This place is ridiculous. Despite the clear level of pretentious douche-baggery happening here I gave it a try. This is the worst system I've ever seen in a bar/restaurant. Â If you come to Polite Provisions (worst name ever) you have to go next door to order food. The problem is, if you order food you then have to come back over to this crap hole and hope you can scour out a table before your food shows up and you're stuck standing there holding it. Don't have a bar and restaurant attached to each other if they aren't going to work together. If you are coming to this place just to drink then you're fine.
Regardless, this place is trying WAY too hard. It's almost uncomfortable it's so embarrassing.
It's amazing you can get such amazing cocktails for a happy hour price of only $5. This time I tried one of their cocktails on draft--who would have "thunk it". They make up small batches and pour them through a long wall of beer draft-like taps. Â
The food you can order next door and have delivered to your table is truly the best bar food--who doesn't like meatballs prepared every which way?! Â Their salads are also fresh and very tasty. Â
I've always had good service here and been with both just two of us, as well as a large crowd. Â Whenever I bring friends here, at first they love the decor, then they love the drinks, then they love the food. Â What more could I ask for?
The decor is really amazing, however their bar tenders skills are lacking and should take lessons from their parent location, Craft and Commerce bartenders. The skill level is uncomparable and drink vocabulary is limited at best. I asked for a Gin Manhatten, which is a popular drink almost at all craft cocktail lounges and I got a blank stare in return. Â I will up my stars on this place when they Up their bartender skills.
Review Source:One of the coolest bars in San Diego!! Â They have some true mixologists. Â Some real thought went into their creations. Â They have very unique drinks, but they are really good.
Just like restaurant next door, the atmosphere is just so cool. Â I love the restaurant and bar revolution that's taking place in Mid-City.
I know there's already tons of positive feedback on this place,but when a place is good, it's good and deserves its props.
Ambiance is super chill, drinks are totally different and delish. Love that you can order meatballs from next door. Hard to get a seat, but hey when a place is popular you got to expect that.
Very creative, fresh, new. Love!
What's not to love about wonderful tasty craft cocktails and beer! This is my favorite place for drinks on Adams Ave.
Why?? I'll tell you why this place has drinks for every mood and taste. Sometimes I just want to enjoy a cocktail that's sweet, or savory,or spicy, or smooth, or a girlie one or a beer cocktail, and last but not least a great craft beer! I can always count on the bar tenders being the great mixologists that they are to serve me something that will make my day.
My favorite drink is a beer cocktail : the Hawaiian Sophie.
#2 Princess Peach
#3 Uncle Jalapeño
#4 Gold Coast Punch --- attention handle with care!! Might cause severe headache if consumed by 3 people only ;) it's great for sharing. I had this after having a couple of beers at the Ould Sod, a tequila drink at Sycamore Den and a Hawaiian Sophie, so it was clearly my fault for being greedy and enjoying my night a little too much!
I don't care if it sounds weird or whatever but I pay attention to detail and I just want to say that I love the bathroom floors! It's made from nickels! Call me crazy but I think this is awesome... Nickels on the floor ha!
Overall this is a great place, some people think its jut a " hipster" spot but not really so don't be worried if you are not wearing skinny jeans and a bow tie.But also don't be surprised if you wear a wife beater and jeans half way down your caboose and you get lots of stares or can't go inside.
If you get the munchies or you have dinner and drinks in mind this is also a great place.
Soda and Swine are next door, they connect through the back and you can easily go and place your order. They will deliver the food right to your table at PP.
So I gave them a great review a few months ago, but as the time went on... the last 3 times we have been the drinks stink! We tried and tried, cause it was sooo good the first few times, but i don't know what happened... all of the drinks taste like juice! And for 8bucks I'd like to taste just a little bit of alcohol. My boyfriend and I are pretty bummed cause we loved coming here but I have to say I just cant do it anymore.
Review Source:I took hubby here for a cocktail, which turned into a punch bowl, before a big party on his 40th and subsequently discovered they have fruit pies next door.
Finally a Pie Shop in San Diego! Not pizza pies, real fruit pies with flakey crusts and  delicious fruit. Oh, the drinks are creative and tasty and there's hipster/ foodie fun for all, which other reviews capture, but I am most excited about the fruit pies in the attached Soda and Swine.
Why did this place open just before I am leaving SD forever?
I Â LOVE THIS PLACE! Â We went there on a Sunday for Sunday Funday cocktails in the afternoon, and I wanted to hang out there all day. Â It made me feel like I was in New Orleans and I wished that I was wearing a brunchy summer dress and a fancy hat. Â
The cocktails we all made from scratch with fresh squeezed juices, unique bitter and interesting flavor combinations. Â We sat up at the bar so that we could be closer to the action. Â Every cocktail that I saw made, I wanted to try...which is super dangerous. Â I wish that I could spend every Sunday Funday there!
Ok, the place is very cute but I am a simple person when it comes to going out and this place is anything but. The drink menu was intense and even though I didn't hate the drinks I ordered I am in no rush to go back. Plus this place was packed on a weekend night. Dance club packed, standing room only packed. Not into it. Maybe I will try again on a weekday, probably not.
Review Source:Really cool bar. Just beautiful. A fancy ceiling and book shelves filled with books and bottles of booze in between. But most importantly the drinks are done right. The bartenders are like REALLY professional. I'm serious. That sounds strange, but so many times I have stepped into a bar, where the bartender just throws shit together, without the care and the proper craftsmanship it truly takes to make a drink. This place has bartenders that take their time, and know exactly what they're doing. I like my Tom Collins and I like it done right. It's not a complicated drink, but so many people have messed it up for me. This place does it excellent. I also tried the Moscow Mule, and that was pretty freaking tasty. Everyone else that I was with, loved their drink. Good work, you fine proud establishment you!
Review Source:Polite Provisions summed up in six words: O, brother where out thou Disneyland?
Don't feel like you have to order from the seasonal craft menu. While you can still get a vodka soda or gin and tonic this place is an ideal location for showing visitors something special. Don't be ashamed to ask the server to mix you up something more inline with your taste buds.
Within steps of my apartment, PP is in an ideal location and brings a vibe and scene that fits perfectly in Normal Heights. While it is "the place to be," PP is not ideal for a first date nor quiet conversation as it can get very loud after 10pm. I recommend starting your night with a craft cocktail but switching to your regular drink of choice after you reach your maximum sugar level. Remember, craft cocktails mean hand made and shaken profusely so don't expect the fastest service especially on a busy Friday/ Saturday night.
Dress the part and you'll fit right in!
P.S. If you dare try the punch bowls ask for extra ice.
Food was great, filling and substantial. Decor is wonderful. The drinks on the other hand are tiny (4 ounces?) , at least 50% ice, for $8. Â One person at our table said "the drinks would be great for kids". Small and full of sugar. Â Another said a "coors light would have been a better choice". Â Just go to eat and order beer (they can't short that).
Review Source:The bar is a nice addition to the area and it seems to be doing really well. They have an interesting assortment of drinks so the variety is there. I was the DD so I had the egg cream soda and it was tasty. I haven't been to a bar in a couple of years so I had didn't know what to expect for prices. They average around 7-10 dollars per drink. I was a surprised when the drinks came out and they were in little glasses. Maybe get 5-6 oz of drink per glass. Friends enjoyed their drinks though, so I guess they are worth it.
It does have a good following and it gets busy and loud so be prepared to wait if you get there at peak times.
We didn't try the food from next door, but it looked really good and smelled even better.
B squad must have been working. Inattentive bartenders with better things to do than serve drinks? I sat at the uncrowded bar for 5 minutes, and never got a menu, a look, hello, nod of acknowledgment or a smile. The place was not busy at all, and two bartenders were working. What a buzz-kill on a holiday afternoon.
Good thing there are no shortage of bars in SD that actually have good service. Maybe ill try again some other day, but as of now I am not impressed.
On a positive note, the decor is absolutely gorgeous. A truly unique drinking setting, that is if  the bartenders feel like paying attention to you. Without the proper service of drinks, this may as well be a museum.
The gold coast punch bowl (Thankyouverymuchforthehangover Diego and Jazmin) and uncle jalapeno are my favorites. I still haven't tried one of their soda's.
OH if you forget your card there, well they tack on an auto 18% tip.... and also they charged some panties and stuff I am still disputing, clearly cats don't wear underwear.
As far as I'm concerned, the Nate Stanton/Arsalun Tafazoli collaboration can do no wrong.
No, Nate and Arsalun aren't some electronica duo or anything like that. Â They're the masterminds behind El Dorado, Noble Experiment, Craft & Commerce, and several other bars and restaurants that have pretty much revolutionized the way San Diegans do cocktails. Â I'm not exaggerating when I say that these guys pretty much invented the craft cocktail scene in this town.
Their latest creation is Polite Provisions in Normal Heights, and they've knocked the ball out of the park once again. Â
It's absolutely amazing what they did to this space. Â The old, dark, and creepy Kadan is no more. Â In its place is a bright and stylish lounge that wouldn't be out of place in New York or LA -- but with all the faux-Roman details, a more apt comparison would be the Venetian or Palazzo in Las Vegas. Â (Side note: I especially dig the floor made of nickels in the men's room.)
I've heard stories that Polite Provisions is a madhouse on Friday and Saturday nights, but 4 of us had no problems snagging a lovely table by the windows when we arrived for birthday cocktails early on a Sunday evening. Â
Just like at Noble Experiment or Craft & Commerce, you can opt from something off the menu, or have a little more fun by requesting a custom creation. Â However, if you have a group of 4 that likes to share, definitely get one their ginormous punch bowls. Â That way, each person can have 2-3 cocktails for the price of a single menu cocktail. Â That's what we did, and it was a crazy good time. Â I could sip on that PImm's berry punch all day long. Â It's a beautiful presentation too, complete with porcelain teacups, ladle, and massive ice block with fruit buried inside.
Service is top-notch. Â When the server overheard that it was my birthday, a beer and a whiskey shot magically appeared right in front of me -- on the house.
And just like that, I found my favorite bar in Normal Heights, and one of my favorites in all of San Diego.
Leave it to North Park to have such a cute hipster bar. I love this place and the casual vibe and interesting old-school pharmacy decor. It can be hard to find a seat though, since it seems like everyone in the neighborhood comes here. Completely varied demographic.
They have a huge selection of cocktails, which are all made with interesting ingredients. And they care about the drinks they make, so don't be afraid to customize or tell them what you like. Even the non-alcoholic drinks sound good!
Head over to neighbor Soda and Swine to order, and they'll bring the food to you at Polite Provisions. Now you'll never have to leave.
I have ZERO PATIENCE for the whiners complaining that a bar is busy and loud. A bar should not apologize for being SUCCESSFUL. And if you do not feel comfortable in a crowd that does not look exactly like you, then you are missing out a lot more in life than this amazing cocktail bar.
While many bars mix drinks the way fast food joints crank out meals -- buying large amounts of prepared ingredients, freezing materials to last longer, cutting corners to save money, and making each drink as quickly as possible -- more and more places are handcrafting their cocktails.
Polite Provisions creates an environment of sophistication where the cultured socialize and share their appreciation for spirits. Bartenders take mixing mastery seriously, with recipes intended to highlight Polite Provision's high-quality spirits, rather than drowning them in sugary juices and fountain sodas
When enjoying cocktails at Polite Provisions, Â you aren't just getting a drink, but an education as well. Many of their drinks have interesting histories, so sit down, order from the menu (or have the bartender suggest something for you) and enjoy the tale of your cocktail.
Let your bartender introduce you to a libation that is challenging, complex, and, most importantly, a new experience. Polite Provisions isn't for everyone, but sip a Full Windsor, made with Single Malt Scotch, Apple Brandy, Sweet Vermouth, Bénédictine & Bitters, and you will walk away with something to remember.
The entire staff does a phenomenal job handling the enormous volume of business that they are already experiencing. This bar is a shining example to all others in San Diego.
We went here on a packed Saturday night and I must say the thing that struck me the most about this place was the scenery. The place is just really cool looking, fancy, upscale, gold trim everywhere, and a marble backing to the bar taps, it was just really....polite??
We did go on a packed night so our service was a little slow, understandable though, and the drinks were good when they came. Â It's also an uber-hipster joint, not really my thing but if it's yours then more power to you. So would I go back? Maybe to start the night when it's not so busy then move on to something less....polite?? ;)
I am really excited to go back to this place and try some more stuff.
I met a couple friends after I had already had dinner elsewhere. Â I had a really great bourbon cocktail (the Coal Miner's Daughter). Â I sampled everyone else's drinks too, and they were equally great. Â They were also very insistent that I try the meat balls but I was full. Â I did regret it slightly but it's a great excuse to go back.
The service was mediocre but it was also around midnight on a Tuesday, so whatevs.
Omg! I found the hidden hipster Disneyland, and it's on the corner of 30th and Adams! Â
Here is an incomplete list of the breeds of hipsters you are likely to encounter at PP:
- 1920s hipsters. Think suspenders, page-boy hats, and flapper dresses. These are the hipsters most at home at PP, sipping frothy egg-white laden libations
- Lumberjack hipsters. These are hipsters who idolize Paul Bunyan and can generally be found in flannel shirts, and almost always sporting a thick beard. Exclusively male.
- Fixie hipsters. Riding 'round town on their fixie bicycles, generally with a Chrome messenger bag and a thick chain somewhere on their person. This hipster can be of either sex, and is always wearing their trusty brain-catcher, a thin cycling hat, usually Campagnolo brand.
That said, the drinks are stiff, and excellently prepared, and the punch bowl with the Pimms #1 is KILLER. And the food from next door ain't so bad either.
I'm waiting for my handlebar moustache to grow in, and you know when it does I'll be back for more!
Update : I can't BELIEVE I left out the 80s hipsters!!! These are people, generally born in the 1990s, who are incredibly unhappy to have been left out of the dark ages, the 80's. They are generally found in neon, splattered painted clothing, and do not know the pleasure of a good stirrup pant. They are American Apparel babies and hoard scrunchies like it's the apocalypse.
Polite Provisions is crafty cocktails and a good spot for chit chat. Â
Oh you craft and commerce / neighborhood brains - you never cease to amaze !!!! And if the late 1800s / early 1900s turn of the century hipster drinks are in, I never want them to be out. Â These drinks are creative, yummy and a completely different feel from craft and commerce or neighborhood.
Especially with typical San Diego hot summers, it's nice the bulk of the "wall" is a window that opens out into the street. Â
Potent drinks and good food served a la soda and swine put this place at the top of my must hit after work list.
I agree with every other review of this place. Hipster vibe, fancy (expensive) drinks, and nice but inefficient servers.
Word on the street is that Polite Provisions has a parking lot. My most recent was on Friday, 6/15/13. I arrived at about 9:00p.m., but I was still able to find street parking.
The decor reminds me of the Great Gatsby. Great place to see or be seen. It's a nice place to bring out-of-town friends to show off.
With regard to the drinks, I tried the pomegranate soda. $3 and unremarkable. As for the alcoholic drinks, my friend said, "can we go somewhere else to get a regular drink?" I guess she didn't appreciate the novelty of the elixirs.
If you want some food, go over to Soda and Swine next door and they will bring it to your table at Polite Provisions. You can't bring your drinks over to Soda and Swine though. The meatballs with parmesan cheese were tasty.
Our waitress was very nice, but couldn't remember our order to save her life, if she ever  it back to our table at all.
It's very loud in there during peak hours. I was yelling the whole time I was in there.
My experience here was thoroughly enjoyable. After walking through the heavy gold doors, you feel as if you have walked into another era. They really paid attention to the detail of the decor. Bronze statues and lamps, marble tables, cushioned benches, carved ceilings, and a glass roof that lets etherea light poor in from above.
Their happy hour 12-6 is not too shabby either. We were fortunate enough to try every drink on the happy hour menu, and the are all really good except no one in my part enjoyed the Yacht Club (there was an odd generic candy taste to it).
We also tried the Pimms Berry Punch bowl. It was good at first, but in my opinion the ginger was a little over powering after one or two cups.
I havent been here in the evening, but its a really great place to hang out after work.
Them there provisions sure are mighty polite!
I finally got to make it to Polite Provisions and I gotta say... Im a fan. They open the door for you here, so you know it's classy.
The decor is beautiful with a nice skylight. DIdn't this place used to be Kadans? How in the heck did they make this spot so attractive? That's awesome! The decor adds to the old fashioned vibe, with books and bottles in the cases lining the walls.
It was packed when I got there, but my friends had already secured us a table. Everyone enjoyed their cocktails. They have a diverse and interesting drink menu. I tried a draft beer and had an old fashioned when I was there.
Soda + Swine next door supplied delicious food.
Our server wasnt terribly friendly but it could have just been because it was busy (like always). She was sort of awful (but we were having a good time). Didnt see very much of her. She essentially disappeared for an hour. When I asked for something similar to an old fashioned that they had on their craft cocktail menu, Â I got a *snort* and an "uh, we serve old fashioneds". Other than her the experience was nice. It was also kind of funny to watch her forget everyone's check around us and every table having to ask more than once for it.
If you want a beautiful cocktail in a nice setting, come to Polite Provisions!
I would really love to come here when it's not so crowded and I can actually find a seat. Â I don't necessarily think it's "bad" if the place is busy...it's usually an indicator of a good thing.
I really like the drinks...very Craft and Commerce-y but I don't have to go all the way to Little Italy. Â Yeah, they are a little expensive, but you don't really go here for cheap drinks. Â There's a lot of dive bars in the area where they can easily accommodate that desire.
My only complaint is the noise level. Â I don't know if it's just the acoustics in there or what! Â But I don't remember any music just the sound of loud ass voices echoing throughout the place.
Also, next door is Soda & Swine! Â You can get your grub while at Polite Provisions or go next door for some meatballs! Â Pretty tasty too!
Polite Provisions serves up well drinks at top shelf prices. How rude!
Polite Provisions claims they are a manufacturer of tonics, elixirs, and cures. But they are just a manufacturer of impaired vision, bubble guts, and awful hangovers.
I cringed every single time someone in our group ordered their "Spirited Cocktails," only to see them made with crappy alcohols in a similar class to Popov Vodka, Jim Beam Bourbon, Bacardi Rum, Beefeater Gin, and Jose Cuervo Tequila. Puke.
What kind of a freakin' bar is this? Are we in high school again?
Please note that these may or may not be the exact brands of booze used at Polite Provisions. Unfortunately, their in house and online menus don't list the exact alcoholic ingredients that are used in their cocktails and punch bowls. And well, if you don't list the ingredients that go into your cocktails, then you aren't proud of them. That's a pro sales and marketing the tip. Just the tip. Yes, just the tip.
Anyway, when I tried to order a simple drink with two ingredients (any top shelf alcohol and ice), I was told they didn't carry that kind of alcohol. Huh?
What kind of a freakin' bar is this? Are we in high school again?
Polite Provisions is just a pretentious venue that just offers a nice ambiance, overpriced cocktails where you don't know the exact ingredients, and pricey punch bowls that are essentially a $35 bowl of jungle juice. Lame.
What kind of freakin' bar is this? Oh yeah. At Polite Provisions, we are in high school again!
So in the end, it's a nice place to stop for a prom themed pub crawl. But not a destination joint for "hella klassy" dipsomaniacs, such as myself, to get their mature drink on.
So have fun, kids! But please drink responsibly.
Donna Martin graduates! Donna Martin graduates! Donna Martin graduates!
The drinks here are good and the atmosphere is cool, hip, trendy, you name it.
BUT I think I'm too old for this type of crowd. Or maybe I've just been too sober?
Yes for a couple drinks right after work, no for a 10p nightcap - unless you want to be snuggled up against 250 strangers and wait 30 minutes for your drink.
5 dudes.
1 punch bowl.
No that's not the title of a new porno on the internet. (I already checked)
That was my friends and I on a Friday night.
5 dudes all sharing this punch bowl, sitting at a round table and drinking from the little tea cups they provide. Pinkies up bitches! Gotta have that pinky up to be fancy.
I think the punch bowl had tequila in it. Whatever it was, it was pretty damn strong.
It also had this frozen block with strawberries in it. Fruity?? Wish someone would come to our table and make fun of us drinking this drank! (someone actually came up to us and asked to taste our drink because they thought it must be strong if 5 dudes are drinking it)
Nice lil chill spot. Food next door. Got the fries and bacon mac n cheese. Mac and cheese had nice big chunks of bacon so that was a win.
Will I be back? Yes indeed. Get those tea cups ready cuz we gonna be drinking from them punch bowls!
We came in here on a Saturday night and this place was poppin'! I can't even say it was standing room only because there was hardly room to even stand. Normally when I see places like this I'm automatically  turned off. The last thing I wanna do is stand around somewhere unless I've got a good buzz and I'm dancing. One sip of the Ocean Side changed my mind and I decided that I was suddenly happy. The celery bitters in the Ocean Side make it seem like you're having a cocktail with a fresh crispy celery stalk in it. So refreshing!
I liked this place so much I felt like we had to go back before we headed back to OC. I tried one of their cocktails on tap. Yea, I said cocktails on tap. It might sound crazy to some. It sounds genius to me. The bf ordered a drink and I don't remember the name of it but it tasted like Christmas. Warm and fuzzy like a big hug from your best friend.
At the end I realized they don't have anything with vodka. I didn't even miss vodka that night.
This is one of my favorite place on Adams ave.
Why???
Well its a nice/beautiful place to come in and have some of San Diego's best Cocktails either alone or with a friend. Â Great attention to detail by the mixologists, the staff is super helpful and fun. Really decent beer selection, lots of micro brews. PP is great for any size groups, they also offer a large Punch bowl for large parties (I haven't had it but next time 4 sure).
So just Enjoy, enjoy your drink, enjoy the music. Arrive early as this place is the new hot spot in Adams and can get busy fast.
Food is provided by Soda n Swine (next door neighbors) and can be deliver to your table in a few minutes. PP is 21+ but you could go next door to SnS and have a great bite to eat and some homemade sodas.
Let's me first begin by sharing something potentially mind blowing. Polite Provisions has a parking lot that is free of charge. That fact doesn't induce nirvana or bring world peace but that's respectable.
We got there around 7pm on Saturday and it was getting busy very quickly. The atmosphere and decor is antique meets trendy. The interior design is very inviting and easy on the eyes; the designer did a great job.
The drinks were very good and they had some interesting non-alcoholic versions as well.
Though we only tried the double fried French fries, we plan to come back for food and drinks as we had dinner plans elsewhere that night.
What a cool gem in San Diego! Definitely worth a visit; unless you like waiting and standing around, I'd come during off-peak hours.
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