Whistle Stop
SD: South Park
10pm Monday 17th June 2013
Three Stars
Trivia Night! We didn't show until round 4 out of 6, so we didn't really compete. Â Despite this, we had some fun. Â The drinks were fine. Â There's a semi-inside smoking area where you can bring your drink. Â The Trivia Night host was entertaining and nice. Â Nothing spectacular but a decent place to enjoy a drink.
Booty waaaaa?? Wtf is this place?...honestly I should've known better by the name "booty bassment" so the joke is on me. Definitely could not pay enough to go back into this place.
Dont get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of trashy people and strange characters. They're a staple at pretty much every bar.
But this place was straight up nasty ghetto ass rude people knocking into me, spilling my drink, spilling theirs. Probably because its stupidly dark in the place. No AC. And stinks of someone smoking some shitty weed. Not even good weed. Again wtf..
This place vibes like a house party in the hood gone wrong, mixed with drunk frat dudes in Indian headdress. I'm not joking.
If you're into this kind of wiggity whack then this is your place.
Pretty eclectic crowd, both two and four legged ones.
No food but $4 drinks can make you happy real fast.
Got crazy fast in 15 minutes. Pretty ghetto music follows.
My cue to scoot.
Line to get in was way beyond the liquor store.
Brown bagging while waiting. At least everyone was happy!
Um yeah, I am out of here!
Five years later, an updated review most definitely needs to take place. A cash only bar is cute, but very 1999. That is one reason not to come here. On a weekend, it is somehow crowded, for unknown reasons - another reason for me not to come here.
But, during the week it is a good place for a drink, I admit. And I like that they allow dogs in the bar. Game night on Tuesday nights *is* pretty great. And their jukebox is a standout part of this bar. They have live music too, and it can be surprisingly great. But often it is uninspiring.
But the cash only part is a big downer, and simply because of that, there are almost hundreds of bars in a five mile radius that are more convenient to go to.
My long sordid history with Whistle Stop Bar can be summed with a few words. I'm not the same as I used to be. In years past, both underaged and of aged I came here often times pregaming with a drink or two from next door.
All days of the week I would come. For trivia, booty basement, sleepwalking, friends chill this place has tons of events on the weekly. These are pretty scheduled as in first or last Saturday or first or last Thursday, or weekly sort of thing.
I've seen this place dead with 12 people before trivia took off and to the gills with a 20 person line out the door all night, so hit or miss might be accurate, but it's cracking more than not and always during the later part of the week and weekends. Trivia night can be fun when there are a lot of people who are drinking, but when it's a bunch of 1-2 beer sober college kids it's a drag. Booty basement is a fun atmosphere. I don't want to describe it too much, you'll have to check itout on your own. Sleepwalking is really cool.
They could use more space, more bathrooms, more bar, more bartenders. More space because it gets packed and that little side waiting area is a total waste (probably an ex shuffleboard area). Turn that into extra bar footage and get a 4th bartender on Saturdays. I mean their staff is good, but the people that come here are thirsty, they want libations, not just a crazy selection of beer like Hamilton's. They could use more guest DJ's. I wish they had a way to remove the tables on both side of the partition because they just get in the way. They need Bacardi Limon. They are cash only, but have cheap drinks.
This is a super chill bar. It used to be divey and dicey, but then South Park got nice and they got popular, but they couldn't really keep growth with demand. It's always a good time and have daily $1 off pints and cocktails during early hours. Smaller bar's for intimate gatherings I might also suggest Tower Bar and Livewire.
This is an awesome bar for people who want the feel of a dive bar without the requisite actual seediness. They play a fair range of music, and the people inside in my experience have been pretty friendly. Lots of hipsters and basement dwellers, but that can be fun--I love going up to shy guys and encouraging them to dance with me!
Review Source:Cash only bar! Although there is an ATM inside.
I love this bar. Cheap, strong drinks. Â Super fun! Semi-divey but when Booty Bassment rolls around, it gets packed. Â MIHO truck comes by every Friday I think? This place is dope. Â
TIP: Ladies, stop wearing heels and booty dresses here. Â Booty Bassment gets nasty sweaty and you don't want to take your heels off because the floor gets gross. Plus, twerk don't werk when you're constantly trying to pull your dress down to a level where you don't show the cookies.
Came here last Saturday night for a second time, after months of boycotting it (see previous review about the women-hater DJ!) I actually loved it this time. The music was better, the overall vibe was better and the same DJ was there but I think he took his meds so there were no completely uncalled for "fuck you"'s thrown around which was refreshing. It was also much busier, they were literally at complete capacity the other night, it was crazy! My friend and I waited in line for 45 minutes but it ended up being worth it. My only suggestion is PLEASE start accepting debit/credit card for the bar.
PS: Be prepared to be touched by other people when you come here. Last night, I had various women's coifs come flying into my mouth, butts rammed into me from over-enthusastic grinders, couples plunging into my back and drinks accidentally toppling over all because you are literally neck and neck with other people - that is how small the place in relation to how many human beings occupy it. Be careful of the girls who flailing their arms in crazy ass ways, too - I almost had an arm fly into my face, wtf. Don't come here expecting this not to happen or you will be weirded out the entire night: just go with it. It's a completely difference experience. Also, dress casual and wear loose clothing - this is a dive bar that gets extremely hot and sweaty. Save the sparkly, tight stuff for DT.
Whistlestop is a guaranteed good time! Â I have been here on a Friday night as well as on a Saturday night and both times had a fabulous time. Â The drinks are cheap and stiff..just how I like it..haha! Â A small group of my girlfriends and I went last weekend and it was 80s and 90s night...what a splendid idea!!! Â Everyone was dancing and rockin out on the dancefloor. Â The only negative is that the women's bathroom only has 2 stalls, so the line can be a drag. Â We will meet again, Whistlestop, oh yea we will!
Review Source:Whistle Stop rules. It's a little dive bar with no cover, good beer, and live music. Not shitty bands, but good bands with talented singers. Lots of people are upbeat and dance the night away. It has a good crowd, and a good feel. Only con: cash only, and when it's packed it's super hard to move around.
Review Source:I rarely venture down to South Park, but Whistle Stop was worth the trip. It's a smallish place with a bar area and a dance floor. The crowd is a bit older and very eclectic, a good mix of people there. Depending on the night, you'll see greasers, cholos, white guys who can't dance, etc. Lots of dancing and hanging out in a laid back environment. The bar is cash only, but the prices are decent and the staff was friendly. They have a lot of different music events, so there's something for everyone: soul, funk, British punk, and my favorite, booty basement. There were definitely some strange characters who tried to dance with me and my friends, but all in all I really enjoyed the place and will definitely be back.
Review Source:I'm not ashamed to say I've been frequenting this spot (my spot!) since good ol' 2007.
This place never lets me down.
You'll always have a good time here.
Drinks are stiff.
Jukebox is legit.
Trivia night is trivial....nah but it is FUN!
Everybody dance now
Booty bassment will make you sweat til you bleed.
Is that dope enough?!...INDEED
What's to say about a small old school style bar? That pretty much just says it all right there. This place is just ok for me, don't get me wrong it's not bad at all. The mix of people is good to see, from the preps to the rock-a-billy peeps. Their beers so far from the times i have been there have been different and all been good tasting. Last time i was there i do believe i sampled all on tap minus the IPA. only real draw back to this place is the "cash only & no food" However, they let you bring in your own food from other places in the area.
My only tip is be sure to bring cash and a place in this day and age should really step up and accept debit/credit cards. Just sayin, it 2013 not 1904.
I love everything about this place. Â Let me put out one caveat though, I only go during the day on weekends. Â I have no idea what it's like when it gets crazy during their different theme nights.
On a lovely Sunday afternoon though, you can't beat a delicious bloody mary while you belly up to the bar. Â It's gritty, dark, and pretty divey. Â Perfect in my book.
I feel like I need to update my review, because recently the Whistle Stop has become one of my go-to spots. Whether a band is playing, the DJs are throwing down 80s vs 90s tracks, or it's just a random Wednesday night, I always have a blast here. There's usually a pretty diverse crowd, which makes for great people-watching. Drinks are cheap (and strong!), PLUS they have champagne in a can. And that makes me a very happy girl :).
Review Source:I have been here plenty of times over the years but really have no idea why I don't come here more.
Let's figure this out with a short list of love and don't love (hate would not apply to W.S.)
Why I love Whistle Stop:
Great beer
Friendly staff
Friendly crowd
Good music on the juke
Booty Basement
Trivia night
Affordable prices
Pretty gals
Old and young mix well together here
Live music
Why I don't love Whistle Stop:
Cash only (wah-wah)
It can get tight in here
Not much seating
Smoking area kinda bleeds inside
No food
I guess the "loves" win this one so let's sum it up with this... Whistle Stop is a pretty damn good spot.
Sweet little dive bar in South Park- I can't believe I've lived in SD for more than 3 years and not been here. Â I came here last night for a friend's birthday/performance- they were having a So Say We All performance, where people got up and shared stories they had written. Â I haven't been to something like this in a long, long time... I used to enjoy these kinds of events a lot, but had no idea San Diego had such a venue or grouping of cool, budding artists and writers. Â The drinks were good and reasonably priced, the staff was nice, the atmosphere totally mellow and comfortable, and the bathrooms were surprisingly clean! Â Hooray for bars that have good hygiene! Â :) Â I had a great time and would totally come back for more nights/events like this, just to hang with friends, or to check out booty basement. Â :)
Review Source:What to do on one of the most boring nights imaginable to have the night off for?
Uh...Whistle stop I guess.
I picked up my friend in University and asked which bar should we go to that is near by. 'Bar Pink' was uttered...that will never happen again..After a mini rant about U-31 and True North it was decided we would go more south. Southpark that is. Which never ceases to make me flash to Cartman in my head each time it is said. I have been in San Diego all my life and have not actually been to this place. Then again, not a big drinker. We arrived at 7:30pm like true lushes do and exactly 3 (count them)..3 people were in the bar. It was the first time in my life that my voice could be heard..and it felt too loud..in a BAR. Granted it was early. Much to my shagrin the place is cash only (woops) but the ATM in the corner will gladly bend you over and give you what you need. Drinks are pretty cheap. $5.00 for some mixed drinks. The guy even told me if my drink didn't taste the way I liked it, to let him know which to me is always a good sign of a good bar, dive or not.
Bonus features, bathroom within close proximity, a jukebox (too bad it was playing shiteous music) and a sort of hallway patio area for zee smokers in your life
Apparently they do other fun stuff here that I am not aware of. They claimed 'Evil Dead' was going to play, but instead of was subjected to some beer documentary. Apparently it enthralled the boys in the bar, which had actually multiplied a good deal since we first arrived
This may be a much busier place on an actual going out evening, but for me it wasn't bad. Cheap drinks (Though the second server overcharged by a $1.00) chill atmosphere. Pretty decent place to hang out
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet weeeeeeeeeeeeeeer
weeeeee woooooo!
fweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
fellas, fellas - CALM DOWN!
Plenty to go around, plenty to go around
(waist circumference.................... :/)
hey lotsa guys are into that.
thank god.
we all need love.
what were we talkin bout here?
Oh yeah da bar. Â DaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaÂaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa bar.
Da bearz.
DaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaÂaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
bullz.
Da bearz.
/slaps face
ok I'm back!
The Digs: Â You know, the color scheme was kinda all over the place but I don't think they were tryin to get featured on HGTV or anything. Â Or ARE they. *fiiixerrrrrupper
The Bartender: I'm gonna give him an 8.0 on the richter scale cuz that fool was a mover and a shaker. Â Easy on the eyes and oh so sweet.
The Drinks: Â 3 rounds of jamo and ginger and I was tapdancin and doin the charleston and I was beyond gone. Â Well done whistle stop, well done!
Should I ever be in town again, I'd come back and maybe have a beer for a change. Â Or not. Â Why change a good thing.
DaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaÂaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa beer
Had no idea how great the DJ is during Booty Bassment. The music was definitely not the usual top 40. They were playing old school hip hop music, you know the times when hip hop was actually good.
Make sure to bring cash as this place is cash only. They do have an ATM machine so I guess pay the fee if you forget those dollar bills.
Great place for people to just let loose and have fun!
2nd and 4th Saturday of every month: BOOOTY BASEMENT!! Old school hip hop and dance allll night long! Music is so on point, you almost don't care about the sweat dripping from every inch of your body.
I SAID ALMOST! okay, I love the music. Love love it! But I honestly don't think I've ever been to a bar or club where I'm showering in sweat. Gross right? No really, I'm telling you I was gross. I finally got the "Basement" term of their Booty Basement nights. Now the "Booty" part? Haha, when you get there it's pretty self explanatory. The music they play makes your booty dance even if you yourself aren't dancing.
Had a great time, though there is a need to fix the air circulation in the place. Â CASH BAR, so bring it!
Good times at the Whistle. Â Though it definitely raises the bar of "hipsterdom" in South Park, the Whistle Stop is a fun place to hang out with friends and listen to good music. Â (Stone Roses on the jukebox? Â Oh hells yea.) Â Plenty of room to check out a band or (dare I say) dance. Â And it has a pool table. Â Also, the best smoking patio..! Â I could go on and on.
Just watch out for the nearby street corner -- awkward things tend to go down there. Â Just sayin.
"Make out Weird."  Not exactly the best greeting sign when visiting with a lady friend.  It's critical to check out what's going on at Whistle Stop before dropping by.  I didn't and came expecting a night of pool, massive connect four and beer.  Instead  I got underground music and modern art.  Â
As for the crowd, Â this isn't PB or North Park, this place is for the older peeps. Â Don't come with clubbing attire business, come well clothed. Â The tap selection is decent for a bar of its size, leaning heavier on the pale ales and IPAs. Luckily they have Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse.
I need to reevaluate Whistle Stop on a game night or gain 10 or 15 years before i come back.
CASH ONLY! Â But they have an ATM inside if you forget...
Ordered some food at a nearby food truck and was given some tickets to Whistle Stop for discounted drinks. Â We went inside, ate our food and ordered some drinks. Â Talk about cheap! Â I'm not one to carry cash with me especially when I plan on drinking. Â But with how cheap drinks are here and how cool the bartenders were, I didn't mind one bit! Â To be honest, I don't even remember how much each drink was since we were ordering in bunches and every round was under $20 bucks when they can easily say $40 and I would think its fine........ITS THAT CHEAP HERE!
Crowd is diverse and can get pretty busy. Â
My group of friends talked about hipsters and how this bar is considered a hipster bar.....................I still don't know what that means.
Just when I though Movember hung up it's stockings, and Decembeard was just dust in the wind, I hit up Whistle Stop in January and found out where all the cool 'stache's are hiding out!
Super hipster hip-to-dip, which was awesome, cause sometimes I like to wear stripes and pretend I fit in with all the anchor-tatted, skinny-jeaned coolios. It was a random Monday evening, so the place wasn't super packed, but it still totally had, like, a super chill vibe, dudes.
Within walking distance from my Dad's house, this little joint is one of those places that needs to be in regular rotation of one's bar-o-dex. I hear they have themed nights that are off the chain (booty bassment? yes please) so I'll have to come back and try one of those other nights out - but for a random week night it was pretty legit.
Cash only is usually a pain, but my dad came and met us with a ton of it - so drinks were on him! I'm holding one star hostage until I come back for a "real" weekend experience!
Two words: BOOTY BASEMENT
I'm from SF, so I'm use to snobby, heel wearing, pack your face on with make-up and wait in line for guestlist type of lounges/clubs. I don't do dive bars. So when I moved to San Diego, my coworkers took me to Whistle Stop I was weary and a little petrified at the fact that there were "old" people at this place and the floor was sticky but I was proven wrong.
The fact that they played what I considered OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP made me fall in love with this place. How can you not love a place that plays Coolio's ganster's paradise or old school snoop dog! Â This is a place where you get down while chugging the enormously huge but cheap drinks and create memories with your friends. This place has been one of my favorite memories in San Diego. I can't wait to go back for BOOTY BASEMENT!
CASH ONLY friends. cash only.
The only reason why I come here is for the awesome trivia on select Monday evenings. The hosts are awesome and even though I never know most of the answers, it's still pretty fun :)
As for the bar itself, it's a dive, so it's nothing fancy. It kinda smells like a combo of ciggies/pee and the bathrooms are tiny and old school/kinda grungy. The drinks are OK priced and they pour strong, so that's pretty awesome. The bartenders here are pretty cool too, they never give me crap about ordering water.
Otherwise, the only other thing to note is that they are CASH ONLY. I always freaking forget this and I want to make sure that you readers come prepared! :)
Total hipster spot, which isn't at all a bad thing. It is just that I don't fit that hipster lifestyle.
Still, this is a cool little bar. Not crowded, which made it easier to order drinks (I stuck with old faithful, Corona). Bartenders were okay and I like the vibe of the crowd. Coronas were only $4.00 which is cheap compared to other bars.
I will have to come back for their trivia night on Mondays. It sounds interesting.
CASH ONLY
I was here for Booty Bassment a while ago so my review is mainly towards that. And in my opinion, any place that continues to be talked about for a while after it happened deserves 5 stars!
$5 cover, but whatever, it's worth it.
If you're looking to dance with a bunch of drunk, sweaty, crazy people, then this is where you need to be! Mistake: my friends and I got all done up and did our hair. Pointless. If you plan on dancing, you will leave this place a wreck! Also, be careful with the shoes you wear, too! Heels are pointless and sandals are a bad idea (you're going to get stepped on, hun!). The music was fun, a nice mixture of old and new hip hop to satisfy everyone's auditory needs. The place was super crowded with people on top of each other, sweating bullets. (to give you an idea: my jeans were soaked with not only my sweat, but other people's sweat from top to bottom- and they were still damp the next day! Gross, right!? Wear shorts to this joint!)
The bar area itself is small and the bartenders did a really good job of trying to accommodate the herd of drunkies trying to get their drink on, but it still took a while to get the drink (understandable though, there are seriously so many people for such a small bar!)
Bottom line: if you enjoy dancing with a tight crowd of sweaty strangers, you will love Booty Bassment at the Whistle Stop!
Now to visit the Whistle Stop on a different night!
I may be a bit biased considering the Whistle Stop was my first "bar" stop during last nights twenty-first birthday of mine!
I wasn't sure what to expect upon coming in and had always heard great things for years from my brother Andrew C and his company of friends. Their love of this bar did not let me down!
Whistle Stop was extremely dark and packed considering it was 80's/90's night and there were many folks out to celebrate it being Saturday! The bar tenders are all very kind and take notice to you right away in the midst of a crowd. Their whiskey cokes here are A+! I love all of the space inside, plenty of room to fit everyone who wants to hang out by the bar, dance your booty off, or hang out in the smoker patio area. The people here last night were very cool to hang out with and did not run into any losers.
I even got a birthday shout out from the DJ! Woo!
A sad and unfortunate twist of fate: the bar staff cleaned up my friend's broken glass on the dance floor which I didn't know happened until I felt something crunch under my shoe, felt a little woozy after another drink, and went outside for air. That's when I pulled my foot out of my shoe to see it covered in blood like a mafia crime scene murdered Frankenstein. I didn't realize I was bleeding so much until others alerted me that I was in bad shape. A big black guy, didn't catch his name, ran to the bar to get the first aid kit from Justin, (another wonderful help knowing he is an EMT) and I got all patched up with the help of staff and my friends! Luckily it wasn't as bad as it initially looked but I feel relieved that if bad luck happens to me again I know I'll be taken care of!
Back when the party started again I did some more dancing and drinking with friends and new ones and enjoyed myself in spite of my wounded foot. When the lights came on I was very sad because I was ready to keep going!! One of my guy friends noted that the girls all gained 100 pounds with the lights on, yikes!
The security people outside were very nice about shooing our drunken loud selves back to our cars to keep mindful of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Whistle Stop, you will forever be a stop on my new alcohol adventures. I hope to see you again very soon!
I recently came hear for their trivia night and besides all the answers to useless knowledge I learned quite a few other things.
-Some people are very intense about their trivia. :-0
-This place is cash only.
- 2 pints here on a Monday night is 11 dollars not including a tip
-They have cool local art throughout the joint
- They are either dog friendly or there is a Golden Retriever running around San Diego with a killer fake ID.
- Random drunk chicks added to your team can dismantle it.
-I blow goat testicles at trivia.
- Some hipsters can be jackasses and ruin the fun for everyone else by shouting out answers.
-There is not one whistle in this joint.
-Some hipsters can be jackasses and blow smoke directly in your eyes when your chatting with a friend on the patio while they have a smoke ;-(
Overall not the best experience, but I have a feeling it deserves another shot. Props to the trivia host, you did a great job!
After finding out I landed in Yelp Jail *again*- I decided to make my break and headed out to meet up with some Yelper friends.
HWMNBN* wanted to go to the Ritual, but I wanted to go to Whistle Stop, so of course I'm going to win :D
We headed over to Whistle Stop (it was my first time there, btw) and joined in their Trivia Night. That sh*t is fun- I totally got the Harry Potter ?? right and some of the literary ones (I'm a book nerd). I ALMOST got the Justin Timberlake song, but I couldn't remember the title, dangit.
Thanks Kipper for the shout out- that was so sweet :)
Check this place out- "If you don't know, now you know" *wink*
-------------------------
*we're not bf/gf, so stop spreading rumors betches :P
To meet friends, I ventured south out of my comfy North County confines into the city. Â I considered a yelp thread of my doings, but FTW. Â I don't have time. Â Yelp doesn't need to know.
Good times, Good pours and hella crowded with the right mix of peeps on this busy Saturday night. Â I walked in at 1030p expecting to find my friends. Â It's not a big place, but I circled the dark joint a few times before finding them in a dark corner amidst the radio friendly hip hop versions of Diddy and Kanye that filled the air at that time. Â I met them and other friends that I didn't know that knew so-and-so. Â Times like this make me feel like such a 6-degree whore. Â Hey new friend, buy me a drink.
We stood in the 3 deep line for drinks. Â Some very tall gal unknowingly rested her boob on my shoulder. Â At the bar, I leaned into her boob - handling it like a phone on my shoulder - when I made my order. Â I bought my new friend a drink.
Some hipster, some not, some normal, some abnormal. Â I saw a few with blazin' red eyes. Â Let me FTW guess what you were doing earlier bong man?
As it was crowded, it was hella hot. Â Prime conditions for some unwanted skin fouls and frottage action. Â It could be scary. Â I saw a few unhappy faces, but these are the times that make Saturday worthwhile.
Later that night, some galpals were leaving. Â Giving hugs, I leaned in to give her friendly kiss on the cheek, but she turned her head and I caught her bottom lip. Â I finished the kiss anyway. Â Yeah, it was awkward. Â Good times! I wasn't rejected.
Damn you Whistle Stop. Â You are exactly what I miss by living in North County.
I despise hipsters but tend to like hipstery things. Many of my friends have pointed out that hating hipsters is the hallmark of a true hipster. But I'm not, I swear.
I still love the Whistle Stop. I read my highschool diary at Debaser in front of the most supportive, empathetic crowd ever. Don't be scared to read yours! Just ignore the people who are reading their diaries to show off how Holden Caulfield cool they were/are and applaud extra hard for those who nakedly reveal the depth of their awkwardness.
On game night, my roommate murdered me in Boggle, and the idea of playing a knock-down, drag-out game of Boggle at a bar is so great, I couldn't even be mad. Um, for long.
I've had several nights of sweaty delirium at Booty Bassment, a great experience for anyone who likes to dance. Seriously, go.
They also always update their website with their events -- really nice and very unusual for clubs and bars. The Whistle Stoppers really live up to their advice posted above the bar -- "Be a Good Person" :3
Guess what haters-- all of the hipsters decided the Whistle Stop is hella three-years-ago and have decided to infiltrate your crappy little dive you hold so dear to your precious little heart. Haha, joke's on you, SUCKA!
Anyways, I really like the Whistle Stop. I like that it's not centered around getting plastered. They have game nights, movie nights, dance parties, bands (this is one of my favorite places to see live music), Debaser (brave folks read their high school diaries out loud), a pool table, and a sweet little jukebox. Drinks prices are comparable with other bars of its caliber. They have a happy hour seven days a week, starting at 2 pm on the weekends. Prices aren't that special, though-- $1 off drinks, meh.
Finally, the "hipster haven" is a myth, if you ask me. I have older friends, trendy friends, ghetto thug friends who all like this bar. If you're looking to avoid crappy haircuts and flower tat sleeves, you should probably avoid zip codes 92101-92107 and 92116 altogether.