I always thought U-31 was a cool venue for music+drinks and such seeing as how they used to have Reggae night on Sundays and Tribe of Kings would play, but now this place has become too cool for me.
The last show I went to at U-31 was to see DJ Pete Rock and they had the inside of the place crammed wayyyyyyyyyy past capacity. How do I know this? Because nobody could move at all and it was near impossible to reach the restrooms or the bar to order another drink without force shoving our way through the crowd. I seriously should have called the Fire Department to ensure the safety of all the people stuffed in here like a can of sardines.
It took about 15 minutes, if not longer, to order a drink, but what I really hate about this place is how many drunk idiots come just to drink here. They don't even have a clue who is performing because they came only to get their drink on. To make things even more classier is that several fist fights took place inside between drunk men which had security scrambling to contain them but they couldn't reach them because of how crowded it was. Don't even get me started with how stupid drunk the females get inside of here because I saw some chick throw up all over the middle of the floor and I know people got some vomit on them LOL.
Another bad memory from my last visit was when I was leaving some stupid drunk hoe threw her drink of vodka and cranberry juice right in my face because she was so drunk and no longer had any coordination to aim at the other stupid dumb whore she was fighting with. The supposed security/bouncers were standing right in front of us and just laughed and didn't have the decency to throw that dumb bitch out.
On another note, Â the place is always crawling with wannabe playas who are constantly trying to buy any female they see a drink while they try and run their pathetic game on your girlfriend/wife/date whatever right in front of you, so don't say I didn't warn you. They really should not serve glass bottles in here because I was so tempted to crack a Heineken over some leva cholo's head after he mentioned he was going to steal my girlfriend away---riiiiiiiiiight.
Came here on a Friday night. Â The place kind of looks like a hole-in-the-wall type of joint, and they charge you $5 for cover. Â Pretty lame if you ask me, but I guess that's how it is all over SD? Â Seems like it. Â The crowd's kind of ghetto. Â My friends encountered these big tall women who looked like giants. Â They seemed not care who's in their personal zone and get in your way on the dance floor. Â I wasn't there, but my friend's cousin had drama with these women. Â There were many people who don't watch where they were dancing. Â I walked through the crowd to get through the restroom and one girl just walked in front of me. Â Another kind of did the same too. Â I just walked by fast. Â They got in my way and I kind of knocked them with my hip pretty hard, but on accident lol
A lot of people seem to pass by and not watch where they're walking, especially the women. Â I had on sandals so I was scared someone would step on my foot with their heels.
The drinks sold here were not that bad. Â I got an AMF for $10.
Back to the floor...we had some weirdos who would not leave us alone. Â Then again, those type of people were everywhere (sadly). Â There was a time where one girl bought a drink and then accidentally dropped her glass cup. Â Then this happened another time. Â I wonder why this place hasn't switched from glass cups to plastic. Â My friend got glass on her hand and foot. Â Ouch! Â She said she's usually a whiner too, but she didn't really say much because she was a tad messed up.
This place played a lot of old school and other type of hip hop and main stream music. Â Overall, the music was good. Â For the most part, my friends and I had a good time.
Parking is kind of okay. Â I guess you're allowed to park in the parking lot that says no parking, tow away, since it's night time. Â A lot of people did that, and I'm sure they live in this area and know how things work. Â Just pay attention to signs and other cars to see if it's okay to work there or ask someone in the area if you really want to make sure.
The ambience changes day by day, some days it's the spot to have a cold brew and shoot some pool, other days you come here and it's time to fsu. I can honestly say that this is my bar, and that the barkeeps are legit (shout out to Bonnie and Sharron), the prices are never too high, and can you say $2 Tuesdays?! THIS IS THE SPOT!!
Review Source:Maria (I think that's her name if not she was a gorgeous Hispanic girl that was very friendly) who was working the front door is a doll!! Â The cover was reasonable which surprised me!! Music was poppin all night and we were served easily at the bar. Â The only CON (minus a star) is that it was hot as the friggin dickens in there!! Thank god I set my makeup with invisible powder otherwise ya girl would've been exposed as it was hot enough for all my MAC to slide right off my face!!!
Review Source:Since we couldn't get in to the North Park Craft Beer Block, we decided to do our own craft beer block. Ok, so maybe I didn't have a beer at U-31, but it's because it was the typical dive bar beer lineup. Corona, something from Stone (everyone has something from Stone, it's effing everywhere), Bud, blah blah blah.
I ordered a Hendrick's and tonic and I think all the bartender heard was Hendrick's. I love Hendrick's, but I wasn't quite ready for just gin. In other words, my drink was very strong.
It was packed and there was a DJ playing a nice mix of music. Some Top 40 mixed with old school and electronic. I loved that the music was loud enough to feel it, but low enough where I didn't have to yell at the bf to talk to him.
I think this is a Niners bar (there are sooo many Niners bars in SD these days) because there was a huge flag on the wall.
I don't know if the crowd is typically douchey, but there was definitely an abundance of douche bags that day. I think I'll go back on a Friday or Saturday night and check it out again. The security guards at the door were pretty nice. There's nothing worse than security dudes with huge egos. Just relax and check my ID, chief.
Quiz night on a Wednesday. That's why i came here and that's why i will be coming back.
Happy hour from 5-8 on a Wednesday. It was $4.50 for a beer and they also had 31 cent wings. The only down side was they only had two flavors for the wings. They were good non the less.
The quiz was awesome, very entertaining. They also had the NBA playoffs on the TV's which was a nice surprise too.
Now to the down side .. Our waitress. She was friendly. With that being said, she was CLUELESS! That's not being harsh either, she was seriously not on this planet. One of our group didn't get charged for anything they had and two were charged for half of what they had. She didn't bring food or drinks in a reasonable time either, i'm surprised she remembered where our table was! I wouldn't come here on a regular night for food and drinks if she is an example of what the service would be like. The cheap food and drinks made up for an embarrassing attempt at service. Check out the quiz though, it's a really good night.
I have been coming to this place for at least 3 years so this is a cumulative review of my many visits. During the day/afternoon it is like any other bar. You have your regulars, sports playing on the tvs and some light music. If you come to this place after 7pm on any given night, its a live dj playing and pretty crowded watering hole.
They serve at U-31 and I have tried quite a bit. It's not bad for bar food but its definitely lacking something. The wings are .31 cents on Wednesday but they are pretty puny. The burgers were pretty good but nothing special.
The drinks are average bar price and made properly. I will come back to u-31 if I'm in the neighborhood but wouldn't go out of my way to eat or dance. Solid place tho
Tried this place out with a free coupon a few months ago and their burger was great. Last weekend I actually paid for the burger, and well worth it! Their food is made to order, you ask for well done you get well done without hassles!
Their drinks are hearty even though the plastic cups are small..that's ok, plenty of rum in mine :)
I've never stayed for the music, but I plan to. U-31 isn't fancy, but it's really comfortable, and for me the food makes it great.
This review based on a monday night which surprisingly was POPPING! There was a nice amount of people and the best part was that majority of them weren't afriad to get down and shake what they mama gave them as well as 2 dance offs! What can you say, gotta love people who love to dance and let loose. The drinks were regular priced and the music had variety. Some EDM, top 40, old school mj and whatever in between.
Review Source:Saturday night --the dj was really annoying  stopping a very long time after each song. There were too much pause in between a  each song it was just beats like where's all the dance music.  Gotta think twice about coming here again..
Pros: my cover was free cause I checked in and use my coupon for free cover! Â The girl didn't know what I was showing her so she just let me in.
I've been here a couple of times, but it was a couple of years ago, and I had more than a couple of drinks.
A couple years older, and I came back as a couple, with a couple of friends, for a couple of Karaoke songs on a Tuesday night.
Their draft beers are only a couple of bucks ($2), there are a couple of free parking spots hanging out if you get there a couple of hours earlier. If you arrive in the area during prime time, you'll need to do some stalking for a parking spot, or pay up at one of the lots.
I did not love it, but I did not hate it either. Â It's a decent place with decent people pouring decent drinks.
I came here for Trivia Night and it was A LOT of fun! Â People came to play and lots of groups really got into the action. Â The emcee kept things lively and fun too. Â If trivia is your thing, then you should totally hit up this place.
I don't recall having to pay a cover, but I think it was pretty early in the evening during the week. Â So long as it is not an event where a cover is required, I will come back.
My husband and I came for taco tues = $2 ALL draft beers + $2 chicken, steak or fish tacos. I had the chicken and he had steak. For $2 I normally wouldn't expect much but these tacos were amazing! They used a corn tortilla (win) plus mine came with extra chipotle hot sauce which I loved because I like my food spicy.
Review Source:This place is still pretty awesome. I didn't know that these guys also host fight nights and it gets pretty packed on the popular fights too. There is a $10 cover charge on fight nights, but if you have the Yelp app...check in and the cover charge is waived.
The bar bites are relatively cheap too with the average prices around $5-6. I believe they added more tv's since my last visit here and even better especially during fight nights.
The owner seemed nice and friendly. I brought in my laptop and asked to use their wi-fi, and they were pretty cool about it. Just ask nicely, and I'm sure they'll give you the password.
And they still have random happy hours throughout the week.
This was my second time going here and I must say, I am glad I was drunk the first time around!
I'm the kind of girl that prefers a chill place were I can just dress casual, look good and be comfortable, and have a great time -- I figured this would be my kind of place. It almost really was not.
The place was packed with a wide range of people. Definitely cool to see so many different people party together but a lot of those different people were a little awkward to see there and creepy in some cases.
The music, you ask? Well...lets just say, they went from playing the "All Gold" rap song to Pretty Ricky from 2007!? Woah. I really have no idea how people were able to dance in such a crowded hot space along with some pretty weird people...
I guess the reason I am even giving this place two stars is because after a few drinks I must admit I did kind of have a good time. Drinking is a must here! Hahaha
So where is U-31?
University aaaaand...31st st. U..OOOOOH I get it U-31 yeah you will NOT have a hard time finding this!
I love taco Tuesdays, not because of the tacos (I'm kind of afraid to try tacos here for some odd fear of major disappointment) but because they got $2 drafts ALL night.
I was like, "Yeah sure we'll have a few drinks." Nope, didn't happen we got SLOSHED for under $20! It's a miracle, a beautiful miracle!
They just launched karaoke and a lot of people were shy about it but the DJ was so damn charismatic that he really got the thing going.
There is a double edged sword: booze specials sometimes means that the girl next to you at the bar will have absolutely no space boundaries when she waves her bra in the air.
Remember "Crazy/Beautiful"? The party scene at the house of the cute lead brown guy? He brings his white girlfriend over and she's wearing flipflops and denim shorts and there's two girls laughing at her and they're like, "Suciaaaaa."
Yeah, I was one of those girls giving the chola up and down head bobble look saying, "Suciaaaaa."
Other than that, pretty chill crowd.
There was a time where I was practically invisible and took me an unreasonable amount of time to get a drink. People would come and go and get their drinks and I was still looking at the bartenders with sad puppy eyes in hopes for eye contact. Yes, I was indeed invisible. Some other sucia spilled her drink all over the bar and it wasn't getting cleaned up, so I informed the bartender and he gave me a rag to clean it up. No sir, I did not spill that drink and I cannot BELIEVE you're asking ME to clean it up, but you know what, I am such a nice girl that I'm just gonna do your job for you and clean it up even though you were going out of your way to ignore me. Please don't do that ever again.
I want to come back for the dancing, I heard it gets pretty good.
I went to U-31 to watch some playoff football and have a cheap drink and burger. The Saturday happy hour is excellent, $3 burgers (not just a plain burger, gourmet burgers) and $3 wells.
The reason that I am giving this place 1 star is based on 3 or 4 bad experiences, the last one being the final straw. I ordered a $3 well drink but for whatever reason the bartender decided to charge me $4. I also ordered a burger. 20 minutes after ordering my burger (it was not busy in the place) I went up to the bartender to ask when it might be up. I saw 5 or 6 burgers come out ahead of me. She said she would go check but never left the bar area. 20 minutes later (now 40min) I went up to her again and asked about my burger. She said she would check on it. She never left the bar area.
I then asked another staff if he could go check on my burger. He came out from the kitchen and said my order was not in the kitchen. He then told the bartender something and she finally left the bar to go see what was going on (45min). She then proceeded to come back out and tell me that the burger patties are frozen and that is why my burger has not come out. I asked her why  everyone else around me, including people that came in after me, were getting their burgers. Her only response was that she would give me my money back.
The next day my bank notified me that my card had been compromised and that they were closing the account and would be sending me another card. The only place I used my card on the day of compromise was U-31. So.... I never actually tasted the "gourmet burgers" and my credit card account got compromised and closed.
Thanks for nothing but a headache U-31
One word to describe this place is "range"
A range of people:
From cholos (one of which did the 'stare down' with my bf for accidentally bumping into him.. guess he forgot this place was filled passed capacity and such things were inevitable) to older men just sitting and sipping beer watching creeperishly (new word) to the chill hipsters just playing pool and the list goes on..
But I like diversity, its amusement. Thus +1/2 star
A range of music:
Saturday night was mostly the top 40 / hip hop but every once in awhile funky, old school? not sure, can't-dance-to, random songs would come on.
But I like to have a reason to sit in-between songs . Thus +1/2 star.
Oh and the cover was cheap. Thus +1 star.
This is hands down one of the shittiest bars in SD. Every time I've been here it's been meh... they always charge a cover for some ghetto DJ, the people are usually shady and there's spilled drinks and broken glass everywhere after 10pm ... the whole place just turns into a total shitshow  and not the fun kind. Moreover, the prices for drinks are above average for what the bar is. And I would never call this place a dive. I love dives. This is just a dirty club.
But my general distaste for this place turned into complete hatred of it this past weekend when we decided to end my boyfriend's birthday bar crawl there, hoping to spend the last hour of the night dancing. When we got to the door at 12:45am there was a $5 cover, even though we were a big birthday group. Fine. We went in, ordered our drinks and started dancing. 45 minutes later at 1:30am they called last call.
Again, no big deal. Our friend went up and ordered two last beers and two whiskey shots to share with the birthday boy. But on his walk back from the bar, at 1:33am with drinks in hand, a bouncer stepped in front of him and told him it was last call and to get out. Confused he explained that the bartender had JUST served him the drinks and that he wasn't going to chug them. So the manager stepped in and said, "Fine we'll refund you for the beers, but not the whiskey because you CAN chug that." While this is going on, another bouncer came over to us and tried to herd the rest of the party out. They emptied out the whole bar by 1:38am, 8 minutes after ANNOUNCING last call. And less than an hour after charging our group cover... for what? 30 minutes of a shitty DJ? I asked to speak to the manager.
The manager was completely unprofessional, a total jerk with a Napoleon complex. I explained why I was annoyed, mostly because they had charged us cover only to shut down 30 minutes before close. If we paid the cover for the last hour and fifteen minutes, we should either be refunded or allowed to relax and drink the drinks that bartenders were still serving. He just went off, screaming that their last call is at 1:30am and that they try to get everyone out at 1:45am, "just like every other bar in San Diego." I said that's never been my experience before and again brought up that that's a fine policy... but then change your closing time to 1:45am and don't charge cover for falsely advertised hours. He snapped and yelled at me that if I didn't like their policies then I shouldn't come back and then stormed off. I started walking out and as I did, he yelled at me from across the bar, like a whiny little frat boy, "Like I don't go to bars! I know that every bar in San Diego does this!"
Needless to say I will never go there again. But if you're looking for to pay a cover for a shitty bar, get yelled by grungy manager who must hate his job, and have your drinks served to you only to be to hassled to chug them moments later, then enjoy!
I've been here 3 times or so and have had a blast every time! Â
One time is was for happy hour with a friend...we ordered drinks, which were perfectly strong and a good price, and food, we ordered irish nachos? (fries, a mound of cheese and bacon, topped with sour cream & scallions), I mean how can you go wrong with that! Â
Another time, friends and I had a girls night out, and it ended up being an event with DiscoverSD which was a lot of fun! Â They had stylists there, so we were able to get our hair did in a 50's style.
Don't have anything bad to say about the place as all of my experiences have been positive. Â
I remember hearing in the news that some chick got her hand stuck in one of the pockets of the pool table...hilarious!
I always have a good time here, except that one time i got kicked out...
I love Thursday Happy Hour, 2 for 1 burgers! They actually have excellent burgers! The turkey burger and the jalapeno Burger are my favorites. The breakfast burger is decent too. The truffle fries are awesome! I don't like the Taco's on Taco Tuesday..the over sized flour tortillas wreck em. Wednesday is 25 cent wing day. They are not bad but not my favorite either.
I like the art here they always have cool stuff in rotation.
All the bartenders are awesome too! Drinks are on point.
A vodka soda is $4-6 depending on HH or not.
As far as late nights I have had nothing but fun it is a place to go if you like to dance..and I do. Funny i don't think I have actually danced here HA
Well maybe I did but i don't remember because i was wasted?
They have pool and I have played it here.
It's a good place to watch the guys who watch sports.
I should totally dock a star because they need ass gaskets in the bathrooms, comeonnow
guys that's gross please get some!!
I'm not really one for reggae music but last Sunday I came here and loved it. Really nice vibe and I didn't expect to have such a  great time so i'm giving them some time with a review. I might be back in the future and it will be for sure on another Sunday night. Just had such a great time here with my friends. It's not one of those places where fights would break out because everyone is just out to have a good time.
Review Source:Meh.
U-31 is okay. Â It can be fun, but it can also be just the beginning of a fun night elsewhere. Â
Drinks aren't bad, and I've had good luck getting pretty strong drinks too... but unless the music is good friends and I usually leave to the next place.
Usually the entrance line is pretty long on Thursdays/ weekends and I would say that more often than not its not worth the wait.
Right off the plane and ready for AWESOME FEST 666, me and the crew of home-chicks went to U-31 to watch a couple shows. Let's not waste any time....
We got great seats at the bar. Service was really good. The show was great and the place was packed. This is a nice venue for a show.
I think I enjoyed myself a little too much with my chair moshing and all the kissy face pictures I took with my friends I found on my phone later. Also, I believe there was a burger with jalapenos involved and mustard on my dress.
None the less, I had an amazing time. But my favorite part about U-31 is the awesome art that adorns it's walls. SO SICK!
I've been here before for their bar nights, but this review is mainly for the food (went during the day). Found a deal online and decided to check out their burgers. Sat at the bar and ordered truffle fries and spicy buffalo chicken wings and my boyfriend ordered the all american classic burger.
Truffle fries were crisp and delicious and the buffalo wings were just okay for me, they were a bit more saucy than I like my wings but I was glad that it came with bleu cheese, celery and carrot sticks since some places charge extra. Bleu cheese + buffalo sauce = BOMB.COM such a great combo! The boyfriend said his burger was just okay and small for what you pay for.
Our server (the bartender) was super nice and refilled our drinks often. They also have daily specials at U31 every day including sundays! We also ordered the special they had on chicken sandwiches to go ($4 chicken sandwich). We thought they were just going to be plain chicken sandwiches but you actually get to choose from the fancy chicken sandwiches they had on their menu. cool beans. Food was pretty decent coming from a bar though!
I came here on a Monday night for my friends birthday.
$1 well drinks. The music was awesome. I did pay cover, it was only $3.
The atmosphere was part dive bar/club.
It felt like a Friday night in there.
I didn't drink that night either (DD purposes) if that accounts for anything.
I had fun just dancing and meeting good people.
Pretty effing awesome way to spend a Monday.
Great place to come to with a group of friends who know how to have fun. The place gets packed around 11 pm, so forget about getting a table if you get here late. The DJs do a pretty good job and the dance floor gets decently crowded. Lots of hipsters and young people looking to get laid. Just like any other place, though, you gotta know how to have fun to have fun. The drinks are ok, but there's a 20 dollar limit on credit cards, so bring cash.
Oh and there's a taco place right outside open until 4 am, so don't forget to stop by.
Stupid me thought that this was URBN..............I walked around the corner and took a quick look and saw the big "U". ...................and made an assumption (incorrectly).
I am glad that I made the "mistake" as I got to enjoy a Calico draft for 2 bucks. Happy Hour? (it made me happy). BTW...Calico a malty good beer.
Spare interior........but lots of stuff to look at.
Note the Our Lady of Guadalupe wall painting (with the skeleton face instead of Mary).
Photo booth
2 pool tables
Cool lamps that cast some great "light shadows".
Great music. In the time I was there:
Elvis Costello with "Complicated Shadows" and John Mayer followed with "Shadow Days". 2 "shadow songs" in a row?? Coincidence??
All the while watching the Bulls (I live in Chicagoland) get their #ss kicked by the 76'ers.
BTW...a YELP check in brings you a free fish taco!
Weak Drinks and Rude Staff. I recommend you pass.
In case you wish for me to elaborate, i had an experience this pass weekend where a bouncer literarily knocked a drink out of my hand. I'm guessing/hoping it was not intentional, but he just looked up at me, and walked away. Didn't say another word. Another patron ended up picking up the glass to clean it up.
I came to U-31 on a typical Saturday night with a couple of friends looking for a good time in North Park. This was my first time here so I wasn't really aware of what it would be like. Pay your $5 cover, get your ID checked, and you're in. We made our way inside around 10 and it was fairly packed. 11-11:30 is when it starts to get pretty crowded.
The best thing about U-31 is the bartending staff. Every bartender I dealt with here served with a smile on their face and never skimped on the alcohol. This was right in the middle of Yelp Drinks month, so I took advantage of the promotion and got everything they had to offer. Tootsie Rolls and Grape Presses were $3-$3.50, which explains why they tasted like cheap alcohol. Nonetheless, the girl behind the counter explained to me what these unheard of drinks consisted of without hesitation. Props to them for not being douchebags.
The thing that made us leave fairly quickly was the crowd. I expected a pretty happening scene in North Park full of college students, 20-something young professionals, and the occasional hipster. What we found ourselves surrounded by was ghetto hoot rats (for lack of a better term) and desperate bros trying to get with them. Definitely a big change from the semi-classy scene of Gaslamp that I'm so used to. The DJ helped us leave faster by playing some really random stuff from the 80s and lacking basic mixing abilities.
Maybe I'm being too judgmental from one experience, but the opinion was fairly similar throughout our group that this place was just too trashy that night.
Not really sure what to think of this place.The atmosphere at 9pm on a Friday night was mediocre. The DJ that was spinning played music that didn't match the venue at all. But the pool tables were fun?
We ordered a vegetarian burger and a regular one, buffalo wings, and a quesadilla. When the food came out, we asked which one was the vegetarian burger, and the waiter said, "I don't know...they just told me to bring the food out here." VERBATIM. What, really?? -___-
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