Understory
NA Program Strength is an editorial assessment based on publicly available menu data. See methodology.
12841 El Camino Real, Ste 209-210, San Diego, CA 92130
Understory is an immersive, ingredient-driven craft cocktail bar tucked into the Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center. The concept is themed around the hidden world beneath the forest canopy, and that ecology motif runs through the drink names; guests can order food from the surrounding Sky Deck restaurants and pair it with Understory's tableside cocktails. Within its broader program, the bar maintains a small but deliberate non-alcoholic section built with the same care as the full-proof list — led by the signature Boisduval's Marble (blue lavender, black tea, lemon, kava, non-alcoholic Creole bitters, and aquafaba fizz for texture), alongside builds like the Lustrous Copper and Crimson Fruitcrow. It's a polished North County date-night and cocktail destination.
What to order
- Boisduval's Marble
- Lustrous Copper
- Crimson Fruitcrow
“Del Mar's Understory includes three alcohol-free offerings on its ecology-themed menu, including Boisduval's Marble — blue lavender, black tea, fresh lemon, kava, non-alcoholic Creole bitters, and, for texture, aquafaba fizz.”— Kelly Davis, San Diego MagazineSan Diego Magazine, 2023 →
Non-alcoholic brands they serve
House-crafted NA cocktails