The Lion’s Share San Diego CA: Where Your Cocktail Has a Spirit Animal (and So Does the Décor)

Katherine: We walked in and immediately wondered if we’d stepped into a Wes Anderson safari.

Kelsi: All it needed was a slow pan, French accordion music, and Bill Murray sitting at the bar.

We were en route to a ballet at the Balboa Theatre, so this spot—just a few blocks away—was the perfect pre-show dinner place. Easy walk, moody lighting, and cocktails strong enough to make you forget you still had to emotionally prepare for Gatsby-level heartbreak.

The interior of The Lion’s Share is what happens when a hunting lodge and an art gallery fall in love at a candlelit speakeasy.

Think deep navy walls, rich leather seating, vintage chandeliers, and an absurdly elegant display of taxidermy that somehow feels more curated than creepy.

Portraits of animals dressed in Victorian finery line the walls like a royal family of woodland creatures. Honestly? The vibes were giving Zoological Versailles.

There are antelope heads. There are chandeliers. There are antelope heads under chandeliers. It’s high drama meets tongue-in-cheek sophistication—and we were very into it.

The Cocktails: Equal Parts Mixology and Mischief

We kicked things off with happy hour cocktails, which are not just drinks—they’re character studies. Every concoction sounds like it was named by a poet in a fever dream. Our picks:

Cucumber Gimlet: crisp, floral, and dangerously easy to drink. Like a spa day in a glass.

Old Fashioned: classic, smooth, and just boozy enough to make us consider getting very honest about our 2000s-era regrets.

Other options tempted us hard (looking at you, Stranger Danger and Black Magic Woman), and the full cocktail menu reads like a fantasy novel for adults who drink their feelings with artisanal bitters. Here are a few that had us dangerously close to ordering “just one more”:

Stranger Danger: A grapefruit and spiced galangal tequila cocktail that says, “I might text my ex, but I’ll do it elegantly.”

Black Magic Woman: Dark, moody, and a little mysterious—this vodka and rum blend with black cherry and mole bitters feels like a spell in a glass.

Beets, Bourbon, Battlestar Galactica: Roasted beet-infused bourbon with Campari and amaro. Bold, earthy, and just unhinged enough to work (Dwight Schrute would approve).

Fool Fir You: Vodka, cranberry, bubbles, and lime—a flirty, fizzy situation perfect for anyone who loves chaos with a splash of citrus.

Lamborghini Mercy: Mezcal, Lambrusco, and cinnamon? This is the smokey red-lipped drama queen of cocktails. Do not underestimate her.

Leather Jacket: A pecan-kissed blend of rye, calvados, and herbal amari. Sophisticated, brooding, and basically the cocktail version of your coolest friend’s ex.

Careless Whisper: Pistachio-infused tequila meets Earl Grey milk tea and rose foam. It’s soft, strange, and one awkward sax solo away from romance.

The Food: Elevated Comfort with a Wild Side

Now, let’s talk food. The menu at The Lion’s Share walks a fine line between familiar and exotic, and then leaps dramatically over that line in a feathered cape.

What we ordered (and loved):

Truffle Fries: Crispy, herby, and dusted with parmesan like they’re going to the Oscars.

Stuffed Potato Skins: Boar bacon. Jalapeño cream cheese. Aioli. Do we even need to go on?

Venison Sliders: Rich, juicy, and topped with onion jam and havarti. These were tiny flavor bombs in brioche form.

Would we have tried the duck & rabbit terrine or the bone-in elk chops if we weren’t saving room for ballet intermission snacks? Maybe. But we now have several reasons to go back.

Location & Parking: You Can Be Dramatic Without Being Lost

The Lion’s Share, 629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 is located in San Diego’s Marina District, right on Kettner Boulevard—just a stone’s throw (or a well-aimed stiletto) from the Gaslamp Quarter and the Balboa Theatre.

It’s tucked into a brick-lined block that gives off subtle “secret supper club” energy, so if you pass it once, don’t worry—you’re not lost, just stylishly early.

Street Parking: There’s metered street parking available along Kettner and nearby blocks. If you’re lucky and early, you might snag a spot right outside.

Paid Lots: Directly across from The Lion’s Share is a surface parking lot located at 601 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 (4 minute walk to The Lion’s Share) Rates typically range from $10–$15, depending on the day and time.

Horton Plaza Garage: For those heading to the Balboa Theatre, the Horton Plaza Parking Garage at 324 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 is a convenient option. It’s about a 10-minute walk to The Lion’s Share and sits adjacent to the theatre, perfect for a seamless transition from dinner to showtime.

Pro Tips for a Seamless Night with Theatre Tickets

Time Your Reservation: If you’re seeing a show at Balboa Theatre, aim to be seated at The Lion’s Share by 5:30PM. You’ll have time for cocktails, apps, and maybe one dramatic reading of the cocktail menu before heading out. Grab a reservation here.

Use ParkMobile App: Street parking is easiest to manage via the ParkMobile app—trust us, no one wants to dig for quarters in heels.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Hype? 100%.

Kelsi: It’s not just a meal—it’s a personality test with a cocktail pairing.

Katherine: And apparently, we are women who pregame a ballet with taxidermy and boar bacon.

Whether you’re grabbing a craft drink, impressing a date, or just vibing with chandeliers and leather, The Lion’s Share is the spot to glam up your evening. And if you’re headed to Balboa Theatre afterward? You’ve just unlocked the ultimate San Diego night out.