The Bancroft Bar

They let me drink there, which is Kool cuz uh, well look at me, I'm pretty ugly. But they still…read moreembrace me and serve me drinks with a smile.

Was visiting San Diego because of a friend's theatre performance at The Moxie Theatre. After the…read moreshow we mixed and mingled with the cast who suggested going to tiki/surf bar called The Luau. This place was great. Bright, vibrant and full of tropical decor. The bar was packed. We got a four high top seater in the main area. Glad we did because it was karaoke night! In between songs the dj would play pop star music videos. There was a back patio with more seating. Surprise of the night was when Sterling the security guard sang a song from "Wicked". Will definitely go back again!

Hawaiian coffee

Planteray Rum baby

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Painkiller and Freida

The Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room

4.0(1k reviews)

1.9 mi

This is a great place to unwind after work, or to take a family, date or friend. It's easy. It's…read morewhere everyone knows your name..Like the Cheers song. The vibe is very welcoming. Certain nights they have music. So much fun.

Enjoying some adult shenanigans with the hubby at The Riviera!! Happy find in La Mesa. We can't…read morewait to visit again for their steak dinner & live music. Their menu looks really yummy..... What we ordered: * Sneaky Shot x 2 * Snickertini * Negroni The bar staff was amazing. Super friendly and attentive. We loved the old Hollywood/ steakhouse vibes. It was a great time!! #DiningWithTheAndersons #TryingNewPlaces #AdultShenanigans #WeekendVibes #LaMesa

Dining area

Banana foster

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Restaurant exterior view

Antica Trattoria

4.4(1.3k reviews)

2.8 mi

•$$$

Some of the best italian food I've had, our server Francesca was extremely nice, had great…read morerecommendations, and was extremely attentive. The entire vibe of the restaurant was incredible, the paintings on the walls and the small details all around made this honestly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, thank you!!

Came here on a whim for dinner as I was craving Italian food and this did not disappoint. Upon…read morestepping inside, the interior was decorated beautifully and reminded me of Italy. We got the fresh homemade bread, polpettine, insalate venere, linguine, and lasagna. The herb infused dip for the bread was delicious, and the bread came warm wrapped in a towel. The polpettine was my favorite appetizer, the meat was so tender and delicious and paired perfectly with the whipped ricotta. I appreciated the olives and onions in the dish as well, and the sauce was great with the bread. Our server was extremely kind and offered to split the salad for us. My boyfriend loved the salad and loved the pairing of the greens, goat cheese, and walnuts together. He got the lasagna for the main and noted that there were about 12 layers beautifully stacked upon one another. My linguine was delicious and packed with seafood which was cooked perfectly. The texture of the linguine was delicious and seemed home made. Overall the food and service were excellent. I'm so glad I found a gem near my home and will be back to try more of the menu.

This homemade gnocch with short ribs iwas to die for

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Sangria and dirty Martini

The Hills Pub

4.5(1.9k reviews)

1.5 mi

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

My friends and I are making this spot our neighbors waterhole.... Even when Steven is coming all…read morethe way from North Park.... "Worth the drive." Mostly because we had the absolute best waiter: Damian. Thank you hun for reminding us birthday months are a thing, the best things.

Always wanted to try this place because of the name, seems like a good place to have a drink and…read morehang out with awesome people

Remodeled back yard

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Hoops

Coin Haus

4.3(645 reviews)

1.5 mi

Such a unique spot where you can play games for free all day on Sunday! Combine that with their…read morehappy hour and you're in for a good time. They have classic arcade games here like Frogger Pong, Super Mario and pinball. There are a few newer games like a version of beer pong, Halo, Mario Kart and 4-person Pacman. We played every game within an hour and felt a bit bored after that. I'd love to see a Dance Dance Revolution game here! The plethora of beers, hard seltzers and ciders on tap looked like an expansive collection. There was something here for everyone. They even had a chocolate espresso martini on tap. I didn't drink but those in my party enjoyed every sip and got a good buzz goin. I love that you can pay for your drink by the ounce and you don't really have to commit to a whole drink if you don't want to. Perfect to taste test everything if that's what you desire. I'll be back in the area when I'm feelin in a fun and drinky mood.

Coin Haus is such a fun concept. They always have something going on, whether it's weekly specials,…read moretrivia nights, or other events that give you a reason to come back. It was a little smaller than I expected, but it's still easy to spend an hour or two here with friends. They also serve food, which I'll have to come back and try another time. Instead of ordering drinks at the bar, you start a tab by leaving your credit card with the cashier. They give you a tap card that lets you pour your own drinks. You can sample just a little or fill up a whole glass. It's completely up to you. They have everything from beer and wine to a few craft cocktails on tap. If you want to try something different, you can swap out your glass and keep exploring. The same tap card also activates all of the arcade games, which I thought was a really cool touch. It makes everything feel connected instead of having to carry around a bunch of tokens or cash. When I visited, they were hosting trivia night. It definitely brought in a crowd. Most of the tables were full, so walking around got a little tight because the space isn't very big. Even so, the atmosphere was lively. It felt like everyone was having a good time. I ended up trying the Cranberry Mule, which I really enjoyed. It was nice being able to pour just the amount I wanted instead of committing to a full drink. Overall, I had a really fun time here. It's a unique spot that gives you something a little different from your typical bar. Once you're ready to leave, you just close out your tab and head home. I'd definitely come back with a group of friends.

Coin Haus located in La Mesa

Self-serve taps

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The Jazz Lounge

4.7(46 reviews)

3.2 mi

A hole in the wall gem! Quality music (attended the Billy Joel themed evening) and artists. Very…read moreintimate setting. Fair ticket price. We will absolutely be back. An amazing night! PS: don't bother ordering food, it's not good, apart from the pizza and their ordering system doesn't work. Get a drink there but just have dinner before going.

We happily returned to The Jazz Lounge with its renovation, welcoming atmosphere and best of all,…read moreLeonard Patton. We have loved this venue for its five years but with the new menu and intimate feeling, it is better than ever. The Stevie Wonder concert last night was amazing, no one was still as the five musicians belted it out, and love of music permeated the whole room. Feels like going home.

10.2 mi•Middletown, Mission Hills

A table with no food.

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Starlite

4.1(2.7k reviews)

•$$$

Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India…read moreStreet. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends.

I had a reservation for Thursday and it was packed but took less than 5 minutes to get seated. They…read moredo check your ID at the entrance it's 21+ only. Parking is a nightmare good luck finding parking within a mile of the restaurant. Pros: atmosphere, drinks, service Cons: food wasn't great for the price, restaurant was small and crowded, no parking Service: All of our servers were friendly and very accommodating. Gave us some knowledge on the menu and recommended cocktails based on our preference. I had spilled my drink and they were quick to make me another one. Food: I had intended to get the prime ribeye cap steak but they ran out for the night around 8pm. I shared the steak sampler which came with four different cuts of steak and 4 sauces. I ordered medium and it was cooked medium/medium rare which was fine with me, it also had a good sear, almost burnt though. Out of the four steaks, we only liked two based off flavor and tenderness. The other two were more tough and gamey. None of the sauces really stood out but the bordelaise and horseradish were good. For our sides we got fries, roasted broccoli, and the grilled wedge salad. Fries were average. The roasted broccoli had really good flavor, I expected the broccoli to be al dente but it was cooked to mush and drenched in sauce. The grilled wedge salad was decent, there was a slightly bitter taste to it. I know it says grilled wedge but the experience of biting into the salad and it being both hot and cold was not pleasant. Cocktails: I tried the Honey Ryder and New Wave. These were recommended as the more fruity/sweet cocktails. You can definitely taste the alcohol but it's only 2oz so it's not too strong. Ambience: 10/10 I got seated downstairs by the bar. Only thing about downstairs is that it's too dark to take photos unless you use flash. Overall, I agree with the other reviews saying to go just for drinks and appetizers. I would go again just to sit upstairs and get drinks and take pictures. We left unsatisfied and ended up getting in-n-out after.

Bar area after entering

Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!

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Cocktails are fun!

Alchemy Choose Thy Poison

4.8(208 reviews)

8.9 mi

Tucked away by a boutique hotel is cute little Alchemy Choose Your Poison. The food and mixed…read moredrinks possessed an alchemist touch. Great food and drinks served in a relaxed environment.

everything! The service, food, and unique setting. Taking a friend for their birthday next week.read more

Gin/Mezcal and tonic punch bowl experience

Albondiga double cheeseburger

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Ceviche Negro 25

Pete's Place

4.0(195 reviews)

1.5 mi

The security guard with the beard was extremely rude and acted more like a barback than security…read more We've been coming here for years... and last Friday a group of people took a table we were using, even though two of our friends were already sitting there and told them the table was taken. We were a group of about 7-8 people total. When we came back after grabbing drinks, we saw that the other group had completely taken over the table. They said they didn't care that we were regulars and called the security guard over. We explained the situation, and his response directly to us was: "I don't care, you can shut up, close your tab, and leave." We had already spent plenty of money there and were not asking for special treatment, but the lack of professionalism was awful. I've worked in customer service for almost a decade and have never spoken to a customer that way. This is exactly how a good place can lose loyal customers because of incompetent staff.

I cool dive bar with pool tables. Our bartenders were pretty cool and also gave us recommendations…read moreof good places to go eat at and also have delicious cocktails. I definitely am going to come back to this bar because it just felt like Home.

A couple pool tables

Bar

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Outside smoking patio

Helix Brewing

4.5(317 reviews)

2.0 mi

The design of this place is really cool. It feels like you've walked into a back alley and are in a…read morecompletely different part of town. Everything is so clean but it has a very good rustic and real feel to it. The drinks here are my favorite because to be honest, I'm a sours beer kind of guy and they have a whole building dedicated to it. The amount of variety when it comes to sours is great a prices are fair. Flavors pop but theirs also a good enough selection if you want a more chill sour that won't punch you in the face. The other building (not sure which is considered the main ones) has a large selection of your typical IPAs, lagers, you name it. The flavors are good and they seems to have some deals going on from time to time for cans to take home which I can appreciate. They also have a few board games to keep you entertained and seem to consistently have some options fora food vendor as well as many times having live music. Definitely worth the visit on a day you see them having one of these vendors or live bands you may be interested in. The people here seem to be very friendly with their regulars and greet you as if you're a friend. I think this bodes well with breweries considering you're usually here to have a good time and chill. I wouldn't say it feels like the reason I'd come back at all but no complaints here. Just didn't feel like out of this world service by any means.

Stopped into Helix Brewery for a couple of beers. To our surprise there was a Crawford High School…read more45th reunion, so the place was packed with alumni. There was a band playing, a food truck and a Padres game on. Always a good time when you can catch the Pads on TV. I started off with their Blonde Ale, "Fun Times" which was good and also had their Mexican Lager "Surveza", both good and drinkable. I had a sip of their New Zealand IPA "MTNS" which was simply too hoppy for me. We got to try the Cubano Panini from the food truck that was there that day, and that was good. Overall a good brewery, cool/industrial location. With rustic vibes and open space. Lots of seating options both indoor and outdoor- major plus in my book. The bartenders were friendly and even let us try a sip of a upcoming beer. Cool find. Parking is a bit limited.

Inside

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Inside

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Art K.

0

4

5

10 years ago

I came across this bar while on a remodel project while I was at work the other day a couple of the guys and I decided to stop in and have a quick beer before we went home for the day I was very shocked by the inside of the bar it was actually a whole lot bigger than it outside would suggest and had a nice looking stage for live entertainment which I came to find out they have every Friday and Saturday night the locals are very friendly and the bartender was very cute and cool. I may have to bring my wife or maybe not lol, on a Friday night for some live music and drinks. read more

Omni C.

22

5

2

13 years ago

We like this place. Locally owned by a nice guy . Great music and a good sound system. Cheap drinks and a good selection. Since the new owner took over, The Bancroft takes credit cards, hired decent bartenders, and has more than Bud and Bud light on tap. The Bancroft still holds on to it's somewhat divey roots (I heard they open at 5am), but the beer-soaked, cigarette-stained carpets and walls are no more, and the sound system is good enough to entice great bands. Yes, we like this place. read more

Toot D.

0

2

0

5 years ago

this place is horrible i was i can give em no stars...very racist and not the same bar like it was years ago...imma find away to get it shutdown #blacklivesdomatter #fukracist read more

Tala C.

3

28

50

2 years ago

I've been here twice, it's a nice lil divey bar. Prices are good, the bartenders weren't rude. I would go back for sure. I heard they have live music so I bet that's fun read more

Mikey B.

0

1

0

5 years ago

They support nazis and white supremacy. My friends and I tried to go there for a good time but they kicked us out when we stood up to them. Don't go here. read more

Tanya H.

12

20

6

13 years ago

I love this bar since the new owners took over! The sound system is amazing. Cheap drinks & good bands! The Bancroft got a much-needed face lift. read more

Becky S.

2

3

1

10 years ago

This has always been one of my favorite bars yo visit. Déco is a little upper scale compared to other bars in the ares

Art K.

5

6

1

10 years ago

This bar has undergone a nice change in the past few. The locals remain the same but with nice overhaul.

Clyde J.

20

13

1

11 years ago

I came in for the first time Friday night. Look pretty good lots of nice people . Strong drinks. read more

Courtney R.

0

10

0

10 years ago

I love coming here for karaoke on the weekends. Nice, calm. Relaxing. Can wait to come back.

The Bancroft Bar - musicvenues - Updated September 2026

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