastly, I think the DJ killed it personally Halloween 2025, great music, great vibe, keep it up! Also, some of these comments complain about the prices.. if you can’t afford a drink maybe you shouldn’t be going out on the weekends.. $10 - $20 a drink is the average cost at any club gay or straight and I am comparing that to the many hundreds of bars across the 25 states I’ve traveled and visited. Also, I doubt anyone at the bartender is stealing $100 from you when they make more than that in probably less than 30 minutes. It’s most likely a preauthorizariom on your card.. just close out the tab each time if you think any bartender would steal from you.. Finally, yes your identification card can be scanned. I live in Arizona currently anytime you buy cigarettes at the gas station they scan your ID, and I’m 35 years old. They need to ID you so if they get audited they don’t lose their license on an audit and pay fines. Some people need to get out more.. I’ll be back!

Brian Thai

Always a chill place to grab a drink, relax, and hang with friends. It definitely gets crowded and a busy on the weekends, but otherwise it's pretty chill.

Ryan E. Rogers

I genuinely love coming here for drinks and laughs. Central location and friendly staff!

Damon Roberts

The best dive bar in town! Plus a great Happy Hour!!

Chad Boyd

This was my first visit, but it won’t be my last! We enjoyed playing Pictionary on the back patio and we also heard some very untalented people singing karaoke inside. The bartender was very friendly and easygoing. I particularly loved the “please don’t do cocaine in our restroom” sign!

Ben Killpack

Always a fun place to pre game a little before going out to the other clubs in Hillcrest. Number One pours generously and makes the best Moscow Mules too :)

Ben Hamilton

First time to an establishment like this. I'm straight, went with a friend who is gay, damn y'all know how to have a great time, no drama, no bullshit, had a great time! Will be back next time in town

Freddy Simpson

Number One is definitely one of my top three favorite bars in Hillcrest! The bartenders are very nice and friendly, the music is great, and the tight mix of locals/tourists gives it a very unique vibe compared to some of the other bars in the neighborhood. I personally like the weekend crowds, but I wouldn't be opposed to going on a weeknight for a special event or just to socialize with friends. Highly recommend!

MrTime82

Best gay bar in San Diego! I had so much fun here, staff is so friendly and welcoming. Such a safe space for the community! Fantastic music and there are always drag shows with incredible performances! I loved every minute spent in here!! Definitely the place to be!! :)

Barney McComas

Love this place. Since 2018 it's been my (first) go-to neighborhood bar. Great atmosphere, great staff, inexpensive, strong drinks, nice diverse crowd. Holiday decorations aren't what they were when Marc bartended there, but they still make an effort, and the new owners made some much-needed and overdue improvements - especially to the bathrooms. They were awful, and are now really pretty nice. I've met some great people here, too!

It's cute. The drinks were cheap and decent, considering. I'm new to San Diego and I can see myself frequenting here. Was it the best bar ever? Hardly. Was it a cute local bar where everyone seemed to know each other and was overly friendly? Yes.

Scott Halerz

It's cute. The drinks were cheap and decent, considering. I'm new to San Diego and I can see myself frequenting here. Was it the best bar ever? Hardly. Was it a cute local bar where everyone seemed to know each other and was overly friendly? Yes.

The bar during the week is fair enough. I just moved to San Diego about a month and half ago from Cleveland, Ohio. Again, the bar is fair enough during the week. Bartenders are friendly and welcoming. The decor, is definitely divey and could use some updating. The carpet, has been there as long as the bar has been in existence (maybe that's a stretch... But) do time for some updating. Now, let's move on to the weekend crowd... The place is over packed (probably violating every fire code imaginable) and the people from every outside suburb and LA neighborhood and landed at Bar One. It's a very unruly crowd and... The music is awful. It's disgusting actually. It's the worst, crappy, obsene genre and it's lousy. The most disgraceful hip hop, with strong vulgarity and blasting! If I were the owner of the little Italian restaurant across the street... I would be complaining every day about the noise and inappropriate music that's being played. Guests that are trying to enjoy a nice evening out are bomblasted with that disrespectful music, blasting from the bar. I'm very disappointed in the music scene in general in San Diego, but people need to realize... Music is life and I get it that all have different tastes, but honestly music captures the soul and when the lyrics are using "the N word" and just gross lyrics every other sentence, it's disturbing. Just because you like your weird playlist, that's fine I'm your personal settings, but in public it needs to be for all people trying to enjoy an evening out.

A L

The bar during the week is fair enough. I just moved to San Diego about a month and half ago from Cleveland, Ohio. Again, the bar is fair enough during the week. Bartenders are friendly and welcoming. The decor, is definitely divey and could use some updating. The carpet, has been there as long as the bar has been in existence (maybe that's a stretch... But) do time for some updating. Now, let's move on to the weekend crowd... The place is over packed (probably violating every fire code imaginable) and the people from every outside suburb and LA neighborhood and landed at Bar One. It's a very unruly crowd and... The music is awful. It's disgusting actually. It's the worst, crappy, obsene genre and it's lousy. The most disgraceful hip hop, with strong vulgarity and blasting! If I were the owner of the little Italian restaurant across the street... I would be complaining every day about the noise and inappropriate music that's being played. Guests that are trying to enjoy a nice evening out are bomblasted with that disrespectful music, blasting from the bar. I'm very disappointed in the music scene in general in San Diego, but people need to realize... Music is life and I get it that all have different tastes, but honestly music captures the soul and when the lyrics are using "the N word" and just gross lyrics every other sentence, it's disturbing. Just because you like your weird playlist, that's fine I'm your personal settings, but in public it needs to be for all people trying to enjoy an evening out.

We've been here 2 days in row me and my brother and his hubby and tonight we go and get turned away because my feet were hurting and walked up a little funny. Not ever buzzed but the chick running things was acting like her stuff was above us. Uncalled for We've been spending a lot of money there last 2 days. Do better and don't let females run the door

I have been coming to this place over 10 years and it was so strange that this bar tender named Neil he was so rude to me and my friends we spent a lot of money at this place , his attitude has become rude and unacceptable and we don't feel comfortable coming over to this place if the management or the company can take action over his attitude or behavior it will be lovely. So we can come back to this place. Thank you we appreciate you.

Yesterday, we visited Number One Bar on 5th and were initially having a great time—until an unfortunate and completely unacceptable incident ruined the night. My brother, who was visiting from out of town, lit a joint inside the bar, unaware that it wasn’t allowed here (where he’s from, it’s legal and common to smoke in bars). While I fully acknowledge that lighting up indoors was against the rules, the response from the female security guard was entirely out of line. Rather than addressing the situation with words or a warning, she immediately smacked my brother in the face while trying to grab the joint. This not only burned his lip and beard, but she also extinguished the cherry on his sweater—completely uncalled for and excessive. There was absolutely no need for physical contact. A simple, “Hey, you can’t smoke in here,” would have been enough. No one is saying my brother was right to light up—but there’s a big difference between enforcing rules and crossing the line into physical aggression. This kind of behavior by staff is dangerous and unprofessional, and it reflects very poorly on the establishment. I hope management seriously addresses this incident and considers better training for conflict de-escalation. A great night quickly turned into a very troubling experience.

Tracy Jankans

We've been here 2 days in row me and my brother and his hubby and tonight we go and get turned away because my feet were hurting and walked up a little funny. Not ever buzzed but the chick running things was acting like her stuff was above us. Uncalled for We've been spending a lot of money there last 2 days. Do better and don't let females run the door

Yecenia Caratachea

Yesterday, we visited Number One Bar on 5th and were initially having a great time—until an unfortunate and completely unacceptable incident ruined the night. My brother, who was visiting from out of town, lit a joint inside the bar, unaware that it wasn’t allowed here (where he’s from, it’s legal and common to smoke in bars). While I fully acknowledge that lighting up indoors was against the rules, the response from the female security guard was entirely out of line. Rather than addressing the situation with words or a warning, she immediately smacked my brother in the face while trying to grab the joint. This not only burned his lip and beard, but she also extinguished the cherry on his sweater—completely uncalled for and excessive. There was absolutely no need for physical contact. A simple, “Hey, you can’t smoke in here,” would have been enough. No one is saying my brother was right to light up—but there’s a big difference between enforcing rules and crossing the line into physical aggression. This kind of behavior by staff is dangerous and unprofessional, and it reflects very poorly on the establishment. I hope management seriously addresses this incident and considers better training for conflict de-escalation. A great night quickly turned into a very troubling experience.

Tarick 4ass

I have been coming to this place over 10 years and it was so strange that this bar tender named Neil he was so rude to me and my friends we spent a lot of money at this place , his attitude has become rude and unacceptable and we don't feel comfortable coming over to this place if the management or the company can take action over his attitude or behavior it will be lovely. So we can come back to this place. Thank you we appreciate you.

Jay Goldberg

This place is harvesting all the data off of your license barcode, they scan it really quickly and stores it who knows where and how long. RESPONSE: "Keeping your customers safe" requires that you collect and store information about people and "blacklist" people you don't approve of. By definition if you are using software to do this you are sharing with a 3rd party that your guests did not consent to. If it was about drinking age, you would just check the ID. I believe under CA law, you must have a notice at the point of data collection about the purposes/usage of the data and how you handle it. You have no such notice.