I am a huge fan of this place.
Lessons are at 6:30 almost daily and are immensely helpful. They teach slowly and don't make you feel stupid.
Drinks are cheap, though sometimes it takes a little while to get service. Â Make sure you don't bring them onto the dance floor or a bouncer will be escorting you off really quickly.
Wednesdays are college night and VERY crowded. As in, it's difficult to even move. That night other genres of music is played. Â Otherwise, it's strictly country, and much less crowded.
I like that they are not too strict about the dancing. Â Line dancing and two stepping can happen simultaneously, and they will never remove you from the dance floor for not knowing how to dance unless you're being extremely disruptive and knocking into people. Â I've found people to be extremely friendly and helpful with assisting me learn.
Criticism: the bathroom is disgusting and the womens' bathroom has had a broken sink for MONTHS (maybe years). Please fix it! Also, bouncers can be very rude, though I understand that they have a tough job enforcing rules and probably get impatient easily. Â
It makes no sense to me when people rate this place badly because they don't like country music or country bars. Â Those reviews pertain only to personal opinion, not to the establishment itself.
Now  girls  for you who want to dance or learn how to?  if no partner well  most of the guys that can dance dress casually.  usual  hang around the same place always near the dance floor the entrance area so as to get the dance partner before leaving area  at the front and side area  you just got to ask glad to show you how  sorry to say but if hes all dress up in cowboy outfit and the big hat its a no he cant dance warning if he;s been drinking a lot don't go on the floor,? how long will it take you to learn about 3 times  that's all  of course the guy must know how to handle a partner and move easy without pulling and pushing you.  after you have learned all the dance moves you can have great fun at any age. good luck i see you there .
Review Source:Gentlemen, Wednesday night there is more ladies here than guys. If you are looking for some good eye candy, this is it. Only downside, they will be playing country songs and square dancing all night. If you are ok with that then this is your place. They also have very good drink specials here so you really can't go wrong. It's not my place personally but when I bring friends here they always seem to have a good time.
Review Source:I suppose you could call me a regular. I can usually be found here anywhere between once a month to twice a week.
They offer 2 free lessons a night excluding Mondays, starting at 6:30pm, so even if you are a newbie, you can at least know a dance or two!
My favorite nights are Sunday (free cover til 7pm, and $2 drinks), Tuesday (pool and karaoke night), and Thursday ($6 steak, spuds & suds night).
Yes, it's a small dance floor. Yes, some of the regulars can be a bit cliquey. But overall, it's quite a friendly place, where young and old can meet, eat, drink, dance and have a good time without too much smarmy-ness. (Yes, I'm calling that a word! ;-) )
My kind of fun!! The hard part is convincing my friends to come with me, but the ones that have all had toooo much fun. Even people who claim they're not country fans leave this place liking it at least a little more. The mixed drinks here aren't bad, but I usually just stick with beer because that's the country thing to do.
I only went on Wednesdays, so the only negative for me was the $10 cover after 6pm, but you might as well just come a little before 6, drink a beer (only $2.50 drinks on Wednesdays), and take the free line dancing lessons at 6:30 which are super fun. No line dancing experience necessary to get the hang of it quickly or to have fun! Most people are just learning so if that's what you're worried about, you're not alone! I'm inspired by all the expert dancers here...my goal is to become one of them someday.
Damn straight,
Great place if you wanna dance, country dance, do any dance you can make work, learn line dancing, learn basic couples dancing, experience dance community, see people dance, meet people, meet new people, hang out with friends, chill, play pool, drink, and some country-bar eats if you like too,...
Very diverse crowd, all types,... Team America.
Bonus points for puttin' on the country to middle America look, both guys and gals, whether it's naturally 'you' or just for fun,... or, just good ol lookin-good, however that may be. Â
Check dress code: Â shoes on guys, no beanies, nothing overly provocative. Girls, you know.
And to y'all: Â Bring yer fun, git er done.
Okie okie the security aren't the nicest but if I had to deal with a bunch of douche bag drunktards all the time i'd probably be the same way. Wednesday is a happening night but beware arriving early is key! The $2.50 you-call-its end at midnight and if you're going to pay a $10 cover then get there early, avoid the line and take advantage of the special for as long as you can. For the dancing impaired, like myself, Â they offer line dancing lessons! Yay! Awesome amount of pool tables here and a huge patio to smoke on! I came her for my birthday and everyone had a great time! Thanks!
Review Source:Came here with a group of about 10 people. We got totally wasted and had such a great time dancing and laughing at each other. It was one of the most fun nights we have had outside of downtown. The tab wasn't bad for all us. It was so worth coming here. We're making plans to come back again soon.
Review Source:Class? more like to packed to learn. I wasted the gas to go down and there was no room in the class because everyone who knew how to do the line dance was in the class already. that is just poor management. At least there was no cover because I might have freaked out. I'm gonna write a letter to management about it.
Review Source:I've been attending this place for about a year now. I've been a country music fan since i was able to walk and this place suits my personality just right. Its always got a good crowd there and the staff is always very kind and quick to get your drinks, even on a busy night. I'm not a very good dancer so having the dance lessons earlier in the night makes it awesome. That way when it is later in the evening and all the gorgeous women are there in their Daisy Dukes I can have good time a pick a decent dance partner without making a fool of myself. I will continue to attend InCahoots for as long as i live in San Diego.
Review Source:Worst experience i have had yet in California. I spent $40 dollars on a cab ride down to this bar and was turned away for wearing flipflops. While calmly and peacefully trying to explain that I was new to San Diego and my ride was inside to the bouncer who refused me entrance, I was surrounded by security for forcefully removed from the OUTSIDE of the bar. Im not one to vindictively post on review sites, however, I hope someone who cares about supporting good business ethics rather than jabroni money hungry punks sees this and reconsiders supporting these clowns with their hard earned money.
Review Source:In Cahoots is probably my favorite bar of all time.
Every night at 6:30 and 7:30, they teach 2 country line dances. Now you may say you're not much of a dancer, but these are EASY TO LEARN and SO MUCH FUN. Everyone learns it and everyone loves it and everyone screws up a few times but no one cares because it is just that damn fun. Most nights, the second dance is a partner dance too, like the cha cha or the waltz, which is great because you can make tons of new friends as you learn the dance together.
The rest of the night, you can kick back and relax, have a few drinks and shoot some pool, and when the DJ calls out the name of the dance you learned, you run to the dance floor and bust it out. There's all these real life cowboys there too, and if you get lucky enough to dance with one of them, they will teach you a thing or two about REALLY dancing. And the best part is, there is no awkwardness or tension in dancing with a stranger. Its completely cordial, and there is no obligation to feel attraction towards a guy who asks you to dance before accepting. Which is actually a good thing, because some of the best partners are the older cowboys there.
Different drink specials every night, and no cover except on Wednesdays, so strap on those cowboy boots and get out there!
I never even knew this place existed...
Instead of Taco Tuesday this week, we decided to go for the $5.95 steak deal. It's pretty far from me, so I was hoping for something way better.
My friend's bf was denied entrance because he was wearing flip flops. You're a dive bar in San Diego and you won't let in flip flops. Right.
Anyway, we basically said f this place and went to The Habit and had a great time. Btw, one of our friends said the steak was chewy last time he went there, so it doesn't sound like we missed much.
I'm not happy with In Cahoots. I planned a group outing with about 10 of my friends to try their $5.95 steak night. When I heard the deal on the radio, I thought, "Awesome! Sounds like a great deal and a good time." I looked forward to it all week.
But when my boyfriend and I arrived at In Cahoots, we found out that he didn't meet the dress code. What?!? A country dive bar has a dress code!?! I'd expect this from a place downtown but not here. But since he was wearing flip flops, the bouncer wouldn't let him in. Way to ruin our night! Â
I just took a glance at their website again and can still find no mention of a dress code. In Cahoots may want to look into advertising these absurd rules. Apparently girls can wear flip flops but guys can't. And men's shirts must have a collar or be tucked in. Too many rules for me to deal with!
Long story short, my group of 10 left In Cahoots to eat at a restaurant down the street. Guess In Cahoots just missed out on a chunk of business.
Okay. One star for free line dancing lessons. The other star is for $2 beers on Sundays. The chubby bouncers dressed up as cowboys (how hard is it to get an outfit that fits?? Really?) are total dicks and the food sucks.
We went on a Sunday night and ordered food before we danced. There was only ONE waitress and the poor thing was running around like crazy. Because of that our food took 45 minutes and was cold. We had to keep returning things to the kitchen. She was great and the manager apologized but still. There were about 7 rude, dick-less, chubby cowboys standing around doing NOTHING.
So, please, In Cahoots, if you are reading this, PLEASE HIRE NEW BOUNCERS. I'm not asking for a pretty unicorn that shits rainbows. Just people who are not disrespectful and stupid. Please??
While it may be cliche to say this, the only reason this is a one-star review is because Yelp doesn't allow for zero or negative stars.
I was headed to my car after finishing a shift at my favorite local hospital, when a friend messaged me to see if I would like to meet her and some other friends for a beer. Â "Of course!" I replied, "Where are we headed?" Â The answer was In Cahoots. Â So I get to my car and head over to the bar. Â I get there, I park, I wait for my friends to arrive. Â They get there, we're all happy to see each other, since we haven't been out together in a good six months, and we step up to the door to get our IDs checked.
The bouncer gets to me and says, "Ummm...are those sweatpants you're wearing?"
Â
"No," I reply, "they're scrub pants; I just got off of work."
"Well, I'm sorry, but I can't let you in. Â It's against our dress code."
I'm sorry, but I have no tolerance for a casual place that doesn't let in someone just because they don't like their pants. Â Thanks, In Cahoots, for making sure that I never visit there again, nor any establishment run by your owners.
Ended up at this place way to many times. I've since told my friends to never, ever, ever drag me here again. Now, I LOVE country. I love the boots, the hats, the music, the cowboys....why can't someone open a nice country bar?? This place is lame, music goes from country to rap to hip hop to slow jams. If you can two step you can dance here, otherwise you look a fool! And they tried chanrging a $3 cover on a thursday night! Even a club downtown doesn't charge covers on thurdays! Sad they can't get this place right for us country lovers :(
Review Source:If I could give this place a negative star I would. I was looking forward to a fun night and a good farewell to one of my close friends who is deploying to Afghanistan, but I was denied at the door for apparently holding an out of state i.d. which they "claimed" was fake. Â After repeatedly asking for my i.d. back, the only words were "to shut up or the conversation was over" ... strong words from an overweight bouncer who reads at a fourth grade level. Â Best of all, they refused to give my i.d. back (after I showed them many other proofs of identity) until I called the local police station and talked to another bouncer who thankfully reads at a sixth grade level. Â P.S. I'm 25 years old. Â Don't let this place fool you, as UN-American as they come!
Review Source:Worst experience ever!
I'm a first time costumer and thankful i never made it into this place.
As we show our IDs the over weight door guy asks my buddy if he has been drinking already. My buddy replies "yes i had a couple beers back at the house". Over weight door guy then lets my one friend in alone and tells my other friend to stand outside. I was told to stand with him.
20 minutes goes by and i have to use the restroom. I ask the door guy what is the holdup and if we can enter so i can use the restroom. He tells me no and if i keep asking it will be longer. (First time asking)
First of all who in the hell do u people think you are? I'm completely sober and a first time costumer. Not that this mean anything to you wanna be country boys. Trust me when i say, ive been treated better in 3rd world countries then this scum place.
An HOUR goes by and i asked again. The managers and OWNER came around and told me to leave...
Now i will say there was profanity exchanged at this point and i did lose my temper, but do u blame me? Wasting my Saturday night watching tipsy/drunk ppl walk in and out of the bar your told you cant get into because your friend said he pre-flighted a little before coming to the club.
I really hope the management learns how to treat there costumers, because i can for see this place not making it for much longer. The only way i will EVER return to this establishment is if i here there windows and doors are boarded up. Haha enjoy it while it lasts boys.
One of my good friends invited me to hang out with her and her little posse tonight at this place. I had always driven by this place whenever I ate at the Del Taco that was across the way. I always thought this place was a restaurant. When my friend said it was a bar, I was really surprised. At least it plays to the country western theme in keeping a dress code (including the burly bouncers and staff) and playing largely country music. The dance floor is mainly used for couples dancing or line dancing or sometimes both at the same time. The line dancing is harder than I remember, although I was rusty since I hadn't done that kind of dancing in seven years (my best friend's wedding in Kansas).
The regulars at the place know EVERY specific dance to every song played, suggesting that there isn't much variety so I think it's great to see the first time and gets old after some time. It was fun, though. It's embarrassing to get the line dances wrong, but no one tells you that as long as you have familiar people on the floor with you. Everyone went crazy when they played "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I imagine that's a popular favorite. Fun place.
I went here with a few friends on a Thursday night and I thought this place was great! I was surprised by some of the negative reviews about wait times and dancing outside of the dance floor because our waitress was very attentive and available and we danced all around the place. Also, when I went to the bar, I got a drink within seconds.
Besides the obvious awesome line dancing and lessons this place offers, there's also a whole top floor where you can play pool, an outside patio ample parking. In addition, drink prices were fabulous (e.g., $3-$4 for well drinks like a vodka/soda or jack/coke) and they were strong!
The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars was because the food selections weren't great (e.g., all unhealthy stuff and not a ton of variety) and I wish they would have played a wider variety of country music including some of the more current, popular songs.
All in all though, I would definitely recommend giving this place a try for a fun, unique night out. Even if you don't want to dance, In Cahoots is an ideal venue for some great people watching!
I'm a native Texan. I was so thrilled that there was perhaps a piece of home in San Diego. The place started out pretty awesome but quickly lost my respect. Here is my run down:
1) 6$ cover charge...seriously? For a place that is right next to a Del Taco, you are not high class. Only reason I didnt turn around the other way is because it was my friend's birthday. Ok...whatever.
2) No dancing outside the dance floor. My friend was dancing by the table and then was escorted out. The manager (Mike) said he was acting too happy and extroverted, therefore had to be questioned. Did I mention my friend had 2 beers and was stone cold sober? They eventually realized he was not intoxicated and let him return to our table...seriously? what the hell kind of bar is this?
3) Ladies, dont leave your purse with your man. They will be escorted out. Yes! My friend was also questioned because he was watching our purses by the table while we danced.
4) I felt like I was under watch by the red neck gestappo. about 60 bouncers making their rounds with this super serious "born to kill" look on their faces. I'm here to have fun guys, not start shit. It really put a damper on the mood.
Their beer specials were lacking in variety. The cover charge was lame (maybe to pay for the extra bouncers) and seriously felt as if I was being judged every 5 minutes from a bouncer. I left feeling uneasy and definitely killed the mood of the night. I would have been a loyal customer since I live here and I was feeling a bit homesick for a country bar. Looks like they have lost a customer (well...counting everyone in my group 6 customers) Thats what you get Mike.
I've been to this place many, many times and had a wonderful night each time!
If you're not into country music then it's definitely not for you - I'm not even sure why you would bother trying to come here if you hated country, but there you go.
When I first started coming here I had no idea how to line dance or two-step but everyone is really, really nice to beginners. You can pick it up pretty quickly, too! I love that people (of all ages, it's true, there will be some geezers in the crowd) will ask you to dance and show you the ropes. Haven't made it to the 6:30 p.m. dance lessons yet but it's on my to-do list!
I went to Karaoke night on Thursday and it was pretty dead, especially compared to Wednesday night, but that just means lots of singing opportunities and less people to embarrass yourself in front of. My friend and I just went upstairs and played pool in between songs, still had a lot of fun.
Four stars because a) bar service can be excruciatingly slow and b) they have these weird phases towards the end of the night where they'll suddenly bust out some Top 40 music that really does not mesh with the whole country vibe - don't get me wrong, I love me some Flo Rida, but playing one bump n' grind song in the middle of all that country just creates this really awkward interlude.
First time back in about a month or two but damn, when I have to weight for 45 minutes for a bartender to take my order it is not acceptable. I will not be returning to this place a much longer time.
I paid a cover fee at the front door. I really payed for a spot at the bar to watch the bartenders ignore me. They only had one bar open out the four that they have their. This place is lame and due to be closed for a restructuring. Â
There is still good dancing but shit, I would rather go drink in the parking lot and come in.
Growing up in Lakeside it was just natural to love certain things: Â
The Rodeo.
The Annual Chili Cook-Off.
Having the notoriety of displaying "The World's Biggest Wind Chime!" for a good decade... True story.
Dogs... The way a redneck does; not the way Asians do.
Country Music.
If you were super East County, you went to Santuckey to Mulvaney's (R.I.P.) on Sundays and learned how to line dance.
Going to InCahoots on Wednesdays brings back fond memories of my childhood. Â A bunch of white folks elbow to elbow sweating their asses off trying to navigate around each other without spilling their domestic beers. Â Very reminiscent of visiting Bobby Joe Cletus' mama's auntie's cousin's neighbor's third ex-wife's triple wide. Â
Whether or not you know how to Boot Scoot, Watermelon Crawl, Cowboy Cha-Cha, or Power Stomp it is still a hell of a place to go to people watch. Â Um, $2.50 you-call-its and white people "free-styling" to top 40's between line dances and The Macarena?... YES PLEASE!
This is my experience of being there on Wednesdays only. Â There's an $8 cover, $2.50 you-call-its, tuck in your fucking shirt if you're a dude, show some T&A if you're a broad. Â Get here early or get there late because there will be a line around the corner. Â
As you stumble out fucking smashed there will be a hot dog stand. Â Get one, it will change your life... Or end it.
There are dance lessons at 6:30p, CHEAP drinks, no cover except on Wednesdays. My only wish is that there was more variety in the crowd, but nope. The same people come back every night, every week. Must be because it's a guaranteed fun time!
Be careful because this is definitely one of those places that the drink prices keep rising as the night goes on.
Reminds me of TX. :)
This has to be one of the hardest reviews I've ever written because capturing the essence of In Cahoots is a bit like trying to explain to my friends and family why I find it fun to get dropped off in the middle of the wilderness for eight days of heavy backpacking, no showers and potential bear encounters. Â You either love it or you don't. Â It either works for you or it doesn't. Â And I deeply love this place - it works for me.
Once you understand what In Cahoots is, you can better decide whether or not it'll be a good fit for you. Â If you've ever been to a small town, the sort of place where people say it like it is, are a little rough around the edges and aren't big on show, then you'll be acquainted with the kind of vibe to expect here.
The customer service can be a bit....lacking at times and the patrons are not the typical Gaslamp club hoppers. Â Yes, there are people in cowboy hats. Â If you hate country music, you won't be happy here. Â If you find it disconcerting to see patrons ranging from 21 to 81 mingling, having fun and *gasp* asking one another to dance, this isn't your place. Â If you prefer to blend into the dark shadows of a typical night club dance floor or bar, the openness of In Cahoots may be too jarring for you.
That being said, coming here is an amazing experience although most people will initially feel quite far away from their comfort zone. Â I certainly did. Â In Cahoots offers free dance lessons 6 nights a week and adjusting to being on a fully lit dance floor "arena" in the center of the two story bar while fumbling through unfamiliar steps as fellow patrons watch can be uncomfortable at first. Â Then, when various people approach you and ask you to dance, you assume the knee jerk club reaction: Â they must be creepers, they must be into you - definitely turn them down. Â
But. Â If you just allow those sensations to pass, you'll see another layer. Â Drink and food specials are great. Â There are plenty of tables, chairs and pool tables. Â The dance lessons are fun and fantastic exercise (word to the wise: Â you will sweat so please, double up on deodorant). Â Many of the patrons are friendly and most are regulars who are happy to help you learn - they were beginners once, too. Â Sure, there are people looking to hook up or show off their tiniest denim shorts but there are many more there to drink, dance, relax, shoot some pool and shoot the shit. Â In a word, this place is REAL. Â So real that many regulars (and that now includes myself) feel comfortable going solo. Â Learning the dances, practicing with numerous partners and flying solo has forced me to grow as a person and I'm insanely more confident as a result.
So. Â Bottom line? Â I'm a fan. Â And if you try it out, there's a good chance that you will be too.
So let me premise with a little about myself. Â I'm a professional in my mid-thirties, the night I went here I only had one drink. Â I had just come from work and I went there to eat the spud and bud special (steak, potato and a beer).
We went there for happy hour this evening with our friend who is in a wheelchair (which obviously restricted our mobility somewhat). Â We found a table on the main floor by the back door and ordered our food. Â It was rainy and cold and so we closed the back door, where a brisk wind was flying through the door and proceed to enjoy our meal and the line dancing class that was going on.
Over an hour later, the bouncer for the back door, an overly agressive napoleonesque urban cowboy, who I shall refer to as douchebag, came in and opened the back door and proceeded to lean against the bannister watching the pretty ladies dancing.
Watching my friend in a wheelchair freeze his ass off and also freezing myself, i went and shut the back door. Â Did I mention NO ONE was on the back patio? Â I mean, not one single person...AND there is only one door out there, so if someone were to go outside....you would have to see them, if you were say, paid to watch the back door.
Anywho douchebag, went and opened the door again, at which time the two other tables of people directly in front of the door who were beside us, started to complain about how cold it was. Â As he walked by I asked him politely, "Hey, can we keep the door closed, it's really cold?" Â To which douchebag got into an agressive posture and gave me an ass face and said, "I need to see the back patio". Â I told him, "we've had the door closed for over an hour." Â he said, "Yeah, because I was standing back there watching." Â Then he proceed to walk away mid-conversation and lean against the bannister back by the bathrooms to resume his watching of the dance floor. Â You know, the priority over say, helping your customer find a solution that would accomodate their handicapped friend.
The table behind us really started to complain to us and the night was ruined, so without comment, we left.
Sure, I understand the need for safety, but it was 6:30pm on a Thursday night, there was no one outside to watch, and three tables with over 15 people gathering around, were made uncomfortable so that douchebag could satisfy his need to be in control and here we were, paying customers with a handicapped man included, and not only were we cold, but we were treated like dirt and dismissed for a bannister to lean on. Â Outrageous! Â Is that really how we treat customers if we want them to return? Customers who are there eating and not causing a fuss? Â Really?
The food itself was ok and a great deal, so that's why I gave it two stars, and the bouncer at the front door was also very polite. Â But I do not understand why bouncers or anyone else who is there to protect customers, would behave that way.
I would have either found a handicapped accessible location for us away from the door, or taken my fat ass back to the patio to "watch" the nothingness, so that the door could be closed and the 15 patrons who were inconvenienced, could go back to enjoying their evening.
I had heard the rumors about this place, but gave it a try anyway. Oh well, live and learn.
Would I try this place again? Â eh, .....
My friend finagled me to try line dancing for the first time in my life. What a pleasant surprise!! It's SUPER FUN!!
First, I thought we were going to be the only Asians inside In Cahoots, but that was not the case! Maybe there were 5 other Asians in there? haha Lots of white folks with cowboy hats, chunky belts, and gorgeous cowboy boots. I hafta admit: I was a lil jelly of some of the cowboy boots I saw. I might have to get myself a pair!
Unfortunately for us, we missed the line dancing class at 630pm, but we did our best to learn on the dance floor. We had a ton of fun just being goofy and enjoying the good vibes. Everyone was super nice!
Lots of fun.
Tuesdays is free pool, so that is exciting, right?
Wednesdays are $2.50 you-call-its, which makes for a lot of bodies in the bar, but you end up feeling pretty good by hour two.
I personally have no idea how to line dance or do any of the dances that they do, but it's fun to try and someday I may take advantage of their free lessons...
This place only gets two stars for one reason only: the pool tables.
Mostly country music and as a minority, I felt out of place. Thought I left California and ended up in a small town in Texas.
Drinks are cheap which is another plus, but unless you're a die hard country music/line-dancing lover, you may not have as much fun as you would like.
Ahhh In Cahoots. So many memories...
Best night: Weds. Duh. If I remember correctly it's $2.50 you-call-its until, like, 10pm or something. Find your spot at that crazy busy bar and just keep 'em coming! Or at least that's what we did...
The line dancing looks like great fun even though I haven't yet worked up the balls to actually do it, even though I've been to this bar a few times. My friends and I prefer to hang out upstairs and take in the action from above. There's a pool table or two up there and there's a smaller bar up there too.
About the whole country thing...listen if you're gonna hate on the genre, then go ahead and hate. But if you're open, then you'd find out that, especially on Wednesdays, I hear all kinds of music in there, not necessarily straight Toby Keith and Dixie Chicks.
The line (and also parking) can be a little bit of a buzzkill sometimes but I've never been denied entry before.
Can anyone say BOOTY BAR?
This place has good drink deals on Wednesday nights ($2.50 well drinks & beers) but if you're horny and looking to hook up with a creeper in a cowboy hat, come on down to In Cahoots! Yes, there are HOT people here but that doesn't mean they didn't irritate the shit out of me (esp. after my cheap drink buzz wore off).
+1 for the laughs I got from watching a short-ass dude grinding some Amazon woman on the dance floor.
I fucking hate this bar. Â I hated it when I was a 21 year old amateur, and I hate it now, as a reasonably seasoned professional.
This past Wednesday, I was dragged here by my brother's girlfriend, to celebrate her becoming an American citizen. Â I grimaced and paid the $8 cover, bought a $2.75 beer (on $2.25 beer night, no less) and noticed that the dude next to me was wearing a T shirt that had Nazi SS lightning bolts on the sleeves, and on the back, a skull wearing a Nazi helmet emblazoned with the same.
I did a double take, then verified that it wasn't a Slayer shirt. Â Nope.
I will never be dragged here again.
Not too many moons ago, our hero was going out with a girl that was totally into country music. Â She liked country living and acoustic guitars, and Kenny Chesney in country bars.
A country girl with them country ways, livin' big city nights but them country days.
A country girl that didn't understand thuggin'. Â (What???)
A country girl.... tractors and beer chuggin'. Â (Mmmmm...)
That clueless concrete kid wanted to take her out on a country date one night for kicks. Â Where else would our hero go but to the biggest and baddest country bar outside of East County in San Diego -- In Cahoots? Â People rave about the $2 drinks on Wednesdays, but Thursdays are the best for a solid dinner. Â $5.95 for a medium sized steak, baked potato and an 8 oz. beer? Â Awww yeahhh! Â Our hero would put up with the embarrassing line dancing lessons for THAT!
In Cahoots has a pretty big dance floor, two floors, and is very spacious. Â There's a bar on each floor and some pool tables on the top floor if line dancing isn't your thing. Â In general, the crowd is old, white, and friendly. Â Clearly, it's not going to be your scene if you don't like Garth Brooks or Taylor Swift, but it's still an interesting bar and the Thursday steak dinners are well worth it. Â Country gals and country bros definitely like this joint.
Over time though, that country girl touched our hero's car radio too much, as she couldn't stand his rap and hip-hop music. Â Changing the station to Brad Paisley and the Beach Boys too often was a point of contention.
As Chris Tucker said in Rush Hour: "The Beach Boys gonna get you a great ass whuppin'. Don't you ever touch a black man's radio, boy! You can do that in China but you can get your ass killed out here, man! "
No offense to the Beach Boys, or any country girls.
PROS:
- Free line dancing lessons every day except Monday at 6:30 PM. Â Most of those folks are regulars.
- Great "steak, spuds, and suds" special for under six bucks on Thursday nights.
CONS:
- Most of the regular crowd is fairly old.
- The dress code is fairly strict here. Â If you're wearing any shirt without a collar, you'll have to tuck it in. Â No sandals. Â Baseball caps can only be worn facing forward. Â Cowboy hats and boots are encouraged.
Mission Valley is kinda limited on options to grab adult beverages, especially near the Hazard Center. After the most recent 'Movie and a Brewski' event we decided to stay within walking distance for some drinks so it was on of these options. Â Crapplebies-I mean Applebies, Joe's Crap- I mean Crab Shack, Gordon Biersch Brewery, and In Cahoots. Through process of elimination and ultimately curiosity of what others would write, I decided to hold the brewski portion here. That and it was a karaoke night.
Yee- Haw! I immediately felt out of place when I walked in. The door guy informed me that they had a dress code so I had to tuck my shirt in due to its lack of a collar. I thought to myself, "Really dude, it's a Tuesday and your wearing Nike's?" I tucked and immediately untucked as soon as I was out of his sight. That's about the same time I realized how country this bar is.
Besides the other Yelpers in the crew, I was the only person not wearing a cowboy hat. There was a huge dance-floor with people on it who were there to do two things: Drink some beer and kick some line dance ass! They hadn't run out of beer, but that's all anyone besides our group was doing was the line dance ass kicking part.
Mission Valley is much too far of a drive from my place for me to get tanked enough to participate, but it was rather fun to be a spectator on the balcony. I like country music entering my ears about as much as wet willies, so I was happy to hear some non-country being karok-ed. Â The KJ put out a pretty stellar version of Ozzy Osborne's "Crazy Train," but no matter what the song was, there were people line dancing. Pretty hilarious to see the same 2-step for Ozzy as some other country songs.
Admittedly, this is not really my type of place, but I dug it. I'm sure someone who's thing this is would like it even more. The fact that it was entertaining, the food was better than average, and the drinks were ultra cheap was enough to make me a fan. It would be interesting to see what would have been in store for the night had the event been "Jack Daniel's and a Brewski" instead. For me it may have spiced things up a bit. Who knows I may have gotten a lil silly on the flo. Ehh Maybe next time.
After the Movie and Brewski event
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/events/san-diego-cmye-double-dose-movie-and-a-brewski-13-law-abiding-citizen">http://www.yelp.com/even…</a>
some of us moseyed on over to In Cahoots (it was my first time) for $2.50 you-call-its and karaoke *YAYE*
here are some of the highlights:
-the chicken quesadillas and fries Danny ordered (didn't try the wings) were surprisingly good bar food
-They have a pretty extensive karaoke selection including Rihanna, Backstreet Boys and N'Sync
-Kim, Miss V and I sang "One Way or Another" by Blondie and got some people to square dance on the dance floor
-I have video of the guy with incredibly long hair who was headbanging to "Balls on the Wall (?)"
-Someone took a dump in the upstairs Womens RR and didn't totally flush (WHO does that?!?!)
-Dress Code: Guys MUST tuck in their shirts Steve Urkel style *no joke*
Aside from the run down look of the stairs and questionable stains every few feet, this place is a-ok :)
A never-failing, country-fried reminder of why I've diligently steered clear of the Bible Belt..
The dudes here are all sorts of original. Thou hast ravished my heart, Sir Metropolitan Dwelling Dip Chewing Gallon Hat Wearing F-150 Driving Poser! Stealeth thee from this mortal coil! I am no match for your dashing, politically correct proclivities.
The following is a re-enactment of an actual event:
Ten Gallon Hat Goon: Hey purty lady! You lookin' fer sum var-RYE-yuh-Tay?
Me: I'm sorry..what?
Ten Gallon Hat Goon: You and me, baby. Let's make a swirl, gurrl!
Me: Uhm, are you seriously..
Ten Gallon Hat Goon: Taste the rainbow, shugah.
Me: ...
Ten Gallon Hat Goon: Save a horse ride: ride a cowboy!
Me: Got any more or are you just warming up?
Word to the ladies (particularly, ladies whose skin retains above-average levels of  "pigmentation").. Save a brain cell: ride a train, trolley, bus, street car, cab, rollerskates, skateboard, horse, Segway, wheelchair or any other tangible mode of transportation in the opposite direction of this hickery haven. Â
YEEEEHAW!
Pass.
Cowboys and cowbros. Everywhere.I have never felt so out of place, and its in Mission Valley ! Its like a Lakeside bar that was somehow teleported Star Trek style.
My friend, who's Spanish, wanted to celebrate her birthday here and I seriously questioned her decision. I mean, I've always known about this place and I've avoided it for obvious reasons but this was her venue of choice...
As I stroll up to the door with a few friends, all ethnic btw, we were greeted by two big husky fellas dressed in tight blue jeans , white collared shirts and ten gallon cowboy hats. They gave us a funny look, but we paid the cover and got in. Yes, cover. Its already going downhill.
We DID NOT look we should be in there. We received stares from all around us. I really wanted to just go somewhere else but I already committed to this place. My friends were just silent and taking it all in, possibly pondering the demise our friendship.
Flannels, boots and tight jeans seem to be the outfit of choice here. Nobody was wearing anything but denim. No loose slacks , sandals or shorts but any form of a cowboy hat is welcomed, encouraged and accepted.
The party bus shows up, just about everyone that came on that bus is pissed drunk to some extent and the bday girl is smashed already. Hammered, sloshed. She sees us and we exchange hugs.
We drink, we chat and then line dancing came up and I say HELL NO. First of all I would look like a complete idiot and second of all, even if I knew how I still wouldnt do it.
Surprisingly the bartender is quick to serve us, and is friendly. Drink prices are not bad at all and we do shots. Jack Daniels of course. When in Rome drink what the Romans drink...but in this case drink what the East County folks drink ! So its Jack all the way baby. Shots !! Yes.
There was an Asian beer gal by the door and I figured that if I had any chance of hooking up with anybody in the place, it would be her. Other than myself and the homies, shes the only other Asian in the room.
After chatting it up with her for a bit I asked for her digits, only to be told that she currently has a boyfriend and that he works at In Cahoots also. Well of course shes taken ! I'm such an idiot. Shes a modern and contemporary  Asian gal living in southern California. Of course shes dating a white cowbro. Stupid me. Stupid stupid stupid.
Having a litte shame left I meander back over to the party and do more shots. Next thing I remember is the bday gal going up to the Asian gal demanding to know why she wont date me. oh no... STOP !! I run and drag her back to the party.
I'm calling it a night. Ive done my duty as a friend and I've already spent way too much time and money here. I tell the drunk bday girl that I'm Audi 5000 and we say our goodbyes.
My friends are relieved and they are all smiles when they see a hot dog guy just right outside. Of course we mack down. We eat, we talk shit and eventually one of the blokes vomits on the way back to the car. Great. Thats just f*ckin great man.
Never again.
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