Sycamore Den

Honestly have always loved coming to Sycamore Den since I first discovered it a couple years ago. It's a cozy bar in Normal Heights that's perfect for a casual night out with friends.The bartenders here are always so friendly and quick with cranking out drinks to keep the lines moving. It can often get somewhat busy here whenever there's an event, but there's usually plenty of couches and tables to sit at. The crowd here is always so friendly and lively, one of those spots where you can see the community is thriving.Personally love getting the espresso martini here. It's nothing super fancy, but it's perfect for when you're in need of a quick one - nice balance between sweet and strong. I've yet to visit during happy hour, but 50% off during happy hour seems like it'd be such a great deal for these espresso martinis, so I'll have to check it out when I can.

A super fun & cozy bar in normal heights! I love the 70's inspired interior design and it's a very welcoming place upon arrival. The two cocktails we had were part of their spring specials menu and both were 10/10 amazing! I got the passion fruit fizz & a spicy marg. Bartender was lovely & charismatic despite being busy and I had a great time here overall! Would love to come back on a weekend night to experience the "throwback nights" they have playing only music that we know and love!

Lively spot in the heart of Kensington. I love the loungy atmosphere and very pleased that the bar is never extremely packed so you can actually hear what your friends have to say. Aeroclub Whiskey Sour is the best drink on the menu.

Happy Hour here is a must! Staff is awesome! Drinks are great. Inside has a chill vide with plenty of seats inside and out. FREE POPCORN what?! Plenty of beers on tap. Cocktails are above average. Vibe is fire. Happy hours beers are around $4!!! 50% off most of everything 5-7pm daily! Get some Sick Den!!

One of my favorite bars on Adams. Great whiskey cocktails, excellent customer service.

All in all, great experience! Staff was really nice, space was extremely cozy. Such a great vibe inside and out with a lot of seating and fun event nights like trivia and bingo. Heat lamps outside which is always a nice touch in the winter. I was lucky enough to pop in during the holidays and it was truly SO festive. If you see this before it's gone, it's worth stopping by to enjoy! I had a few of the signature cocktails but, the one noteworthy drink was the Autumn Blazed- truly to die for. You know that first sip of a perfectly crafted drink? One so good, you order the next one before you finish your first? This was exactly that. Every sip was truly perfection. Ironically one of the bartenders, Cody, came up with the drink. He deserves a medal lol.Fun Note: even if you don't need to go, be sure to stop by the restrooms to enjoy some eclectic bar art.

It isn't that Sycamore Den isn't great - it is - but it's only 5-stars when you don't have to argue over a reasonable misunderstanding that somehow took on a life of its own. But we'll get there.I stopped by, not to long ago, to see what, according to friends who have long since dispersed, that I was there and, they assured me, it was time well-spent. I vaguely remember a couple of oddly dressed young people who, in 50s Bee-Bop fashion, couldn't explain why they were dressed that way (not that I'm arrogant enough to think they owed me an explanation). But it was, as some like to say, what it was.I remember it being nicely packed for 7PM-ish plus. There was a food station on the patio, which left only the eastern side available where a couple, smoking, leaned into each other, laughing at who-knows-what.Inside, most of the tables were spoken for and the bar was buzzing with low high-grade energy. Not having a stool to sit on, I plunked myself down in what I jokingly referred to as 'the children's table,' a dry patch of the bar where either small people or latecomers like me sat. Danielle was the bartender serving me as she was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. She was, as I came to learn, not only very charismatic, but an astute manager of people and time. (It was something i would see again with Jade at The Hills pub in La Mesa as you'll soon find.)I ordered the $12 'Wolf Ticket' and, after, a draft beer called 'Polite' from The Societe. They were both outstanding but for different reasons. With the way Danielle made Wolf Ticket, the whiskey was nicely balanced with a degree of smoky sweetness that made it hard to preserve. The beer was deliciously IPA-y and worth every penny. The other bartender I made time to know was John. John is absolutely everything you want in a local tender; he's informal, relaxed, personable, and he knows his beer. He's everyone's friend and the reason people keep coming back to bars. But it's also a theme I'm beginning to discover with the owners of SD, THP (in La Mesa), Aero Club, and a few other I will almost certainly visit.What cost them a star was the way they handled my dispute. Or AITA? When I order the cocktail, Danielle asked for a card they could charge as I, or anyone else, could wrack up as the night as the drinks wore on.But I checked my bank balance after ordering the beer and saw a $20 dollar charge. It didn't occur to me at the time that this was probably a pre-charge to make sure the card was legit. But because it said $12 for 'Wolf Ticket' on the menu, I don't think it was unreasonable of me to assume the draft beer was $8 dollars. But when I got back from the bathroom to ask for the check - seeing they were in the thick of things - I through six clams down on the counter and headed out.The next morning the charges from my bank showed another $8.45. Long story short, I didn't factor in tax and they added 20% percent of the bill as the tip. In other words, the charming guy at 'the children's table' was no longer, but in his place there was a $1 dollar bill and a $5 dollar bill but, hey, it could have been anyone's tip, so let's give our bartenders some more money on my behalf. Which I would have gladly given anyway!Anyone, I spoke to a cog in the ether and they returned the tip they added to the check (which, did I bitterly mention, was about a buck-and-a-quarter less than what I left?).Anyway, theatrics aside, go! It's fun. It's your crowd. Support local business. But tell that guy in the ether to find his passion...he's a real business killer.

It's full of middle aged college students and young professionals. It looks decidedly retro and on Fridays & Saturdays it sounds like someone with impeccable taste in every music genre is turning up the joint. If you can get over the fact that it smells like popcorn everywhere, it's a fun place when you can find a comfortable seat. My friend and I sat in a long booth near a bunch of guys that all looked like Ron Weasley and they were very intent at playing their game of tossing something at the wall. There were a few moments where we were caught in a zip line as they swung their string at every angle. Somehow it all added to the experience. Other mentions: - mocktails- light bites- canned cocktails (Topo Chico, White Claw, etc)- live DJ on Fridays and Saturdays

I don't want to give four stars because I don't want more people coming here because I hate when it's busy but this is one of my all time favorite bars. The atmosphere is exactly what I want. Not quite a dive but has those dive feels. I used to live in the area and this was my favorite spot to come in the late afternoon when it's empty and just hang out. The drinks are pretty solid and the staff have always been really happy and great to interact with. Only complaint is the layout is not fantastic when it gets full and busy but they can't really do much about that so I won't knock them for it. The one thing I am desperate for is pre pandemic for a small moment they had a green drink on the menu (the description was literally "tastes like green") and it's one of the best cocktails I've ever had. I'd give at least one of my toes to taste it again and WISH I had some record of what it was made with. In the years since their speciality/rotating menu isn't quite as good but it's still fun and solid. For their quirky and unique cocktails this is one of the better places in San Diego. They're not weak, they're not overly sweet, and they taste great. (Hate it when spots try for a unique menu and there's just too many ingredients that don't seem to seamlessly blend).

I've been to this bar a couple of times now that I live near it, and I have to tell you the bartenders are great, very attentive and nice... we have not had the food here but it is visually appealing and a good vibe.. my favorite thing they have is an espresso martini. They also have like monthly cocktails that they make and they make good whiskey drinks..