The Whiskey House

Another hidden gem. Great food, great drinks. Good service. Our server recommended a light smokey whiskey, which turned out to be perfect. They have walls of different whiskeys. We sat outside and people watched.

Incredible drinks. Award winning whiskey selection. Amazing service. I cannot say enough good things about this place. They have a Guinness Book of World Record for most original whiskey bottles. The bartender was both awesome and made delicious drinks. A++++++++

For me, it was great to be able to drink whiskey at the Whiskey House! There's a very good chance that they have what you want; they're guaranteed to have something you like. The service is great, the food is good, and the whiskey is plentiful. I was in town for Cisco Live 2025, and I was able to visit three times. I even purchased a long sleeve t-shirt b/c it's chilly in San Diego in June! They keep the place darker than I prefer, but I absolutely recommend that all whiskey connoisseurs make their way to this location.

I've never seen so many whiskey bottles on a bar wall. I should have taken several pictures of their "bible" - impressive! Pricing could have been explained better by the bartender, be prepared to spend $$$$$ if you're going there to taste. Very happy with the experience - I found two new distillers' libations that I will be adding to my home bar. 👍🏻

This is in the Guinness book of war records for having the most whiskey with over 4500. Anything you want is here and that’s why I always stop here to taste the finest whiskey. The service is always good and the food is serviceable. If you are a whiskey drinker this is a must visit!

Whiskey House – Impressive Collection, but Disappointing Availability Whiskey House in San Diego boasts a massive selection and some of the best prices for Scotch I’ve seen, making it an enticing spot for any whisky enthusiast. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and accommodating, which made the experience enjoyable on a personal level. I came in with high expectations, especially given their recognition as “Best Whiskey Bar in America” by Whisky Advocate, but unfortunately, my visit didn’t live up to the hype. At least five different bottles I specifically wanted to try were unavailable despite being listed, due to their popularity—this included every Springbank I wanted to try— and their menu felt significantly outdated. On top of that, several more bottles I was interested in were empty, and another five weren’t even in their system when I spotted them on the shelves. They said they were there more for show and would maybe be available later even though they were open. To their credit, the staff went above and beyond to help, even walking me through the whisky library so I could pick bottles directly off the wall. Ultimately, I still found eight great drams to enjoy, but having over 15 bottles I was excited about turn out to be off-limits was a letdown. If you’re a casual whisky drinker looking for an affordable pour, Whiskey House is a solid option. But if you’re making a trip specifically for rare or hard-to-find Scotch like I was from the LA area—especially based on their prestigious title—be prepared for some disappointment. One last nit would be that there was no option for half pours even when I ordered so much for a tasting bar. Thank goodness I came with friends and we just split the pours otherwise I would not be able to try as much as I did.

Fyre ass little ancient spot. You can tell that bar has seen some shit. Great daily happy hour. Intriguing offerings like a scotch marinated pork chop. Happy hr has impressive offerings like scotch eggs, lots of friendly folks at the bar as well. I've slept on this place far too long but no more!

Just happened by this place and was very pleasantly surprised. Huge selection of whiskeys and bourbons from just about everywhere. Very friendly bartenders (Christina and Juan were great). And a nice welcoming atmosphere. Great place to even to stop in for one!

Christina is amazing! Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. 10/10 highly recommend for whiskey flights or craft cocktails. ​

Food was amazing!! Cinnamon pancakes to die for!! Service was great - not busy for a Saturday morning we got lucky for sure with this gem for breakfast Ambiance is dark and relaxing bar feeling! Kids loved it

I love whiskey and I'm sure I would have loved it here but the bartender that was working was a real POS. This was just after the fireworks ended on the 4th so downtown was getting crowded. It was early-about 10:15, and while the bar was empty that was likely about to change. My wife and I walk in and are not sure if we can seat ourselves but the bartender basically just stared at us. So we go to sit on the bench along the wall and he says "two people done need to sit at a table that big". It was a 4-top, first of all, and the place was mostly empty. But he saysc "you can sit at the bar". Fine, we sit at the bar, then he says he hopes we don't want to eat because the kitchen is closing. It's not just he said that, it's the attitude and disgust he said it with. Like a New Yorker having a bad night but without the humor you usually get with it. There are an infinite other ways to say that without being an a**about it. Finally, we sit down and he says something about how we need to be quick because they're probably going to close. Again, 10:15, a Friday night, and the 4th of July just after the fire works, and you're going to close early? Anyway, seeing as how he clearly didn't want us there and wasn't interested in serving us, we got up and left. Hopefully he found it annoying that he now had to clean the water glasses he gave us. Truly truly an a**h***. The place is beautiful and the whiskey selection awesome. I would have enjoyed being here for a couple of drinks but now I'm just happy I didn't give them my money. Plenty of other places to go.

This place is awesome! Great for happy hour too. They have so many different kinds of whisky which set a record. The Mac and Cheese with chorizo was amazing and a must have. Also had the salmon which was good. Service was also excellent and fast. Can't wait to go back here esp as a Padre pregame spot

Yooo!!! If you're in San Diego and haven't hit this hidden gem with vegan options, what are you even doing?! The Vegan Plate? EXCELLENT. The vegan chocolate chip pancakes? EVEN MORE EXCELLENT...like, jump kick -yo-tastebuds good. And that green drink? Refreshing like a morning breeze in the jungle. Yeah, it's a little pricey... but that's the bitter-sweet duo, and trust me...it leans way sweet. These pancakes might be some of the best I've ever had...my goodness, I'm still thinking about 'em. Service was a tad slow, but worth every second of the wait. The ambiance? Straight fire. The walls are literally lined with every kind of whiskey you can imagine...It's a whiskey bar that looks like a carnivore's playground...and steals the spotlight without breaking a tofu sweat. Haven't been at night yet, but I'd bet my last stack of vegan pancakes it gets lit. Between the vibe and the whiskey wall, this place is made for a good time. If you haven't been... GO. I'm throwing 5 red-and-white Yelping stars at The Legendary Whiskey House like it's the vegan Oscars. I'm throwing 5 red-and-white Yelping stars at The Legendary Whiskey House like it just won Best Supporting Spot for Vegan Eats in a non vegan film. Straight up! Whiskey House keep keeping it Whiskey.

Solid spot for a drink. if you want exposure to whiskey, this is definitely the place. Service has always been friendly here. It's cool that they have flights by state or region. They have a list of old fashioned variations to choose from also. The peanutbutter old fashion is probably my favorite old fashion they have on the menu. The smoked bacon old fashion was much too sweet and almost undrinkable. Bartender might have lost count on how much simple syrup he was pouring that night . I had to ask for extra bacon.

What a gem! When I say run to this place, literally run. Talk about the decor and the vibe it gives off. Pretty cool. They are the Guinness world record holder for the most of whiskey's in an establishment. (4,500 whiskeys) We came across this place by looking up whiskey bars in SD. my husband is a huge whiskey fan, this certainly was up his alley. Came for the HH, to our shock was a late one. Daily hh 4-7p! Okay our recommendation is the New York strip steak, ceviche, mac & cheese, AND not included in the happy hour, but their pecan-bourbon brownie. We did get wings and burger. The waitress did recommend the wings, but to our disappointment it was alright. Honestly, this place was so good I am begging to come back for their hh.

This place is unassuming on the outside, exactly what you want on the inside: wall.to wall choices AND DINNER (don't skip on the scotch eggs!). I was able to find two of my favorite whiskeys that aren't easy to find at reasonable prices and they LEAVE THE BOTTLE with you so you can read labels, take pictures etc. The ambiance is just enough refined, slightly dive, perfect mix of all and if you don't want to try something neat they have a cocktail list and didI mention full dinner? Next time I'm back in SD this is first on my list, does not disappoint!

My favorite happy hour spot during the weekdays. Not only do they have a variety of good food in their happy hour menu, but it also goes until 7PM (rare at Gaslamp, where most happy hours end at 6PM). The best part of happy hour is that both the food and drinks are pretty amazing. Love the Vietnamese chicken wings (yes a random but delicious option in their menu). The burger is great and comes with either a salad or fries. 10/10 with their food. The vibe is a mix of elegance, speak easy lounge, and your typical go-to bar down the street, so a solid 10/10 as well. I highly recommend... was even hesitant on leaving a review since it really is a hidden gem, and felt like my little happy hour secret. :) You're welcome.

I have been to two restaurants/pubs/bars in the world that had me standing with my mouth agape in awe. One was the "Grouse Inn" in the Spey Valley in Scotland and the other was "Jack Rose" in DC. Each had a whiskey collection that numbered in the thousands of bottles and all on display. The "Whiskey House" had not such effect on me at the door, and despite its reported Guinness credentials, it did not impress at all. A further disappointment was the meal itself. The pork chop was burned, the salad was limp and the crème brûlée was more scrambled eggs than custard. The service was no better. Do yourself a favor and avoid the hype and just try another Gaslamp stalwart.

Came back to The Whiskey House for dinner to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. The drinks, as always, were top-notch. They really know their whiskey, and the cocktail menu is solid--great selection, great execution. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite live up to the drinks this time. I had the pork chop and he got the steak. Both were just... okay. Not terrible, but definitely not worth the price. We left kind of wishing we had eaten somewhere else and just come here after for a drink. Overall, I'd give the experience 3.5 stars. If I were rating just the drinks, it would easily be 4.5. But for dinner? I wouldn't really recommend it. Still a great spot to grab a whiskey or two, just not my go-to for a full meal.

Everyone should have Sunday Happy Hour! Brilliant idea , nicely executed! Happy hour menu has a great variety of food and drink options at perfect happy hour prices. We ordered several items and drinks. Our favorites were the Korean chicken wings and the Scotch Egg. The chicken wings were so uniquely flavorful and the scotch Egg was cooked perfectly. Our drinks were tasty as well. They have hundreds or Whisky choices. The bottles surround the dining and bar area lending a wonderful, grown up vibe without being stuffy. Our server was friendly and helpful in trying to decide what to enjoy. Definitely worth heading downtown for - can't wait to come back again!!

Staff are kind of jerks, they act like a dive bar but charge 17$ a drink. Could hear the hostess talking trash to the bar tender about the patrons and god forbid you ask for a cocktail off menu. So aside from the huge selection its not worth it given the shitty attitudes and prices. Drinks weren't anything special or creative. They're just leveraging the huge variety they have.

Christina and Joey freaking rock!!! Amazing service. My friend and I had an amazing girls night out thanks to these two. Best green tea shot ever :)

Bruno was our bartender and he was just amazing ! and even with a large group that came in he kept everything running smoothly. Super chill and easy to talk to, he really made our San Diego trip better. We're already planning our next visit, and honestly, it's just to hang out with him again. If you get the chance to have him behind the bar, you're in for some great drinks. thank you Bruno !

The place was very good for whiskey lovers. Plenty of scotch and whiskeys from all over the world. We came for my bachelors party for a late night drink. The bartender however was kind of arrogant and rude. When I asked him about rebreast he responded agitated that "there's a lot of whiskeys I don't know them all," then when my cousin asked to put a drink on a tab he remarked "I don't know what that means..." are you not the bartender? Lastly while my friend just closed his eyes momentarily as we were leaving he remarked that "he has to go, I don't care he has to leave" as we were leaving. I didn't care to catch his name but he was in a bad mood the whole night but the place was good. I'd come back, I truly would, but I'd make sure to stay away from him

Enjoying coffee at a nearby shop, I noticed someone walk in wearing a sweatshirt with "The Whiskey House"; being whiskey fans, I quickly looked it up; realizing it was located about a block away, it became our next stop! Great vibe: dim lighting; rich, dark wood; sophisticated decor; fun seating options; and an abundance of whiskeys! We were immediately greeted and asked for our order; we each ordered a classic go-to cocktail. However, we were never offered menus; had we known, we would've started with one of their specials. Great service, good cocktails (not clear ice cubes but still nice). Eager to return to experience more whiskey and their food items... on happy hour (daily 4-7 PM)! Fun find!

Had lunch here and it was delicious and a good time. Bruno and Jackie were awesome. They were friendly and very helpful. Definitely going to come back.

We came on a Friday night around 9pm for a snack - and the Vietnamese wings had a really good flavor! The ranch on the side was essentially just mayo. But we're ranch lovers so maybe a bit picky. My boyfriend and I are indeed whiskey people, and seeing all the good reviews, we think the drinks were a bit overhyped. When I ordered the Toasted Almond old fashioned, I expected it to be strong & with a classic nutty flavor. It straight up tasted like maraschino cherries and that was it, not even strong unfortunately. There was so much ice in it as well that it really just tasted ultra watered down right off the bat. For an $18 drink from a whiskey place I expected it to be wayyy better than it was. Our waiter was nice and the ambiance was pretty cool, with the hundreds & hundreds of whiskey bottles around. Overall though, probably won't come back due to our underwhelming drinks.

This place is right around the corner from my hotel.... Went to see Elton John last night at Petco and stumbled on this spot. Lucky me . AWESOME ! Now to the really really great stuff, came back for the morning after Brunch . KATIE was beyond helpful... 5 STARS to her As someone who prides themselves in customer service ( I worked for HYATT hotels for 17 yrs.) . Katie is such a breathe of fresh air --- you are really lucky to have her !!! You have a great product , but in my opinion the service of your staff is what gets people to come back and tell everyone they know .. I'm a local guy by the way - Carlsbad . Once again , thank you KATIE !!! I will be back

Stopped by for a quick drink before dinner. Great music, happy hour menu and service. The service did get a little slow when it came to getting the tab but it was also around 6am busier. The Japanese old fashion was wonderful as were the fries and crispy Diet Coke. Just sucked to have to wait over half an hour for our tab.

Relaxing, fun atmosphere and attentive service Shout out to Jesse and Jose - informative and hospitable - did good job Amazing whiskey selections Best in San Diego and best in the United States Guinness World Records establishment

Awesome drink! This place has everything you could want from the whiskey selection. Good vibe and an enjoyable place to visit, especially after a Padres game!

If you can think of it, they have it and more! From high end rare bottles to tasty hard to find selections from everywhere. Barrel proof, reserves, ryes, bourbons etc. it's a whiskey lovers paradise

My favorite "neighborhood" bar, if you consider a world-class whisky selection (over 4000!), a clubby (not nightclub) ambiance, and superb craft cocktails as neighborly. A surprisingly great happy hour, tasty food (charcuterie board is one of the best), and a fun local crowd are also why I always recommend people come here. There's a reason local hotel concierges send patrons here: it's a guaranteed winner.

It's not often that I think I've died and gone to heaven when walking through the doors of an establishment. The Whiskey House is absolutely a religious experience. A whiskey Bible like you would not believe. More specialty old fashioneds than angels. And a crème brûlée that reminds you that you're just a sinner. It has a decadent speakeasy vibe and shelf upon shelf of gorgeously displayed bottles. Not a detail is overlooked. There's outside seating, if that's important to you, but you can't adequately take it all in from outside. Stop by and get baptized in bourbon.

Came here on a weekend and tried out their brunch menu. Brunch was good! They have a pretty big selection of food and of course, some brunch cocktails. I got the chilaquiles and it was yummmmmm! I also tried Sazerac for the first time and I really liked it. You can never go wrong with their cocktails and whiskeys; they're strong and an absolute delight. Service was also great! I thought we were gonna get a sub par service because of how busy they were when we were there, but I was truly impressed that they still made the effort to check on us to see if everything was good despite the busyness. Thank you!

Incredible Whiskey selection with great ambiance and service! The chicken wings were the best ever -- with a delicious marinade. I will definitely be returning and bringing more of my friends.

I came here to grab a bite to eat with a. Friend after comic con. It's not far from the convention. The staff were veeeery slow here. So make sure not to come if you're in a rush as it took a while for them to bring the menu, take the order, for the food to come to us, and then to take the payment. And no, it wasn't busy. lol. My friend got the burger and fries which he said were very good. I tried the fries and they were definitely tasty. I got the tacos, which came with only two tacos and nothing else. I was still hungry afterward. The place itself had a nice look to it.

Stopped by for Happy Hour before seeing the ballet at Balboa Theater. The location was a bit farther out from the theater, but not too bad. We were able to walk from there so we didn't park nearby. The drinks were tasty, but not overly strong. Our party also had the wings, salmon, ceviche, and mac and cheese. The ceviche was really good, but the salmon was just okay.

Great place, amazing service, beautiful decor and ambiance. There are couches or booths or high tops. There is an extensive drink menu, but their food menu is a bit more compact. Still, it is terrific. The breakfast sandwich easily fed 2 of us. Bathrooms are clean but there are only 3. The waitress/bartender we had was amazing, offering us advice on the area. I would love to go back.

Great service. Very large selection of different whiskeys Enjoyed the house take on an old fashioned

One of the best Happy Hours in San Diego from 4-7 pm daily. It was really busy yesterday due to a concert at petco park but received good service at the bar. The prices for HH are affordable considering you are in downtown. Took a while to get the food which is understandable due to the large crowd. The pork chop was not dry. Was able to order my burger medium doneness. Vietnamese wings for 1$ each. The bartender did his best to check on everyone.

5 star cocktails but 2 star service. The cocktail menu and bottle inventory are both top notch. We expected to have cocktails and dinner. After waiting 25 minutes for our server to return after bringing the cocktails to take our meal order, we decided to eat somewhere else. The room is rustic and comfortable.

Went for their happy hour menu and whiskey tasting. Fun laid back vibe with dark wood, leather chairs and dim lighting. Love their lite up whiskey sign on the back wall. The overall lighting was so dim I had to use my phone flashlight to read the menu lol. Great deal on their food and cocktails during happy hour. I ordered bourbon glazed salmon with fries $14 with the al Capone cocktail (appropriately named - it hits strong). The supersized book of their library of whiskey is overwhelming- can't possibly take it all in, but simply amazing. If you know what you like, you'll be fine. The whiskey tasting comes with 5 different pours each .05 oz. It's fun to experience the flight and then order more of what you liked from it. The service was great, friendly and attentive. Doesn't look like much from the outside but once you enter you step into a new world. Finding parking takes time. When in San Diego I'll be back.

Whiskey House remains a great spot just off the beaten path of the Gaslamp Quarter's main streets. They feature a cool atmosphere inside with walls lined with whiskeys from all over the world in such a hip way. Boasting 4000 whiskeys sourced globally, they have cocktails as well as flights capitalizing on all of that variety. Outside they have some of the post pandemic on street patio seating. Instead of a beer garden, it's kind of a whiskey patio. This gem has been a staple to bring out of town whiskey loving guests as well as it was a great date spot when my BF and I started dating. As if it couldn't get any better, they have an AMAZING Happy Hour! 7 days a week and it goes to 7pm. The ceviche, the salmon, the wings all got rave reviews. Last time we were there the server was very friendly and joked around with us a bit. Definitely makes the experience better.

Love the Whiskey House! I took myself on a date here once and it was quite enjoyable. The staff were friendly and I was able to sit at the bar right away. The patrons were also very nice. The food was good and the cocktails were better.

Dropped by for a drink before going to see a show downtown. They had plenty of outdoor seating, but what grabbed our attention was the dimly lit interior. Some table tops were reserved, but the bar seating is where my partner and I like to settle on. It happened to be Happy Hour (daily 4-7pm) so we started with a Kentucky Mule and Al Capone. $7 a piece was a fantastic happy hour deal! We didn't get to stay too long since our show was about to begin, but we ordered the Toasted Almond Old Fashioned before we closed out. Interesting flavor and overall delicious. Simply the menu page titled The Old Fashioned Schedule was alluring. A short visit, but left enough of an impact for my partner and I to agree: we need to come back. We are determined to go back to try out more off of their drink menu and to try some of the food. Can't wait!

Great happy hour food and drink. I still suggest the Al Capone drink and the burger. With 4500 different types of whiskey, a person who enjoys whiskey should come here and try it out by ordering a flight.

First time here and loved this place , nice ambiance , great happy hour for food and drinks . Food tasted very fresh and homemade, friendly staff , definitely will be back .

Really cool place but the guy behind the bar was pretty rude. Seemed like he was annoyed we had a large group. God forbid we bring friends and family to a cool place! Hopefully he's not the norm but i wouldn't recommend coming if you aren't a group of 2 or less.

I loved the decor and the vibes at this place. I came here for happy hour. The price is very reasonable and the food and drinks were great. Highly recommended.

Okay whiskey house is the best. Jesse is the best and knows all the best whiskeys. Jose super cool too. Lowkey this is tthhheeee bar.

I flew into San Diego from Vegas for a concert and we stopped by The Whiskey House bc it looked like a cool new spot. I used to live in SD so it was new for me. To be honest I am not a huge whiskey person but I got the whiskey sour which was tasty and my friend for a drink w/Campari which was too sweet for me but he liked it. We also got the happy hour cheese burgers and fries-decent flavorful burger w lots of seasonings but I am not a fan of west coast fries just not my faves. Service was good and their selection of whiskey is unmatched-in fact they are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most commercial whiskey so that's pretty cool. Take a walk to the bathrooms and you will see walls full of whiskey bottles as well. I would go back for more cocktails and a HHour burger. Also got to meet a Makers Mark representative and she ended up buying one Makers Mark $9 specialty cocktails/shots. Upscale dark wood interior decor cool for a date nite for sure. Cool spot for whiskey lovers.

Horrible bar service. I gave this place a second try, never again. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE and bar manager is a POS. He needs a lesson in customer service! DO NOT GO!

Stopped by this spot for a quick drink and appetizer. The drinks were perfect and the tacos were much better than we expected to get. One of the best that we had while visiting San Diego actually. Super cool atmosphere and staff was very friendly. Highly recommend if you're looking for a cool spot to chill out.

We came here for weekend brunch. Which I suppose is the menu from the place next door Lazy Hippo. Not sure if it's permanent that way. But we very much enjoyed our food. I love the pancakes. The egg scramble was really good. Server was sweet and attentive. It's a nice place to go in a group or with family. I would definitely come back.

Folks, let me tell you, The Whiskey House is amazing. Absolutely amazing. I've been to a lot of whiskey bars, probably the best whiskey bars in the world--Scotland, Kentucky, you name it--but this place? This place is special. The best. Nobody does whiskey like The Whiskey House. First off, the selection--HUGE. They've got more whiskeys than anyone. I walked in, saw the wall of bottles, and thought, "Wow, this is the most tremendous whiskey collection I've ever seen." Bourbon, Scotch, Japanese--you name it, they've got it. Even some brands I've never heard of, and trust me, I know a lot about whiskey. The bartender? Incredible. A true artist. I asked for something smooth and bold--just like me--and they nailed it. I took one sip and thought, "This might be the best whiskey in the world. Better than anything Sleepy Joe's ever tasted, that's for sure." They even gave me a whiskey with a smoky flavor, and let me tell you, it was so good it practically built its own wall of flavor. The atmosphere? Classy. Dark wood, leather chairs, the works. It's like stepping into a room where deals are made. You could negotiate a billion-dollar contract over a glass of whiskey here--no problem. It's that kind of place. And let's talk about the food. Yes, they have food! Charcuterie boards, perfectly paired with your whiskey. I had some cheese and cured meats, and let me tell you, folks, it was next level. A winning combination. If you love whiskey--and I mean really love whiskey--you need to go to The Whiskey House. It's not just a bar, it's an experience. The best whiskey, the best people, the best vibes. Highly recommended. Nobody does whiskey better. Believe me. Donald J. Whiskey Aficionado

Friends, out-of-tower here! We stopped in and we were immediately greeted by Katie, who happened to be our perfect Bartender/Server. Make sure to ask for Katie if you come in, she gave us the perfect recommendation, see the pictures!! The one thing I highly recommended is their sausage links, they are made in house. As a foodie, I am highly impressed by the quality of the food, the ambiance, and the EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! The entire experience was CHEF's KISS!!! A+++ food quality, A+++customer service (Katie was fantastic, will definitely return!!!)