The Nolen Rooftop

Visited The Nolen Rooftop for dinner. The place has an open-air setup with a nice view of downtown San Diego. The location is great close to plenty of spots to walk around after. We had the pizza and burger meatballs; both were good and went well with the beer. Service wasn’t bad, and it wasn’t too crowded. The only downside was that most of the menu was focused on bar snacks and appetizers. I wish there were more meal options. Good spot to relax or meet friends.

Even though it was busy and we had no reservations, the staff made accommodations for us. My son and I enjoyed our visit. Great wines, great eats, lively ambiance, warm and friendly staff, reasonable prices. Thank you for taking care of us and for making ours a great visit. Highly recommend.

San Diego, CA There are rooftops, and then there’s The Nolen floating above San Diego like it knows something the rest of the city doesn’t. You step out of the elevator and the world suddenly widens. The breeze shifts, conversations soften, and the skyline stretches itself out like it’s inviting you to take your time. The view here isn’t just pretty. It’s captivating, almost cinematic the kind of panorama that makes you understand why some people chase sunsets like religion. As the sky bleeds into oranges and purples, you can feel the entire city exhale. And if you’re wise, you’re holding an Old Fashioned crafted by Arturo. This isn’t your usual rooftop cocktail where the scenery does the heavy lifting. Arturo builds a drink with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he’s doing. Every stir, every dash, every whisper of citrus oil feels deliberate a quiet conversation he’s having with the glass. That Old Fashioned didn’t just pair with the sunset. It matched it. Sip by sip, the light shifted, the flavors opened, and suddenly you weren’t just drinking you were traveling. A journey in a rocks glass, catching the last rays of sun as if time itself slowed down to appreciate the harmony. The service? Exceptional. The staff carried themselves with that rare mix of ease and precision knowledgeable without being preachy, present without hovering. But Arturo… he set himself apart. Friendly, unpretentious, and extraordinarily professional, he had that rare bartender’s gift: the ability to make the bar feel like the best seat in the house. In his hands, The Nolen didn’t feel like just a rooftop. It felt like a very special place one of those corners of a city that stays with you long after you’ve gone. And just when you think the night couldn’t get better, out comes the Burrata with heirloom tomatoes. A plate that looked like it had been lifted from a culinary institution’s final exam clean lines, colors balanced like a painter’s palette, the kind of presentation that makes you stop and appreciate form before flavor. But the taste… euphoric. Creamy, bright, sweet, earthy every element landing exactly where it should. It was art, plain and simple. Edible, fleeting, unforgettable art. The environment at The Nolen wraps all this together in a way that feels almost paradoxical: exclusive, yet welcoming. A place that manages to feel like a secret while still opening its doors to anyone who happens to press the right elevator button. The Nolen is a Gem! A small masterpiece tucked between sky and city the kind of place where the sunset, the drink, and the moment all align, and for a second, you forget everything else. -Sidd Captures

The Nolen is a hidden treasure- best happy hour. We sat the bar and our bartender was hysterical! The cocktails and wine were great, truffle fries and spicy meatballs super yummy. You can see over into Petco Park which was neat to hear them cheer then see the play on TV. Cool vibe, cheap happy hour - don't miss it CHEERS

Great view from the roof top. Good cocktails and food options

Great spot with an excellent view of San Diego—perfect place to bring visiting friends. The happy hour pricing is decent, though a few items felt a bit overpriced. The meatballs were $18 for just two pieces, which seemed steep. Flatbread was okay, but the truffle fries were definitely the highlight. Also had an Old Fashioned for $7, which was a nice deal.

We visited as a group on the night of Feb 21st after a wedding, and the experience was deeply disappointing. From start to finish, the staff made us feel unwelcome. It began at the entrance with security. The guard was aggressive and disrespectful, demanding IDs even from the seniors in our group (who are clearly of age) in a way that felt like harassment rather than standard policy. Inside, the service was no better. Our waiter seemed annoyed to be serving us, lacking any patience or courtesy. The general atmosphere among the staff felt tense and chaotic, which killed the mood for our celebration. To top it off, when the venue closed, security practically chased us out. There was no polite 'time to go' - it was threatening and intimidating, to the point where we felt pressured and almost left belongings behind. This place needs a complete overhaul of its customer service and security training. It felt more like a correctional facility than a hospitality venue. Unacceptable.

Awesome rooftop bar with a nice vibe and great views. Only drinks and appetizers served.

Writing this review after multiple visits and each time have had a pleasant experience. This is an excellent spot for a rooftop bar with all the views, from the water to Petco Park and is also a great pre-game stop before a game. I also appreciate the fire pit and fireplaces because it can get cold up there. Service has been decent and noticed there were a lot of waitresses working this particular day. Food & Drink: It is on the pricier side especially since you're in downtown but they do have happy hour 7 days a week (M-F 4-6pm and Sat-Sun 3-6pm) which is nice. All drinks I've had here were good as well as the food and is in-line with most other downtown establishments. Lastly, this is a great place to take visitors.

Good environment for taking in the rooftop views of Pet Co park, Coronado bridge, and downtown San Diego. The chilequiles and the drinks were delicious. The music they had playing at the time (3/16 12pm) was on point. The bartender was awesome and friendly. I've recommended this place to many.

A very nice place to have drinks and food. It has a beautiful view of the city. We went when the sun was still out, and I'd love to come back when it's dark. The service is quick. There is a 90 minute time frame for you to be at your table. I recommend making reservations.

This was our first stop for my daughter's 21st birthday celebration. It did not disappoint!!! The bartender's here were so sweet, super attentive and quick. The place got packed after the Padres game ended, but they were able to move people quickly. The drinks weren't the best I've had, but the view, ambience and service made up for that.

Interesting entrance. It's a small door that leads to a one elevator room seemingly connected to a hotel and then you go on an elevator. The rooftop bar has a nice entrance, however it's a little more spread out and casual than cosier despite the appearance. The rooftop view doesnt feel super tall and looks prettier away from the edge where you cant see the streets or you aren't guaranteed a seat by the edge. It shows a view of the stadium. I got a blueberry cider and it was decent, but I wouldn't say this bar gave the classy rooftop vibes I was seeking for and is more casual due to the noise level (but not much cross mingling).

This place is really nice. So happy to have rooftop bars. They have fire pits and heaters to keep you warm at night. The cocktails are good. Nice place to gather with your friends.

Parking: nearby close 5 dollar parking public about 2 blocks away Atmosphere chill and chick We had birthday and it was great for a girl night out Seevice was excellent Food limited options but on point mainly for drinks and finger food No desert on menu but we got chocolate cake for the birthday

Came here on a Saturday night at 5:30. No wait and drinks came SUPER quick. There is a "happy hour" until 6 pm and the waitresses were soooooo nice and quick. We got two rounds in and drinks came out in less then 5 minutes. A great spot to kick the night off. Roof top bar?? How can you say no!

The view of downtown San Diego at nighttime is definitely the highlight of this bar. The actual venue itself is not large and quite quaint. It also was not very busy for a Friday evening and more quiet. The tapas dishes are a hit or miss with some dishes being far better than the others, but the better dishes are nothing outstanding. The drinks had beautiful presentation.

The Nolen is one of my favorite spots to go to for a beautiful rooftop view. Reservations are recommended if you want a good seat next to the glass. The drinks are always really tasty and garnished nicely. I would say the food is kind of hit or miss. My favorite food item there so far has been the chili glazed meatballs but some of the food items are kinda of bland for my tasting. It definitely a great place for one of the better views of downtown, especially at night!

Awesome rooftop lounge in downtown San Diego! Pricey but worth it for the views. I'm sure it's hopping on the weekends but we didn't go then. The server was nice and friendly, she was attentive and checked up on us regularly but not too much. The food was good too, the chips and guac was a nice portion and the pizza had a good kick with the goat cheese.

I came here as one of my stops while rooftop bar hopping downtown. It was very chill the staff was nice and it had really nice views of downtown.

You go for the views and the views are super pretty so I recommend getting a reservation at the edge, the food pretty good too especially their guac'that is for sure. The cocktails weren't as good as they looked pretty (some of them anyway). Don't get me wrong though, them cocktails were pretty strong and not easy on the tastebuds so be warned. TikTok definitely hyped this place up though!

This place does a good impression of trendy club, complete with security and electronic dance music. I guess there are great views here, but we may have been sat at the worst table: by the service station and nowhere near the perimeter (you know, where the "view" is.) The actual table was literally rickety and rusty- not consistent with an upscale experience. It must be in high demand, because the pricing is pretty aggressive. I've literally never paid $11 for a beer. Street-sized Shrimp Taco trio (no sides) were good, but seemed like top dollar at $20. The onion jam really made my Short Rib Flatbread. Good, but not worth $17. The money pitch are the $8 tots with chipotle aioli. Good portion and they may have been finished in the oven- less greasy. The problem with these slightly inflated prices is that the also created an inflated basis for their mandatory 18% tip. Mandatory tips always lose at least one star from me. I believe it's a short-term business decision that discourages repeat business. I will say that the food came out promptly. The servers were also pretty good. Worked together as a team. Overall, I think I prefer the nearby Rooftop by STK at the Andaz.

2.5 stars... Promptly seated for our reservation and placed an order for our first round... great cocktail selection and decent local beer scene. Ordered the Korean chicken, guac, and brisket flatbread... flatbread was larger than expected and flavors were good. Guac and chips as advertised, but the chicken was over fried and like jerky...sauce was tasty though. Service was where I was disappointed, which was surprising for the number of people walking around. Had to flag someone down at each step of the evening, and was distracting to our party. Ambiance is rustic rooftop, service was poor, and prices were slightly above expectations.

If it's views you're looking for, or a cute spot to meet up with friends, yes this is nice. Cocktails and food were ok. Service was fast and friendly.

The view and ambiance is what makes this place. Lovely rooftop bar but for me personally the food, service, and price point will not make me come back. Took a bit for us to order but everything came out pretty quick. It felt like we had to snag a server's attention to get another drink. All our cocktails we got I didn't care for at all they just didn't taste good to me. The you had me at aloha and the nolen smash were probably the best we got out of the batch. The flatbread we got was like cheap microwaved pizza, the crostini was probably the best item which you can't go wrong with bread and cheese. The crispy tater tots were soggy. The bill came out to $190 with a gratuity added. Pretty pricey for what it was, if it was better quality I'd have no issue with the bill but this didn't hit for me.

Love the ambiance here. And the rooftop views from this side of Downtown is lovely. The place had enough seating for everyone to sit if they wanted. It wasn't as busy the night my girlfriends went, which is surprising. Drinks were delicious and our server was very attentive. Would definite back for a nightcap.

On a hot summer afternoon, I went for happy hour on a Thursday night and made a reservation for me, myself, and I. For awhile, I was the only patron present but groups started trickling in as the evening progressed. The breeze felt so good, especially when the day was in the 80°s, so just a warning for those cooler nights that it can get cold. I loved that I was able to see most of downtown, the Coronado bridge, and the water from where I was sitting (toward the middle). The service was attentive and the food came out fairly quickly. The happy hour drinks had a good amount of alcohol ratio and the food was quite tasty for small bites. Definitely a cool place to check out either on your own or in a group.

This is a beautiful rooftop bar with food and drinks for a nice evening out. The first time I went here it was in December last year and it was very crowded but the Christmas decorations were beautiful! This time I went during November and it was less crowded - thank goodness for that! The drinks are very strong and it was okay. This place is mostly for the phenomenal view tbh.

The Nolen makes for an incredible evening out! The rooftop lounge is the place to be with its stunning views of Petco Park (Padres Stadium) and Downtown. I love the ample standing space around the bar; it's great for socializing, and the atmosphere is vibrant and fun. The drinks are really exceptional, and they have a great selection of craft cocktails. Favorites: You Had Me At Aloha

Came here after a dinner in downtown for a quick drink and some lovely views. It was pretty bare on a Monday as expected which was great because we got to pick where we wanted to sit. Our hostess was super sweet and gave us recommendations and even non-alcoholic recs. I got their "Something Good" cocktail. It was strong, but I loved the kiwi flavor. The space is a very open patio and has bar seating as well as larger tables for bigger groups. If someone were to ask me for suggestions for a nice rooftop bar, I'd definitely recommend it here!

My bf and I were walking around Gaslamp Quarter on a Sunday night. We searched for The Nolen, which was located inside the Marriott hotel and on the rooftop. The vibe was fun and in line with a downtown night out. Our 2 drinks were about $42 after tax and tip. They were tasty and strong. We watched the sun set between the skyscrapers while sipping and chatting. Servers were nice, but service was extremely slow. In order to leave, I walked up to one of the POS stations to the side and asked an employee if we could pay.

Quick stop to grab a drink at the rooftop bar. Great San Diego view. Good michelada and Peach Vodka drink. They have a great diverse seating area and heaters. The breakfast looked delicious!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Nolen, and I can confidently say it was a five-star experience. The highlight of the restaurant is undoubtedly its rooftop seating, which boasts a stunning view of Petco Park. Not only was the atmosphere delightful, but the food was equally impressive. I ordered both the Benedict and French toast, and both dishes exceeded my expectations. The flavors were exceptional, and the portions were generous, leaving me feeling fully satisfied. The only minor issue I had was that it was a little chilly, so I would recommend bringing a jacket for your visit. I went to The Nolen for brunch with a group of friends, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. In addition to the fantastic food, we were also impressed with the restaurant's cocktail selection. The drinks were expertly crafted, and my friends raved about their choices. The service was top-notch, and our server was attentive and knowledgeable, making the overall dining experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend The Nolen for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in a picturesque setting with great food and drinks.

The perfect mixture of ambience with a drinks. The view of the harbor and Gaslamp (5th st) at sunset is worth the small tables. The Negroni is a must!!!

The Nolen is a rooftop bar atop the Courtyard by Marriott. The views are pretty nice. It was a good one-time experience, but for the price, I don't know if I'd go back. Once you enter from the door next to the lobby, it's just a short elevator ride up. We arrived on a Sunday around 7 pm, and there were plenty of open spots, albeit all the spots good views were taken. My friend got a guava drink with tequila, and I got a sour fruity drink with egg white. Apologies that I don't know the names, as their online menu link expired, and I cannot find any updated menus online. My drink was just okay. It tasted very strong, and I don't think it was balanced that well. Each drink was $16, and there is a built in 18% gratuity. The waitress came to check on us for what I felt like was once every ten minutes. It wasn't a huge deal for me, but it just felt like they wanted us to get more than one drink. Overall a nice experience, but I would only come back for perhaps the happy hour (which is Mon-Wed from 4-6 pm and Sunday from 3-6 pm).

Special occasion? The Nolen. Date night? The Nolen. Girls night out? The Nolen. Impress your out of town friends with a beautiful rooftop view of San Diego? The Nolen. Basically, The Nolen is always a good stop for locals and tourists alike. I've been going to the Nolen since it opened in 2015 and it has just gotten better year over year. The drinks are great, the ambience is lovely, and the bites are perfectly paired. The "casual hello" is lovely, but frankly you can't go wrong with any of the drinks. This spot is a truly a beautiful tribute to John Nolen and our beautiful city. Tip: they take walk ins but if you want to ensure a table, make reservations. TLDR: Add this to your San Diego eat and drink bucket list.

Really cool rooftop bar in Downtown. Views are awesome and the place looks nice! They have some really good drinks there and the music selection was dopee!! All of the servers were really cool with good energy. This is always a stop on my list when hanging in downtown.

Always a treat to dine at The Nolen. Amazing service as always. Views for days. Only beef is the Happy Hour in SoCal is not everyday but the menu was priced appropriately.

I love this place for its ambience and views. When my wife and I were beginning dating, this was a spot that we loved to rest our feet from walking the gaslamp and enjoy the scenery. A reminder that this is downtown, and parking is mixed. There is street parking and multiple paid garages nearby. You will be greeted by a doorman at the first level who will direct you to the elevator which takes you to the rooftop bar. The view is amazing. This spot takes the cake in an amazing view of downtown. There are multiple fireplaces around in the small number of days that San Diego is cold (less than 60 degrees F). The one knock is that the drinks are a miss. I've never really had a memorable tasty drink here. However, I am more than happy to pay the price of a couple of drinks for the time spent here. Perfect spot for a date or a relaxing evening with your friends.

Beautiful view. Ugly service. We went to celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Locals and devout recommenders/customers to places with great service and attitudes. Upon walking in, you know it's bad when security has to go looking for a hostess to seat you. Then the hostess won't even reply with a simple "hi" until you say it twice. True story. What's comical is that upon making a reservation, it asks if you're celebrating something, which we definitely were. Did the host or waitress care? Not a single ounce. Brought it to her attention and she said "okay". On sept.3rd at 830 pm. They seemed annoyed that we even came and then later asked us if we "sat there on your own." Um, no, you literally sat us here 20 mins ago and ignored us. They sat us at a dirty table, I asked her if I could have some napkins so I could clean it, after she asked us to "scoot over" even though we were simply sitting at our ASSIGNED table. Her: "can you scoot over?" Me: "sure, can you hand me napkins so I can clean our table???" Gratuity is included so the service will be horrible. I've gotten more hospitality at an Inn n Out. I'm shocked because I've heard so many good things and was so excited to finally try it out. Save your money and give it to someone who actually cares.

The Nolen is always a solid spot if you're wanting to go out but not for a club vibe. The ambiance is elevated (literally) and super vibey. Service can be a hit or miss but the drinks are consistently good (and strong).

FANTASTIC happy hour! Monday - Wednesday from 4-6 the bar is serving discounted food and drinks for happy hour. Their happy hour menu included a few of their cocktails and some appetizers. We loved our drinks and the loaded tots were delicious. But obviously the view and atmosphere stole the show. We sat up here for so long. This rooftop has one of my favorite views of the city!

Awesome rooftop in the heart of San Diego. Loved the vibe and the service was nice too. Didn't try food here though. Great place to enjoy a drink and hang out.

Very nice rooftop, kind of hidden as it is parr of the Marriot. Drinks were great here. Chips/salsa was ok as was the flatbread. The tots and burrata were fantastic. Our friends ordered wings and said they were good also. If you can get here in the evening try to snag a booth by the firepit because it does get chilly after sunset as you are up on the roof. There is a nice view of the stadium. Overall a lovely little rooftop spot- I would recommend this place and would return here.

Fab brunch at The Nolen! Kelsey makes guests feel not only welcome but like they're the most important diners in the restaurant. She seated our large party in a quiet area where we could talk. She turned on the heater to keep us cozy. She went above & beyond accommodating special orders. We will def be back. My only request to management is to overhaul the reservation system. Not sure if the issue is with resy or the restaurant. Resy made it appear as though you were fully booked even though there were plenty of tables available when we arrived. Nobody returns emails, there is no phone # and the text system referred to on the website doesn't exist.

I love rooftop bars, and I hadn't been to this one so I thought I'd give it the good old college try - part of it looks great, but part of it seems to be quite overdo for a facelift in places. They have *great* drinks & their cocktail menu is awesome. The two person table tops are tiny, and not very sturdy - I fixed that by using one of their extra strong cocktail fruit spikes as a shim to keep the drinks from spilling every time weight shifted on the table. Service was great, they were on the ball the whole time - friendly & attentive. 0 gripes there. I'd suggest getting reservations & using this spot for what they do well - drinks & ambiance. I wasn't thoroughly impressed by the braised pork tacos, but everything else was good!

Drinks came out quick and so did the wings. It was only $9 for drinks during the sunset and wings! The wings came out relatively quick and was saucy! If you're a saucy kinda person that enjoy franks redhot definitely recommend getting

One of my favorite rooftop bars in SD, very nice views, happy hour specials also really good too, nice place to hang out for happy hour on the weekdays

Drinks alone were amazing! Didn't get to try the food this time. Beautiful view and 10000% worth rhe trip

Favorite roof top bar! No cover. Great views. Great customer service. Great mezcal drinks. Good sauvignon blanc. They have heaters outside. Only downside is sometimes the fireplaces/ and or heaters give off the smell of gas.

The Nolen is a rooftop bar located in the Gaslamp area. Locating the bar was not difficult as they had signs available to guide you. Ambiance-wise: We came here on Memorial Day and it wasn't too busy so we were able to seat our group of 6. The rooftop at the Nolen is not the greatest view in comparison to other rooftops in SD, but was good nonetheless. Since we had a decently sized party, we couldn't grab seats along the edge so we didn't have a great view. They provide heat lamps and a firepit for those who get cold easily. The seating arrangements have room for improvement but they can seat both small and large parties. Service-wise: we had two servers assisting us during our time here. Both were accommodating to our requests for seating because our party size was not set and we came in without a reservation so that patience was very appreciated. Both were very nice and checked in periodically at a good rate. Food/Drink-wise: food and drinks here are pretty pricey, but likely because you pay for the vibe. The only food I ordered was a plate of tots which were very dry and over-cooked. For drinks, our party ordered two bottles of red wine but no cocktails or beer. We originally were only planning to have a single bottle but the second one shows you how we felt about the wine. I am curious about their cocktails because the descriptions looked good, but prices just seemed a bit much. Summary: the Nolen seems like a solid rooftop bar but also doesn't differentiate or set itself apart from any others in SD. The price points for drinks, though not outrageous in comparison to other bars in downtown, also make it hard to convince me to want to come back in the near future.

We came here to check it out as it is a rooftop bar. The views were nice from the top and their happy hour drinks were pretty tasty ($9). We ordered some food as well (chicken wings and tater tots) I would come here again and sit at the firepit with a large group of friends.

Terrible service. Went last night right before the rush of a concert getting out and received absolutely horrible service and we weren't informed the kitchen was closed until waiting 20 minutes for the server to come back to ask if we wanted another round of drinks. Only reason I am giving 3 stars is because the ambiance is good and martini wasn't half bad which is impressive for me!

These two blonde servers were not very friendly or welcoming. At all. Despite me saying please and thank you often. Went on a Monday 11/6 at 7pm so it wasn't too busy and we were able to sit by the glass to get a good view of the city San Diego without a reservation. The server asked for our drinks, we gave her our drink orders, she walked away then I said "oh can we order food as well" and she took my order and then rushed out again and didn't even ask my friend for their order lol like hello he is also sitting here too?? The corner table opened up and I asked one of the servers if it was okay to sit at that table. She said it was fine then cleaned the table for us right away. Our original server came back with our drinks and I told her we moved the table next to us and she was like "oh.. ok" then placed our drinks at the new table. Idk both those girls just gave off mean girl, I-hate-this-job energy. Maybe they were having a rough day. For 18% gratuity would it kill the servers to say "yeah! No problem!" "Of course!!" And by the looks of other yelpers reviews- i am not the only one who experienced this type of service. Big fan of the whiskey short rib flatbread tho!!

Loved this place!! Came here for an anniversary and it was so lovely. The entrance is a small door into a hallway that leads to an elevator that takes you to the roof. We went during the last bit of sunset and it was so beautiful! It overlooks the city and you can see the Coronado bridge. We got salmon dip to share which was surprisingly delicious but not too much salmon. I got the LOVERS 51 (I believe that's what it was called) and it's a perfectly sour yet sweet and refreshing drink if you enjoy grapefruit flavor! Venue is a bit small but there wasn't a lot of people when we went but a reservation online might be nice for Friday/Saturday nights

This place is so cool! Such a fun vibe with great views, and the drinks were amazing too! The drinks were a much better portion and strength compared to some other downtown rooftop bars. We had the flatbread which was delightful and service was very moderate and kind!

If you find yourself Downtown and want a classy rooftop bar experience with a killer view, check this place out. Beware, It's easy to miss, it's only one small door at street level. But head on up the elevator and soak in expansive views of Downtown, the ballpark, and the bay. Nice happy hour; and the icing on the cake was friendly and attentive service by Chelsea. Despite her dealing with a surprise 50 top party, She was top notch. I'm Looking forward to my next visit.

Food: mediocre Ambience: great view but tables was very dirty Service: terrible. The servers were chatting away and doing nothing while we looked around and waited for someone to help for a long time. I almost thought I misunderstood and it's self service from the bar. Made extra effort to flag down someone to order and had to go grab napkins by ourselves from the station.