Bar Ella

Best martinis ever! Great atmosphere! Amazing bartenders! Get here for happy hour!

A great place with great vibes! I had the biscuit with gravy and the cinnamon roll and both were fresh and delicious. The service was great and the servers were very friendly. We will definitely be coming back, sitting on the outside patio deck was my favorite. It has a great view of the ocean too!

We went here on Saturday night of Halloween weekend for cheap espresso martinis, and we are back here in the morning. I am impressed with how clean it is, how good the bar service was, and the quality of food and drinks. Go here!

Barella is a great place to have a bachelorette or girls trip outing! The booking is easy and they have so many openings. I would highly recommend doing the high top table as it is great for large groups! Barella is one of the best happy hours I have ever been to! Their espresso martinis are the best I’ve ever had and are only 6 dollars even out of happy hour. We also tried the Yukon potatoes which I highly recommend as well. I went with my sister for her bachlorette weekend and we all had a fantastic experience. From the moment we arrived the staff tried to make our visit as special as they could. When we were about to leave they surprised our bride with a sparkler and free shots! If you are looking for a fun and aesthetic restaurant then look no further! I had read raving reviews for this place and I agree with all of them!!

Julie Monroy

Listen this is an easy going cocktail bar/restaurant that’s not as dude centric as other spots in PB. And it smells not gross. I’m only ever there on lowkey week nights and let me tell you, have the best deals. I went in on a Monday and got 12 oysters for $1.50 each and you know I enjoyed those lil boogers sumptuously. I loved the atmosphere so much I stayed around for some “Girl Dinner”. Which is just a bangin ceasar with fries and I added steak, for increased iron levels and protein obv the serving was most ambitious so I was able to eat “girl dinner” for breakfast the next day too! I like to go in on a cheeky Wednesday for their “Tinis and Weenies” $8 select martinis and $4 GLIZZYS WHICH ARE MOST BEAUTIFUL. Once I overheard this chic telling her date that Lemondrop Martinis are for teenage girls and he caved and got a different martini. so sad. Let the man enjoy his sugar vodka! Anyway always a pleasure to be eating and drinking here. I recommend the Sidecar martini on Wednesdays

Tom Keller

It was a Monday after Halloween and super quiet. $1.50 oysters and half price bottles of wine. Monday night football was on, as well as pink and blue lighting. This place used to be Bubs you can tell by the tile in the bathroom ♥️ Great service, fun atmosphere, great oysters and wine!

Bex DuBois

I cannot recommend this place enough! I'll be dreaming of the fried olives and the tomato butter on the focaccia. The pickled deviled eggs were also delicious! They also have $6 espresso martinis.

Alex Sirek

Bar Ella is hands-down one of my favorite happy hour spots! The service is always top-notch—the staff is incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive every time I visit. The atmosphere inside is trendy, upbeat, and full of good energy, making it the perfect place to unwind. And don’t even get me started on the charred cauliflower—it’s seriously to die for. Whether you’re popping in for a quick drink or settling in with friends, Bar Ella never disappoints!

Robert

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Bar Ella , and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The ambiance was inviting, with a perfect balance of warmth and sophistication. The menu boasted a diverse selection of dishes, each crafted with precision and creativity. I opted for the fried olives for starters and bolognese for my main, and it surpassed my expectations. The flavors were harmonious, and the presentation was a feast for the eyes. Staff was amazing and the espresso martini is a must try. Definitely would recommend.

Spencer

One of my favorite happy hours in all of San Diego. Great cocktails and cocktail selection, lovely service, good vibes. Check it out if you’re in PB!

Renee Payne

I recently celebrated my birthday at bar Ella and the entire experience was truly magical. Meg, the event coordinator, was exceptional—she brought my “Pinkies Up” vision to life with incredible attention to detail. She created a custom martini menu that perfectly complemented the oyster tower and stunning charcuterie display. The rest of the menu, including sliders and arancini, was flawlessly timed and beautifully presented throughout the evening. The staff that night were efficient, friendly, and quick with cocktails, which kept the energy high and the celebration seamless. I wholeheartedly recommend hosting your next event here—or simply stopping by to enjoy their awesome happy hour. It’s easily my favorite spot in PB!

Eliza Zetino

Bar Ella's is a game-changer for Pacific Beach. Finally, a spot where freshness reigns supreme! From the first bite of their house-baked focaccia bread to the last spoonful of their clam chowder, every dish bursts with flavor. The sandwiches are elevated by the fluffy perfection of their bread, while their homemade chips add a delightful crunch to every meal. But let's talk about the clam chowder – it's a symphony of seafood flavors, with generous portions that satisfy every craving. Chef Brenden's innovative approach to cuisine is evident in every dish, setting a new standard for dining in the area. And let's not forget about Meg, the bartender whose infectious positivity and impeccable service enhance the dining experience. Bar Ella's is a must-visit for anyone craving exceptional food and atmosphere in Pacific Beach. As a local I'll be back, keep those black and tans coming.

Naomi Germain

We had such a tasty and fun date night at bar Ella! The food, service, and ambiance were all wonderful. We ordered drinks, chips, clam chowder, scallops, and risotto and loved everything (and hope to try more dishes, it’s a fun menu!). The host and waitress were so nice, and service was quick. We loved that the noise levels and lighting felt just right - a little loud but could still talk easily, a little dark but could still read the menu easily. We hope to return soon!!

Stephanie Meroni

Best martinis ever! Great atmosphere! Amazing bartenders! Get here for happy hour!

Adhara Mackamul

A great place with great vibes! I had the biscuit with gravy and the cinnamon roll and both were fresh and delicious. The service was great and the servers were very friendly. We will definitely be coming back, sitting on the outside patio deck was my favorite. It has a great view of the ocean too!

Hollyann Saucedo

Barella is a great place to have a bachelorette or girls trip outing! The booking is easy and they have so many openings. I would highly recommend doing the high top table as it is great for large groups! Barella is one of the best happy hours I have ever been to! Their espresso martinis are the best I’ve ever had and are only 6 dollars even out of happy hour. We also tried the Yukon potatoes which I highly recommend as well. I went with my sister for her bachlorette weekend and we all had a fantastic experience. From the moment we arrived the staff tried to make our visit as special as they could. When we were about to leave they surprised our bride with a sparkler and free shots! If you are looking for a fun and aesthetic restaurant then look no further! I had read raving reviews for this place and I agree with all of them!!

Trevor Stark

We went here on Saturday night of Halloween weekend for cheap espresso martinis, and we are back here in the morning. I am impressed with how clean it is, how good the bar service was, and the quality of food and drinks. Go here!

Ella E

Obviously had to come try this place. Cool ambiance, food was ok. Service was good. I would only come back for drinks or ambiance.

The food was simple yet satisfying. All flavors work together. No flavor tried to overpower another. The owner was present and visited our table to make sure our experience was great. Our server, Morgan, was personable and easy to deal with and also very helpful and friendly. If I could give 7 Stars for the atmosphere, I would. Possibly the most female friendly in Pacific Beach!! -my girlfriend

The staff here are so friendly. The menu is interesting and the food is always good. The portions are on the smaller side, but its quality. The happy hour specials are great and breakfast on the weekends is very good. Love that I can bring my dog too.

This has quickly become a favorite place of mine. Not only is it my favorite spicy margarita in all of San Diego, the staff really takes care of its guests and make it a point to make everyone feel welcome. They have GREAT deals that include their $6 espresso martini and $5 hot dogs. This place is worth a visit (or more) and we recommend it to all our friends and visitors as PB locals.

We hosted my daughter, Ella, first birthday at bar Ella and it was beyond perfect! The staff went over and beyond and truly made it a memorable afternoon. The food exceeded expectations and was in abundance as well! Highly recommend and really appreciate all the staff during pre-planning and day off for making us feel like family! Look forward to returning in the future!

Bar Ella hosted my husband’s 50th birthday dinner and the food and service was an amazing! The team did an impressive job preparing for the event and the food presentation and quality was perfect! Bar Ella was a perfect venue for our celebration!

Ryan Hanson

The food was simple yet satisfying. All flavors work together. No flavor tried to overpower another. The owner was present and visited our table to make sure our experience was great. Our server, Morgan, was personable and easy to deal with and also very helpful and friendly. If I could give 7 Stars for the atmosphere, I would. Possibly the most female friendly in Pacific Beach!! -my girlfriend

Jennifer Zook

The staff here are so friendly. The menu is interesting and the food is always good. The portions are on the smaller side, but its quality. The happy hour specials are great and breakfast on the weekends is very good. Love that I can bring my dog too.

kristen eckert

This has quickly become a favorite place of mine. Not only is it my favorite spicy margarita in all of San Diego, the staff really takes care of its guests and make it a point to make everyone feel welcome. They have GREAT deals that include their $6 espresso martini and $5 hot dogs. This place is worth a visit (or more) and we recommend it to all our friends and visitors as PB locals.

Barbie Wenstrup

Gina was SO great at meeting all of the needs of our large party. She came back to check on us and take orders frequently. Service was quick and accurate. Would visit again!

Cassandra Heath

We hosted my daughter, Ella, first birthday at bar Ella and it was beyond perfect! The staff went over and beyond and truly made it a memorable afternoon. The food exceeded expectations and was in abundance as well! Highly recommend and really appreciate all the staff during pre-planning and day off for making us feel like family! Look forward to returning in the future!

One of my friends recommended this place, and I have finally had the chance to try it out. Rumor has it that this place is too good to survive in PB (in terms of food quality and cuisine and possibly due to the usual placement on Pb surrounded by smoke shops). My boyfriend and I went around 6:00 p.m. this past saturday, there were only about 3 other customers there. We decided to sit at the bar, in hopes for more energy and unfortunately got the opposite. The hosts was super nice, but the bartender was pretty rude. Definitely in the top 5 worst service experiences I've had. No introduction, after she took my boyfriends drink order she asked for IDs (which is not general problem) but didn't seem like she was going to take my drink order at all... They had an expresso Martini special, $6 for the whole month of July, I love a good expression martinis so I figured made sense to order it. We also ordered the deviled eggs and crab cakes. My expresso Martini was super watered down and very disappointing. I was texting on my phone when the bartender asked us what we wanted to eat, which you would think would not a great time to interrupt... after 30 minutes or so, we paid for the bill and we're working on finishing our drinks, I was on my phone and noticed she took our drinks and my water... luckily, she didn't have the hand to take my boyfriend's water, so I had the chance to drink some of that, at least. but wow, I've never felt so rudely rushed out. As a reminder there's Essentially no customers and twice as many employees. and I've not given in to her rudeness. This entire time, I've kept it calm, cool, and respectful. Although our food was pretty tasty, the servicer/bartender really ruined the experience of us. I will not be a returning customer.

marjon farz

One of my friends recommended this place, and I have finally had the chance to try it out. Rumor has it that this place is too good to survive in PB (in terms of food quality and cuisine and possibly due to the usual placement on Pb surrounded by smoke shops). My boyfriend and I went around 6:00 p.m. this past saturday, there were only about 3 other customers there. We decided to sit at the bar, in hopes for more energy and unfortunately got the opposite. The hosts was super nice, but the bartender was pretty rude. Definitely in the top 5 worst service experiences I've had. No introduction, after she took my boyfriends drink order she asked for IDs (which is not general problem) but didn't seem like she was going to take my drink order at all... They had an expresso Martini special, $6 for the whole month of July, I love a good expression martinis so I figured made sense to order it. We also ordered the deviled eggs and crab cakes. My expresso Martini was super watered down and very disappointing. I was texting on my phone when the bartender asked us what we wanted to eat, which you would think would not a great time to interrupt... after 30 minutes or so, we paid for the bill and we're working on finishing our drinks, I was on my phone and noticed she took our drinks and my water... luckily, she didn't have the hand to take my boyfriend's water, so I had the chance to drink some of that, at least. but wow, I've never felt so rudely rushed out. As a reminder there's Essentially no customers and twice as many employees. and I've not given in to her rudeness. This entire time, I've kept it calm, cool, and respectful. Although our food was pretty tasty, the servicer/bartender really ruined the experience of us. I will not be a returning customer.