Worst bar ever...good band,will to help to draw you in..but the help there sucks..The girl bartenders will pass u up the talk to friends..or pick up glasses...don't think they want anyone there that doesn't live there...mgmt...same..don't care...go across the street to legends bar...they love love the tourist ....just saying as a person that lives in a tourist town...Yosemite ...we treat everyone like they live here...
Review Source:The common definition of libertine is "one who ignores or spurns accepted morals and forms of behavior sanctified by larger society." By that claim alone, I'd be tempted to make haste toward The Libertine Pub in Morro Bay. But what I found once inside were so many other reasons to spend time at this seaside tavern.
My story starts with me making less than haste along Embarcadero and hearing the bluesy psychedelia of The Doors drifting out of two large, open windows. Fifteen minutes later I passed again to find The Doors still playing. I quickly disregarded this, thinking a Doors fan had simply commandeered the juke box, and made my way in to check out the beer menu. It wasn't until I had picked my suds of choice from the vast chalk-scratched slate hanging from one wall and sat down at the bar that I realized something was amiss. Something was different about The Libertine Pub.
Glancing around, I saw groups of people sitting around long, high-top tables, clinking glasses of Belgian brews and carrying on. There were couples at smaller tables chatting and folks pressed against the bar, eating things like pork nachos and wings along with their IPAs. It was cozy and familiar. It was no different than any beer bar from Crescent City to San Diego.
Until the sound of rain from the end of The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" washed away.
The bartender disappeared around the corner, then returned, placing an album cover onto a small stand that was just out of my view. Drum beats and horns broke through the bar chatter and I recognized what was old funk by Earth, Wind and Fire. Delighted, I leaned forward across my Deschutes Porter and saw the paper sign below the album cover that stated, "now playing." That's when I asked the bartender and was told about all the vinyl the The Libertine owned and how they played full albums, side after side, variety after variety. It was unique for this time, an homage to the past, a nod to an older definition of spinning. It was joyful.
In an age of cleanroom-created music, thoughtlessly cast about by satellite radio or from glowing, oversized MP3 players hung on walls, it's near magical hearing the rustling grooves of an LP and a progressive array of songs in the order and context they were meant to be heard.
Is that spurning an accepted form of behavior? Not really. Is that truly being libertine? Doubtful. But The Libertine Pub does cut its own path and, with Sirens calling, beckons you to come along.
im a normal 22 year old girl that is already sick of downtown slo and the crazy bars swamped with loud and rude college (CAL POLY) students. You know what im getting at. I've always enjoyed creekside brew for the alternative pub crowd. now it's just as crowded and noisy as the rest
I went to the Libertine and found my place. Mellow atmosphere and super friendly (not in a creepy way) bartenders.
I worked in the same building when it was Southern Port Traders. Kind of a trip to walk back in, but worth it.
The food could definitely be better (I've never been a fan of the adjoined restaurant). But a super badass bartender named Heather more than made up for it. She made the perfect jack and coke for me and made excellent beer recommendations for my boyfriend.
Now i can escape that craziness of SLO and still get some good drinks with good people.
PS I met the owner of the building. A real stand up guy. Bought my navy friend a drink and had a nice chat about how grateful he was for my friend's service.
I've been here several times. Â Look, my luck normally ranges from bad to worse, but each time I'm here I like my food and the beer selection is well beyond "standard beer bar selections" and the service has been fine. I'm no simpleton when it comes to eating out. Â I travel a lot and I have tried various pubs and restaurants in a LOT of places. Â I really like this one. Â I dunno where some of the other reviewers really went or what they expected. Ya gotta consider this mainly a great beer place that happens to serve some food; not a destination for a meal.
However, having said that, my buffalo wing sauce burger (or whatever they call it) tonite was absolutely killer; cooked right, plenty of flavor- packed sauce, etc. With the two beef patties and toppings you need to be a snake and unhinge your jaw to bite through the entire cross-section. Â I have had good experiences with the pulled pork burritos, too. Maybe I order the "right" things and get lucky (for a change).
I normally go midweek when it is less crowded and I have had great service from the bartenders I have met. If they are busy it really doesn't kill me to actually walk 10 ft to the bar, order a beer and request a menu then return to my seat. You wanna be pampered and waited on like royalty go somewhere else. I treat the staff like friends andf they reciprocate. Â I learn stuff, I taste new beers, we mess with mixing beers. Â If you drink a tad much you can burn it off with a nice walk down to the Rock and back. Â It doesn't get a lot better than that.
It's a tourist pub in a tourist location. Consequently, the management doesn't seem to care about serving a full glass of beer or in serving a properly made mixed drink. It does boast a fantastic selection of beer, but the food is mediocre at best.
The food in the adjacent restaurant is equally bad or even worse. Stay away from the fish & chips
While an excellent beer selection, friendly service, and a wicked good selection of records playing on the hi-fi make this Beer Bar a place that locals and tourists alike can enjoy (Morro Bay: The French Rivera of Bakersfield!), problems with the quality of the food ultimately make it impossible for me to rate the Libertine highly, although with improvement on this front would easily bump my rating up.
I was impressed by both the bredth and depth of the beer selection, ranging from the easily obtained "Blue Moon" to local brews by Firestone and Figueroa Mountain, and even including seasonals from Stone and Fat Tire. While the beer selection was a little overpriced by my standards, the pours were generous and the bartender friendly.
However, my food was less then palatable. While my French Fries were standard fare (with a nice seasoning, golden-brown color and a crunchy texture), my "Buffalo Burger" was, frankly inedible, being cooked well-done (a travesty to be sure), the bacon on top resembling charcoal briquettes, and the buffalo sauce promised being nowhere in sight. My fathers tri-tip burrito was similarly offensive, with gristle being the predominant texture.
Ambiance was pleasant enough, with records playing on the hi-fi, and a low ceiling complimenting the location on the Embarcadero nicely. However, three televisions (two playing sports, one playing surfer films), seemed a little much, considering the potential for good conversation in the communal-style tables.
Thats not to say I will not return, as this bar provides the only decent beer selection in the Los Osos/Morro Bay area along with exceptional service, but I certainly would be wary ordering food. However, once these issues improve, I'll be happy to update my rating to the four or five stars "The Libertine" richly deserves.
Stopped in for a few drinks, and had an absolute blast. The bartender, Heather, was extremely helpful and friendly. The craft beer selection is absolutely top notch. There are always new beers rotating on tap, so no trip will be the same. Good beer and good, knowledgeable service...which is surprisingly hard to find these days. Heather even knew how to pour a good stout on nitro, which seems basic, but also seems to be a lost art.
Review Source:I keep waffling between 3 and 4 stars. Â For Morro Bay, it's more like 5 stars, as it seems like the only legit beer bar, and it is an establishment that stays open past 8pm. Â But for the rest of the world, it's a standard really good beer bar. Â Friendly staff, odd mix of clientele, good bottle list and a respectable line up on draft. Â Some stand outs were an oyster stout on nitro, Stone Double Bastard, Allagash Interlude. Â
Getting to the restroom is an odd experience. Â We ordered some nachos which exceeded our expectations, but some of our neighbors were less than enthused with their menu items. Â
If you are in Morro Bay and want good beer, come to Libertine!
I need to start out by prefacing that I grew up in Morro Bay. I've seen businesses come and go - and I was truly bummed when Southern Port Traders went out of business, yet giddy as a school girl when I saw what had taken it's place. This pub is *exactly* what this town needed; an unpretentious pub that can serve both locals and tourists alike.
It's mostly a success (hence the 3 stars) - the beer selection is amazing, the food good, the ambiance perfect and the record player absolute genius.
What isn't a success? Your bartender. Specifically, the lanky, dark haired guy with the angular nose. Hi, if you're reading this, btw - I'm sure you're a very nice guy, but you're as cuddly as a cactus. I waited at least 3 minutes for you to acknowledge me when I stood at the bar this evening. My friend (who has MS) had to bus her own table. Your service suffers from what appears to be a total lack of giving a sh*t. I know that tourists can royally suck (I grew up here, remember?), but holy Christ dude - not only are the patrons affected, so are your tips - so is the business.
This evening wasn't a one off either, as during my first evening at the Libertine you complained aloud of working 20 days straight so you were closing up the place 2 hours earlier than what it stated on Yelp. Boo, my friend, boo. Especially when 2 new people came into the pub and it wasn't near empty. Both nights that The Libertine closed, I saw the same people that were ushered out at another local pub spending money.
A bartender can make or break a bar - being approachable, focused, efficient and friendly is key to success. I don't know whether he was just *extremely* shy or awkward or bored or hung over or he got dumped or what, but it hurts business.
This place could be one of the last remaining *genuine* establishments on the Embarcadero, Mr. GrumpyBartender - be a great barman and make that happen.
A must stop in Morro Bay ! Super friendly service-easy to find-right on the main street with the restaurants etc along the water.
Crazy selection of beers- ales and wines! Try to sit at the bar so you can talk to the bartender- he will explain the great range of beer choices-
I was there in December and had an amazing mole beer- did not even taste like a beer- on the opposite end of the spectrum was something best described as sprite or a mellow yellow soda if anyone remembers those...
Personally I am a wine drinker and the red syrah I had was amazing.. and only $6 Happy Hour pricing !
Cozy pub feel-live music on some nights-and very knowledgable personable staff !!
Check the hours- they do close about midnight I believe..
It cannot get any better than this - unwind with some beer, chatting with the bartender and hear the locals play some guitar and music in a small town like Morro Bay.
Seems like this bar is the local favorite. The hour or two that we spent there, we saw a lot of locals come and go.
they have a very good variety of beers!!! woot!! woot!!!
I'm giving them a 3 for food and I would give a 4.5 for beer. The beer selection is incredible and the only thing that would tip the scales for me is a house brew. The ambiance is nice, live music, cozy, great place for a pint.
Skip the food (for now - until they perk it up a bit). My husband and I ordered bbq type sandwiches and they were both no better than a church potluck. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but if you pay $9 for a bbq sandwich you could give me a pickle spear or cole slaw or something. Something, anything on the side would have been nice.
Great for: watching a game, guys night out, grabbing a pint after dinner
Great lineup of brews, loved the mix of IPAs and Oak aged beers. Minus one star for putting your server through Hell with a Friday night special on tasting flights. One guy pouring, cashiering and serving food on a Friday night is no bueno. Add in lots of people ordering four beer flights and he was way backed up.
Also watch out for bad Yelp and Google Maps directions to this place. We walked past the House of Jerky about 10 times before finding the pub.
This rating is for the beer only. I understand they have food that comes from they're adjoining restaurant but I was only here for the beer. I am also aware they are gearing up with their house made beers but they have 20 or so beers on draft, hard liquor if you're so inclined as well.
The beer selection is great and they obviously try hard to get the good beers. Lots of craft beer on draft and a large selection of Belgians in the bottle.
It's on a main tourist street so you can people watch or take in some surfing thats always on the big screen.
They have beer events on a regular basis as was the case when I came. It was a Firestone takeover so I drank several rare Firestone beers while I was there including a lil Opal sour, velvet merkin, and union jack from a firkin.
I would definately say if you're a beer afficianado near Morro Bay this is where you need to be.
I have become a died in the wool fan of the Libertine Pub! Today I'm enjoying live music, a California distilled Gin, and hubby is enjoying a gluten free cider!
Major improvements in seating, they have added more bar space and bar style seating. The vinyls being played ate an awesome nostalgic touch...just last week we enjoyed An old Hank Williams album...static and all...on a very nice surround sound system!
Now....the beer on tap, and even the bottles are of course wonderful and the variety is more than adequate! Had the opportunity to sample some "pre-real eased" Firestone brews...coming out in 2013! The Firestone Tap Takeover was a wonderful event for Morro Bay...outstanding! This review would not be complete without mentioning the salmon fish tacos...juicy, fat, spicy pieces of salmon...this is one best fish tacos I've had...$5.00 per taco!
Jonathon has been our most frequent bar tender...he is informed, honest, intelligent, very well versed On his beer knowledge...he packs a one, two punch for the pub with his quick whit and honest opinion! Loving that about him...refreshing!!!
So...thanks boys! Job well done! We just keep coming back!!
3 stars for anywhere that has Old Speckled Hen in the can.
With the fuzzy thing that makes noise when you open the can and then the whole thing is more fun than that stupid Miller opener top which should only be when you're in college or too drunk to know the difference.
5 stars if you have Old Speckled Hen on tap.
I'm going to the UK in October 2012 and rockin' the rooster (the brewery is near my customer, University of Cambridge). Maybe I'll drink and get smart.
I had the WORST service that I have ever had in my life. I gave them 2 stars instead of 1 because the food was decent and the beer selection was ok. So let me tell you my story..... I sat down at the bar and didn't get acknowledged for at least 15-20 minutes. The bar was not busy and there were 2 bartenders working. I tried to get someone's attention and it was like I was invisible. So after 15-20 minutes of sitting there with no luck a couple sat next to me and the bartender immediately came over and asked them what they wanted to drink. I started laughing because I was still sitting there with nobody even asking me if I had been helped. I grabbed another server and asked if I could have a menu or order something to drink. She took my beer order, went over to pour it and told the couple NEXT to me that they were out of that beer. The couple looked confused. She realized she told the wrong people and came over and told me. So i ordered another beer. She never came back to take my food order. I had to wave down another server to take my order. Meanwhile the couple next to me ordered the same beer I had ordered that was no longer available. The bartender went over to pour it and realized again that it was empty. The couple asked why they hadn't erased it off the CHALKBOARD menu. The server said "well that menu changes like every hour so we just haven't updated it". So then they asked about a special that was hanging up on the wall. The server said "well that's old. It's no longer available".
Then I noticed they had srirracha hot sauce behind the bar. So i asked the bartender if I could have some srirracha. She literally spun around 360 degrees...looked around and held up the ketchup. I said "no the sriracha. it's right behind you". She held up some other bottle. I realized that she had no idea what srirracha was and had no idea that they even had any....... After that, I finished my food, my water, and my beer and sat there again trying to get one of the bartender's attention. Finally paid my bill and left.
Now, i'm not trying to discourage people from coming here but rather encouraging management to train their staff in basic food service skills. Please acknowledge people when they sit down. Please know your inventory....what type of beer you have, and some basic knowledge about the food. And PLEASE check on people to see if they want to order food and check on them AFTER they get their food to see how it tastes and if they need anything else!!!! I believe everyone deserves a second chance but I think i want to give them some time to work out the kinks.
I want to like this place cause it's what Morro ay needs but I dont think they'll make it unless they change a few things. We got there when it opened and sat at a sticky bar and were handed dirty menus. The bartender never greeted anyone that walked by or came in and he served us our beer by holding the glass at the top...where your mouth is supposed to go then went on to finish eating his food.
They also have quite a few spelling errors on their menu.....never a good sign.
Good beer selection.
Need service improvement cause they won't make it on beer and location alone.
This place ROCKS!!! My boyfriend and I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon  and we were blown away by the beer selection in this place!  Goose Island, Lost Abbey, Stone, Lost Coast, Dogfishhead, Rogue, Deschutes--and that is just on draft!!  They offer a fabulous selection of unique specialty brews by the bottle, as well.  The pub is set right on the main stretch at the Embarcadero.  A small menu offers pub fare that pairs perfectly with anything you may wish to drink.  We also had the opportunity to spend some time with Tyler, the pub's manager... This guy is a wealth of beer knowledge!  He was able to give us a little history on everything we tried as well as suggest new things for us to try based on our usual palettes.  His passion and enthusiasm for beer resonates in that pub.  If you haven't tried it yet, get in there!
Review Source:I recently went to libertine pub in morrow bay for a cal poly graduation. Tyler our bartender was one of the most knowledgable and all around cool guys I've met. I'm a beer enthusiast and this place had the most quality beers I've had in morro bay and even in San Diego and Santa rosa. He even accommodated my non drinking girlfriend and her family with beers they would probably prefer, which they did. This place is 5 stars no doubt. Btw Tyler was totally tight butt hole (that's a compliment).
Review Source:What a fabulous addition to Morro Bay! Â Two great guys are running the place, very knowledgeable about beers, and ready to help you learn more. Â We went to a winery earlier in the day, but we had a lot more fun here at the end of the day! Â Great music too. Â They serve food from the Embarcadero. We'll be back as soon as we can. Morro needed a dose of "cool"' and this place definitely is a step in the right direction. Don't miss it.
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