Bradley MoonHas all this talk of immigration advising, international recruitment, public policy, and study abroad made you thirsty? Well, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere… so it’s time to plan a San Diego happy hour! The following are recommendations from the Local Arrangements Team of some terrific San Diego hot spots to wet your whistle after a long day of NAFSA sessions and networking:

Barrio Star, Mexican Soul Food
Neighborhood: Bankers Hill/Park West
Address: 2706 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Recommendation: Happy hour is nightly 5:00 p.m–7:00 p.m. The Blackberry Jalapeno Margarita accompanied by chips and salsa? Perfection.

Seven Grand San DiegoSeven Grand Whiskey Bar
Neighborhood: Northpark
Address: 3054 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
Recommendation: Happy hour is Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. with inventive one-of-kind whiskey creations. This place has some serious swag in a hipster up-and-coming neighborhood.

Prep Kitchen
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Address: 1660 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Recommendation: Happy hour is 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., with a delicious seasonal tapas menu. Prep Kitchen is known for what is arguably one of the best charcuterie plates in town.

QueenstownQueenstown Public House
Neighborhood: Little Italy/Downtown San Diego
Address: 1557 Columbia Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Recommendation: This watering hole has a funky, chic design, especially the antique bathtub that serves as a beer tub on weekends. There’s a life-sized peacock on the wall who the bartenders say guards the top-shelf liquor. The menu offers a nice selection of craft beers and cocktails. Bonus: Live music on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Uptown Tavern
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
Address: 1236 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Recommendation: Nightly drink and appetizer specials with a cool indoor/outdoor urban neighborhood vibe. Come for a cocktail, stay for their amazing brussels sprouts! In addition to the nightly drink specials, Sunday’s Bloody Mary bar makes Uptown Tavern a favorite Sunday Funday brunch location!

El Camino San DiegoSuper Cocina El Camino Mexicana
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Address: 2400 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Recommendation: This hot spot is a testament to Mexican kitsch, down to the piggy-bank chandeliers. Sit on the back patio with a margarita and watch the planes graze the top of the restaurant coming in for a landing!

Neighborhood
Neighborhood: Gaslamp/Downtown San Diego
Address: 777 G Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Recommendation: Close to the Convention Center, Neighborhood is a pioneer in the proliferation of San Diego’s “gastropub culture,” successfully combining quality beer, locally sourced food, and intelligent design.

See you at happy hour!


Bradley Moon is the Local Arrangements Team (LAT) communications chair for NAFSA’s 2014 Annual Conference & Expo. Bradley was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and spent a number of years living, studying, and working abroad. He earned his master’s degree from Hawai`i Pacific University in Honolulu and began his higher education career in in 2005 after touring with Cirque du Soleil throughout Europe and North America. Moon is currently the assistant director of international recruitment and communication at San Diego State University, having worked for Hawai`i Pacific University and the University of Hawai`i – Leeward Community College.