Drunk college me gives this place a 5, post college me wants to say 1, so I guess hungover me says 3.
I went to this bar probably every friday of my senior year at school, and for me it will always be a place of great nostalgia. This is apparently shared by many, if you go in once, you cant truly appreciate the nuances of this establishment. You dont go for the food, the drinks, or the location, you go because it is a dive, in Isla Vista.
The food is inconsistent, the bar tenders are rarely trained to make even the simplest drinks, and the location is dilapidated. Yet it still holds a certain mystique.
Dublins is like running into a girl you shared a night of drunken lovemaking with, and going for another round, just for old times sake.
Whats not to like.
My friends and I were sitting at one of the tables, watching the Olympics, and digesting massive amounts of Mexican food from Freebirds. We did this for 15 mins, without having ordered anything, but certainly with the intention of doing so (we were full, naturally). The manager came up to us and asked us to order something, or else we'd have to leave. When we said "we will" and another 2 mins passed by, he asked us to leave again. He added, "Next time, don't be cheap. That's not how you act if you're from this country." This statement was evidently a reference to our skin color -- we are South Asian. When I responded, "We are American," he said "well you don't act like it." Furious, we left.
For an establishment that considers itself to be a reflection of the college town it serves in all its glorious diversity, Dublin's has stooped way too low. As an act of defiance, I would recommend that people look elsewhere for their entertainment, drinks, and potentially full stomachs.
Considering how there's not much of a selection of bars in IV, this is the place the boyfriend and I go if we want something different than the usual beer pong. We went there last night to celebrate Fat Tuesday and there was a decent-sized crowded for a Tuesday night. The drinks are decent - tastes good and not over priced, and there are enough seating for both small groups or big groups. There's two pool tables that cost $1 to play each game. Overall, a pretty cool place to chill and drink.
Review Source:Ok, so maybe it's not the cleanest place to drink on IV Loop...but $6 pitchers?! AWESOME!
The bartender was cool, the pitchers are $6 during HH ($12-14 regularly), food was decent (not great, but good drunk food...$6 for an order of buffalo wings with fries! Or all you can eat before 6 on weekdays!), and free pool tables!
I had a good, but very brief, time on my birthday back in February. Can't remember what I ordered, but vaguely remember getting in a shot at pool. Hey, it was my 21st birthday.
Recently, though, I had a not so good experience. Came here with my sister and friend and friend asked for the ducks game. Female bartender asked another guy to try and find it. He looked, but they didn't have the premium sports channel it was playing on. Ducks games are big news in Santa Barbara, I guess. Anyway, as we were leaving we heard the female talking to some friends of hers at the bar, saying "Do I look like I know what channel a hockey game should be on?" Um, you look like an employee at a sports bar. So yeah, you kind of do. Didn't matter that she had to ask someone else for help, but don't talk trash about the customers when you think they can't hear you.
I've never had the guts to try the food here but as far as drinking.. it's an iv bar that has potential but totally falls flat and the only thing it really has going for it is its location. Please fix this place up!
The bartenders are hit or miss I've had a few good experiences but one bad one. This guy with spiky hair was really rude for no apparent reason since they were both very slow and we weren't obnoxiously intoxicated or anything!
I do like that they have pool tables but its very hard to get on them unless you go while it's very slow and they are in awful condition so if your a pool snob you'll hate them haha.
Not impressed. I got a flat beer that was poured badly at an average price, which is too high for that kind of crap. Also, everyone who comes here looks that same, but I guess that's the case for IV and UCSB in general and I shouldn't hold that against Dublin's. The dark interior is mildly reminscient of a pub, and that's pretty much it.
Review Source:Right next to the tattoo parlor, Precious Slut. I got free drinks here on my birthday once.
There are 2 pool tables, and in the afternoon a bit before dinnertime, it's fun to get your billiard on at Dublin's.
One time, I remember getting buzzed (maybe drunk-ish) and playing pool with a friend and some random guys we met here. Random conversations, strange bonding, fun times.
I never saw those people again. And even if I did, would I know? Doubt it. I got another drink before we left the bar. It was blue, an Adios Motherf@#$er?
Is this place a front for some illicit business? I get a weird vibe in here, but I go anyway to catch Bay Area sports games.
I went in this Saturday to order a burger and watch the Warriors choke, and the bartender said "We're out of food." Uh, like all food in general? To his credit, he allowed us to bring in outside food. I've been here before and they were out of most of their liquors.
A big plus-- the free pool tables.
P.S. The Warriors choked in true Warriors fashion, as if you didn't know.
You would think any self respecting owner of a bar in Isla Vista who is lucky enough to have a full acohol permit in Isla Vista would be smart enough to capitalize on that fact. Well, that is not the case here. It's supposed to be an Irish sports pub. Sure, it's got a couple flatscreens above the bar, but that was only out of necessity. Then you have the projector that's rarely on and the outdated big screen as well, the electronic dartboard that doesn't work, the shuffle board with too little sand, the Wed. Karoake (if the machine still works), standard air hockey, and the two small pool tables whose rails have a larger arsenal than an MLB closing pitcher. The food will fill you up and is your standard grill and deep fry affair. So what does this place have going for it? The people of course! You are in Isla Vista! Thousands of great drunks in a few square miles looking for a good time. The bartenders make the place tolerable and the drinks are strong... Just remember them when your change gets back to you. Besides if you're in Isla Vista, you really don't have much of a choice as far as bars go and they WILL remember you!
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