This was our first time at Tender Hooligan, a Japanese-inspired audiophile cafe and bar in downtown Chula Vista, CA. Tender Hooligan has been in business since 2024 and it's known for its unique blend of high-fidelity vinyl listening, specialty coffee, craft beer, and cocktails. The audiophile cafe and bar is located next door to La Pesca Cevicheria on Third Ave. We had a 45 minute wait time for dinner at La Pesca and ordered a few drinks while we waited for table. Tender Hooligan functions as a community hub with a record store, themed spaces, and events like live music and game nights, offering a cozy, eclectic atmosphere for working, socializing, or enjoying music. The menu features unique drinks like the Ube Espresso and Jeepney Latte, alongside food and a selection of soju cocktails. I ordered a beer michelada. It's such a fun hangout check it out!! read more

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Cozy pit stop with sandwiches for $7?! Yes please Food: 5/5 We came in here to check out the vinyls, and when we saw the sandwich for $5.99, we HAD to get one. We got everything in it, and added avocado for $1. The peperoncini was free to add on the side. The sandwich was yum, but for $7, it is the best I've ever eaten. Service: 4.5/5 The person who took our order was so kind, offering us water when we didn't order any drinks and making sure we needed nothing else while we ate. Atmosphere: 4.5/5 It's so so cozy in here! I think it turns into a bar after dark, and the place is the right ambiance for both AM and PM. It was decently packed, and there are games to borrow! I would recommend this place for a casual lunch, a coffee run, or a third-space hang out. Amazing, no notes. Final rating: 4.67/5 (rounding up to 5 on Yelp) read more

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My best friend and I were walking by this place on our way to dinner and couldn't help but stop by. The place has relaxed, chill vibe with a wall of records against one wall and multiple seating areas. They serve coffee during the day and alcohol at night. Since we came at night, we tried their cocktails. I was impressed with the variety of alcohol choices from sake, soju, wine and mixed cocktails. I chose So Fresh and So Clean, which exactly was the taste when I sipped this drink. The garnishing was minimal, so I was a little disappointed that the presentation wasn't that great. I ordered Just like candy and I loved the candy garnish as this was a fun twist to this drink. I did want the cocktails be a little more alcohol forward since I didn't feel it very much. Service was okay as we had to flag someone down to place another drink order. This place will reopen again soon and I'll try the cocktails again. Nice place to relax and unwind before or after dinner or in the morning with your coffee. read more

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Visited Tender Hooligan with some friends to participate in a Tuesday night Magic the Gathering event and it was well organized with plenty of seating and cards for sale for guests. While it was my first visit they seem to have a lot of events throughout the week along with being a cafe and bar. They have a nice cocktail list, I had the ichigo spritz which was very light and refreshing. They also have pickle beer which they can use to make a pickle michelada, very interesting for sure. Tender Hooligan is a great local bar with plenty of events for locals! read more

Tender Hooligan - Ichigo Spritz - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Great place for catching up with friends or getting to know someone. The place is well thought of and has a nice atmosphere. We had coffee d well it didn't disappoint. Will be back when I'm in the area again! read more

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Loved the vibes, they only played bangers, the coffee was delicious, and service was so chill. perfect place to study, vibe, sip, and relax read more

Tender Hooligan - Entrance - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

So happy to see Tender Hooligan open again! Popped in for some bevvies and record browsing on their grand re-opening weekend, and the vibes were immaculate. Can't wait to return when the kitchen is open. read more

Tender Hooligan - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Came in the grab a matcha. Atmosphere: The space is very clean and well designed. Lots of areas to sit. The area for matcha was tucked in the back so I was a little confused upon walking in. They have a full bar, dj set up and lots of vinyls. Service: I have greeted on my way in. The barista was friendly. Drink: I ordered a coconut matcha with oat milk. Overall the match was good, it tastes more like banana than coconut to me. Parking: lots of street parking with meters. Def want to come back and check out the bar or when they have a dj on. read more

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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. read more

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Brought the wifey here for a date night. We live right down the street so we're always cruising Third Ave. They have live music on Wednesday nights and it was lit! I'm staying away from alcohol for a while, but all their drinks looks good! We ordered their lemonade and it was delicious! I'd reccomend you come here on Wednesday night for the cool experience, I plan on coming here for coffee in the morning to see how that is, but man really fell in love with Wednesday night here. Made me feel like I was in a new city The app won't let me add videos or photos right now for some reason but I'll try to upload soon read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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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 :) read more

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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! read more

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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 !! read more

Tender Hooligan - Bartenders hiding heads down ignoring customers. - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Tried to order a coffee here while I was waiting for a table next door. Wasn't greeted or acknowledged but I looked at the menu for 5ish minutes and then left because customer service is nonexistent here. Me and my kids were sitting outside on the tables that are on the PUBLIC SIDEWALK and then a lady comes out to say "there's are for customers of this business, not next door." read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Tender Hooligan - banana matcha - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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. read more

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I came in for a quick espresso as I was waiting for my food next door. I walked in on a weekday afternoon so it was not busy at all. I asked the short, light-skinned woman working as a barista/bartender a simple question: "Hi! Do I place the order here with you, or do I pay at the front first for an espresso?" She responded quickly and a bit snarkily, "What?" I repeated my question. With a flat, monotone attitude, she said, "I'll take the order when I'm done." I said thank you and walked away. She was clearly having a bad day. read more

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. read more

Tender Hooligan - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Vibe Music Matcha Came in Monday afternoon and tried the matcha lavender latte and was not impressed. Maybe the matcha quality wasn't that great, but the drink hardly tasted like matcha. The rest of the menu does look promising so I will return at some point to try the other coffee/cocktail drinks. read more

This place is an instant 3rd Avenue 5star spot. 3rd Avenue is gonna have a lot of bars, restaurants, etc. If you look at the pictures or come by, you'll see the spot has lots of vinyls, but they also have someone actually playing the records all the time too so there's always good music, good vibes. It's on the smaller side obviously so it's not a party spot, but definitely good to go hangout with a couple of friends or an especially cool place to take a date for a couple of drinks. read more

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. read more

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This vibe is on point! I wish I had a boom to read or something to do so I can just chill here. The bartender/barista/cashier was super nice and welcoming. She was doing it all alone so shout out to her!! They have a large menu of both alcohol, coffee and regular drinks!! They do have a small food menu that I might try next time. Prices are average so not too bad. They do have a live dj set on sundays I believe. Of course parking is the same as everywhere in San Diego! read more

Tender Hooligan - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Not gonna lie this is a low key cool spot. It's like a Japanese listening lounge but Chula Vista style. They have unique drinks and food and records . Music, art, coffee, beer and more. They have cool special events as well. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date. read more

Tender Hooligan - Support local - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Found out about this spot after my friend's band played here a couple weeks ago. I was feeling pretty hungry after work and remembered this place was here and the last time I had the Banh Mi it was delicious. I love the fact that their dj was still mixing good club music even though there was maybe like 8 total people there myself included lol Noticed they also sell pastries so that's cool I'll have to try their coffee sometime. 5/5 experience seems like a good spot for a date night or just hanging out for some good cocktails or good food read more

So happy they reopened and it somehow got even better! Their pickle michelada is the best you'll get. Really great place for coffee, some drinks, and is great for students too. read more

Awesome cool spot. Record store with a coffee shop and a bar. There is something here for everyone. Lots of records. Has a cool vibe. There is paid parking but it is not expensive. You can play any of the records in the store. Tried the coffee- had the jeepney which was a ube coconut latte and it was delicious. There's a lot of options of coffee, beer, soju and more. There is a disco ball with a skeleton. Great spot to chill with friends. read more

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My boyfriend and I were really looking forward to trying this place out, but Tender Hooligan didn't open at the expected time they have online. The cafe says it's open at 10 am, but a few people including my boyfriend and I have been waiting for over 30 mins. I highly suggest going to a different cafe and not wait for an employee to open at their own time. Update: We ended up going to Mujer (across the street) because they never let us down. read more

Great new spot! I have visited the bar a couple times now. They have records for sale and a coffee shop at the end of the bar. Retro theme going on like stepping into your cool grandparents home. The drinks are affordable. I got the canned pina colada and it's only $3! i got a strawberry soju drink and it was delicious. I couldn't even taste the alcohol. Can't wait to go back this is definitely going to be a spot I hang out at often. Must check out spot. read more

Tender Hooligan - Soju drink - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

What a true Gem in Chula vista such a time warp in this beautiful place , from a bar, coffee shop, record listening bar it is truly amazing. I enjoyed the Hojicha tea, the Kingston, and the honey dew, love the banh mi and their food come check it out it brings me back in time read more

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Wasn't sure if I should give a 4 or 5 star review. Only due to there being one restroom and the entire back of the inside near the restroom is under construction? What else is going to be built back there as it is just the frame. The vibe was friendly. And fog machines were dope touch as they were flowing all the way to the outside. We went here for reggae Wednesday. read more

If you've ever wished your morning coffee came with a side of b-sides or your nightcap with a needle drop, this is your spot. This coffee shop slash bar slash record store slash vibe haven does it all--and does it well. First, the coffee? Perfect. Whether you're after a classic cortado or something more experimental, they've got you. The baristas here treat each cup like an album pressing--crafted with care, smooth, and absolutely worth collecting. Now, the twist: Sake. Yes, sake. Because why limit yourself to espresso when you can sip on something that'll make you feel sophisticated (or at least convincingly pretend to be)? Their sake selection is fire, perfectly curated like their record collection--deep cuts and all. And let's talk décor. Think warm wood, vintage speakers, and walls lined with vinyl. It's got that effortlessly cool, "I might start a band" energy without the pretension. Oh, and the listening booth? Genius. Pop in a record, sip your drink, and feel like the main character in an indie film. But here's the letdown--service. For a place that nails everything else, the lack of urgency is surprising. Waiting an hour for a single coffee with no apology? Not a great look. It kills the vibe a bit, especially when no one seems to care. Final verdict? Still worth checking out for the coffee, sake, and aesthetic, but be prepared to wait--and maybe bring a record of your own to pass the time. read more

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

The coffee and food are delicious. I went with a friend around 11am the week before Christmas and the vibes were amazing! We had the Japanese bowl and two iced coffee drinks and everything was on point. I'd definitely come back to check out their other drinks and nighttime scene read more

Such an AMAZING spot! Came here on a Saturday night at about 830PM and there was a DJ playing some really great music! The bar wasn't packed so we took seats at the bar and ordered drinks. Honestly I can't remember the name of the drink I had I just know it had soju in it and tasted AMAZING!! The crowd started picking up around 9PM, music was bumpy', the vibe was awesome, the bartenders were freaking cool and chill, the crowd was awesome also! It's a great place and I definitely look forward to coming back again!!! read more

Tender Hooligan - Themed Cafes Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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The service is absolutely terrible here. It's not even that busy and the bartenders spend more time talking than working. Nobody asks if you want anything while at the bar. There are clear lines behind the bar for food and drinks and they still ignore it and take their sweet ass time... Only came for the live music and to support the band. Other than that this was a terrible experience... 100% won't be back read more