Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Shot Exchange

    3.2 (89 reviews)
    InexpensiveNew American, Dive Bars
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Shot Exchange Photos

    THE SHOT EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like The Shot Exchange

    Recommended Reviews - The Shot Exchange

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Frosty brew!
    John J.

    Back to the Basics! I have been frequenting this place through more names than I can remember. I liked the old setups such as when it was the Tailgate before the Bar Rescue show got a hold of it. The show did make a few good décor changes but really destroyed the way this place should be based on some fantasy about a college crowd in the area. I grew up around here and that crowd was not coming down here except for the show. Anyway - the beer schooners are back! Frosty as ever! The staff is as cool as ever and the old vibe is back. The menu is simple but really good. Good beer selection and they can whip up any drink you can describe. Pool and darts and some well sized TVs. A great place to hang out and catch a game or meet some cool people.

    Schooner of Newcastle.  One heavy piece of glassware!
    Ross Y.

    I find myself sitting in this cool little dive (present-tense), off the main byway, waiting for the daily rush-hour traffic to subside. After hours on the open road, the desire to creep onward to SD is low. I need a pick-me-up, quick. I enter: the locals aren't ornery, the barmaid is pleasant, and a large, chilled "schooner" of Newcastle is promptly in front of me before I can blink. Life isn't so bad after all. They have an internet juke, electronic darts, and two flatscreens for some cheap thrills. Standouts on tap include Firestone walker, IPA's from Stone & Apocalypse, and of course, Newcastle; they have the basic spirits, nothing really top-shelf Decor is simple with a cool, backlit industrial "Shot Exchange" sign adorning the back wall. Men's room has a cool illustrated collage of his Airness, MJ Smallish space, but comfortable because of the open layout. If I lived in the area, it would be a great place to start the evening or end a workday.

    Bazooka joe, the other birthday shot. Bailey's and some blue stuff
    TOY A.

    I like this spot, small dark and intimate wtih a cool with a simple theme. They a karaoke dj, you can dance your sing or both at the same time. everyone gets into it. They have a great selection beers and drafts with a kitchen serving up bar grub. huge selection of shot specialties. I like the Pickleback, Jamesons and pickle juice. good times. will definitely come back.

    Was told by multiple bartenders that they don't "pour drinks" while they actively were pouring drinks bhaha.
    Jen E.

    Manager tried to give us shots that were poured in the back room after we had been ignored for 20 minutes. Was told by multiple bartenders that they don't "pour drinks" while they actively were pouring drinks bhaha. All experiences taken into account, on top of the abysmal service, I hope this place gets new management or loses their license - SOON.

    Ordered a cocktail and this is what I got.
    Suz G.

    No thanks. Won't be back. I came here when it was Tailgate , came in after the show takeover, and came in a few weeks ago after new owners. The bartender was a jerk. I asked for a drink and when he served it, it was practically half a drink. When I mentioned it, he was so rude and said, 'I'll drink the rest of it if you want'. Didn't offer to remake it or anything. He obviously didn't know how to make a cocktail. There are many other places around here to buy drinks. I definitely don't need to come here to drop money on attitude and lousy service.

    See all

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 5

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Feliz A.
    100
    368
    238

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of AJ B.
    1
    20
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Buzz P.
    71
    289
    238

    8 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ross Y.
    55
    70
    99

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of TOY A.
    0
    206
    374

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Johnny V.
    48
    21
    20

    6 years ago

    What a night great service good drinks happy environment. COVID friendly 6 feet away at all times

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Erica D.
    10
    48
    23

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jen E.
    252
    11
    3

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike W.
    514
    48
    8

    12 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Denton N.
    28
    55
    20

    12 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Suz G.
    2
    112
    40

    11 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Decent local dive bar. Have been many times and will surely go back many times. Like the help. Glad they are around foe sure

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of SoCal C.
    4
    113
    32

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marija M.
    57
    88
    32

    9 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1
    Photo of V V.
    0
    8
    0

    6 years ago

    Rude bartender, overpriced, low quality. Trailer trash atmosphere.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Sean M.
    977
    39
    644

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 2

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G H.
    16
    14
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1
    Photo of G L.
    1
    209
    48

    7 years ago

    If you want to smell the toilets while you drink a beer, this is your place. It's a joke about getting it fixed. I'll never go back!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of N C.
    267
    44
    131

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark B.
    21
    68
    12

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Shot Exchange

    Review Highlights - The Shot Exchange

    More on the younger side compared to most other bars in SCV I've been to.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for New American 30,461 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Shot Exchange - newamerican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...