This is advertised as a gay dive bar. It should be advertised just as a neighborhood bar. The crowd was mostly straight. The bartender was super friendly and drinks were reasonably priced. It has a AMI Jukebox but by the time I arrived there was no way anything I tried to play would be. The AMI selection of music was very outdated. I found only one recent song in an excessive amount of searching but my taste in music probably wasn't appropriate for the crowd. read more

Tried to visit this bar tonight with a group of friends, but the bouncer refused to let us in. None of us were intoxicated, so the decision was confusing and frustrating. We ended up going to Lancers instead and spent some time there before stopping back on our way out. Unfortunately, the bouncer still wouldn't allow us in and claimed that I had previously been outside "mumbling." I have no idea what he was referring to, and it's possible he confused me with someone else. Regardless, he made no real effort to assess the sobriety or behavior of our group before turning us away. Because of that experience, they've lost my business. I can't speak to what the bar itself is like, but my interaction with the door staff was unprofessional enough that I won't be returning, and I wouldn't recommend it to friends. read more

A great neighborhood bar that feels warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. It was my first time here, but definitely not my last! Cozy vibes, attractively priced drinks ! This is exactly the kind of dive bar I'm into. read more

Cheers Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Extremely friendly staff. Made some yummy non-alcoholic drinks to accommodate a non drinker.

very inconsistent. came here a few times with each time being a hit or miss. the girl bartender is terrible. always on edge and rude and inconsistent. the tall guy with the unkept beard is terrible. they discriminated against me. I encourage everyone to not support this establishment. while it may appear a safe and welcoming space- it is far from it. just go next door to lancers. read more

Perfect little community dive bar. Pool table. Great bartenders, strong drinks, food on Sunday. Always lots of fun. Check it out. Good mix of everyone. read more

this is my favorite bar in san diego, still has the dive bar vibes but such a community familiar feel. i love going on Tuesdays and Thursday. The bartender, sasha is so funny and hospitable. Fun games of pool and great company all around. would definitely recommend making this a regular stop on your weekend and even weekday drink spots. They also have karaoke on Mondays with such an incredible bartender as well, begum. she is just an angel sent from heaven. and trivia on thursday's alternating! love it here read more

I love this hole in the wall bar, bartender was very nice and ready to help customers. Beers were cold and mixed drinks for the ladies were great. They have a pool table and honestly everyone there was so nice. Recommend read more

Not friendly got the side eye from most of the patrons. I had to stand at the bar for a long time before being able to order a drink.

Great local spot, Had a blast with the bartender think his name was sasha? real good guy, on thursday night and trivia was awesome! Drinks were made great and affordable. will be coming back on tuesday for more good drinks and vibes read more

First time here and had a blast! Great atmosphere great people great music! Go see Anthony,he's a great bartender. read more

Cheers is just an all around good time. Thing is they mastered keeping things simple. There's alcohol, music, fun regulars, modestly priced drinks that are consistently strong and a juke box so you can hear exactly what you want. Side thing. Daevionne's drinks are bomb. Best bartender EVER! He's there Sunday nights! read more

Cheers Bar - a bar with a lot of bottles of alcohol - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I've come to this bar a bunch of times but have experienced some pretty bad service recently. Last night was the tipping point for me and my friends. It's close to my place and the patrons are great company. Some really awesome bar tenders too, sash and begum are the cream of the crop at this bar. I'd recommend going on a Monday Tuesday or Thursday for trivia or karaoke but stay far away when the manager, (I think her name is jen)is working (which she was last night) She's very unpleasant and isn't a good bar tender. read more

We love visiting this divey gay bar in Uni Heights. Stevan is an excellent bartender. Always nice running into other locals and playing pool. If you want to listen to music be prepared for those in front of you throwing down $20 in the juke box to take over for the night. Lots of fun times here for 17 years. read more

Great place with a great vibe. Mike, one of the bartenders, is especially great. His drinks and personality are A++++

Very unsettling experience tonight. Was with a few friends visiting from out-of-town. This was actually the second time I have seen this bartender lose it on a customer, and it's only my fourth ever visit to the bar. A guy came in, went to greet his friends and the bartender (Mike?) started screaming obscenities, pounding on the bar, even physically came out from behind the bar after the dude for a sec. The bouncer did eventually take the dude outside, but even he seemed confused about it all, and he had to spend as much time calling off the rabid bartender! The whole place went silent, how AWKWARD! I do not know these guys relationship but the bartender was way out of line in how he handled this situation. (He did later apologize to us, but too little too late) No thanks. We had a couple drinks, good prices, but not worth the stress. read more

Had the best extra dirty martinis tonight, even had a pickle martini made by Sasha as he was very accommodating. Come here pretty often and the drinks were great tonight :) read more

The drinks were ok, the pool table dilapidated but we still had fun playing. What irked me about this place is that just today during a very hot afternoon, my two buddies and I popped in to have a drink and shoot some pool. The bartender immediately made us put our shirts on. We were appalled. This is a gay bar and we are gay and where did this rule come from... simulation of het values and norms? The Eagle and other gay bars do not make you put your shirt on... in fact, they give you drink specials if you are shirtless. What has become of our gay culture and traditions?! There is no "law" against being shirtless in a gay bar. What gives?! Shame on Cheers! read more

Where everyone may not know your name, but you'll feel welcome! Last night for Halloween my wife and I decided to hit up one of our favorite dive bars in Normal Heights (okay, the only dive bar in Normal Heights...) and we had an enjoyable time, just like in the past. We've been here on previous Halloween's and it's been hopping with people and costumes. Today was a more laid back version. Costumes? There were! Crowded? It was not! Thankfully, since we arrived around 730, it wasn't crowded at all. The small bar was full with a few others on the sidelines. All in al, I really enjoy this quaint, knockabout place. They have a juke box if your heart desires. They have two big screen TVs. One was laying the World Series game 6. I wasn't even drinking Last night. Just got a soda water with lemon. The gentlemen was kind enough to fill up my soda water as he saw it was empty from the bar. We will be back! read more

Good water. The bar serves tap water that comes with ice, so it is nice and cold. The cup is plastic. read more

Cheers Bar - Water - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

It's a damn shame EVEN more people don't know about this wonderful, beautiful place!! You walk in, and immediately the restrooms remind you that children aren't allowed, so you feel a sense of maturity and comfort amongst your brethren and fellow drinkers. I can honestly say few places achieve a sense of community and come-and-go-as-you-please mentality as does this diamond of a pub!! On the days I'm able to visit, like Sunday, Rodney will cook you a free burger and some shrimp (and you'd better fucking tip ). On Thursdays, Jay will put on his best dress and drive you to brink of insanity with his unique trivia questions SO mind-bending that you'll lay with your lover in bed afterwards and ask after a long, passionate love-making session, "Did we get the answer wrong, or did Jay mess up?" I hear there's an industry night too, and that's cool, but I go there any time I need a fucking BREEAAAAKKK!! Every last bartender is sweet and attentive as a pixie stick, and if you talk to them, or anyone in the bar, you'll learn something about them that not only will connect you with another human being, but help you realize your problems aren't as unique as you think, and that people are there to help!! Please support this bar!! It, the people that work there, and the patrons that support it have changed my life!!!! ....and to be honest, the prices are pretty fucking reasonable, so go apply for a credit card if you have to, but don't miss out on this experience!! read more

Cheers Bar - Alley way of lust, passion, and desire. - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Chill spot, def a dive bar experience compared to most around hillcrest :) had a Moscow mule

Terrible service, been here multiple times and never felt welcomed. Maybe if you're mean, you'd like the behavior, but if you're looking for a good time, go elsewhere read more

* Big, strong, cheap drinks - Check! * Dark and Divey - Check! * Sassy Bartenders - Check! * Juke Box and Pool Tables - Check! * Gay-and-Straight Friendly - Check, Check and Check! * Friendly Regulars - Check! * Located near other hot-spots - Check! * Food - No, but El Zarape is right around the corner and you can bring it in. (Counting that as a Check!) Yup, it's got everything I look for in a bar! And that's why I keep coming back. I'm a fan. read more

The sandwiches here are always on point. The employees are super nice and attentive. Best deli sandwiches I've had. Highly recommend this place. I appreciate the great service and fantastic sandwiches. My go to is the tuna with sprouts, jalapeno and croissant! read more

Genuinely the worst bar I have been to in my 20+ years of living in San Diego. Unequivocally the worst bartender I have had the misfortune of overtipping in many years. Go to any other establishment nearby. Get a beer and go for a walk in the park across the street. Go to lancers. Get Thai. This is not the place. read more

It's dark, neutral, divey, and they have a pool table! Cheers is a good place to be when you like the people you're with because the atmosphere isn't a "turnt up" place where you feel like you're hanging out with the whole bar and not the people you brought. read more

I went here a last summer, will probably not go again, went with a small group, it was pretty small bar, and the people just seemed so weird, all of us thought the same. We just drank beer, the service was just ok. read more

I always have an "okay" time here. It really depends on who you go with. There are quite a few regulars who all know each other and they are welcoming to outsiders. The service is friendly enough and the drinks are strong. The have free burgers on Sunday afternoons. They have a little enclosed patio. It's a nice local dive bar. read more

Cheers Bar - They have carpet with their logo...how cute! - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I have been a frequent flyer here for years. Cozy friendly and Dive bar intimate. Love me some Roger on Friday & Saturdays, Shay on free burger sundays and Jen on Mondays. I never get to see Jen because I work on Mondays but she's a crazy fun mess. Love you guys! read more

This is my first time writing a review but, that in itself, has got to tell you how great this bar is! Cheers is truly a great place to hang out if you are in University Heights. It sits neatly tucked away in a little spot on Adams Avenue, just waiting for you to come in and have fun. Chris, one of the bartenders there, has got to be one of the most professional service oriented people I've ever encountered! He greets you as you walk in and, in my case, gave me a huge smile while asking what I would like to start out with. You almost don't see this kind of service anymore. He is quick and very attentive at what he is doing, serving you what I think are some of the best drinks in the area. Possibly San Diego. Although I do know that this is a dive bar, dive bars still need to every once-in -a-while update or refresh their pool table. Seriously, It's probably the original one since the first day they opened. Overall, they have my vote as one of the best bars in San Diego! read more

My partner and I dropped in on Sunday evening just before 7pm and the female bartender made us two martinis. I told her we wanted to run a tab, she asked if she could close us out as she was going off duty. She charged $9. a Martini and I gave her a $4. Tip. Around 7pm, she was still behind the bar and I asked her for another Martini and paid her cash. $11. Including tip. The next bartender comes on duty and she is still around. We run a tab with the new bartender. 3 more Martinis, a glass of Wine and a bag of chips -Total bill comes to $19. Not sure what to make of this??? This is a nice neighborhood bar with interesting pricing, depending on who serves you! read more

Comfort neighborhood bar with strong drinks, and friendly people. AMI jukebox adds to the mix.

Walked in with a group of friends for a drink and was treated poorly by the bartender. I didn't catch his name but this was last night 05/27/23. There was absolutely no reason for the attitude we received and the unwelcoming facial expressions. read more

I really wanted to like this bar as it's super laid back and divey which are all things I love, however, the bartender told me that he could not accept my ID. I have a valid California Drivers License that is not expired and he told me that he "could not accept the picture" when I went to show him credit cards so he could validate my name. I am almost 30 year old woman and have not had to update my picture since I was 17. Although I understand the due diligence, it's pretty upsetting and offensive that I got denied at a place for a VALID ID especially in the way it was done was pretty embarrassing. Again, I am almost 30 and have had 0 issues with my ID. If I were to fake it I would at least pretend to be 21 . I do not plan on coming here ever again. read more

Just happened to drive by, and I am so glad I went in! Anthony was delightful and they had a special on tequila for cinco de mayo. The music was all over the place but in a good way. read more

OK, being involved with an employee means I'm biased... but I go there when he's not working, too! :D Great prices, mellow environment, and usually pretty good staff. TouchTunes jukebox means you can use an app to add music and not even stumble to the wall mounted unit. If you're new to gay bars, watch out; they pour drinks pretty strong! I've seen _____ & cokes get so little coke added that the color stops halfway down the glass... :D read more

Cheers Bar - Nice, full bar! Some of everything & a few greats, like Woodford Reserve & Angels Envy - Gay Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

2 dollar tall mugs of beer. Friendly crowd. Sparse but quiet. Again cheap liquor. read more

Swing by the little watering whole when I visit my friend that lives around the corner. It's usually our last stop! ;-) They have a pool table. Sometimes they grill outside and have food for the customers. Drinks are usually flowing. read more

Cheers is such a fantastic place. It's a Friday night and it's been overrun by hipsters. Only if they could learn how to trim their facial hair. Retrospect... patchouli has been fazed out, so many better smells than yesteryear. read more