We stopped by Waterbar on Christmas Eve for a drink before dinner. We stay down in PB for the holidays every year, and have seen this place since it first opened. Last year around this time we peeked our head in to see the space, but didn’t stay.
Located upstairs, the venue is large and well-lit, with windows overlooking Pacific Beach and the boardwalk. When we arrived, we were greeted by a local patron at the bar. He noticed my 49ers hat and made a joke about keeping me and the owner away from each other, because he is also a Niners fan. Immediately loved the vibes.
There were a decent amount of people there for it being Christmas Eve, but it was still pretty open. We were seated at a long high-top table for our group of 7, with one kid. The restaurant was all decorated for the holidays, and they had a pop-up situation with some fun themed drinks and even a giant inflatable igloo for people to play in!
We ordered a variety of beverages, many from the “Tinsel & Tides” menu, including the Candied Cranberry Punch, Maple Smoked Old Fashioned, and Spiced Peartini. All of which were fun, and received positive feedback on taste.
In addition to the holiday drinks, they have quite an extensive list of around 14 cocktails, and 2 mocktails. The cocktail prices range from $15 - $18, and even have fun little photos on the menu next to the description. They have a section of 6 specialty margaritas, over a dozen canned beverage options, and over 2 dozen beverages on draft. You can find an entire page of wine options. From bubbles, to rosé, to whites and reds. You can buy it by the glass or the bottle.
Beyond drinks, there’s a nice looking food menu. Mostly seafood and Asian inspired, the menu featured items such as crispy calamari, crab Rangoon dip, ahi tuna poke, ceviche, sashimi, and various sushi rolls. There are several soup and salad options, as well as a dozen or so entree options, and a half dozen side dishes such as fries, coleslaw, veggies, and mac & cheese.
There’s also a brunch menu, which is available Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 2pm, and includes some boozy drink options like a Bloody Mary and bottomless mimosas. There are around 8 entree options, and another 8 or so brunch themed sides.
While we didn’t get to try the food this time around, the menu looked good enough that we are planning to come back for a legit meal. There is an “Oyster and Martini Wednesday” from 3pm to close, where oysters are 50% off, and martinis are $10. We happened to be there on a Wednesday, however the deal wasn't applicable due to the holiday.
Our server, Destiny, was friendly and helpful with info and drink recommendations. The vibes were great here, and everybody was very welcoming. This is definitely a place we’ll be adding to the regular rotation during our trips to PB!
IG: @bbnem.eats
