Sycamore Den Reviews

Fun place, nice bartenders. It gets really crowded though. They have skee ball, pinball, and a hook game.

The bartender decided to add himself another $3 to the tip. So check your statements after you visit here.

Great place to get a craft cocktail and people watch. The staff is friendly and knowledge. The drinks are a little pricy, but who isn't these days? On tje bright side, they do pack a punch. The decor is to much fun to not like. Banjos and replica shotguns, a nice fire place and stools at the windows to check people out on Adams Avenue.

Need to upgrade the place really bad. I feel like i ambin a bar from the 70th. It's time to change....... Drinks are great

Forbidden Root drink...good and good for you!! All the bartenders are great, popcorn is a nice change and the restroom signs say it all. I love this place.

This is a good bar. The atmosphere is fantastic, the bartenders make you feel comfortable, and they make great drinks. My go to place for a good drink.

The first time we went it was cool. And I wore a Hawaiian shirt and I looked at every inch of the decor from top to bottom. I was enchanted by the stories/hype from multiple publications and wanted to taste for myself what it was. The drinks were stiff. The bartender friendly and the hearth illuminated our multiple drinks. Life was good. Months later. The second time impromptu I wasn't wearing a Hawaiian shirt, it's a hot San Diego day with a non AC house to come back to and the crowd was a little stiff. This time the drinks tasted different and there were 3 candles lit in the hearth. The place feels trendy. Was it me?

Great service, excellently made cocktailscocktails, and they gave us popcorn while watching E.T.!

Sarah the bartender was very knowledgeable in her craft and while I was unsure what would quench my thirst, she provided two pours after I described what I was looking for and BINGO, she hit the nail on the head with both. I opted for her first choice and enjoyed three more pints. Early in the evening the bar was very mellow and the music, filling my ears with nostalgic 80's and 90's music, was not over bearing and lovely. Once the windows closed and the band arrived, I was a little less reluctant to spend the rest of my evening in the venue having to talk over the band's music which was not mirrored to earlier's evening and having to feel treated like a completely outside from locals who walked in and made already sitting customers feel unwanted.

Overall, I would go back definitely go back and take friends to visit both Sarah and Sycamore Den.

One of my favorite cocktails bar. Not as crowded as Polite, still deliver great cocktails, one of the most cooziest bar in SD with a fireplace! Definitely one of the place the local go, just chill n good old cocktail bar.

Great vibe and tasty drinks! If you like innovative cocktails then this is a must when you're in the area.

Amazing atmosphere and service. Great cocktails and pretty good selection of whisky.

The space is modern retro that feels warm and comfortable. Low lighting and great music selection. Bartenders were spot on with recommendations and drinks were as good as advertised. Laid back vibe, craft cocktails and beer. Great neighborhood hangout.

Cool environs, excellent staff, diverse house cocktails.

My favorite bar in Soma!!! I work a few streets down so I come here after work often. All the bartenders are super friendly especially nick!! He makes the best drinks!! I always tell them to surprise me and they think of something awesome! If your looking for a unique drink that you will love come here!

Great craft cocktails and a nice warm, cozy atmosphere. The place is really designed to feel like a den.

Drinks are well crafted, bartenders are awesome, skee ball in the back ... Who could ask for anything more?

Good atmosphere but small bar! Parking is always hard in this area!

Inside the bar was busy, staff were friendly and efficient, drinks prices aren't to bad, music started off good when we got in but went downhill as the night progressed.

The crime of passion cocktail is amazing. Bartenders are friendly and the fire and pinball machines are an added bonus.

Great cocktails, friendly service, quality cocktails, some fun games (if that s your thing), and super cool homey vintage vibe. Cocktails are $3 cheaper on average than, say, Polite Provisions. Give this place a go!

PS free popcorn!

Fun places to grab some craft cocktails on Adams. It is a very cozy and nice space. Perfect for a date or a group outing. The popcorn they have at the bar is a good complement to the drinks. Haven't tried any of the snacks, but I have no doubt they are as good as everything else.

Edit: This place rocks. They actually serve food now (from Burnside), which is a huge deal for people who like to drink and eat together. Eric is awesome. The drinks are awesome. The live music is always a welcome addition.

I just moved to Normal Heights and it was my first time trying to go out at night to see how the night life was in my new neighborhood. Other than when I went to perform at Open Mic night at Lestat's which I hope to do again tonight (every monday). It was a Sunday night at about 9PM, so I didn't expect too much to be going on, but it was Cinco de Mayo so I thought some people would still be out on a Sunday night. As I passed I heard a live band playing and decided to try the place out. It was a very cool place and the band was amazing, "The Munks." The only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5 star, is I had two drinks, a tequila sunrise and a small margarita. Both very small, but good drinks. I'm such a lightweight that I was already buzzed with the first one (and I had a hit of my medicinal herb before coming in), so after dancing to the music for a little while and stepping outside for another hit of my pipe, I decided to get a second drink, which I don't usually do at most bars, because I usually have to drive home. But being it's right down the road from my new home, I got another drink. Then when I closed out my credit card tab it was a total of about 21 dollars and some change, which is pretty expensive for most places I've been to in San Diego lately, where most mixed drinks are about 6 to 8 dollars. So I said to the bar tender, very cool guy, "I guess it's worth 10 dollars a drink when you don't change a cover charge for the great band." I just hope as a performing musician that they pay the band a good price for playing, because I wouldn't have come in the bar it it weren't for them playing. I wished I had some cash to give the band a tip, but I put a 5 dollar tip on my 20 plus dollar two drink receipt. Next time I'll ask the price of drinks before I order to see if they weren't just trying to stiff me as a person never seen at that place before and acting a little crazy as i usually do when I go out at night.

Really old people singing songs I've never heard. Very loudly.

Quiet bar with a great selection of drinks. Plus I really love the vintage feel it has. A new favorite for sure.

Ambiance and decor are nice. The seating down below gives enough separation from the bar and game area. Good drink selection and friendly staff.

My go-to for fancy cocktails and one of my favorite bars.

Neighborhood feel with great music selection. Sunken seating area and decor is a distinct 70's vibe. Enjoyed the bar overall...4 stars just because it's a little pricey.

Amazing show that happens on the last Thursday of every month. Burlesque Boogie Nights takes over Sycamore Den and makes everything sound like a good time! Awww yeeah baby!

Cool cocktail bar with a mid-century modern/rustic/hipster vibe.

The best bartenders and the best drinks and the best times. Fantastic craft cocktails and a fantastic vibe always leads to a good time. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly so pick their brains if your in to it

Great selection of whiskey/whisky. And beer. Nice ambience. Not so sure about the TV dinner serving trays they're using as tables in the lower area, kinda cute... but hopefully no one is getting up and spilling all their drinks.

Very chill place with pinball, and you can bring your own food!

This place is a toss up. On weekends it can get too crowded and becomes uncomfortable quickly. Service was amazing with one bartender and terrible with another. It always seems to attract a weird crowd sometimes.

Friendly bartenders but the drinks were not strong enough and a bit too sweet for my taste.

Trendy lil bar in normal heights. Decent drinks, nice people, cozy atmosphere. Just the right amount of "hipster"

Order a "bet on black" or a "coconut bra" they're the most delicious cocktails I've had in SD.

Amazing restaurant in City Scape on the 2nd floor, the windows show an nice view of downtown. Sit outside is weather allows Food; ordered the ribeye, may have been the best I tasted in a while. It was perfectly cooked and prepared. The special drinks are also perfect. Service; Our Server was on point, great customer service.

The drinks there well have you screwing ugly girls in no time. Alcohol!!!!

A consistent favorite. Great cocktails and a friendly staff.

Great beer selection, like that the switch it out every week. Bartender's are on point with mix drinks. Amazing atmosphere.

Went to Sycamore Den last night and it was incredible. Super romantic and a great speakeasy. The drinks were very impressive and tasted fantastic. I will definitely be back.

Some of the best craft cocktails you'll find in San Diego along with a nice selection of microbrews. And free popcorn!

Came here for happy hour on a weeknight. It was really busy, but luckily our friends snagged a table and the 7 of us squeezed in. The drinks were good, but what I really enjoyed was the atmosphere and decor. The bar tenders were also very friendly, even when just asking for a glass of water. Definitely recommend for others to check it out.

Good cocktails, friendly bartender, cool room. Haven't tried the food.

Hipster Bar that will not make you throw up if you hate Hipsters. Good drinks. Fun game at the back. It's a starter bar. I wouldn't hang all night there unless they had live music...which I'm told they do...but it's a cool place to be.

They serve great drinks at reasonable prices. The interior is nice and isn't divy; when its not packed or crowded, there's ample seating. If you just want a drink go early in the evening or during the week. If you want to mingle in a crowd, then Friday and Saturday evenings would be for you. Warning, when it gets crowded, it's hard to get to the bar or even get the bartender's attention.

This might be the best bar is San Diego. I don't know, I haven't been to them all. But it's my favorite. The vibe here is always amazing. Plus you can get ramen from the place next door! Marry me, Sycamore Den!

Good drinks, good trivia, chill vibe and they just added a couple old school arcade and pinball machines. Usually a quieter place compared to other bars in the area.

Overall place was nice. But I cannot believe that you hired that psycho security guy, he just ruined my evening completely. Came here on Vacation from Europe, not 100% familiar with all the house rules yet. Went outside to smoke with the drink, and that guy came without saying a word, grabbed full glass from my hand and dumped it right on floor, left and slammed the door! What a hell???
Can someone please reply if that s normal?
I feel like I deserved a warning first, if something is prohibited.

Do yourself a favor and give this place a try. The service was very friendly and kind. It has a nice feel to it. Menu is like a cafe in Indianapolis I loved.

There's a weird game with a ring on a string and I totally like it like 5 times blindfolded.

I can't do it right now, but I totally did.

Great cocktails! I enjoy seeing local bands play here

Great place for craft cocktails and good conversations

The vibe here was really nice and the cocktails were delicious. Ordered ribs from Burnside which were also tasty. I definitely want to come back here.

Always a great time try the scotch float one of their best !

Nice place to hangout, Tuesday happen hours, beers on tap for $5 only.
Drake 555 was awesome.

This place has a great vibe and great selection of beers and creative cocktails. Typically the staff is pretty friendly as well, but they can be a little moody. I asked what they recommended once and got a pretty pretentious answer. It's North Park though so, it's kind of what's to be expected. It didn't turn me off from returning though. The whiskey concoctions are worth it.

Love this small bar, it's like your childhood basement, but better

Yes, clean cozy and comforting cocktails and talented crew. This is a great go-to place if you wanna be a little chic, a little old fashioned and not spend a lot of green.

Fun swanky 70's style cocktail bar. Great fresh cocktails. Fun decor.. Fun for groups and meeting people.

Just had a couple of beers there, nice venue with some arcade games, much more peaceful than Rabbit hole

Definitely an industry spot. Cool bartenders and relaxed environment on the weekdays.

Great neighborhood bar. Good atmosphere. Can get very crowded, though, on weekends.

Tasty cocktails. Very reasonable prices and fun atmosphere.

Bartenders are great and really good cocktails. Just wished it was a bigger space. Oh yeah don't have an arcade machine if its just for show and wont work

One of my fav SD bars. Try the Swiss Bank or ask for a "true" old fashioned!!

One of my favorites for interesting drinks in Normal Heights. Unfortunately attracts quite an odd hipster crowd, I have trouble making conversation with people here.

A subdued atmosphere, handsome seventies with a lightly kitsch vibe, and consistently tasty drinks make this a classic - and, yes, classy - Normal Heights destination. Sunken seating in front of the fireplace rounds the retro environment. A definite satellite of love.

Love the cocktails and the decor here. Good spot to chill, inside or outside. The rotating live music is highly appreciated.

Too many UCSD weirdos... can't understand it

I am sick a more because of this place, right behind my mother's apartment, I wonder what the connection is.

The drinks are great. The service is... Pretty good. Props to the door man.