Gilberto's

The first time I went here there was puke on the floor, so if you like that kind of thing.

Not too many bar options in Rancho Cucamonga.  So I decided to use my fine yelp research skills and came across Gilberto's.  I read a couple of reviews and decided to dismiss them because most of the time, the reviews are written by people who have a love/hate relationship with dive bars.

It was friday night and me a couple of buddies decided to pay Gilberto's a visit for ourselves.  First impression, this place is very spacious and has really nice pool tables.  A somewhat diverse crowd (locals, bikers, pool players, monster drink aficionados).  The bar area has plenty of tables and there are nice booths in the back.  If you go out the back doors, there is a smoking patio.

Me and my buddies walked right up to the bar and were given a couple of looks by the regulars.  Do yourself a favor and learn to dismiss those looks and know that they are part of dive bar culture.  The female bartender was pleasant and took our drink order right away.  We decided on bud light bottles and they were extremely cold (almost frozen).  The jukebox was going, the drinks are inexpensive and people were genuinely having a good time.  My kind of dive bar.  If you are in search of a dive bar, look no further, Gilberto's is all you need.

I grew up in the area.  I don't live there any more... but when I did... THIS was where I went.  This dive bar is BY THE BOOK!  In the dictionary, where it sais dive bar, you will see a picture of this place.  And thats why I love it.  Drinks are cheap and stiff, there are pool tables, a dart board, a jute box, dingy bathrooms and it smells funny...like a dive bar should.  The crowd is mixed.  Some young locals... some hick like old timers... The bar tenders are varied too...  Some old and worn, some young... and worn... and the atmosphere is always unpretentious and welcoming.  It's a place to kick back, play pool and drink.  You probably won't meet your next one night stand here... but thats not why you came any way is it?  Well, hopefully not.  Because you would be sourly disappointed.  Or maybe not.  To each his own.  ;-)