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    Tender Hooligan

    3.9 (82 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    TENDER HOOLIGAN ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Tender Hooligan

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    Matcha menu
    Daniela A.

    So glad I finally got to stop by this place. Came here for some quality time with my friend to work on some new goals so I was pleasantly surprised they had drinks because I had only planned to grab a coffee while we worked. We walked in and the inside is well lit, nicely decorated with vinyls everywhere and so much good music and nice vibe. For drinks we ended up ordering off th4 Soju Cocktail menu. We ordered the Nice Melon, the Good vibrations, the Strawberry Fields and Mangolificent and the Ciry Runs red. The cocktails were all suddenly sweet with good flavors ans honestly not that strong. For food we ordered the Spam Me Right Now, Baby and the Stand Bahn Mi with a side of chips. The chips were a nice touch and having the option to pick them off the counter was pretty nice too. The Spam Me Right Now, Baby had green onions that smells strongly like onions which took me by surprise when we got it. But the spam was a little too sweet for me but the rice was cooked perfectly. The Stand Banh Mi was disappointing honestly.. the chicken had way to much pepper in it ans hardly any other seasoning. The bread was warmed up so it was very soft and not firm like a traditional Bahn me and the pickled veggies inside were okay. It was definitely lacking what a Bahn Mi should be. Honestly, I took two bites and didnt finish it. The restroom is being built or fixed? I'm not sure they said two different things. They directed me to go outside then next door and go up the stairs to another bathroom and when I went to wash my hands, the water didn't not work. There is a motion sensor on the faucet but it was not detecting motion so I wiped the soup off my hands with a paper towel. Overall I think this is a really cool place but I wasnt impressed with the food or drinks at all.

    Shylene B.

    Stopped by this spot cause the vibe here is super dope! from the moment you walk in, down to the restroom decor, everything feels intentional and artsy. This spot is seriously epic! I first came at the beginning of the year when I was on my little coffee tour and ended up chatting with the owners - they're super friendly, down-to-earth, and patient. You can tell they really care about the space and community they've built here. The menu immediately caught my eye - every drink had some creative twist or interesting combo. I went with the Rude Girl since it seemed to be one of their more popular options. Flavor-wise, I wasn't completely in love with the espresso; it had a bit of a burnt note, but honestly, it's not enough to keep me from coming back. The overall vibe, menu variety, and atmosphere definitely make this a spot worth revisiting. They've also got themed events and DJs from time to time, which adds to the whole community feel. It's the kind of place you could grab coffee, food, stay to chill or work for a bit, and maybe even end up staying for an event later. Parking can be hit or miss (typical for the area), but nothing too bad. Prices are pretty standard for craft coffee spots. Overall, Tender Hooligan nails that creative, laid-back Chula Vista energy - and I'm already planning to come back to try more of their menu.

    Michael B.

    The vibe here is incredible. It popped up on my feed as a new place to pop by, it's about a year old, and it looked dope and it didn't disappoint. Came here on Labor day at 11am. It was already about a quarter of the way packed. Parking could definitely be annoying but not impossible. We lucked out and got one right in front of the building. It doesn't look like much from the outside but then you walk in and the first thing that'll catch your eye is the vinyls all on the back wall. They have different genres you can choose to spin or take home. There is also a DJ booth for what I assume are live sessions here. As my eyes scan over the place, I realized it was also a bar. I thought it was just coffee. They have some seltzers, Japanese lager, IPAs, sake, wine etc. It's definitely Japanese inspired or infused as many of the drink names and undertones on the walls are Japanese inspired. You can also get some food here - rice bowls or sandwiches. Or if you don't want any of that there are teas, lemonade, and soft drinks for you to sip on. But before you leave, make sure you take a photo of the red London phone booths. It was super hot outside, and so between the AC / Fan system they have and the blended drinks we ordered, we cooled off pretty quickly. We ordered the: Rude Girl which has creme de banana syrup, walnut bitters, milk (but we substituted almond milk in), espresso, and was topped with nutmeg powder and whipped cream. I'm not a banana drink person, I rather just eat it. But I could get down with this. I think the almond milk cut the banana taste a lot which was helpful. I wouldn't necessarily buy it again but it was pretty decent. English Beat which has espresso, english toffee syrup, vanilla creme, toffee bits, milk, and more toffee bits sprinkled on top. Again, I'm not a fan of toffee in the least, but this one was fantastic. I was super hesitant but it came out sensational. I never thought I'd lived to see the day that I liked toffee but here we are. Prices were reasonable as well. I think this was by far a gem. I'll have to come back and try their cocktails and beer but I'm loving what I experienced and tasted so far!

    Cucumber lime Boochcraft
    Christopher G.

    Tender Hooligan is a semi-new establishment on 3rd Avenue in downtown Chula Vista. It's a bit of an all-in-one experience, featuring a record store and telephone vinyl listening booth, a cocktail bar, draft beer, a coffee and food menu, couches, and more. The overall aesthetic and branding is super vibey--I love the hanging lantern covers, the black-and-white wallpaper in some sections, the refurbished British phone booths, and the atmosphere. It feels like a laidback remote work spot, a place to chill with friends for a bit, and does a good job of capturing 3rd Avenue's long-standing entrepreneurial spirit. I came here for an event somewhat recently and it was pretty cool. They had lots of vendors, DJs, and live poetry. Plenty of people showed up, making it an interesting artistic event with networking opportunities. I tried the London Fog and it was pretty tasty! I'll need to come back to try other coffee drinks and food. Update: I've been back a couple of times to try different drinks, a food item, and even play a show here. The owners are super hospitable and very friendly people. I always have a great time! I recently tried the matcha lemonade, which I wasn't sure about at first due to the mixture of tang with the grassiness of the matcha--but it grew on me as I sipped. It's actually quite a refreshing pick-me-up drink. The Death Cap for Cutie dish is pretty good too--I liked the marinade on the shiitake mushrooms and the flavor profile when mixed with the jalapeños, green onions, and furikake. It's a great spot!

    Bartenders hiding heads down ignoring customers.
    Karina B.

    First time here and very likely my last. Bartender guy with face tattoos completely dismisses that they're are patrons needing a drink, acknowledges them but makes them wait for no reason while he sits and talks to other customers like he's at the park. I was there for 2 hours roughly and only was able to get 2 drinks because of the lack of service. It's like he makes customers beg for a drink, he is so rude. if you want to go to a bar and stand for a long time before you are taken care of like your begging for free drinks , come here you'll feel just that !! Management you have a great idea , spot is cool and good menu , but service sucks between your two bartenders being impolite and making the place feel like a dive bar I don't think that's your idea. Hopefully you get your idea right and better your service with better staff !!

    Inside
    Becky G.

    My husband and I were really excited to try this place, so we went today at 1pm, but it just didn't wow us! The inside was cool, not too big and you can order specialty coffees, beer, wine and some cool mimosas in a can. I only ordered a few drinks..I will say my husband enjoyed the pickle beer Michelada. The process for ordering your items felt a bit cold. You have to wait in line at the back side of the bar for your order to be taken, then you have to go back and wait on the other side for your items to be ready. Not impressed! The DJ who was there was so sporadic and inconsistent with the music he was playing (just being honest!) not sure if this place offers a different vibe on Friday or Saturday, but hope it does :)

    banana matcha
    Bianca S.

    The matcha is not ceremonial and honestly not good. I ordered the banana matcha and it tastes exactly like yellow Laffy Taffy. The staff also seemed annoyed to be there. no greeting, no acknowledgment, just "what do you want? Not the vibe.

    DJ every other Sunday!
    Charlotte R.

    I came out to watch my friend DJ and had a chill evening listening to music and people watching. They advertised the music style as "lowrider oldies, soul, old school, and freestyle." Apparently they have this event every other Sunday, and given the crowd turnout, it looks pretty successful. The coffee menu is fun, and they also offer an assortment of tea and lemonade concoctions. I ordered an iced Kingston, which is espresso-based and includes both coconut and almond syrup. I didn't have any alcoholic beverages, but they had an extensive beer menu, as well as wine, sake, and soju. We wanted something a little more substantial for dinner, so instead of trying their rice bowls or sandwiches, we opted to order from the Tavern across the street and brought our food in. The only thing that bumped a star was the state of the bathroom. It's an all-gender bathroom but the urinal was out of order and I shudder thinking about what was all over the floor in front of the toilet. At least the soap and paper towels were stocked!

    Bee Z.

    My friend and I love this place. It's so chill, good music, relaxing. The owners are awesome. We go there two or three times a week. Love the place.

    Such a great spot! The open lounge areas are beautiful and make the whole place feel so relaxing and welcoming. The drinks are absolutely delicious 10/10, you really have to try them for yourself! It does get busy, but honestly it's completely worth the wait. The prices are very reasonable too, I haven't tried the entrées yet, but they look incredible and I'm definitely planning to next time. I really noticed how clean and careful they are when preparing the drinks and food, and that's something I truly appreciate.

    Eddie C.

    Wife has been wanting to go here for awhile since she passed by. It was a Sunday early evening so probably a little more quiet and lots of seats available. Nice change to come here as everything in CV seems to only have beer. They had nice mix of drinks but no hard liquor. Limited food items if they interest you. Seems like their coffee drinks are a popular item. I had the CityRuns Red cocktail and really liked it as it wasn't too sweet but flavorful. Wife had Strawberry Fields and said she enjoyed it. As were getting our drinks we met friends here who were also intrigued with coming here. They have old stereo equipment throughout the location. They also sell vinyl albums along with outer wear. Neat place and will return.

    Michelle F.

    Tinder Hooligan is a solid spot in Chula Vista if you're looking for good drinks and a fun atmosphere. The cocktails are well-made, not too sweet, and just easy to enjoy. They've got a good variety without overcomplicating things, which I appreciate. I didn't try the food, but the menu looks solid for anyone wanting a bite to go with their drinks. The vibe here is what makes it--lively but not overwhelming, a fun crowd, and a staff that's friendly without being overbearing. It's the kind of place where you can actually enjoy your drink and conversation without feeling rushed. Would I recommend? Yep. Would I come back? Already planning it.

    Jessica D.

    I was looking for a new coffee shop to check out and I didn't realize they serve food here too! One of their walls is covered in vinyls from head to toe. I think they also have DJs play here but I didn't ask for their schedule. They have lots of specialty coffees to choose from and their rice bowls are so filling.

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    5 months ago

    Great spot. Excellent tap list, excellent record selection and excellent vibe. Amazing!!!!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Tender Hooligan

    Is this place kid friendly?

    Based on my experience, I would say no. I would preferably not take my child there. He's 12 and would probably be bored. I just don't think it's a good idea.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Tender Hooligan

    Finally downtown Chula Vista became cool with the addition of Japanese/European listening bar & record store.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Tender Hooligan - themedcafes - Updated May 2026

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