Botanica Art & Cocktail Bar

3139 University Ave, San Diego
(619) 310-6370

Recent Reviews

Assaf Cohen-Arazi

Great vibe and convenient venue to hold an art show to combine with some food and drinks.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Carli B.

I cannot begin to say how amazing my experience was here. Biz, Emmy and the other person working (so sorry for spelling and names it was quite loud) on march 13th were absolutely amazing biz and his cocktail knowledge was impeccable. I came here solo with some anxiety and I was immediately felt at home. Later into the night they continued to provide amazing service and recommendations for other areas in San Diego. I'm visiting from Seattle and they definitely made my entire trip!

Ryan M.

Beautiful location and outstanding coordination team with trademark venues. Highly recommend.

Magdolen K.

Beautiful space with incredible cocktails but I recommend sitting at the bar because the service in the dining area is terrible. I also wouldn't recommend coming here for a meal since food options are limited and portions are tiny.

Lena Richter

This place has expensive, but beautifully Delicious cocktails. We also enjoyed the attached art studio.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Sara F.

Yummy cocktails and apps! Got a great gin cocktail and the tuna app- small portion for the price but really yummy

Dan L.

Great cocktails but truly horrendous and frankly racist service from one of the bartenders. Our group of four people of color were asked to leave within 15 minutes of paying our tab because "there was a line of people waiting outside." There were, I shit you not, two people outside of the bar once we left. I regret tipping as generously as I did - this used to be a go-to spot but I'm never coming back.

Gamini G.

Absolutely thrilled to share my experience at this cocktail bar, which had been on my must-visit list for quite some time. The anticipation was palpable, especially given the rave reviews about their vibrant cocktail menu. Despite not having a reservation, we decided to take our chances, and to our pleasant surprise, we were seated immediately--no wait time whatsoever. I opted for the espresso martini, while my husband chose the old fashioned. Both choices turned out to be exceptional. The espresso martini wasn't just visually stunning; its presentation was impeccable, elevating the entire experience. Initially, I harbored some doubts about the drink's strength, but one sip dispelled them all. The cocktail was nothing short of spectacular, with the foam on top adding a deliciously smooth texture that I absolutely adored. My husband's old-fashioned, meanwhile, offered a delightful twist on the classic recipe, striking the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Our server played a significant role in making our visit memorable. Their warmth and attentiveness ensured we felt valued and well-cared for throughout our stay. The ambiance of the place was the icing on the cake. It boasted an artistic and unique vibe that resonated with us deeply, contributing to an overall experience that was as enjoyable as it was unforgettable. I can't recommend this cocktail bar highly enough. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy meticulously crafted cocktails in a setting that's both welcoming and wonderfully unique.

Elana M.

Came to check out the happy hour and had a lovely time. The interior/ambiance is amazing. So cozy and very art deco, loved it! They have amazing drink options that were soo delicious. They have food options as well that we didn't try but sounded really good. I will definitely be back for more happy hours, as well as to try Tini Tuesdays!

FanC

A great and sexy artsy speakeasy!We came to this little gem for preDrinks on Date night and it was such a treat!We indulged on some very creative cocktails and dined on the Omakase which was delicious. Definitely worth the visit and another visit and another! ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Omakase Plate

Maxwell Shenk

This is a strange review for me. Extreme highs... And lows.The good:Very delicious food presented beautifully.Great drinks.Nina, the head of culinary (of 7 of the restaurants) was on site, and right next to us, and she demands gorgeous delicious food and cares about the customer experience.The bad/weird: we booked 3 weeks ago for Valentine's Day. We debated on the options (bar or high top) and decided on high top. Fast forward three weeks and they've changed their wording on the Reservation site, now it's bar or dining room. When we arrived, early Reservation, 630, they said we booked bar Even though our reservation says an option, that now they don't offer. StrangeWhen we were sat there were only 2 other people at the bar and they sat us in the corner right next to the other 2. When I asked to be at a different section of bar they said "sorry, there's reservations". Which I was, and it's not like the reservation allows you to choose which bar stool.Next, I was really looking forward to these tapas. I specifically booked here as we wanted to do tapas but did not want a Valentine's menu. Well, according to one of the staff, they mentioned they decided a week or so ago to do a Valentine's menu. Too bad for me for booking in advance.What's worse is the bar and the other tables had different menus (only feet apart mind you). The item I was most excited for, wagyu tartar oysters (I grew up eating oysters 1-2 times a week and go out specifically for them) was not on our menu. I asked to still order them...they said no. So I got to watch them come out all night. Luckily Nina was gracious enough to bring us two when she heard our situation.Really, overall, if you're looking for drinks and some fantastic apps, this place is great. Atmosphere is very pretty as well. Drink Service is slow when busy but they were delicious. BUT, I wouldn't trust this place with any event or special occasion. After really planning this and then being burned in multiple aspects I just couldn't get over it which spoiled the evening for me. That's my fault, but nonetheless was a let down.

Fannie H.

A great and sexy artsy speakeasy! We came to this little gem for preDrinks on Date night and it was such a treat! We indulged on some very creative cocktails and dined on the Omakase which was delicious. Definitely worth the visit and another visit and another!

Stephanie I.

We pass by Botánica all the time but this was our first time in. Although they were busy and we didn't have a reservation, they were able to seat us right away. We had two artfully crafted cocktails and some delicious bites. We tried the chefs choice sampler and they were very accommodating to my food allergies. The sampler is for two and I'm assuming it comes on one plate usually but they separated mine and my husbands plate to avoid accidental consumption of the food I'm allergic to. They also substituted an item that would have been on my plate for something completely different and delicious. The interior is a total vibe. The art is great and creative. I love that they change the artist from time to time to keep the decore fresh and vibrant. The waitstaff was amazing and knowledgable of everything on the menu and patient with out million questions.

Ericka C.

Event reservations were confusing but we ended up with great service, they made accommodations for seating and vegetarian items in omakase selection. We liked trying different things but weren't so impressed that we'd come back to eat. The sound system could be improved if DJs will be a regular feature. Recommended for cocktails and vibe.

Max S.

This is a strange review for me. Extreme highs... And lows. The good: Very delicious food presented beautifully. Great drinks. Nina, the head of culinary (of 7 of the restaurants) was on site, and right next to us, and she demands gorgeous delicious food and cares about the customer experience. The bad/weird: we booked 3 weeks ago for Valentine's Day. We debated on the options (bar or high top) and decided on high top. Fast forward three weeks and they've changed their wording on the Reservation site, now it's bar or dining room. When we arrived, early Reservation, 630, they said we booked bar Even though our reservation says an option, that now they don't offer. Strange When we were sat there were only 2 other people at the bar and they sat us in the corner right next to the other 2. When I asked to be at a different section of bar they said "sorry, there's reservations". Which I was, and it's not like the reservation allows you to choose which bar stool. Next, I was really looking forward to these tapas. I specifically booked here as we wanted to do tapas but did not want a Valentine's menu. Well, according to one of the staff, they mentioned they decided a week or so ago to do a Valentine's menu. Too bad for me for booking in advance. What's worse is the bar and the other tables had different menus (only feet apart mind you). The item I was most excited for, wagyu tartar oysters (I grew up eating oysters 1-2 times a week and go out specifically for them) was not on our menu. I asked to still order them...they said no. So I got to watch them come out all night. Luckily Nina was gracious enough to bring us two when she heard our situation. Really, overall, if you're looking for drinks and some fantastic apps, this place is great. Atmosphere is very pretty as well. Drink Service is slow when busy but they were delicious. BUT, I wouldn't trust this place with any event or special occasion. After really planning this and then being burned in multiple aspects I just couldn't get over it which spoiled the evening for me. That's my fault, but nonetheless was a let down.

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