Loved Open Bar!
Seriously just a block off the beach, had a great time!
Came with some friends that were meeting up with a bunch of co-workers for a birthday. We got set up at our own little end of the bar...and just drank the night away. Our bartender (Mike? I think) was awesome - let me try a few beers, even while they were busy before making an ultimate decision. Super friendly, great bartender!
This place has a foosball table, pool, looked like there was plenty of room for dancing on some nights. Peanuts for grabs in a heated crock-pot thing lol...so divey.
Definitely not the cleanest place I've ever been...but I think that's just a very minor con to the whole atmosphere of this place.
It was great! I'll definitely be back in.
Had SO much fun here! Stumbled in with my boyfriend since it was right next to the Beach Cottages (where we were staying during our San Diego trip) and went back for 3 days straight. The bartender was awesome and trying to get "rid" of certain vodkas so gave us a great deal on shots. Open bar is a block away from the beach and with an awesome patio over looking the ocean. Theres just something about drinking with the ocean breeze that makes for a perfect afternoon. Love this place. and SUPER reasonably priced too!
Review Source:Short, sweet, and to the point:
I like this place a lot. Even though it where you older crowd hangs out in PB, it's still a very cool bar. Doesn't matter if you went to college 20 years ago, 2 years ago, or even if you're still a student. This place is a blast... One of my favorite spots on the boardwalk.
so freaking fun!!!!! Â got into sd at 11 pm friday, checked in, and wandered for a place to drink. Â open bar was the first bar we came to. Â good choice. Â there is a wraparound outside deck, and a big center bar. Â super cheap (like $4 ketel cran) drinks, and attentive, cute bartenders. Â they played mostly classic 90's, even though the majority of the people drinking there werent old enough to grow up with the music. Â we were though, and were so feeling it! Â everyone was happy and friendly. Â lots of (dirty freaky) dancing, pool and foose ball... Â only turnoffs: Â not much standing room... and it was REALLY HOT! Â and it was december! Â otherwise, best time we had all weekend.
Review Source:By far my home away from home and work. Some of the best staff, pool tables, outdoor smoking area with sunset views, Jukebox and peanuts. Besides not serving food the place has some peanuts and popcorn to keep you in your seat. There aren't a bunch of party kids in here and it's more of an adult scene which makes it a frequent for me. I can have a long day at work and swing by for a beer and enjoy the ocean breeze and great convos. The flat screens are great to enjoy the sports highlights and the heaters on the patio help in the evenings. I'd strongly recommend this place to couples, singles, and people from 24 - 55. As with most Pacific Beach Bars, Friday and Saturday night after 9 it does get packed. DJ etc.
Review Source:I like this place.
They seem to have great jams on most of the time. Save the one time someone loaded $800 into the jukebox to feed their heavy metal need.
They have cheap beers.
They have warm nuts. No joke. There are 2 or 3 crockpots full of shelled peanuts just keepin' warm, ready to wash down your beer with. And don't worry, you can throw those shells right on the floor.
They have a patio. For when you need to soak in some rays, or yell at random passers by.
They have foosball. Duh.
It's a fun, unpretentious bar; a pearl in the douche-sea that can be PB.
This place is awful.
I flew in to San Diego for a bachlorette party and stupidly forgot my ID in my other purse because I was so rushed getting into security. Â When I got to Open Bar, the bouncer would not let me into this terrible place (even though I'm 27!). Â I was with a group where every single person was my age or older... seriously?
While I totally understand that they have to card and that maybe he really couldn't let me in, this guy didn't just say no; he was incredibly rude. At one point, he physically SHOVED me towards the door while I was trying to explain what had happened. Honestly, it was completely uncalled for.
Then, when I tried to hand keys over to my friend on their patio, ANOTHER bouncer told me I had to leave, and again SHOVED me. Â What the hell? Â I was not drunk, rowdy, or rude, and I am a GIRL, for heaven's sake. Â What would possess these people to think that's okay?
Aside from the horrifically awful staff, the place is also crawling with horrible people. Â It was a parade of bros and their trashy female counterparts. Â Maybe that's considered a cool spot in San Diego?
Take your money elsewhere.
The "Open Bar" was the first bar I ever visited in San Diego. Being a native of Minneapolis, the idea of a partially open-air bar seemed very intriguing to me! There were a couple pool tables and a few TV's playing various sports games. Seemed like a pretty standard afternoon at a sports bar.
Came back at night the same week, and the vibe had changed a little. It was way more packed out with quite a lot of bro dudes and a few VERY fake looking women.. but there were some really cool people there too, and the cute bartender remembered me - props for that! Overall a pretty solid place to drink and watch the game for a pretty solid price.
Reasons to visit Open Bar:
-Novelty glasses - MINI PITCHERS!
-Patios for enjoying San Diego sun!
-Clean (enough) bathrooms!
-Drink prices that don't drain my wallet!
-Friendly bartenders!
-Free popcorn!
-People watching!
-Foosball!
-Rad bouncers like Eric!
See all of the exclamation points!? What are you waiting for? It's Beer O'Clock!!!
Hey Any Of You Gals Want Some Crackers? It's better than the book club. Yeah, OK.
Let's get to the politics of this unpretentious morning, afternoon or late-nyt drinking shack where the locals go.
At least a dozen cheep beers on tap. Pitchers. Free music over the air. Lots of laughter. Your outdoor voices are fine. And if your already drunk, no big deal.
How do they manage to create such a fun and unique experience? I don't know maybe it's Rock-It Science Baby~
Open Bar is that seedy dive bar that you are looking for when you aren't wanting to fist pump and pay $14 a drink. Â It has free popcorn, homemade chili and usually pretty entertaining people watching. Â My friends and I came to this place a few times this past weekend and had a good time both nights. Â The drinks are ok priced and the staff was respectable and friendly to almost everyone who approached them.
The music is controlled by the crowd or bartenders, depending on how full they are and there is an outside patio for people to smoke, hang out or get some rays during the day. Â What I didn't like too much was the bathroom maintenance. Â Both nights, one was late night and one was early on, the bathroom wasn't overly clean and the upkeep didn't look like it was happening either. Â
On a different note, there is a decent hot dog stand with a nice gentleman that runs it on the weekend late nights. Â He samples out some of his goods and gives you a great product in return for money. Â Now that I know he is there, when I am in and around the area, I will definitely hit him up for a late night hot dog.
Walked by and saw it with my GF so we decided to go to have a drink and chill. We walked in the wrong entrance and when we sat down the body guard walked up and asked for ids (I don't blame him because we did go in the wrong entrance so it looks a little suspicious), but he wasn't cool at all. He said we had to leave because he wouldn't accept my gfs id because her hair color is different now and she didn't have another form of identification on her.
Pretty embarrassed we had to leave. Quite a disappointment because we were excited to try the place out.
We walked next door to "Beach wood" and sat on the beach view roof and watched the waves and had a couple drinks instead.
Kind of a bummer about "Open Bar", but next time well most likely give it another try!
I'm going to pop my yelp cherry with Open Bar "The poor blind man's Abbey. I decided to take advantage of the beauty that is living in Pacific Beach and go for a stroll in the sun before meeting up with a friend who I will later talk into meeting me at Open Bar.
While walking, I couldn't help but to hear Kesha bumping in the distance. Sadly there is something about the tune of "Jesus on my neck a lace lace lace lace that draws me in. She like Greek siren calling me in to kill me, I can't resist. Kesha called me surprisingly into Open Bar. As you walk up to Open Bar it is very open (surprise surprise), a nice but small outside area with primo location to the beach. The place has a traditional dive bar pool table vibe and presences even down to the crowd of people that were drinking away a sunny afternoon. A pretty eclectic of the frat guy/sorority girls, local alchys, cougars and the beach tourists. Excellent people watching. The bar was  busy but not over crowded, plenty of spare stools for the taking. It was 3pm though...
Now what sets Open Bar aside from your traditional dive bar is definitely the music selection ranging from Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Kesha to Beyonce. None of the people at the bar seem like they would be interested in this type of music but everyone seemed to be having a good time. One cougar might have dropped it like it was a little too hot. If I closed my eyes and didn't know any better I would think I was back home sipping down a beer at The Abbey in West Hollywood. It actually made for a really interesting vibe that enjoyed.
Now unlike The Abbey the prices were very affordable and the bartenders were quick with the drink orders. After grabbing a seat I had a frosty Sierra Nevada in hand in less than a minute. I only drank beer so I can't comment how they make the drinks but there was a good selection of beers on tap. There however didn't seem to be any refrigeration and all the drinks were kept in coolers but this just adds some charm to the bar.
I will definitely be going back to listen to some Rhiana and chug some PBR on tap. If you looking for a low key dive bar, Open Bar is a good choice. Oh yea let us not forget free warm peanuts and chili for the taking.
Get it Open Bar. Get it.
Regardless of my minor bitchiness to follow I had fun at Open Bar the other night. Â The drinks didn't rock and the place was by no means packed early on a cool and dreary Saturday evening, so maybe it was the company I was with, the holiday spirit and decorations, songs such as "What You Know" and "Ridin' Dirty" that the bartender threw on the juke box," or the 1970s Steelers game clips playing on the muted TVs. Â
I dunno, but I had a pretty fun time! Â
I'm generally not thrilled when bartenders make up drink prices as they go along. Â Such was my recent experience at Open Bar. Â I ordered a Three Olives Cherry Vodka and Diet Coke from Bartender #1. Â Was told the price was $7, but yet 2 quarters was my change after I handed the bartender $8. Â Now, I'm no math whiz, but doesn't that change indicate that the drink price is $7.50? Â Later, when it was time for another drink, I heard Bartender #2 ask Bartender #1 how much he should charge for my drink, and Bartender #1 responded in a too-loud whisper, "$7.50 is what I've been telling her." Â OK then, glad that apparently I set the standard for a cherry vodka and Diet Coke drink at Open Bar!
And how a tiny, weak-ish glass of a middle-of-the-road brand of vodka and Diet Coke is nearly $8 here is sort of beyond me.
A dive-y bar right near the beach. Â Completely without pretense. Â Chill, friendly bartenders. Â Pool tables. Â Free popcorn out of a machine. Â That sort of thing.
Happy holidays...
A small sports bar with several big screen TVs for when the game is on. There's also a pool table in the back. I love that it's located right next to the beach, literally less than a minutes walk away!
I came here as the first stop of a bar crawl with some friends. We each got a can of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) as per my friend's suggestion. He said it was the beer of his college days. I've personally never had it before (or even heard of it) and I'm already done with undergrad now.. but anyways, it was cheap beer with the taste to match. We stayed only for about 30 minutes before we went on to the next stop of our bar crawl adventure.
Dear Open Bar,
Why do you hate me? I understand that I am not blond enough( naturally or unnaturally) for the area. I realize that I am short, but why, why do your bartenders CONTINUALLY Â ignore me when I am standing directly in front of them? I am not rude. I was a bartender for years, I under stand your plight!! And yet why does it take 15 min to get a drink on a slow night?
Open bar.. I extend my middle finger to you. We are done.
Looking to fight? Â Looking to get bumped into incessantly by 'Zonies staying at neighboring hotels? Â Looking for guys that take their foosball too seriously???
THIS IS YOUR PLACE!
It does have outdoor seating and is close to Pac Drive skate shop. Â I could see this being semi-passable before 5 PM.
One of my favorite bars if you are just going there to chill with friends. It's right next to the beach, the staff are cool as hell and they will even spot you a few free drinks if you tip them right. It used to be the place to be on Mondays but with the rival bars in the area opening up around them, it's just no that great anymore, but no complaints at all what so ever.
During the day on beach weather weekends is the best time to go!
It is what it is and you have to be a dive lover to see the beauty of the place. It is pretty sticky and sometimes the service sucks (if you aren't a regular). Some of the clientele can be really off-putting, but if you are in a mood to converse with random strangers, this is a prime spot. It can get packed on weekend nights. Not sure why they rearranged the place a few months ago. There is free popcorn, which to me is disgusting having a dozen hands in there, but some people dig it. The juke box is good and they have photo hunt!
My favorite Open Bar conversation - "Where are you from?" I reply "Minneapolis." They reply, "I love the Colts." Â Ummm...okay.
I always want to avoid this place but somehow always end up here. Â It seems to have a strange gravitational pull after ingesting some alcohol.
Hmm, I now dub this place "the PB bar that most resembles that vaguely attractive girl you call, when drunk, to fuck , who is always game for it too, but then you feel a little dirty about it later and don't want to be hanging out in daylight."
I'll think of something catchier later...oh, wait, I guess booty call bar kinda works...oh well.
Last note, I consider myself somewhat of a dive bar aficionado, so don't discount this review if you think I'm not down with places that could use some cleaning or customer service lessons. Â Quite frankly I prefer them. Â This place still seems to draw at times a douchbag crowd though.
Smells like the bars back in college, and sorta looks like it still isn't finished. Me and the crew call it the open scar for a reason. The outdoor part is cool although they close that crazy door early sometimes but its not like other PB bars b/c there are actually some pretty crazy people hanging out there.
For the girl my friend bit on the neck a year ago, I'm sorry guess she was the crazy one that night.
Drinks are always affordable and you can stumble across the street from happy hour at nicks.
I was in PB last night visiting with my brother and his friends.
Upon exiting Open Bar at bartime, I asked them to remind me the name of the bar so that I remember to never go there again.
Shudder.
Creepy guys. Â Women too icky to even qualify as cougars. Â Bad music.
Popcorn machine almost pushes it up to two stars. Â But not quite.
Shudder.
I truly enjoyed my time spent at Open Bar on St. Patty's day. Â Although my judgement was a bit blurred by the Irish Car Bomb's and shots of whisky on the walk past a few bars down Garnett, I am staying solid with my 4 stars.
Most places try and bust your balls and wallet on St. Patty's. Â Open bar had $8 pitchers of Red Trolley and the same regular Monday Night specials. Â I spent.. nothing. Â Sweet. Â That is actually a miracle. Â The drinks were cheap enough where even my tight friends could afford to buy a couple rounds!! Â
The patio (deck) is super chill and I was pleasant as pie parked out there with my leprechan friends. Â Obviosly this place is a little less crewd to the billigerantly drunk because none of us were harrassed or bothered the entire night. Â Sweet.
I will be back. Â Fo Sho. Â Probably on a Monday.
First Impressions off this place was , decent size bar .big outdoor patio , 50 ft from the beach . all good signs off a good Pb bar . Went inside bouncer was rude , alot of old people in here , not many girls in here , was not feeling the vibe here . drinks are decent and outdoor patio is cool ,besides that not much good to say about this place .
Now there is no drinking on the beach this might change the people that go here .I will give this place one more chance down the road.
This place is a smoker's paradise! Â A huge outdoor patio with loads of people lighting up add a smoky smell to the premises. Â A diverse crowd can be found here imbibing cheap beer and playing foosball or pool.
Our intrepid hero found the popcorn a bit questionable and would warn visitors against consuming any, unless they were really desperate for free food (if it could be called food), or just plain drunk. Â Some of the patrons were a bit sketchy, and there were some creepy old (in their 50's) guys here as well. Â Generally, the scene here was more mature dressed-down blue collar folks compared to other PB bars.
PROS:
- Nice big patio
- Washrooms (for guys at least) are relatively clean compared to the rest of the bar
- No cover
CONS:
- A bit run down
- A night in this bar probably takes a week off your life from all the second hand smoke
The Open Sore, baby.
Picture this: Â One dark cancer-scary-sunburned 40-something skinny skanky chick is sitting at the bar with two 40 something douchebags in OP shorts standing on either side of her. Â One guy does a tequila shot, Miss Skanky Thang puts a lime in her mouth, and he sucks face with her for a good 15 seconds. Â Immediately pan to the next guy--he throws down his tequila shot and sucks face on the lime/girl who's mouth is still warm from the first guy. Â
That's what I'm talkin' about. Â Kind of like watching a car wreck happen in front of you...over and over and over. Â It wasn't pretty, folks, although I bet some of you would throw down large to see this (or maybe not to see this).
I debated whether to lick my hand and arm up to the shoulder and stick it into the free popcorn machine just so all the popcorn would stick to me like bees on a beekeeper but I really wasn't that drunk. Â The Great Tequila Incident sobered me up straight quick.
One of my favorite spots to continue pounding cheap beers when the sun goes down and you're moving the party from the beach to the bars.
With a couple of fuse ball tables, you can start a nice tournament, instead of having to deal with the crowded tables and 21 year-old frat kids at Plumcrazy down Garnet.
The outdoor patio can get pretty packed; I've seen people literally spill out into the street trying to drink here and stay upright. Good thing it's only a few steps down.
No drunken dancing 21 year old idiots sloshing drinks everywhere!!!
This place (and Cass Street B/G) is a good place to go if you don't want post teenagers acting like dummies. But the cockfest factor is very high.
GREAT DRINK SPECIALS. They used to have $6 Bud Light pitchers even on the weekends but now it's $8. Still, at $8, that is a great deal. I
Open Bar is usually a cockfest. Did I mention that already?
The most unpretentious crowd in PB. Â
I used to call this place the Open Sore because it sorta stinks in here like bleach and something else. Â Cheap cheap drinks, dirty sticky floors, large patio that is usually packed on sunny days, pool tables, and a popcorn machine. Â This is a beach dive.
The crowd here is mostly people that are not feeling like impressing others, and getting overly done up. Â Which works just fine for me. Â There is still plenty of eye candy just not covered in hair goop (the guys) or makeup. Â
When I was single, I met many a hottie at this place but without all the pretense you sometimes naturally exube when you're at a non-divey bar. Â One of my favorite boyfriends I met at this bar-so yes you can meet nice men at a bar! Â He was actually quite handsome, if not one of the hottest guys I have ever dated, and we tapered off because I think he wanted more than I wanted to give at that time in my life. Note though: he was NOT from San Diego, he was from Southern Florida. Mom you are so wrong- I did meet a nice boy at a bar, it paid off! Â
I like dive bars and high end places all the same, I go for different reasons to each.
I have never had a bad time here, the staff is always friendly, the door guys know my name though I don't always remember theirs, I always get a nice buzz on, and the company I come here with is always fun.
If you want to get drunk and not care what people think of you... this is the place to be. Â Full of people who aren't looking or dressing to impress, the Open bar is the diviest bars in PB.
A kick ass juke box, cheap drinks, dirty tile floors, the smell of bleach, a decent patio and a popcorn machine basically describe Open Bar. Â Here you'll find people who don't shower, others coming straight off the beach, or cute girls who aren't feeling the need to look their prettiest....and chances are, they'll still hook up! Â
Still, Open bar is a great place to get drunk without pretense. Â It's a fun stop on a pub crawl, or to grab a cold beverage while hangin' at the beach. Â No matter what... it's always a good time!
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