Never too crowded, smoking patio out back, and most importantly, friendly bartenders that know how to mix good drinks - do yourself a favor and go right for the martini menu... the Vanilla Slide is a personal favorite, along with their Manhattan or their Old Fashioned.
Only drawback is its cash only, so plan accordingly (they have an ATM in the building, though there are cheaper ATMs in OB)
I'm on the fence about this place. Â been here a few times at different times of day and i'm just not sure what's going on in this place. Â I was there the other night and heard a kelly clarkson type song followed by a country song followed by ac/dc. Â i just can't figure out what the crowd is supposed to be. Â Don't get me wrong, i've been back a few times. Â I'm just not sure i get it. Â On the plus side the place is clean and from what i remember they make a pretty stiff drink (not like PacShores but stiff enough). Â Anyway, the jury is out.
Review Source:I've only spent one day in the city of San Diego, but the highlight is - by far - Tony's Ocean Beach. Whenever my wife and I arrive in a new city, the first thing we do after securing a place to rest our heads is to find a good bar. We heard Newport Ave was the place to be (and we wanted to be close to the ocean to watch the Venus/moon thing) so we walked down and checked it out. We began to get aggravated as most of the places we passed were filled with douchie looking people and./or were severely lacking in beer selection. We came across Tony's and, from the outside, it looked like a place that we did not want to visit. It was only 5pm, but there was already a bouncer standing outside looking somewhat menacing, and we saw a couple chicks in bikini's going inside. (Note: I have nothing against chicks in bikinis, but small blonde chicks in bikinis are usually representative of the type of establishment they are visiting). Although we were sure they wouldn't have any good beers, the "half price pitcher" sign drew us in.
 Our first impression was the clientele- most of them seemed to be around our age (32) or older which is something we look for in a place we plan to get hammered. The bartender approached us within 60 seconds of us sitting down and patiently waited while we skimmed the amazing beer selection. We ordered a pitcher of Blind Pig and both almost fainted when the bartender gave us our bill of $8! Not only did we pay an amazing price for great beer, but at 5:55 (Happy Hour ends at 6) a person who appeared to be the owner told us that we could pay HH prices for the next pitcher then, but wait to get it until we were ready. Essentially, my wife and I got black-out drunk in a comfortable atmosphere (while watching my beloved Met's on a big TV) for only $16, plus tip. What's better than that?
 The only problem I had is when I was taking a piss and three Navy-looking dudes started talking trash to me, but I just laughed it off and stumbled back to my table.
 I don't know if I'll be back in San Diego again, but if I am there is no doubt in my mind that I will be getting pitchers at Tony's.
One of my favorite haunts was, and still is, Tony's, where a "mature" person (over 40) does not feel out of place.
Great variety of beers on tap...great selection of CDs in the jukebox.
Greatest yet: call an order in to Hodad's, pick it up without hassle, and enjoy your burger in the comfort of Tony's, at the bar chatting with a friendly bartender or in a cozy booth, while playing pool, listening to cool tunes, and drinking your favorite brew, martini, or other...
Was walking around OB early in the early afternoon with a friend from out of town, saw a sign for $3 Bloody Mary's and decided to stop in. This place did not disappoint!
Thanks to Sooty, the friendly bartender, the Bloody Mary's here were better than the Hotel Del Coronado and for a fraction of the price.
Delicious drinks and a friendly staff? Definitely have to stop by here agin!
another great spot in OB. tony's is a "martini bar" although i have to wonder how many people go in there for martinis (my friends and i do - we're classy like that).
they have a FABULOUS espresso martini, which i often go there to start my night off with. espresso + vodka?! sign me up! but, dont be fooled, lately my favorite bartender hasn't been there, and he has been making the coffee martini, instead of espresso (i can't remember their official names on the menu, but you get the point). the coffee martini is good, but, nothing compared to the espresso one. Â my friends also love the pumpkin martini, which is only available in the fall (i dont love pumpkin, but if i did, i'd love that one too).
other than their martinis, this place still has a lot to offer. cheap drinks, great old school "lounge' type booths, pool tables, and a juke box.
i love it!
So... What could possibly be more humiliating than a drunk dial... drunk text... or a drunk Facebooking? Â Drunk YELPING! Â Oh yes... it happened. Â
and it happened to me thanks to Sooty (Like Booty), the Bartender at Tony's, and her trusty sidekick Dave, the Friendly Patron at the end of the bar! Â
Here's my story:
Just off our flight to San Diego from the Bay Area we found ourselves on a Ferry ride to Coronado Island where I had my 1st EVER Dirty ("Filthy") Martini. Â I loved it... and so? Â I had another. Â My girlfriends and I then headed back to SD on the Ferry and headed over to Ocean Beach to stick our toes in the sand. Â After finding parking right along Bacon Street (AMAZING) we hopped out of the car and headed toward the beach. Â But wait! Â $5 Martinis at Tony's - boasted a chalk board on the sidewalk teasing us as we tried to continue walking passed the open doorway. Â RrrrrrrrrrrrrrT! Â
How can we turn down a $5 Martini?! Â In we went. Â
Before our eyes even adjusted to the darkness we hear a voice from behind the bar. Â "Hi, girls! Sit wherever you like and Dave over there has offered to buy your 1st round!" Â
Yah... you heard her!! Â
"OK!" Â and we sat down at the bar. Â The bartender came over to introduce herself "My name's Sooty, just like Booty! Let me know whatcha want when you're ready" Martinis all around!!! Â
Before I knew it I had finished my 1st drink at Tony's and found myself in a conversation with Sooty like Booty about my love and appreciation for Gin and my new found love of the DIRTY Martini. Â Sooty didn't hold back. Â She was telling me all about the different types of Gin and letting me sniff them and then customizing a new drink around my tastes.. The last thing I remember is thanking Dave "the friendly patron at the end of the bar" and going to the Juke Box with him to choose some good songs. Â I also have a fuzzy memory of taking some group photos with Dave and trying some other fun cocktails Sooty thought up while we were there. Â
FADE TO BLACK
The next morning as I woke with my head pounding I moved just slightly enough to feel the crunch in my hair. Â "uuuuhm... (groan) I threw up, didn't I?" Â I mustered up the energy to ask my friend next to me. Â "uh YAH YOU DID!" She said in a sarcastic and mildly annoyed tone.
I got up to check out the damage... checked all the normal vitals: No vomit on my person... No random vomit in the bathroom... clothes are clean and accounted for... MY PHONE!? Â ohhhhh God my PHONE!!!! where was it?! Â oh... There it was plugged into the charger looking as innocent as ever. Â I checked outgoing texts... All good. Â No outgoing calls... ALL GOOD. Â Oh Crap! Â Work email?! Â Nope... All good. Â PHOTOS? Â There was 1 photo... It was of me... assumingly post throw up with eyes red and blood shot... and that truly embarrassing "drunk sexy/crying for help" look on my face... But it seemed I never texted it... so? Â ALLLLLLLLL GOOD!
My Saturday was looking up! Â I let a week go by as I healed from my overkill of Dirty Martinis.. Those of which I may never be able to drink EVER again... Last Friday I decided I wanted to get on Yelp and write an awesome review for Tony's bar and I wanted to make sure to mention the AMAZING bartender I had met and made my BFF... As I was moving my mouse up to click "WRITE MY REVIEW" I notice a tiny thumbnail photo under the Tony's Photos that looked ODDLY FAMILIAR. Â
I clicked on THAT thumbnail instead. Â ...and there it was. Â That DRUNK PHOTO I had found in my phone a week ago!!! Â Yep, Â you got it! Â The ONE I had been Soooooo relieved I hadnt texted of emailed it to anyone in my phone or even worse posted it on Facebook. Â Yes... there it was posted on YELP!!! Â
If anyone had the rare experience of checking out what Tony's had to offer via Yelp last week - you may have seen that photo of me. Â If not? Â Well, THANK GOODNESS for the power of DELETING PHOTOS you have posted. Â I am mortified. Â
In any case. Â Tony's ROCKS! Â Thanks to Sooty like Booty for making me some mean cocktails that I surely forgot! Â I'll be back (with more food in my stomach for sure) next time I'm in San Diego! Â Awesome.
I have not spent a lot of time in this bar but I can tell you it gets very busy every time I am there. The seating is all booths that are half moons and pretty comfy. The drinks are strong and there is a pool table and an outdoor smoking area. The whole place has a kind of a old time casino feeling. I prefer Newport Pizza for their crowd. But if you are going out with a group of friends then Tony's would be a good spot to all sit down and drink and be merry if you get there early enough to get a table.
Review Source:I have been back in a few times since my last review and felt I needed to give this place another star.
Reasons to like Tony's:
+super friendly bartenders that know how to make a great martini
+great vibe... the crowd is chill, there is no frat party scene here
+decor... love the booths and the overall color scheme and feel of the bar
Tony's is cozy. It's got a pub look to it but a little swankier. If you want a martini or just want to get away from the "crazy party scene" and just kick back and have a cocktail, this is your spot.
Stop two on our short lived bar crawl... Mama Hart enjoyed the view of the riffraff outside. I think she liked the Bandanna Twirling Guy w/ Neck Brace and Bucket the best. But the one ruffian who was stumbling along and gave a horror movie like millisecond stare through the window and into my soul was my fav.
Mama Hart also enjoyed the extra large pours at Tony's, and that kept her from the loud remarks we got from her across the street at Pac Shores.
Good times!
With a friend in town from New York, we needed a mellow place for about 20 of us to hang in OB, drink and catch up with her. Tony's was great.
No cover charge, cheap drinks, and a great bartender and waitress who busted out the drinks lightning fast. Seriously, every time I turned around the waitress was within ear shot and totally attentive...never see that in a local bar and was impressed.
Super fun night and most stayed until closing in this fun, loungey bar at the beach.
BOO! Â My sister and her new husband went on their first date to Tony's and wanted to start the wedding celebration at their favorite bar. Â Right after their ceremony, the wedding party rolled up on a trolley to toast the new couple. Â Twenty eight of us descended on the empty bar, only to have the bride (yes, white dress and all) told that she could not be in the bar as she did not have her photo id with her. Â THE BRIDE! Â The 31 year old bride! Â The staff would not allow her to stay, argued with the groom and would not be negotiated with. Â We were planning on being there for all of fifteen minutes and would have spent some serious cash.
On a good note, the biker bar two doors down, who applauded us on the way to Tony's, welcomed the entire group with open arms after we stormed out. Â The owner of the bar even let the bride and groom pose for pictures on her hog. Â BIKERS RULE!
Been here many times on various days of the week.
Atmosphere - Pretty laid back. Â Kind of a dive bar type feel, but it is clean and usually has "normal" clientele. Â Decent place to shoot a game of pool too.
Food/Beverage - Drinks are usually pretty good and decent pours.
Service - No too shabby. Â They do however seem to service the "regulars" much faster as most places do....just don't make it so obvious (it affects your tips!).
Cost - About average for what you get in OB.
Conclusion - This place would get a 3.5 if you could award half stars, but I am a tough grader so I don't round up....sorry. Â I hit this place when in OB and need a change of pace from the "typical" OB venues. Â I will be back.
If you ever see an open parking spot in front of Cheswicks or Tony's, DO NOT take it. There will be serious repercussions. You may get your car keyed, get verbally abused or worse get a severe ass kicking. Locals know this thats why theres always a bike or two  parked in at least one of the spaces right out in front.
Tonys isnt really the place with an ass kicking clientele, thats Cheswicks next door but its still a cool bar. If youre part of the older generation of OB that is. Ive gone maybe half a dozen times and I think its ok but Im much more comfortable at Pac Shores or Sunshine.
Sorry I dont have much else to say. Drinks are pretty cheap and they specialise in martinis. Remember, and Im being completely serious, as a heart attack. DO NOT park in front of Cheswicks or Tony's. I would rather circle the block 5 or 8 times.
Do you really want to piss off the Hells Angel or whatever biker gang that happens to be there ?! They are always right out front. They will see you, and trust me you dont want that.
Tony's was quiet the day I went, and the staff was very nice and patient. That is what earned them the 4 stars. Â
The food tasted good but not crazy good, the barbecue sauce was very sweet, if you like that it's great. Â The portions for the price and quality was 'meh' not great, but not the worst I have encountered. Â The places decor looked like it was aspiring to be a Sizzler.
So, if your poor or are looking for ambiance- don't go to Tony's. If you are a beach going spy who needs a quiet place for long lunch meetings and like to keep the sodas coming- Tony's might be the place for you.
If you're looking for cheap stiff drinks in ocean beach, with a cool throw back 70's vibe...walk on it to Tony's.
$4.75 bloodymarys, pitchers and a full bar, juke box, pool, and  outside patio. Clean bathrooms and a good vibe of people.
I like this place, not for a bring your out of town friends to party type of bar, but if you're looking to not spend a bunch and chill with some friends low key...tonys is pretty rad.
Wasn't a Bad dive bar. Â I would definitely suggest you order a liquor drink though. Â Ordered a Guiness and a couple of Fat Tires, each tasted terrible, either they never clean their lines...happens at dive bars, or no one orders a draft here so the beer is just old.
Gotta love a lil dive bar every now and again, I would go back for last call...if I want liquor and not beer.
This place is alright. Â I've been here a few times. Â Got a beer here tonight. Â I didn't really care to stay longer than one drink.
I agree with fellow yelpers that this place does not smell OK. Â I can't quite say exactly what it is, but it is offputting for sure. Â
I also agree with fellow yelpers that the drinks are a bit pricy for OB.
Meh, I think it smells like pee!
I am not sure why, but I never think "Hey, I want to go to Tony's!"  I've been several times, and I always enjoy myself.  The crowd and vibe are cool.  The drinks are cheap and bartender's have swagger.  But for whatever reason, it's never been a spot that makes me want to come back  as a regular.  I think this may be attributable to the fact it is safe for vampires at all hours.  Not a ray of light ever penetrates this place.  And that, for me, is not a great characteristic in a bar at 3:27 pm.
Review Source:Tony's is a good place to go if you're cruisin around OB and you have a pretty *set* party of people you're kicking it with. If you are just looking to chill with your group and really not be bothered with the outside world, this is a good place to get drunk in the dark. The way the bar is set up, with the Godfather tables, it's definitely not the best place to mingle and meet people really. There's not too much for atmosphere in here, and this place honestly kind of bores me. I have no beef with it, but "Lets go to Tony's" has always meant one thing to me: these guys are buying my drinks.
Review Source:Probably 3.5 stars but I'm going to round down to 3 on this one. Â Tony's has an unpretentious atmosphere and a relaxed feel that make it very comfortable to hang out. Â There are a few booths (although in short supply) as well as some pool tables in the back. Â Drinks are reasonable and it's not difficult to get a bartender's attention. Â The bar is cash only but there an ATM in the joint. Â It's definitely worth checking out and it's the kind of place that can definitely grow on you.
Review Source:I'm a long-time fan of Tony's, and especially Sooty, who is an outstanding bartender. Â Tony's is a real bar, with real people, and they serve real drinks. Â It's an easy place to kick back, play some pool, and engage in a little conversation with someone new and different. Â It's also a nice place to go as a chick when you just want to hang and aren't interested in dealing with the "scene."
The place could use a little updating (paint, etc), and the wine selection isn't up to California standards. Â Even so, there are tons of places to drink wine; it's hard to find a place that makes truly excellent cocktails. Â I highly recommend Tony's; it is a fine bar...
Good booze selection and I have been lucky almost every time I go that someone leaves their booth right as we arrive! Â Typical OB bar, probably my third favorite next to Pac Shores and Lucy's. Has an outdoor smoking area where you can bring a drink - always nice for me, at least until I finally quit!
Review Source:This bar is a good alternative to the crowds you will typically run into at the Sunshine Company. Â Generally, Tony's isn't as crowded and is set up for more an intimate gathering. Â There are booths to kick back in, but if it is cut-throat getting one on the busy weekends. Â Additionally, there are two quarters pool tables and one dart board with enough televisions to keep you entertained during those boring conversations. Â Oh, and for you smokers, there is a small smoking area in the back.
Tony's is not an outstanding bar, but if you are looking for a more laid back evening to shoot some pool and grab a drink, its a better choice than fighting those crowds.
"We've got the 2nd oldest liquor license in San Diego," boasted the bartender to our hero. Â For a historic bar that has survived Prohibition (during which it was a deli), Tony's is a monument of OB that has proven its resilience over time.
The bar at Tony's is soaked in history (and quite a few spilled martinis as well). Â Best described as a not-so-upscale martini bar, it's got talkative bartenders, mediocre prices, retro neon signage outside, a spacious layout inside, black and white framed photos of bygone times on the walls, and a tiny smoking patio in the back. Â This bar definitely offers a respite from the rowdier night-time crowd of Newport Ave.
Our hero salutes you for your timeless appeal and classic down-to-earth ambiance, Tony's!
PROS:
- Bartenders here are familiar with a variety of mixed drinks.
- Classic decor and nice black leather rounded booth-style seating.
- A defunct phone booth in the back, which used to have an actual phone in it, but now offers a nice place where patrons can close the door and have a quiet cell phone conversation... or reenact scenes from the movie Phone Booth.
CONS:
- The two pool tables are positioned awkwardly between the main bar and the smoking patio, causing games to be often interrupted by passing nicotine addicts.
This place has a very indifferent feel to it. It is kind of an odd place. It takes up a decent amount of real estate in the heart of OB. The place is pretty chill with several booths, a long bar, a pool table and plenty of TV's to watch whatever sport is on.
This is our local bar for Kickball on Wednesday's, so you'll probably see a bunch of Vavi Kickballers getting their drink on before and after games. I have a feeling the more time I spend here, the more I will come around to it. As for now, it gets three stars, but I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the season it is at least a four star from me.
Lets get  few things straight. Tonys is not a dive bar and it is not a lounge.
This place is not shiny and brand spankin new and crawling with downtown douche bags. It has not been rated a "romantic place to take a date" by Zagat. It is not somewhere you go to see and be seen, unless by see and be seen you mean get drunk.
A dive requires much seedier elements and much cheaper drinks. A lounge requires newer fixtures and a more dignified crowd. Neither would likely have 2 well lit pool tables on an even surface with all of the balls. Both would be as dim as this place, but that is about all.
Now that we have that out of the way I can say that Tonys is one of my two favorite places to enjoy a beverage in OB. The juke box always has a good selection of new and old music, the people are approachable if you feel like chatting it up with a stranger, however they will leave you the hell alone if you just want to sit at the bar and wallow in whatever problems you might be having. They even have an outdoor patio in which to enjoy your beverage and cigarette simotaneously, if that is your thing.
This bar serves a lot of what the fluffy new generation drinkers like to call martinis. These are not martinis. They are sugary mixed drinks that do not deserve the honor of being served in a martini glass but get served up that way anyhow so that all of the wimpy drinkers of the world can feel suave. Minus one star for being a "martini" bar.
If you must bastardize a classic listen carefully to what I am about to say. Stay away from the blue ones. Trust me on this.
All in all this place is pretty cool, I usually come for pre-show drinks before going to Winston's and everything about the place just screams dive bar! The plastic booths, the DARK atmosphere and the interesting regulars who line the bar! This place is fantastic to run into and grab a drink but I don't think I'd spend an evening here!
Review Source:Sometimes you want to go, where nobody knows your name. No one really cares that you came.
Wanna go to a place to be as mellow as possible but still in public...that's Tony's.
I think I got kicked out of there for making out with the loud drunk girl. Yeah, you know her.
Mark (the bull) is a friendly face behind the bar and will pour you some gasoline for cheap!
Dear Grandma,
Please don't consider me a skanky girl because I love dive bars. Â I mean, seriously- consider the options these days for a laid back girl such as myself. Â I don't like meat market clubs. Â Not every night is a dressy occasion kind of dinner-night-out. Â And lastly, I really outgrew the binge drinking college stage that happens nightly in PB. Â No, really, I did. Â NO, REALLY!!!!
Tony's is mellow.
Set in OB, it is a little odd that this dark, sometimes stinky little hole in the wall would exist, but that's part of the charm. Â No,, really, it is. Â They have a great cd jukebox. Â Their drinks are decent and average out to be somewhat strong, especially if the apple of your eye knows the bartenders. Â
It can get crowded late at night but it's great for a happy hour visit after OB's incredible farmer's market. Â You do have to endure the "hippie" kids which can be annoying, but oh well. Â I bet this was a really cool place back in your day. Â Swanky, round booths. Â Guess what? Â It looks the same - not much has changed.
Anyhow, before I go, please tell Grandpa this joke.
Q- how do you hide money from a hippie?
A- put it under the soap!!
Love,
Joan
The only reason I go to this bar is because of its status as the "official" happy hour bar for VAVi in OB. Â It is divey, I only drink beer here ($5/pitcher, the VAVi special), seating limited (small semi-circular booths, extra chairs and tables scattered about), two pool tables, back outdoor patio, jukebox, and TVs to watch your favorite sport or show on. Â The best thing going for this place is its location on Newport just a hop, skip, and jump from the beach. Â Overall decent place to hang with friends for a drink or two, play pool. Â That's it.
Review Source:It's dark, It's damp, dirty and cheap. I'm not a fan of Tony's. I've only been there once, but I was happy to leave when I did. The place has a cheep veneer of a sophisticated watering hole however, the bar is located in OB. 'Nuff said.
The dim lighting does little to hide the stains on the carpet and place's stuffy interior has a faint smell of mildew. If I'm gonna go to a dive bar, I'm gonna go to a dive bar, but Tony's is trying to be something that  it is not.
Although it serves a variety of cocktails that run over $6, Tony's doesn't take debit cards. When I was there I had to bum money from a friend to cover the cost of my Baily's on the rocks. I think my drink came to a total of 8 bucks including a tip and I was in OB!
My experience at Tony's never made going to the Silver Fox look so appealing.
Tony's is the closest thing to a martini bar in Ocean Beach. Â It has just enough OB in it to keep it from turning into a regular martini place. Â It's got stuff going down like people smoking pot in the back and people dragging sand in from the beach.
Not any better or worse then the places up the street or down the street from Tony's. Â Sunshine Company and South Beach have food and are bigger, Pac Shores is smaller and cheaper.
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