Hanging out on the patio. ..who cares! Pay another $10 to sit on the same dang patio when the band shows up. Â Not cool, for a regularly cool place.
We arrived to have a few drinks and relax on the patio. Â We had ordered a pitcher and a few beers. Â After finishing our first pitcher, and having a second one on its way, we were told that we would need to pay an additional $10 to stay. Â To help set the stage, their was no one else on the patio besides a small group of WWII vets shooting the breeze. Â No one was lining up to hear this local band.
We told them we'd rather spend the money elsewhere than give them a penny more after the gal kept interrupting us while we tried to finish our beer.
The bartenders have always been cool people. Â Friendly and quick, which is what you want when you want a drink.
The gal hustling on the patio cost the bar our money that night ( it was a heavy drinking night filled with taxis) and every night since. Â Because of this experience, we have not been back and it is no longer a place I will visit. Â I don't want to settle into a spot to enjoy a few drinks with friends to be interrupted every few minutes for more cash to listen to a local band that is getting its feet wet.
Summary: Bartenders are cool people! The front door bouncers are decent guys. Â The people who a trying to get door money for the patio can lick a battery.
We came here to play pool and we ended up staying for a few hours, they had a live band which was great, people were dancing and having a good time. There are ups and downs to this place, the lady's room line was very long all the way to the bar, the place feels small and you end up hitting people while playing pool. We had a good time drinking a few beers, shooting some pool and listening to some music before heading to the more serious bars in downtown Pomona.
Review Source:Ok, im not from Pomona or LA... I live about an hour away from characters, yet I love coming here. It seems like when I expect this place to be busy and fun, its dead and boring. And when I think its going to be slow and quiet, its WILD AND AMAZING!!! I went in a Wednesday in December and there was a Burlesque show, and los Bandits were playing. Â I've made a million memories here that range from being hit on by a guy who likes to hump dead bodies, to laughing so hard, I peed myself.
Pbr tall boys...mmmmm.
This place seriously let me and my friends down twice and that's it. We will never go here again and do not recommend it to anyone to book decent bands. The biggest mistake they made was to pull the plug on a fine band that came out miles away from Liverpool England patiently waiting their turn as the last but best band of the night. They only got to play half the set that they should have. Not many people showed up to see them at this location so that should have been a hint as to what to expect.
The security force is very unprofessional and should all be fired. The first time I was there they tried to harass me and throw me out even though I was with my man. We were both standing with the band members and a conversation was going. Why the bouncer wanted to start on me I don't know. They threw everyone out because of a fight that broke out in the other room which had nothing to do with the show we attended.
Skip this shady joint.
This place is a sh*t hole ghetto bar with SHADY bartenders & employees. The guy outside threw away my full beer while I had my head turned helping him collect empty bottles. When I asked the bartender to replace it they said no and told me to keep a better watch on my beer.
Ok fine with me so I bought a beer (bud light) gave her a $20 and she gave me back $6. So I basically paid $14 for a bud light. I didn't notice until I got back to my seat and the bartender wouldn't give me the rest of my money. I think they assume that everyone is wasted and won't know the difference so they totally take advantage of you.
The bartender was DRUNK and I'm sure that contributed to the problems.
Additionally the bathrooms are disgusting and you can smell urine oozing from the men's room. The women's bathroom used to have a toilet that never flushed but they finally replaced that. Â The only time I will ever go to this place is to see a band that I like. I'd never go here otherwise and I LOVE Dive bars....
I used to love this place until last night when the bartender raked up our tab up to 144 when it was only 76 he fixed it after we called his attention. but then he tells this jerk off that we didn't tip him even though I left him a ten dollar tip on the card. The jerk off came and started saying that if we could afford  Blue Moon what kind of low lives didn't tip? He was drunk and claimed to be a bouncer there then this short retired cholo looking guy that picks up the empties comes out and tries to harass us too. my friend got shoved but we walked away because we are better than those pieces of S#$T. So yeah the bartender got his lame ass drunk co workers to harass us because he wasn't happy that we caught him overcharging us and I guess ten bux for pouring a few pitchers is too little in his eyes. PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AND VERBAL ABUSE SERVED HERE IF YOU DO  NOT TIP. NEEDLESS TO SAY F@#K THAT PLACE NEVER GOING BACK. DIRT BAGS LIKE THAT RUIN IT FOR EVERYBODY THAT JUST WANTS TO GO HAVE FUN. WHAT A BUZZ KILL!!!!
Review Source:Came here to see Swingin' Utters... VERY interesting. (The bar)
Outside area where the bands play is cool.
Great spot for summer shows.
The inside however, good Lord.
Horrible music, awkward placement of pool tables, bad bathroom feng shui.
The people in there were odd and not anyone I'd prefer to be around, but I guess it could have been worse. I do enjoy people watching, and the folks in there did not disappoint!
I'd only come back if another awesome band played.
The area has such promise, but nothing seems to be opened.
Even on a Saturday afternoon/evening... not even Subway!
One really good thing... plenty of parking!
If you go here and see a large horse mouthed dike save some time and money just leave. Â I hate when these tramps think they can talk shit and not kicked upside there head. Â Act like a dude get beat like a dude. I think its funny that old snatches like this cunt shit on there on institution by picking male female roles. Â The funny thing is that the regulars are scared of this fat cow. Â I was only scared that she would regret ever saying anything to me. Â I am sure eventually she will.
Next subject the douche bag with her has scars on his head that looks like he was stabbed. Â I know why he got those to bad someone did not do the world a favor and finish what they set out to accomplish. Â
The bartenders have always been cool so it is kind of sad that I have to put this up to let people know about these punk ass children that are stuck in a grown body. Â I actually think that I will be hanging out here more just so I have all the more reason to give these two people a mouth full of busted teeth. Â Not much of a fighter but its never to late to start pistol whipping these bitches when are being disrespectful. Â BTW the fucking music that these people were playing on the juke box was like marvin gaye and al green but the songs no one ever heard or listened to for a good reason...........cause they suck. Â oh well enough said I just hope that someone reads this to them cause I am sure that they are not able to afford the internet and never passed kindergarten cause they do not know there abc's. Â
Last but not least never go here looking for girls cause this place does not have any............unless your willing to purchase an old toothless one. Â haha I make myself laugh by writing this here review. Â ahh to be continued at a later date.
Not sure if their namesake is describing the people who go here or the staff. Â I'm thinking probably both.
I came here with some friends. Â The bartenders are pretty cute, but the bouncer and other staff are pricks. Â And no, I wasn't belligerently drunk; in fact, I only had a single beer (Dale Brothers Pomona Queen, which is an okay local brew).
The caliber of people here is not that which I would go out of my way and come here on my own. Â Maybe I'm getting old, but I'm far over the bar scene anyways (and was long before I turned 30).
The other thing I didn't like about this establishment is that they kick everyone out around 1:30. Â This means if you have to use the bathroom, too bad - do it outside. Â Need some water to try and sober up? Â Nope, you're fucked, we don't care. Â Need a cab? Â Not our problem, just drive home. Â Other bars in the area, namely Acerogami, will call you a cab, or even insist you do NOT drive home if you're plastered (which is legally what they're supposed to do anyways). Â I know, because I always observe the actions of both establishments while walking my dog at night.
Needless to say, I really don't want to ever come to this shithole place again if I can help it.
This place is awesome if you just want to unwind and have a good time....  Very diverse on Fridays afternoons you get a diverse crown everything from regulars to college students... Some of these guys are HOTTIES wow,,, The girls are something to look at as well  but other than that if you want to relax and have a nice affordable drink this is the place to be... juke box , open pool tables and open darts,... Happy hour is the best....  on Fridays they have a chill girl bartender she is pretty cute...
Review Source:"Ain't nothing but a gangsta' party" Well, not as bad as other places I've been to.
Yes the place isn't classy, the people there are a mix crowd, drinks are about the same price as any other club or bar, and there is only 1 toilet in the females restroom....however, here are some tips or more like reasons why I have a special place in mi corazon for Characters.
First off, they have pretty good shows there. I personally enjoy nights that have either psychobilly, rockabilly, or punk bands. I like that its a mix of people, there are the 'usuals' who are far from drama. They look scary on the outside but on the inside wouldn't even hurt a fly, unless it was on their beer. Anyhow, its free (shows sometimes are $5-10), but the bar is free to get in.
The DJ will play your requests, he does a nice mix, not just that "booty booty booty rockin over here" jams but he plays rock en espanol, 80s, cumbia, some electro, etc. Drinks, for all you thirsty friends, well I suggest you become BFFFFFFF...with the male bartender. He is nice, friendly, and can help quench your thirst so much that your liver will be sore days after (thats a good thing).
Anyhow, I didn't give this place more stars because of the restrooms and even though no one should come here expecting a fancy shmanzy decor, I'm sure there must be some health code violation (just being honest).
Characters. This place definitely has 'em.
I came here to see a bluegrass band play. There were punk kids, rockabilly kids, raver kids, and even people who weren't kids at all. This place was packed to the brim with characters. The bar area was a completely different atmosphere from the outside stage area. It was more of a ghetto dance club with a DJ.
The ladies' bathroom is a single and there is a hallway after a door for you to wait in. It's kind of awkward if there is more than one person waiting for the toilet.
It gets more awkward if the person in the bathroom is throwing up.
And more awkward if you get hit on by a seasoned lesbian disgruntled with her drug-addicted lover..
I love Characters. It is a "dive bar" and has pool, darts, a great patio area and lots of live music. Everyone is really friendly. It's mostly locals, but there are a few of us college kids that hang out there. The owner is very nice, the bartenders are, too. On the weekends there is a LOT of dancing and drunk regulars, but it's very laid back. The drinks are decently priced, though I have found that the glass house bar can be slightly less expensive--but Characters is waaaay less pretentious. If you're looking to have a good time with your friends,have fun, and be comfortable, Characters is the place for you!
Review Source:I came here with some friends after a tough day of class. It's nice to unwind, have a few drinks, and have a good conversation. I did go in the afternoon though, so can't comment too much on the night life here.
What's off putting about Characters is that it's located like off in the middle of nowhere. It's in some dank parking lot and the entrance looks like a door to a hidden dungeon.
It may be intentionally poorly lit inside, but there are dart boards, pool tables, and a juke box for music. Full bar is accessible and I'm sure they'll make anything you can pay for. Beers by the pitcher are your best bet, with a wide array of domestic and import on tap.
My friends and I did bump into a regular here. He seemed uncontrollably intoxicated, leaning from side to side while sporting a Characters hat. He told one of my classmates that she was the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. Three times. He then kept to himself at the bar, staring blanking into the liquor collection.
Ultimately, its a convenient place to get a drink near the Western University of Health Sciences campus after a long day of class or after an exam.
This place almost got 3 stars but because of their lame ass security it got a 2... First, I usually go after 10 so no drink specials, domestic pitchers $10. Spacious inside, The dj always takes me back into like a 1990's flashback which is dope, 3 pool tables and a spacious patio with a stage very cute... But seriously rhe only thing that makes this place suck is the lame ass security working there... they told me and my homegirl to leave becuz there was a beer by our car and if we didn't leave the cops will be called, wtf was this rent a cops problem? So he jumps on his G.I. joe, toys r us walkie talkie and we laughed ...get a Life!
Review Source:Ok, this place is more of a local dive. Â But no super pressure to be social or put up with idiots like in LA. Â Very casual drinking place. The staff was really nice, drinks were pretty well done. Â
Diverse crowd, you get your hipsters, and some ex cholos, and maybe some punks...didn't see a lot of them, An older crowd, and we came on a day some band was playing. Â They played jazz or happy music...it was a weeknight. Â Again if you like super cosmos and techno music and you're a stuck up asshole don't bother coming here.
If you're looking for a small little dive to drink and not get pestered by idiot kids, go here.
I'd go back, but with my roommate.
I have very mixed feeling about this establishment.
Pros:
Nice location. Love historic parts of town.
Lots of free parking.
Outdoor patio with heat lamps if you are a smoker
Cons:
Not sure why but my drinks were made very weak and my friends' drinks were not. I know I am not an asshole so this pissed me off big time.
Right at closing time this place is crawling with cops. Can you say DUI?
Sorry...wasn't feeling it.
Not a bad bar to..... RISK YOUR LIFE in. The drinks are cheap and the pool tables are always filled with seedy people challanging you to a game. Reminds me of the bars my Uncle Joe use to take us to in the 70's while we were on Track Vacation. I always put my bail bondsman on retainer when I go here.
Review Source:The name says it all..."Characters"...and boy let me tell you there are a lot of characters here. You got your truck drivers, lot lizards, ZZ top look-alike, Ambiguous gender aka 'Pat', veterans, young, old and everything in between. It's a good ol' American bar.
On any given day you could find stressed out grad students debriefing with the "Characters". I find myself downing the juice, laughing with classmates and playing "Who would you do?", in which I would choose the gnarliest looking man in the bar! The 50 something year old with long hair and pony tail wearing a smock playing darts.Well it was between him and the inebriated regular who dry humps the bar top in the corner. Yep, I'm a classy girl and it can't get any classier at this bar. I'm usually outnumbered by the men so my odds are great!
Lot lizards watch out! You have competition!
Awesome place to hang out on any given night. Cheap drinks, DJ on certain nights, live music on certain nights, and some interesting people...It's Pomona. Nuff said. Oh, and the bartenders are the BEST! Jess and Randy are super friendly and are very generous when mixing a drink. I was there last night playing beer pong on one end of the bar while people were dancing on the other. Big ups to the DJ also.
Review Source:$2 dollar Tuesday's. What more needs to be said. Thursday and Sunday night's seem to be the busiest, but every night is good for meeting interesting drunken Pomonalites. Cheap drinks, live music, DJ, beer-pong, pool tables, TVs, and weirdos...what more could you want.
Oh the $2 Tuesday thing is PBR and well drinks. $4 for a tall can of PBR.
This place is interesting...
The staff is pretty nice. You will find a very diverse crowd...college students mingling with punks, rockabillies sitting at the bar with homeless people and old ex cholos.....they have live music sometimes. Pool tables. Pretty cool other then the fact that there are always cops around and I heard that someone got shot in the bar about a year ago and the persons brains spilled on the jukebox. Havent touched the thing and never plan on using it.....
Good bar and good music. This place is pretty fun and they have several things to keep you entertained. Pool tables, TVs, Internet Jukebox, dart boards, and live music. They got punk rock, reggae, or rockabilly bands playing outside on a weekly basis. The outdoor patio for live bands has a lot of space and seats. Their beers on tap selection is pretty scanty. I recall them only having four different types. Although they do have more types of beer in glass bottles. I just prefer on tap because it taste a million times better. The prices are a bit on the pricey side so that sucks. I paid $7 for a long island ice tea and $6.50 a beer. The men's restroom is the usual one stall and one seat but it's all in one small narrow walkway.
A word to the wise. Leave before the bar closes because Pomona's finest boys in blue will sometimes be waiting outside. When I was leaving three or four squad cars just rolled out from the side street. They had all their lights and sounds going off. Seemed like a movie sting operation or a Cops episode. They where just waiting for the people to start leaving. Like I said before, Pomona Police have a reputation for treating people like dirt.
Over all, I'd like to go back to this place to enjoy some live music again.
One of the most memorable nights of my life was at this bar. Â Started with happy hour and ended with my friend making out with a gorilla. Â Some dude dressed up in a gorilla costume. Â How random is that?
Cheap drinks.  Super cheap.  Someone ordered  shots of Patron and I'm pretty sure he was charged $6 a shot.  Jack cocktails were $4.50. Â
I spent a lot of time here when I lived in Pomona. Â You can take the girl out of Pomona...
New owners in the last 6 months have taken over and the bar has a newer look to it.
The wall of overgrown plants is gone and the suspicious shack in the corner (apparently it was storage, but i thought it was a brothel) has been revamped beyond recognition.
Drinks have always been good with a great selection of bottled beers and other drinks. Apparently prices have gone up, but it happens everywhere.
Only downside, is Willie-okie is no longer.
Its a fun place to go. Downtown Pomona residents are littered on the patio any given night.
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