The term dive bar is probably overused. A true dive bar won’t be in a guide. But something that isn’t dressed up and Instagrammable will fit the ticket these days. Generally, it will be a place that has a pool table or arcade games, serves Bud heavy, and is not particularly focused on customer service. San Diego has lots and lots of good dive bars. Here is a list of our favorites, in no particular order, with no additional details. We will leave out places that are aggressively local. You should not go to those.
Good Dive-ish Bars: The Dog, The Lancers, Live Wire, Rosie O Grady’s, West End, Waterfront, The Lamplighter, Alibi, Nunu’s, Star Bar, Aero Club, Bluefoot Bar, Princess Pub, Blarney Stone, Pacific Shores, The Ould Sod, Chee Chee Club, The Tower Bar.
Great For
• Day drinking
• People watching
• Cheap things to do
A Closer Look
These are all dive bars. They are inherently unfranchiseable.
