I have been to "The Plank" 3 times spread across 2 months. A Sunday afternoon, Friday night, and most recently St Patty's Saturday night. All three times I have had the most 'simple' bartender. He never acknowledge me or the other people I came in with. Sitting at the bar waving and smiling at him doesn't give him the motivation to ask "what can I get you". I doubt flashing cash or lady mounds would do the trick either. Placing an order with him is painful. After repeating multiple times the order - Jack & Coke or whatever beer is on draft, he brings it back acting as if it was a huge inconvenience. He doesn't smile, he's not friendly. He flat out sucks and has no business being around customers. If it wasn't for Eric or Tom I would never go back. Seriously, the proximity to the beach and few decent bartenders they have are just about there only redeeming qualities.
Review Source:Ive been going to this bar since I was in the Navy back in 1994-1998. Its the coolest little dive bar ever! So many memories there. The bartenders can be a little annoying, but they serve you and they don;t let you wait too long to get alcohol. This place has changed some over the years. Its a much cleaner bar now than it used to be. Its a fun place to go for drinks and the crowd is always cool, fun and friendly!
Review Source:The ok part:
Decent selection of beer, nothing amazing, but some of the usuals plus the Stone Pale Ale, so that's a plus. Full bar and the bartenders know how to make a drink.
The bad part:
As some of the other reviewers wrote it's mildly UN-welcoming. The bouncers grab your ID and treat you like your under 21 and trying to scam the place until your ID is scanned in. The bartenders aren't friendly, but I dont' think that's the same as being rude. I didn't really take any offense to their mostly indifferent demeanor.
The good part:
The prices are cheap, there's pool if you want to play, and best of all there's a large outdoor deck that doesn't overlook, but is very near to the beach. Also if you're not into loud, packed places it doesn't get that way.
Summary:
Stroll in off the beach, order a couple of nicely priced drinks, and relax on the patio, you'll have a good time. Don't take it personally if the bartenders aren't "bubbly" and enjoy the place for what it is.
Hello. I went to Ye Olde Plank recently (haven't gone in ages), but I have to say it's a real laid back, cool place to have a drink and hang out at. I was definitely enjoying the Country tunes. Reasonable prices for its location (cash only), had a pitcher of Shock Top and it cost about $13-something, friendly staff and probably the best bar in Imperial Beach. As you can see, I had a good experience, and I will be coming back very soon!
Review Source:This bar has so much potential!! Yet The ppl who work nights at the plank are rude and make you feel very unwelcome. The Plank is rt by my house so we go often and every time we leave we always comment  how much we do not like the Plank. We have committed to trying other bars in our area and we are giving the plank a rest! The men working at the plank are ridiculous and are bad for business :(
Review Source:I went bar hopping in imperial beach...I wanted to see if I was missing out here in South bay, sadly, I wasn't. Drink prices were ok. I was expecting friendly bartenders  like it said here in the reviews, but the guy looked liked he didn't want to help me. It was dead on a Saturday night, and the Music Juke box there was NOT loud enough to actually enjoy the music.
Review Source:Our first time here, we loved it." Let's just  have one beer"..... it turned to closing the place down every night of the week during our  vacation. After the first visit they know what we drank. Amazing. Eric you kick ass, my friend .They make you feel welcomed that's for sure. Thanks Guys !!
Review Source:The physical structure of this bar is really cool. Half of the bar is an outside smoking area, I like that. It is full of fubar-DRUNK sleazy locals at all times. I don't know how they find bartenders, these are some of the most abrasive, rude people in the world. They look like Toby Keith and greasers, with the attitude of johnny rotten. It's hard to get a drink and impossible to get one without a condescending remark. I like to just sit at the bar and watch the shocked look on peoples face's as the bartenders insult them.
Review Source:I turned 21 recently, & live a couple minutes from this place. My sister always jokes that I should go here. So, last night my mother & I gave it a try. Mind you, I've lived in the same house for 21 years & my mom well over 30 years.
We walked in, and the security guard checking my ID was a regular street dressed young guy trying to act intimidating.
Walked in & after debating the patio, took a seat at the bar. I set my water bottle down & bartender quickly called out to the security & pointed at my water bottle. Security then snatched it quickly & set it outside. They could've been courteous enough to tell me that I couldn't bring the bottle inside. Especially after security had seen it as I was walking in.
The bartenders are rude. I think it's purposely. & they seem cocky because they have "muscles." Ordered a malibu w/ pineapple juice. It was made well. My mom asked for a Samuel Adams, they don't have it. Asked for a Guinnes, don't have that either. She ended up with something that I think was O'Henrys. Â Total was $11.50
The people & the place was sleazy. Maybe because it was a Sunday. Cash only. Didn't want to order anymore than our 1 drink each because we couldn't stand another minute here. First & last time.
So I'm not much for going to neighborhoods that I know aren't the greatest but my friend raved about this bar so I said, ok why not? let's go!
Well to my surprise, they remodeled Imperial Beach and it looks pretty decent and this bar wasn't too shabby either. The atmosphere is laid back and everyone is really friendly. The majority of the people we met were military and drunk but fun! There was even a guy who came in and had a parrot on his shoulder and another who rocked a flame baseball cap.
The bartenders are cuties and warm up to you once the conversation gets going. They had $2 Budlight pints and $5 Budlight pitchers but I opted for a Guinness. It was pretty empty (because it was Tuesday) but I'm willing to check out this place during the weekend!
Second stop at our lovely bar crawl. I had a bit of trouble checking in here.......Thanks Mike!! But after all the confusion I headed up to the bar where a gentleman quickly served me my drink of choice. Â While at the bar a couple was laughing at my check in ordeal. Â
This bar was a bit more packed so we headed out to the patio. Â Pretty large all our group was together. Â I wasn't cold but I was pretty tipsy, I'd take a sweater in case. Â
We were graced my the appearance of the cuervo girls who offered free shots and you get to keep the shot glasses. Â Of course Mari had to tell everyone in the world about this. Â I'm so silly when I'm tipsy but it doesn't happen often. Â After a few drinks and meeting up with even more super cool yelpers we headed by car not crawl to our next bar. Â Thanks Rianne for taking the intoxicated bunch : )
Anytime I'm down in IB I wind up at the Plank. Â Which really doesn't bother me at all. Â
Pretty solid neighborhood dive where you can play Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight" on the j-box and rip a sweet air drum solo and bro down without anyone seeming to care. Â Bartenders are pleasantly salty yet friendly. Â And if there is a full moon out you just might get to motorboat a stranger. Â
Ye Plank keeps it Ye Real.
The Sunshine Saloon of IB. Old locals, old bartenders and a door guy that scrutinized my d.l for a few minutes before letting me in. It was expired and I was ready to give him an excuse but lo and behold I was allowed entry, but only after I took off my sunglasses.
Hahahaahahahhah. Ha. Ha.I guess he didnt see the expiration date.
I ordered a Guinness, since the selection was pretty ho-hum. I go to the bathroom and when I came back to my seat I noticed more old people had come in and sat around my friend and I.
My beer arrives.Guinness in a clear plastic cup. If this isnt blasphemy then I dont know what is. I drank it and left, not really wanting to stick around any longer.
You just dont do that to Guinness. Im sorry. Youre not doing it justice.
The place is pretty cool looking. Its got a neighborhood vibe even with all of the military looking dudes hanging around ordering margaritas.
Cool ceiling guys. I may be back but if you serve beer in plastic cups again, especially Guinness then I will be looking for other bars in the area.
2.5 stars.
I love this place!! I have been here numerous times and it is always fun whether there are 5 or 100 people there. It is def a dive bar, but the people are nice, the drinks are cheap and it isnt far from home unlike the $40 cab ride it takes to get home from downtown.... but they have these big burly dudes behind the bar serving up the drinks and are pretty attentive so you never really have to wait long for a drink. there is an outdoor porch area that is nice when they have the heaters on and acouple pool tables back inside. there is a loud jukebox playing so it is a good variety of music all night.
All in all this place is a cool spot to chill with friends and have a few beers! thumbs up!
If you are looking for a place with "atmosphere", this is it! Â I've been dropping by the Plank for over a decade now, and it has had a remodel or two since, but has kept its Plank appeal!
It's right on the beach at the end of Palm, the beer is cold and the characters are plenty. Â It's a local hangout for those of the Military persuasion, so born and raised in SD(E9's daughter), the Plank has and will always be a favorite of mine. :)
Fun dive bar on the beach and decent drinks depending on who is behind the bar. I highly recommend this bar if you are wanting a chill atmosphere and a couple of characters to entertain you. For the best possible experience at The Plank be the jukebox hero for the night, grab a couple of beers, and bounce! :)
Review Source:This is like the last spot for my freinds and I after we have been partying everywhere else. Â We show up at about 12:30 just to check out the scene and grab a few drinks before last call. Â Nothing fancy. Â I recommend drinking beer or the long island Ice Tea. Â any other mixed drink is a waste of money. Â i drank various mixed drinks and didn't feel a thing, then i got the 411 from the bartender, now i know. Â
Don't be surprised if the scum of the earth tries to talk to you or an old man. its normal, be prepared for weird pick up lines
After an afternoon of lounging around Imperial Beach, our hero and his friends walked into Ye Olde Plank to wet their whistles at 3 PM. Â The statue of Captain Morgan on the roof beckoned them to indulge in some alcohol to quench their thirst.
A crusty old regular was shouting obscenities. Â The main bartender welcomed our hero with his booming voice and took his order for a pitcher of hefeweizen. Â In short time, he had some lemon slices, glasses, and a cold pitcher of beer out on the patio.
For three in the afternoon on a weekend, this joint was pretty high energy. Â A karaoke machine was set up and people were belting out oldies and classic rock. Â A man got up on the stage outside with a guitar and started playing Simon and Garfunkel. Â If Joe Francis made a Seniors Gone Wild video, it would probably be shot on location here.
PROS:
- The chilled glasses here are some of the coldest glasses ever! Â They really ice them up before serving.
- Very friendly staff.
CONS:
- Full of old folks in their 40's and 50's... and possibly even older.
If you're looking for a dive bar, a real true dive bar this is it. Even walking up to you kinda get that dirty feeling, once you get in its not much better. But then you start talking to the people there, 99% locals. Just a disclaimer: Even though they look like serial killers, they are the nicest people around. Unless you piss them off, then run. Had my 21st B-day here and from what i remember people were the nicest, taking care you. Made sure I got to the car alright, hope it never closes!
Review Source:This USED to be my stompin ground.
Not too into this place any longer but if you like to get rowdy and drink a lot you will have a good time here! Weekends can get a bit crazy somtimes, this place goes through periods of lots of fights. The guy to girl ratio is a little off balance, so next thing you know you got 2 drunk guys fighting over god knows what and there ya have it. Only seen a few in my day but it does happen more then most places I have been.
It has been newly remodeled so the outdoor patio has more space and everything it just...nice and new and clean! The vibe is shifting slightly there...but that's not per say a bad thing if you ask me!
I have allways liked the bartenders there! They very friendly and look out fod us ladies when it's needed. and I have needed some back-up before. They take care of ya!!
It's especially fun on a sunday afternoon however! I believe they still have live music! this place ONCE had an ocean veiw but thanks to the darn real estate commnity, some condo's went up right in front of the plank. boooooo! oh well, what can ya do i guess.
all in all..it's worth stopping by this place if you are lookin for a dive!
TO Love IB is to KNOW IB. Therefore, the plank.."the skank" is just another watering hole for us natives. Yes, the navy boys run their mouth, the cougars patrol it and sometimes you feel like the only person with a full set of teeth there..but dude.. It's IB. All kinds of transplants and whatever the sea has dragged in, the beauty is...uhh we all have one thing in common; Stone on tap, pitchers for $14?, great juke box, pool tables and lots of outdoor space all trying to live in harmony....!!! IB is ok and the plank is.. the plank...mmm I'd die for one of Eric's bloody mary's, 3 olives, extra spicey....mmmm
Review Source:Whether you side with "IB IS OK" or "IB WAS OK" there is no disputing that The Plank is more of a dive than any place I've ever been.
If you are a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean then you are going to love this place because many of the regulars are dead ringers for pirates, especially the ladies. Â Eye patches, cruddy teeth, and if you are brave enough to lift one's pant leg you will no doubt find a peg leg.
One thing that you should be aware of when going here is that it is not uncommon for patrons to drink beer straight out of the pitcher. Â Why bother with pouring it in a glass, I'm drinking the whole thing? Â That's the type of high level thinking that occurs down at the most southwesterly bar in the continental United States! Â Don't want your pitcher getting snatched while you go to take a leak? Â Well one genius has solved that, he places a glow stick in his pitcher! Â I've been there several times and seen this guy doing this every time. Â Maybe it doubles as some rudimentary birth control... certainly beats the whole Dr. Pepper theory.
Anyhow, if you want to hit up a rougher bar than this one, more power to you. Â If you know any cops or paramedics they can tell you quite a few stories about Ye Olde Plank Inn. Â I've narrowly avoided numerous bar fights here, one of which occurred when I saw the bartender mixing a mudslide with all the fixins (4 inches of whipped cream, hersheys, etc) and I politely asked him how much the hot fudge sundaes were. Â Apparently the salty bastard who ordered it didn't think my joke was too funny. Â I apologized for confusing his drink with a dessert instead of asking if he drank it or had to use a spoon which no doubt would have resulted in fisticuffs.
If you are planning on getting your load on and polishing of a few of the 60oz beers they serve, you may want to bring some back up.
I loved this bar when I was in my 20's. Â In fact, I spent most of my free time bouncing from this bar to The Mexican Village and Little Club in Coronado. Â
Now that responsibilities crowd my life in my mid 30's, I must admit it had been years since I'd gone to The Plank. Â Until the other night.
So, I walked in and it was just like old times. Â There were a few changes. Â A live band for one but oh the fun I had. Â In this bar you have the chance to meet some pretty cool people. Â It doesn't take much to get a conversation going. Â The bartender's are fun and give good pours. Â You will have to elbow your way into the bar when it's crowded but if you do it nicely you'll have no problems. Â
BTW, don't expect the bathrooms to be spic 'n span. Â It's a dive beach bar for Criss Sake! Â Just drink, be merry and use a paper towel to flush!
I dont care what people say here. It felt  kinda awesome having a drink in the most south western bar in the USA. The  bartender was funny and sarcastic all in all I had a great time here. I will be posting pics up soon
Pros ~great prices on drinks
Con~ a little small but they got a pool hall next door
and CASH ONLY
It's good for a drink in IB, because...it's the only place for a drink in IB. It's owned by a retired Navy SEAL, hence all the navy knick-knacks lying around and the crowd. It's a dive bar on the beach, with nice(but small) outdoor seating deck. It's not amazing, but wandering the beach and IB boardwalk area can be fun afterwards.
Review Source:
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