Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Lion's Share
San Diego, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Lion's Share is a cocktail bar that focuses on inventive house drinks, with a happy hour that delivers well shots, high balls, and house wine at $8-$10. The Federal Buffalo Stamp stands out at $10, but a community report of a nearly $28 Jim Beam old-fashioned raises flags. The bar has earned recognition for its bar food and happy hour.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Federal Buffalo Stamp, a bourbon, lemon, maple, and ginger cocktail at $10. During happy hour, well shots and high balls are $8, and house wine is $10. For a classic, the Old Fashioned uses Old Forester Rye 100, demerara, and angostura.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking creative twists on classics will find a menu that bends traditional drinks into unique flavors. Those looking for an affordable happy hour with well shots, high balls, and house wine will also appreciate the value.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the time to visit, when well shots, high balls, and house wine are offered at $8-$10, and drafts are $2 off.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Happy hour drinks run $8-$10, with the Federal Buffalo Stamp at $10. A community report cites a standard Jim Beam old-fashioned at nearly $28, so expect higher prices for call spirits outside happy hour.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The Lion's Share has earned recognition from Food & Wine, Eater and Food Network for its bar food and happy hour. Its cocktail menu features creative house drinks like the Federal Buffalo Stamp, and happy hour pricing offers notable value.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative house cocktails with fresh ingredients, praised for bending traditional drinks into unique flavors. Happy hour offers affordable well shots and high balls. Pricing concerns exist for a standard old-fashioned, but the house drinks are recommended.
Menu strengths
- — House cocktails like Federal Buffalo Stamp blend fresh ingredients in inventive ways.
- — Happy hour well shots and high balls at $8 provide accessible value.
- — Community reviewers praise the menu's unique flavor twists and selection.
Standout selections
- — Federal Buffalo Stamp: Old Forester bourbon, lemon, maple, ginger ( $10).
- — Old Fashioned: Old Forester Rye 100, demerara, angostura, bitters.
- — Cucumber Gimlet: house cucumber gin, rose, lime.
Pricing: Federal Buffalo Stamp $10; happy hour well shots and high balls $8; community report of Jim Beam old-fashioned at almost $28
Wine
Wine program is limited to happy hour house pours at $10. No dedicated wine list or detailed information was found, but the offering provides a simple, affordable option.
Menu strengths
- — Happy hour house wine at $10 is a straightforward value.
Standout selections
- — House red, white, or rose wine during happy hour.
Pricing: House red, white, or rose wine at $10 during happy hour
Beer
Beer program centers on happy hour draft discounts and a food-and-beer pairing. The Burger & Beer special at $16 pairs a Wagyu blend burger with Miller High Life, offering a clear value.
Menu strengths
- — Happy hour draft discounts of $2 off all drafts.
- — Burger & Beer special pairs a Wagyu burger with Miller High Life at $16.
Standout selections
- — Miller High Life in the Burger & Beer special.
Pricing: $2 off all drafts during happy hour; Burger & Beer special with Miller High Life at $16
Spirits
Full bar with handcrafted cocktails using fresh ingredients. The cocktail menu features Old Forester bourbon, rye, gin, vodka, and rum, showing a varied spirit base, though no standalone spirits list exists.
Menu strengths
- — Spirits include Old Forester bourbon, rye, gin, vodka, and rum.
Standout selections
- — Old Forester bourbon in Federal Buffalo Stamp.
- — Old Forester Rye 100 in the Old Fashioned.
Pricing: No dedicated spirits pricing found
How it sits with the food
The Burger & Beer special pairs a Wagyu blend burger with Miller High Life at $16, and a community reviewer highlights truffle fries as a must. The cocktail menu's fresh ingredients complement the bar-food focus.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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