If you're searching for the best dive bar in San Diego, look no further. The bartenders are friendly, welcoming, and all have heavy hands. I ordered a shot last time I was here called an Irish Apple; it was delicious and in perfect timing for St Patrick's Day! read more

Cherry Bomb - Plus pool, games, & atm - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Nice vibe but $6.50 for a high life in a dive bar makes no sense. Also tried to order some other simple drinks and the bartender didn't feel like making them. Not a big deal but just mentioning it read more

So I dropped in here while running an errand and grabbed two beers. It is a very interesting spot with an interesting clientele. Only accepting cash was a little weird, but to each their own. Wouldn't have stumbled across this normally, but if in the area, why not. read more

Cherry Bomb - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I visited this establishment a few days ago while waiting nearby for my elderly mother, who was receiving a holistic treatment. I stopped in briefly to pass the time. I was informed that cash was required, and since I did not have cash on me, the bartender directed me to an ATM located inside the business. At the time, there was only one other patron present. The following day, my bank contacted me regarding a suspicious $60 attempted charge at Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. I confirmed that I had not made this purchase. Although the transaction did not go through, the activity was concerning enough that my bank canceled my card as a precaution. After reviewing my recent activity, the only place I had used my card was the ATM inside this establishment. While I cannot determine exactly how the information was obtained, the situation created a significant inconvenience and required me to cancel my card and address the matter with my bank. Businesses that provide ATMs should ensure they are properly monitored and secure so customers are protected. Based on my experience and the overall condition of the establishment, I would advise others to use caution. read more

Try the Irish Apple its AMAZING!! So are the bloodies on a sunday! This place knows whats up read more

Cherry Bomb - Booooze! - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

So I came in on a Sunday. Kelsie was the bartender. I had two drinks then decided to get some grub so she recommended Hob Nob went to order than came back for a third drink. So they can make my food. Fifteen minutes later I told Kelsie I was gonna get my order next door. Came back to my seat where I left my drink and my cash I was using to pay for my drinks. But there was a group of guys on my seat where I was drinking. I tried to seat in my stool. But Kelsie didn't respect the fact that I was still drinking there and let a few others place their drinks around my area where I had my drink and my seat. So I ended up sitting somewhere else and finished my food and drink and bounce out of there even though I still wanted to get more drinks. read more

If you go to cherry bomb you better hope to see Kelsey at the bar. She's a cool chick and makes a mean drink.

Fun dive bar with great jukebox and drinks as stiff as a jehovah's witness. The girl behind the bar said it was in no way named after the Runaways hit, but I think she might have been funnin' me. You better like hooch because they only have two basic beer taps (though a half dozen bottles including Sierra Nevada). She said the drinks were essentially 16ounce shots with mixer for coloring. Five stars! read more

Over the years I've tried to play pool here more than I have actually been successful securing a table for even 1 game. Sometimes the persons playing are just outside smoking, and overall the people here seem inconsiderate & full of bad attitudes bordering on looking to fight. The juke is full of nu metal, which is kind of fun, kind of annoying (8th grade me is pumped!), and the bartenders and drinks could both have more spirit. Light pours for a dive bar. I wanted to love this place, but there are far better dives in town. I don't plan on going back. read more

We had a great time at CHERRYBOMB! Tyler was our bartender. He made us some great drinks and was very hospitable. Can't wait to go back! ‍

I think this spot gave me alcohol poisoning. I like the vibes. Cheap pool. A nice regular gave me some pizza & I can't really remember the rest.. read more

Went to the "new" El Cajon location for a Meetup last night. Very unassuming location from the huge parking lot of the strip mall. Step inside though, and it's as divey as dive can be. Strong drinks, good prices. Plenty of pool tables and chairs. Even a nice back patio if you want fresh air. Good music, not too loud. Interesting drawings on the walls. You can actually get there by bus if rideshare is getting too expensive. I took the bus from North Park, then connected to the trolley, then the local 748 bus which dropped me off about one block away, decent. I had a good time and the bartender knew his drinks. Great little watering hole to cool down at in East County! read more

See all

Any bar named after the Runaways and Joan Jett is ok by me Drinks cheap $$$$$$ If you like it both ways read more

Dirty, cheap, over serves patrons, and filled with "tough guys". The bartenders are nice but the service cannot make up for the string of unfortunate events that will no doubt follow if you choose to drink here. read more

Perfect dive bar. Pool tables. Metal/punk music. Dimly lit. Slightly dingy. Graffiti in the bathroom. My fav go to drinks. Say less. read more

Heavy pours, interesting crowd and always a fun movie on behind the bar. I usually don't stay too long, but it's a solid spot to check out if you're just not ready to go home yet, lol. read more

I would give the place a zero just to keep people away. I like it for my own. But it's a great bar. Affordable drinks nice bartenders. One of the best Dive bars in San Diego. read more

Cherry Bomb - My beer - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Ladies do not come to this bar! The tall, blonde, male bartender with the man bun wouldn't serve me a second drink because, get this, MY GIRLFRIEND DIDN'T TIP HIM ENOUGH. That audacity cannot be made up. Before refusing to be served because he didn't feel his tip was enough, I asked for quarters for the pin ball machine. I had my hand out like a normal person. HE TOSSED THEM TO THE SIDE OF THE BAR INSTEAD OF HANDING THEM TO ME. I shouldn't have given him the benefit of the doubt then but I did. This is how woman are apparently treated here, it was just me and my gf. I've used yelp for ages and never felt compelled to write a review. This is by far the worst customer service experience I've had in my life (and I was a server for years). read more

I mean something to consider, I left a bad review, the bartender I mentioned in the review sends a "thanks" and the next day the review is gone? Kinda sketchy. Do not go to the one in El Cajon. Nikki was rude and provided terrible service. read more

My name is Danielle and I was physically assaulted by the Cherry Nob manager with the blonde straight hair in a ponytail. I have lived in SD for twenty years and I often go to the diner named Hob Nob next to this Cherry Bomb Bar. Last week after eating dinner (completely sober) at the diner, I wanted to get a drink at Cherry Bomb. I walked into the front door and the manager/door man was playing pool. He asked me for my ID and I told him that I did not have it on me, and he very aggressively told me to get out of the bar. I told him that I have no problem getting my id, but there was no need to take a very aggressive and extremely rude tone with me for no reason. He then even more aggressively decided to stick his finger right in my face and yelled "get out of this bar." I am 5'6, very nice woman, and I have never been treated this way by a male before. I was extremely shocked. I decided to defend myself and I placed my finger back in his face and said "Don't you dare place your finger in my face ever again." He continued to yell at me and I kept my finger in his face for a bit, to show him that just because I am a woman does not mean I will tolerate this behavior. After a few minutes of this back and forth banter, he then decided to push me with both hands pretty hard and then pushed a second time until I was all the way out the front door. I never touched this man and he assulted me twice in front of everyone inside the bar. Everyone inside the bar did nothing. As I finally made it out the front doors I said to him how dare he push a woman and he then said "I wish I could have punched you." I am in shock that any man would push a woman. I wish I knew his name. Blonde straight hair in a ponytail. I have reported this bar to the better business bureau for assault. read more

Cherry Bomb - a screenshot of a pool table - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Very dark and unlit place. It is a dive bar so I get that aspect of the place. Only takes cash which is not typical of a place in big city. otherwise you have to use there atm which will of course charge you fees to take money out. not a place I'm trying to revisit or recommend friends to. read more

This is the best bar in San Diego, every bartender is amazing and the patrons are amazing. Don't walk in here expecting any bar in San Diego, it's locals, it's industry it's regulars and you will be met with a warm welcome. Don't come in this bar with a bullshit attitude. You will be met with the same Bullshit you come with. read more

Wonderful dive bar, cash only, drinks are strong as heck, what more do you want? Don't worry they have pool tables too

We came here for a quick michelada since Hob Nob doesn't have a real bartender. Ginger dude behind the bar made us feel right at home. Good company around the bar too. It's dark and dungeony just like any good dive should be. Service is fast and friendly, they have games, and it doesn't even smell like shit in here! read more

See all

One of San Diego's local meth dens. This place is disgusting, the bartenders are rude, and the drinks are awful. I watched someone get stabbed with a bottle and there was blood everywhere. When i mean everywhere it was all over random people in the bar. Anyone who likes coming here is a regular and most likely an alcoholic or homeless. Don't come here expecting a warm welcome. read more

Not my type of ambiance. Headbangers ball, but cheap drinks. If you like loud and death metal you will enjoy the night here. One and done for me. Cash only. read more

Best dive, best drinks. Awesome owners. Definitely my kinda place. Best Budweiser for 3500 miles!

Place is just as I remembered. I moved overseas for twenty years and I come back recently and decided to stop into this classy joint. I swear a tear swelled up in my good eye. Great music good wholesome people. read more

Oh man, their website even advertises strong drinks. They almost taste like rubbing alcohol they're so strong! Always a good time here!

GUYS DEFINITELY COME HERE. The tall,blonde, male bar tender with the stylish man bun made sure my drink was never empty. Great service, great people, and great atmosphere. Make sure to always tip your bartender guys when they offer great service. read more

Service was awful. Didn't even get the chance to order a drink because of the waiter's rudeness.

Was really excited to check this place out after moving into the neighborhood. I ordered a beer from inside and was told I had to buy food, so I did. I put my tip in the jar of the guy making food, assuming it would be split between everyone on shift. I was then confronted by the bartender (who walked to our table/ we were the only ones there) and he said verbatim "just so you know... if you don't tip here you won't be served again". Super weird. Super aggressive, and a pretty big bummer overall. I'm also in the service industry and understand the importance of tipping, but acting rude and unprofessional due to an honest mistake isn't warranted in this situation, and ruined my experience there overall. Oh well. read more

I'm definitely too old for this bar. But, to be fair, I wouldn't have liked it when I was younger... I came here on a Saturday afternoon with a small group of friends. We had been over at another nearby bar having a hamburger and we decided to venture over to The Cherry Bomb. The sign in the parking lot still has the name of the previous bar. I don't recall what it was. The Cherry Bomb is tucked away in the corner between a laundromat mat and a taco shop. Part of the problem might have been that it was light out when we were there. The bar is really dirty...maybe you wouldn't notice it at night with mood lighting. There is chalk all over the pool table felt. There was actual trash on the ground under our table. People were smoking outside and the smoke came right into the open door. In fact, I thought people were smoking in the bar. I really don't know how the bartender was. I didn't go up to the bar. I do know that it's "cash only" which I don't have a problem with. I can see that this bar has their regulars and it might be a comfortable neighborhood bar. It's not a place that I care to come back too though. They won't miss me...lol. read more

Came here for some good music and drinks and walked out with a new friend )JESSE YOU ROCK). FROM OREGON - we love you!!

If I had check-ins for every time I've been here, Yelp might think I lived at Cherry Bomb for the last 6 years. Cherry Bomb is family. They care about their people more than anything in the world. They see you for you and we all take care of each other. I've been a lot of things at this place, but I've always felt safe. The owners and staff will see to it if anyone ever needs anything because they feel they need protected (bar culture 101). It could be some bias how much I love this place because I've been so invested here over the years, but I've also never seen anyone turned away unless they really were awful. Most people don't go to Cherry Bomb without knowing what it's about. When I first came here I'm not sure what I was expecting, but anyone who knows anything about dive bars knows it's not the same as other regular bars. Reading reviews about bartenders laughing at people is comical in and of itself considering the entire nature of what a dive bar represents. I'm sure that happens a lot of places. You really need to know what you're walking into beforehand. So that being said, if you plan to have a good time on a budget and are respectful to the owners, staff and regular patrons, you'll get along great here and you'll have a great time. read more

Female bartender was extremely rude because she didn't know how to make a simple vodka cranberry. The drink was literally clear with a HINT of red. The establishment is very small as well. Go to any other bar and I guarantee you'll have a better time. read more

Nice little neighborhood dive bar that reminded me of a couple of places I hang out in NYC. Generous shots, cool bartender, nice patrons, a game of pool, and heavy metal...works for me! Will definitely be back! Decent taco place next door and good restaurant up the street if you get the munchies. read more

I've only been here once , but I liked it. No frills. Nice bartender . I wish I had more to tell ya but that's it. Taco shop and laundromat next door. read more

Dude bar tending was an ass I tipped 15 bucks for 40$ worth of Drinks and was treated like an ass after having an ass day great thanks

Dive bar, only takes cash. They don't have any wine, which is strange - they have beer and liquor, but no wine. I used to love this little hidden dive spot with great drink prices, but I haven't been there in a while. The bartender was extremely rude to us, to the point that we probably won't ever be back. read more