My favorite dive bar in Visalia. It always has people in it and the feel is like Cheers. The bartenders are nice with good service and the drinks are cheap. The area is kind of shady, but I've never had an issue. read more

A dive bar if I've ever seen one. A small hole in the wall place that you can easily pass by if you don't know what your looking for. It's a small brown building with a small parking lot next to it. It's nice though that its open at 0630 so that the nightshift hospital staff can come here and decompress or send me off on my last day. First thing you notice about this place is the smell of urine from the bathrooms. You get use to it after a bit. As well as the "regulars" hanging out at the bar area. It's extremely small. Area for a pool table, some tables at the far end by the bathrooms, and a long bar counter. At least the tvs are nice and clear and big to watch games or sports as need be. There was a good 18 of us here. Prices are rediculously cheap. I'm glad they understand it's a dive bar and should thus be dive bar prices. A michelada was $4. A mimosa was $5. Bag of chips was $1. They have these sour candy shots for $4. The sour candy shots were really good. Michelada was simple. Bloody Mary mix with beer. But they were well made. I also had a crown royal apple with redbull that was really good. I don't remember how many drinks we went thru but it did the job and we were all feeling good. Customer service is good. Dude working behind the bar worked fast. I hear this place is pretty good when the sun is up, but has a pretty rough reputation at night with lots of shady people coming in at night. I definitely wouldn't come in here by my self even in the day time. But with a large group it's pretty cool. Nice and cheap. If you don't mind the urine smell and dilapidated look. read more

Pump House - Enter at your own risk!! :) - Dive Bars Near Me - Visalia, California

See all

It was a fun spot. Staff is the nicest. Drinks were good. Enjoyed our time here. Will come back to drink

I am returning to the pool scene. I haven't been to the Pump in a couple years now post divorce etc.. blah blah yea. After returning to the establishment , they now accept credit cards, and the management has seemed to improve ten-fold. I believe id they added one more pool table they could increase their revenue and fan base and $$$. Maybe add some mister system to amplify the effect of the a/c unit in the rear patio and to provide cheap and refreshing milieu in the smoking area. read more

The shooters were premixed in a pitcher and didn't taste like there was any alcohol. The bar smelled like vomit and had dust on most of the decor. The spot needs Bar Rescue. read more

Don't go to this bar they jump people for free this is a joke and service is so bad I regret going to that hole place

I am Dj Arizona a few years back I was the kareoke Dj for Gary okie Kareoke. This place was a saving grace for me ,I became disabled and it gave me something to do and be proud of .I was depressed but the opertnity was a blessing .I made more friends there than I had ever dreamed of . When I played music it helped me heal .And as a bonus I got to be a friend that had great advise .My goal each night I played music I tried to play positive music I stayed away from picking fight music or the disrespect of ladies music ,Because I'm a cowboy and a gentleman , I made a few people dislike my way to play music that keeps the crowd happy laughing dancing and buying the coldest beer in town.instead of fighting like drunk folk tend to do from time to time.Hey,it's a bar things tend to get out of polite demeaner.but those were fairly dealt with 86 was the term .and some bad folk had to be tamed by Visalia pd who always handled things very efficiently . Yes it was THE PUMPHOUSE! Bit of a dive .but that's the charm,you could be who you really are ,and always among friends . Well for a time I had the old place dancing to cottonseed Joe I am proud to have introduce couples who now are married and happy .I loved celebrating anything special with folks,getting married birthdays and yes the finalization of a divorce lol. This place is in my heart .if it were possible I would play karaoke there till I am dead .the new owners I have not met but they have fixed this place up nicely .Wish I could play and sing again there and help them make great money . Give folks a great country music night out,with awesome bikers,Rock loving younger folk,and all of them good folks ,like family.when I played there I made sure folks got home safe as did the great bartenders ,oh let me tell ya the whisky sours there I called gasoline ! They always were perfect as was all The cool mixes they would confect for all to enjoy . As you all can see I love the PumpHouse. It's in my heart and I'm proud to have had he great times I had there . I will recommend if you are good folks in need of a nice place to meet great hardworking folks just like yourself go see maybe put your name in chalk somewhere on the wall to see how long it stays .yup this place is not the grand hotel bar,but it's got the best friendly folks you like and want to meet . And The COLDEST BEER in town .GodBless this old dive I made the best friends I have right there It Owns a part of this old cowboys heart ,Just Go it has a beautiful charm. Like no other ... thanks your friend ArizonaMarvin Gray read more

Pump House - DjArizona Marvin Gray love ya 'all!!! Can I get a he'll yeah! - Dive Bars Near Me - Visalia, California

Great local bar. Extremely friendly people/staff. This place is a must try for anyone in Visalia looking to get a good drink.

Jada is the best bartender! She is very sweet and funny! Roll on down to the pump house and get you a cold beer with Jada. read more

Pump House - Best bartender - Dive Bars Near Me - Visalia, California

Just go anytime 8am-2am. They serve coffee in the morning and the bartenders are great!

My cousin and her boyfriend came to town, and asked if there was anything fun to do around here. After visiting the Sequoia National Park, we had dinner at Fugazzi's downtown. Once we finished dinner, they wanted to check out a local dive bar. Not being a drinker, and being extremely anti-social, I dropped them off at Pump House to get some shooters while I waited in the car. They came back to the car, and said "you have to come in!" Pump House has always been funny to me; every time I drive by I always wonder "what kind of people go there?!" Long story short, I drove back home, got my ID, and came back. We went directly to the bar, and the bartender was super friendly, funny, and gave a lot of free drinks out (the drink sizes were double the size of other bars, and half the price)! There were some characters, for sure. But, it made for great people-watching, conversation-listening, and overall nice folks. Plus, they played amazing music. At the end, the bartender gave us 4 Pump House chips (good for $5 off a drink). This place was super cool, and it changed my feelings of this bar! Way better than I imagined. read more

This place has went down not like it was ever a nice place but dang come on ugh I've heard of a dive bar but this is a total face plant

A fun dive bar, people who hate it don't like dive bars I guess. Granted it's a very sticky and dim hole in the wall but that's the point, it's just a good place to get a drink at a reasonable price and enjoy a little grunge. read more

The bartenders are efficient and friendly is a dive bar you want to bring your friends to spend a good time and meet the locals

Great local bar!! Young and old! Not fancy, but you can tell everyone knows everyone ... great friendly bar! Great place to meet people and get to know people! Entertaining for sure, had a great time!! read more

Paulina is a great bartender. Her drinks are wonderfully mixed. Enjoyable atmosphere and music.

This place is awesome! Weekends mainly are the time. Killer vibe. Old school place with history. Great staff. Cash only read more

See all

A hole in the wall for sure, definitely one of my go to spots in Visalia. It's definitely a dive, but all the regulars here are super nice (me being one of em). It certainly is one of the only bars that opens as early as it does and stays open into a true 2 AM last call. The drinks are top notch and affordable to boot. They don't serve food here, but you can certainly bring your own or have something delivered to you. The decor simply adds to the dive bar feel: peanut shells on the floors, dollars with your name on them stapled to the wall, your name written on the wall/ceiling in chalk, pool table, a penny embedded bar top, a touchtunes jukebox, and a 'pick your drink' spin the wheel. Bathrooms are fine to me. Can you fit a group of five girls in there? Probably not. But I've gone in there with a girlfriend and we didn't have any problem fitting. To my knowledge, two guys can be in the guy bathroom at the same time. Cash only bar, but they have an ATM. Most of the time the ATM works, but I would go prepared just in case. All the staff are super nice. I've never had a problem with them 'watering' down any of my drinks and if anything, their drinks have always been pretty stiff. There is only one pool table. If you are disappointed by only one pool table, don't come here, go to a pool hall. There is also an outside patio area for smokers. Conclusion: fun place to hang out with locals. good drinks, good people, good times. If you act like a jerk, they'll treat you like a jerk. read more

This bar, in my opinion, is THE place to go while you're in Visalia. I've been a few times, now, and I am never disappointed by my experience. Please note: they still smoke 'em in here. Yeah, yeah I know: it's illegal and has been for about a dozen years now in California, so if you don't like it, don't go in. I personally hate cigarette smoke, but I try to brave it our for a few cheap drinks nonetheless. As I mentioned just above, the drinks are cheap! Also, there is some pretty crazy regulars that patronize this place -- sit back and watch the show. Have you ever wondered what a Walmart tavern would look like? Now you know! read more

[This place is RRREALLY TRASHY in the BEST OF WAYS] The Pump House has been open for over 30 years. Back in the 70's, when my dad was about 15 or so ~ he worked at the radiator shop next door and on his breaks he'd walk on in to the pump house for a cold beer =) Everytime I've been - its always a full house, a few expensive motorcycles out front, and good music playing. I would much rather hang out at a joint like this than some hip hop club or some restaurant bar where the people look down on you for whatever reason. The good thing about this place is that everyone is welcome. Whether you are a loudmouth or a quiet person looking to socialize...there will be a spot for you here. The drinks are very reasonable, they have tons of nostalic handwriting, business cards, carvings, photos, and the works scattered everywhere from way back in the day. You can go dressed up, or casual from a long day of work. You will not be judged here =) Ive been here about 20 times in my life, and each time was just so much fun. I totally agree with the other review that this would be a good comparable to - "if walmart had a tavern" - They do have 2 pool tables but they're always being used by the rough/hardcore regulars, lol =) My cousin and her husband were regulars at this bar for a few years...so when I was single and had no friends because I was new in town...I'd meet up with them at the pump house and we'd sing karaoke and get wasted ;D Good fun memories! I also smoked back then (Im reviewing off of events from 6 years ago) but as a non smoker (now) - I dont know how harsh the smoke is/smells...but ummmm yehhhh it was pretty smoky back then! hah =) So if you're uppidy in any way...dont come here!! read more

Driving down Main St., I've always read the sign: COLDEST BEER. I'd ask myself how the coldest beer could come out of a shack that looks like the cover of an R.L. Stein Goosebumps book. I got a wild hair and talked friends into going to this place with me. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! If you're looking for a place that is fancy, clean, and upper class, then this is NOT your place. If you're looking for a kick-back place where you can have some cold, cheap beer, won't run into everyone you know, and let your belly loose, then this is your place. Atmosphere: this place is ancient. The bartender told me that this place was built in the 1930's...and boy, does it look it! It is neat with writings all over the wall from decades and decades of visitors from all around the place. Beer: CHEAP. $2 beers! I asked if this was the happy hour special, and the bartender stated that this is their price all day, everyday! My husband and I spent a total of $20 which included a few beers each, and a few rounds of pool. Don't forget the roasted peanuts that you can even throw on the ground! Music: Eh, I'm more of a Latin flavor loving sista, but I walked into this place knowing that there would not be bachata or salsa nights. The music on the jukebox is all geared towards a certain crowd. Sad, lonely, country songs of the past was what was playing. I was digging it, and even the bartender was singing along! Crowd: I get the feeling that everyone in there knows one another. When I went to buy a beer, the bartender said, "So what parts ya'll from? I ain't ever seen ya'll in here before..." All in all, this was a blast and I will be going back! Oh, and if you're wondering about the beer, I asked the bartender and this is what he said, "Of course we got the coldest beer. Coldest beer out west....west of Ben Maddox!" LOL! read more

Love the atmosphere of this little dive bar. The bartender was nice and attentive as well, but when my boyfriend and I came in for our first time (dead sober) and ordered 2 shots- one Jameson, one caption- we were pretty pissed off to find them completely watered down. The bartender poured them straight from the bottles and we knew something was up because he filled them completely to the rim, which is awesome, but the coloration was completely off and when we took them there wasn't even a sting of liquor on the tongue. I get trying to save money, but maybe try those bar tricks on people who are already drunk? Not someone completely sober who has been bartending for years as well. We didn't say anything to him and tipped just as well, but left immediately after because, you know, screw that. read more

Came here when I was visiting from out of town so I really didn't know what to expect. Went alone which upon walking in I had a feeling of regretting that choice. But everyone was very nice, pretty cool place. cash only. read more

Yelp helped me find this awesome Duce car! Went alone but wasn't alone for long! Very friendly people, has lots of character, a pool table, jukebox. Had new friends within 60 seconds of arrival! Definitely will visit again when I'm in town!! read more

Pump House - Exterior doesn't look like much but pleasantly surprised when I entered - Dive Bars Near Me - Visalia, California

See all

The owner mops the floors and walls with toilet water, might get a disease just walking in.

There are Dives and then there are DIVES.... This is a DIVE in the most Awesome Way. Locals, a spinning Wheel of Drink Specials, and a crusty bar with great tasting, excellently poured adult beverages. When you want to get your drink on with some locals, get your parched ass down here. Everything you want in an un-hipster environment is here. If you want to sip a martini with a cosmopolitan crowd, run away. But if you want to enjoy a great drink with the awesome normal non fake folk, come on down!! read more

3rd visit and still a favorite stop. Regulars are friendly and bartenders great too! Warning. . .cocktails are not for the weak!

The food was O.K. The serves were somewhat friendly. The main complain I have is that it seems like they have all Spanish music blocked from their TouchTune console. I just hope that's not a subliminal message telling they don't want Spanish speakers at their establishment. read more

Dive bar. Cheap drinks. No fancy craft beer. We go every black Friday. Bathroom is funky. Fast service and interesting decore. Free peanuts so shells cover the floor. They no longer smoke inside so that's an improvement. read more

Pump House - a toilet with a sign on it - Dive Bars Near Me - Visalia, California

Super nasty inside and as soon as you walk inside you can smell the men's restroom. Bartenders didn't know how to make super simple drinks and we seen a few fights almost happen and a group started a fight with us and thank god nothing happened because this place had no staff if anything did happen. Definitely not a safe place to have a few drinks with friends at all. A friend of the group commented on a females tattoos and she got extremely crazy about it and tried to put hands on me for defending him by saying it's not a crime to give a compliment on one's tattoos. I decided to defend myself because I'm not going to allow some drunk women put hands on me so I pushed her away from myself as I called for help from the staff but no staff members! Instead I got a group of homeless looking men trying to fight in the bar! Only time staff came to me was when I walked out of the door with an empty bottle that I was using for seeds. DEFINITELY DONT COME TO THIS TRASH BAR VISALIA HAS SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER AND THE OWNER OF THIS PLACE SHOULD BE ASHAMED! Do you even know how to run a bar?!?! Everyone just go to VBC down the road! read more

This place is perfect, it's a bar. It's got good drinks, chill people. I really enjoyed being here. I wish it had not taken me so long to discover this place. Draft beer for less than five bucks, unheard of. Make sure you bring cash. read more

The first time I came here it was really fun. Bartender friendly, upbeat Atmosphere. Had some beer and chatted with new people. The reason why I returned. To my surprise it was a completely different experience. Diff bartender this time. My friend and I werent even acknowledged. The baretender served everyone except us. Kept walking back and forth and skipped us several times. Waited 15-20 mins. I thought maybe he was just busy but he continued to ignore us. I finally got up and walked out. Ill stick to Santa fe. read more

Met Mike the bartender. Nice guy. Made us some great seven and sevens. It truly is a neighborhood bar. read more

Pump House - Dive Bars Near Me - Visalia, California

A real honky-tonk on the outskirts of Downtown Visalia. Cheap beer, great Country Music, people dancing, having fun and hanging out. The place looks like a barn and you can tell they've been having a blast in here every night for years. I loved every minute of it. read more

This is definitely a dive bar! But don't let that scare you from stopping by and having a drink. The bartender is very friendly and the patrons stick to themselves. The only thing that bothers me is that there is only one pool table and the ladies room only has one toilet:( read more

Smokers welcome! No one who would go to the pump house in the first place would ever be the kind of person to report them for allowing smoking indoors. There are all these shelves with, well, like antique, crap really. and on all this crap is literally a ton of dust. They really need to dust all that crap or get rid of it. Look they are just not that busy that they can't just dust all that crap with 20 years worth of dust on it. The people there are drunk and silly and always enjoyin themselves from what I have seen. The DJ sux. The women are easy. read more

I went once and it was gross and dusty, so awkward just being there lol I didn't want to touch anything.

We were in downtown Visalia looking for some fun night life. We tried four bars and they were "ok". Then we found the pump house, it was packed and fun!!! It is a pure dive, full of friendly people having a blast. We will be back! read more

I had a good time. The drinks are cold the bartenders are friendly. I came here for the first time with two other friends. We watched the San Jose Sharks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. go Sharks!! Made some friends gave someone a ride home too. I'm committed back. read more

This place is one of the most unique dive bars I've ever been to. Probably because smoking inside has been illegal most of my life and they let you do it here. I also don't frequent a lot of places with dirt floors that look like a murder shack from the outside. But all of that just adds to the Pump House's charm. Me and my boyfriend came here because neither of us know the area well and when we looked up bars on the GPS this is what came up. Well, this and a bunch a places that didn't sound like half as much fun. When we first pulled up it looked super shady. But as soon as I saw a mini van in the parking lot I let out a sigh of relief. If people that drive mini vans go there it can't be that bad, right?? Cheap drinks, very friendly locals, and X rated vending machines in the bathroom. Love it!!! I don't come here as often as I'd like to because I'm not a fan of cigarette smoke or the smell of it on my clothes but if I was a smoker I'd be here all the time. read more