Pool tables and dartboards might be mainstays in traditional drinking and dining establishments, but modern eateries have taken the trend for tableside entertainment to a whole new level. From Bocce Ball to Shuffle Board, and Battleship to Bingo, check out some of the best spots to eat, drink and play in San Diego.
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Bars & Restaurants With Games In San Diego
Eateries raising the entertainment stakes.

Tabletop Commons
From Connect Four to Cards Against Humanity, every conceivable taste in tabletop entertainment is catered for at this gaming hub in Hillcrest. Chef Miguel Valdez serves a surprisingly sophisticated selection of small plates (think duck tacos, house made roasted pork belly, surf & turf skewers) and decadent desserts for gamers. Stop by for a Settlers of Catan session on Sunday and enjoy the extensive brunch menu (12 p.m. – 4 p.m.), where a specialty breakfast standout includes the Bacon & Sriracha Benedict.
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Coin-Op Game Room
Brush up those 'Mortal Combat II' skills over a craft cocktail at Coin-Op. With a rotating roster of vintage video games and pinball machines this dedicated retro arcade games bar features classics such as Mario Kart, Tron and Ms. Pac-Man, plus plenty of beers, punch bowls and bites. An array of easy-to-eat-dogs grace the menu ($5-$8) including Wild Style (wild boar, fried egg), Hasselhoff (pork, sauerkraut), and Ghandi (veggie, avocado). Gamers can also sip on a number of creatively titled cocktails, including Level 1 'wells' ($7.50) and ‘top shelf’ Level 3 libations ($9.50).
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Draft Republic
Americana-inspired games and food are the order of the day at this industrial chic gastro-pub in UTC. Play a few rounds of pool on the covered patio, or enjoy foosball, shuffleboard and darts inside over craft beers (there are 36 on tap), or one of four keg-poured cocktails – the Republic Mojito is especially more-ish. While Executive Chef Mike Camplin serves up a plenty of finger lickin' fare and housemade charcuterie, the Buffalo Buttermilk Chicken Lollipops and Moroccan Spiced Lamb Corn Dogs are menu musts.
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Park & Rec
Ping-Pong, shuffleboard, darts and corn hole can all be enjoyed on the expansive open-air back patio at this casual uptown outpost. The perfect place for a fun afternoon with friends, in keeping with it’s laid back vibe celebrated food cart Royale With Cheese serves up a selection of bites (burgers, mystery tots), which make tasty accompaniments to any number of the classically driven craft cocktails. Now open at 10 a.m. every weekend, start your next Sunday Funday the right way – with a Bloody Mary and Breakfast Sandwich at this welcoming University Heights hotspot.
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Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
No visit to this bastion of San Diego brewing would be a complete without a turn on the grass Bocce Court – the perfect place to while away an afternoon over a few beers with some buddies. Or you can stop by on Tuesdays when the giant chess, Jenga and Connect Four sets come out. Stone’s innovative Meatless Monday Menu should help offset any ale-related calories: the Cheddar, Garlic & Stone Ruination IPA Soup ($4/$8) and BBQ Avocado Taco Trio ($16) make for two suitably tasty, and health conscious snacks.
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Shakespeare Pub & Grille
Nothing says British culture quite like a pub quiz so if you’re looking for a little ‘tavern based trivia’, look no further than Shakespeare’s General Knowledge Night. Usually held on the last Sunday of every month, questions start flying at 7 p.m., but the event fills up fast and most seats are taken an hour beforehand. The pub’s signature Fish and Chips ($14.95), which comes with optional mushy peas, makes a prime pre or post-quiz meal. If melodies are more your thing the popular ex-pat hangout also hosts a music trivia night the second Sunday of every month.
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The Deck at Moonshine Flats
It’s backyard games and BBQ meats galore at this vibrant, country and western-themed bar in East Village. Take your pick from flip cup, corn hole, Ping-Pong, pool, beer pong and foosball on the lively open-air top deck. Don’t miss the Flip Cup tournament every Saturday and Sunday (5 p.m.) where you can nom your way through Chef Todd Nash’s Southern-style menu featuring authentic smokehouse savories like brisket, tri tip and ribs. Smoked for 12 hours, the crowd-pleasing Pulled Pork Plate ($10 - $24) comes with a choice of two sides, pickles, onions and a Brioche bun.
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Hamilton's Tavern
Beloved for its craft beer selection, this award-winning watering hole has been serving up suds to South Park locals for over 75 years. Gaming entertainment comes in the form of two (often packed) pool tables, plus a popular shuffleboard setup. Home of the ‘hop sausage’, San Diego’s oldest beer bar offers plenty of great grub (wings, nachos, burgers), but their signature handcrafted Spicy Italian Hop Sausage ‘Sarnage’ ($8.25) is compulsory eating. Don’t miss the brewmaster inspired 'Hop Sausage Plate' either, typically crafted to pair with their Weekly Friday Happy Hour Cask.
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Solterra Winery & Kitchen
Bocce Ball aficionados should head to Leucadia where the ancient Italian game can be played just blocks from the beach. Enjoy bites from the rustic Mediterranean-style menu with local favorites centering around cold tapas such as bouqerones (pickled white anchovies), aguachile (bay shrimp, hominy) and the trusty gourmet cheese platter. Popular hot tapas treats include patatas bravas, seared octopus and calamari. With wines barreled and aged onsite, there are plenty of varietals plus assorted craft beers to sample.
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Sycamore Den
This hipster homage to the 70s offers up two retro game nights to kick start the week – try your hand at Bingo on Momday (8 p.m. onwards), or test your mental mettle at Trivia Night every Tuesday between 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. While food comes in the form of sandwiches, burgers and bites from next-door deli counterpart Burnside, it’s their Dirty Fries (topped with Mozzarella cheese and a choice of porchetta scraps or beef bits, served with gravy) that are ‘to-dine-for’ delicious.
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