Old Huants and New Cheers: An Authentic Dive with Heart in Vacaville! I don't get to Vacaville very often, but when I do, I always enjoy stopping by TJ's Tavern. Stepping into TJ's Tavern feels like catching up with an old friend after years apart--familiar, comforting, and just the right amount of nostalgia. The drinks are straightforward and hit the spot, served up by solid bartenders. The music is often a mix of classics and some new surprises, which is just right. What makes TJ's truly stand out is the undeniable spirit in the place. There's a sense of resilience and growth here, like watching something meaningful continue to hold its own. On my most recent visit, I was happy to see how this place is not just holding its own but thriving. If you're passing through Vacaville and crave a spot with character, history, and a whole lot of heart, TJ's Tavern is well worth the visit. Here's to good times past, present, and those still to come. Cheers read more

Wild little place. First time there around 5pm. Walked in, girl had her dog sitting on the bar. Not next to her, on the bar. Proceeded to put the dog down so it could run around with another dog! I'm cool with that to an extent but my buddy wasn't digging it. The crowd is very local and you can feel it. No hassles but the vibe was strong. Must be some shit going on but what do I know. Wonder what happens at night... read more

This is a nice local bar located in downtown Vacaville. The drinks are reasonably priced and strong. The bartender was nice. The atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. They have a foosball table, dart boards and two pool tables. They play a little bit of everything at the bar; country, hip-hop, dance music....They also have daily happy hour specials. There is street parking available right outside the bar. This is a low key spot to have a good drink and just chill. read more

Bartender was clearly on something. He was so aggressive with my girl friend who told him SEVERAL times to back up. He didn't. I finally said i needed a beer so he HAD to go back behind the bar. He brought my beer and went right back to aggressively standing behind my friend. Local bar for many years, just changed owners and i was really excited to go in and see what they had done. The place is cleaner but the bartender made it a terrible experience. Sad that they don't care enough about that part. Not usually a person that posts bad reviews but i feel women should be aware. read more

TJ's Tavern - Best part of the bar... the door leading out - Dive Bars Near Me - Vacaville, California

Great music, two pool tables - we were just wanting fun game of pool - some of the locals are a bit A____. Bartenders nice.

I really like this place. I've been here a handful of times and everyone is very friendly. I love the music from the DJ and the bartenders are sweethearts. It's obvious everyone are regulars because they all seem to know each other, however they don't make you feel unwelcomed. read more

First time at TJ's Tavern, enjoyed the live music, Tavern was Clean, lively crowd, great fast friendly service at the Bar. Wasn't sure if the food ordering was available. Convenient location with plenty of parking Downtown Vacaville. Recommend read more

It's probably because of the time/day I went, but this place was DEAD! I think one of these reviews said that this bar targets younger kids...um...NO. By young do you mean 30's-40's ? Because I only ever see a very small amount of 21-27 year olds here (2 for every 4-6 older people) They have a pool table you can use for 1 dollar per game, it gave me a giant splinter because the wood is breaking off so be careful when you reach down to grab your pool balls. Positives: the bartender was nice and their drinks are average price Note: if you don't like country music or old 90's/early 2000's rap music, don't come here, they only played country/generic radio songs... CASH ONLY read more

Didn't enjoy the atmosphere here. Super dead. Slow service. Bartender was sitting at the bar and didn't even acknowledge us even after we sat down. read more

Located in downtown Vacaville, TJ's is a great place to meet up with friends at the end of the night. If you just wanna hit a few balls of pool, this is your place. Targeted to the younger crowd, you can always find a few older gentlemen and woman from time to time. I believe there's two pool tables, a dart board and a fooze ball table along with a juke (sp) box that plays just about any genre you can imagine. Upon entering there's a smokers pit since there's no smoking allowed inside. The drinks there a pretty expensive, so I suggest sticking the drafts. Great place to celebrate St Patricks day! read more

FEMALES BEWARE!!! Three weeks ago -me and a group of friends were having a good time there, we heard a ruckus so we turn around and two guys had one of our friends (girl, non threatening, not belligerent) hemmed up and dragged her out of the front door, kicking her out. We were in shock but just left. Fast forward to last night. It was closing time and the dude was saying last call, go to the bathroom, we have ten minutes. So me and my girl friends start walking to the bathroom. A security guard, out of no where, grabbed one of my friend's by the neck and dragged her outside! Said to her, no bathroom for you! Once outside, he slammed her onto the ground! Mind you- she's five foot- a woman! She was not disorderly or belligerent! She has bruises all over her body, her hand is swollen, her neck hurts. Had any of our husbands witnessed it- there would've been a huge brawl and folks would be going to jail. I don't know why these douchbag security guys think they can treat females like this. They are assaulting women there. Do not go!!!! read more

I would definitely recommend this bar out of all the ones downtown. The bartenders are nice, and the bouncers are always respectful. They have cool games inside and it's easy to get serviced for drinks. read more

The music is super wack. Hoodie and the blowfish? Yeah no. The younger generation inside seemed bored.

Thank you to the bartender, the owner and the security guard for kicking Dolores Sanchez out of your place of business when she was trying to attack me on Saturday December 28. On Saturday, I met a friend for a drink before heading to Stars. We ended up at TJ's. My friend noticed someone on the other end of the bar acting like a Chimpanzee and making a scene. My eyes are bad so I couldn't see but a big fat piece of black blob moving around. I had no idea that it was a local alcoholic that loves to start fights when she's drunk. The bartender, security guard and the owner told me it was Dolores Sanchez that was trying to act all tough. She's in her 40's and still hasn't left high school. They told me she was flipping me off and threatening to kick my ass. So, they simply told her to leave and not come back. They're sick and tired of her getting drunk, making scenes and fist fighting any female she sees by herself. She won't fight one on one. She loves to bully, gossip, get her gang together and attack whatever female she's jealous of. It is so nice to know that a business owner and her employees value the safety of their patrons. All this happened while Robert and I were having a drink and cracking jokes. We didn't even know she was acting like a crazed chimpanzee until they kicked her out. By the way, the drinks and service are awesome. read more

Typically this place is a 5.. but I recently came for a friends birthday and Joyce was so rude, unfriendly and plane MEAN. The other bartender at the time was trying to make excuses for her but I've been a bartender and Joyce's attitude was unacceptable... sadly I'm not sure I'll be returning here after that. read more

My boyfriend took me to TJ's last night after his mother's retirement party. We were both pretty tired and didn't stay long, but I definitely got a good vibe from the bar. Pretty mellow. Reminded me of "my" bar up in Davis. Pool tables in the back. Dart (and I'm talking REAL darts) in the front. A foosball table. Pretty decent bar games, if you ask me. And the bartenders were nice and definitely on top of their game, I don't think anyone waited more than about a minute for their drinks. There was a pretty decent number of beers on tap (I think I counted 6 or 7, but there might be more... or less) and a good selection of the hard stuff behind the bar. Wednesday and Thursday nights from 8-10 the happy hour special is 1/2 off drinks. All drinks. Any drinks. Awesome deal. And on Sundays you get a dollar off. Also pretty sweet. Next time we're in VV I'm sure we'll stop by again. read more

Best bar in town. GREAT food when bills serving up his famous dishes. Cheapest drinks in town! Good people, great vibe = fun memories to be made at a local favorite! read more

TJ's Tavern - Fun night! GREAT FOOD! GREAT music! Sand eveywhere for the end of Summer party - Dive Bars Near Me - Vacaville, California

See all

I finally got up the nerve to go out to a bar in my hometown on Christmas eve. Went with my wife, my brother, and his girlfriend. To my mind, TJ's has been there forever. This was always the downtown biker bar when I was growing up, but this night it was filled with big bro dudes in black baseball hats, oversized shants, and bad facial hair. The place is weirdly humid and seems to be constructed haphazardly, including a stairway to nowhere. Luckily, I didn't see anyone from High School, and a pitcher of Sierra Nevada and a pint of Newcastle came out to $13 bucks. I guess you can't beat that. read more

So here's the scenario. I order a bud light and the bartender asks if I want draft or bottle. I say bottle. I feel like $4.50 a pop is kind of steep for Vacaville but I have 3 more at the same price. Then someone else sits at the bar and orders a draft bud light for $3.00 at happy hour price. I ask the bartender why she didn't let me know there was a happy hour. She says "you didn't ask!" I don't normally write bad reviews on bars, well because I don't normally encounter a bar that I don't like. This place took the cake though as the absolute worst bar and bartender I have ever experienced. read more

My favorite bar, great atmosphere, everyone is chill and friendly. Bartenders are awesome. Lots of great memories here.

A great little dive to just hang out with friends and kick back a few beers and have an amazing time. Friendly bartenders, awesome people to meet! It gets a little crowded on the weekends, but nothing that you can't manage! Even when busy, its quick to get service. I highly recommend!! read more

These guys found my wallet and kept it. All the appreciation in my life! Even though the bar gets pretty loud at the end of the night - it's proven that these is good people :) read more

Cheapest drinks downtown! Great service, strong cocktails, and the perfect dive bar atmosphere.

I met TJ in a hotel bar in Medford, Oregon. I was on a road trip and he mentioned he owned a bar in Vacaville. I figured I'd look him up if I every traveled in and around the bay area. From what I hear this place has evolved from a older, established crowd to a younger Red Bull and Jager shootin' crowd with the regulars, of course...nothin' wrong with a steady stream of fresh dollars now is there TJ! read more

I love this place. Been coming here for years. Love the enviroment and the cool bartenders

This is your basic bar and pool hall. The bartender working Sunday night is super duper. He was nice and friendly and made us some great drinks. read more

What an absolute dump of a dive bar. I am usually a huge fan of dive bars. But THIS place is disgusting. From the dilapidated interior to the decrepit 'patio' right back to the rear door you have to enter from an alley to access this place, it is awful. As if that was not enough to turn a person off, the bartenders are about as bright as the lack of windows. I mean they were both not smart and not cheery. THE ONLY thing I can say was a saving grace is they had Bacardi Torched Cherry flavored rum. It is the only place I have ever seen it before and since. But to avoid getting hepatitis, I will head to the BevMo to quench that craving. read more

This place used to be a great hangout. The place is an absolute dive, but drinks used to be reasonable, bartenders were awesome and full of personality , but that's all changed. Drink prices went through the roof , the best bartenders left, and old friends drift apart. It's still quite the hot spot on Friday Nights. Standing room only. I don't get it. read more

Great place to chill, the whole waitstaff is chill and treats people great. Don't go to that shithole called Cheers down the street, come to TJs! read more

Dirty and bad service, ok crowd depending on the night. Meh.

Not the best of places but a great dive bar to relax for the night and have a few brews with good friends. All the local are nice guys and we've never had any problems read more

Not sure what caught my eye first in this downtown Vacaville gem. Maybe it was the smell of the cigarette stained walls, or perhaps the ancient cash only sign crooked taped behind the bar...but I fell in love when my forearms stuck to the worn varnish plywood bar while the tattooed valley girl smacked her gum and looked on. read more

I'll give them a 3 and that's not a well earned 3. First off, I love the owner. Great guy. I wish he actually worked there because when I went there for pool league, the short female bartender almost got my foot up her ass. I was standing there for 10 minutes with cash in my hand and she not once even asked if I want a drink. And the bar had MAYBE 10 people in it. Not even. The other group was already drunk. And on top of that, I found out one of the main bartenders was one of the drunk ones there and didn't even bother telling her we are standing there. Needless to say, I had to yell at her just to get a damn drink. I don't like that they are cash only. Their pool tables are the worst tables in vacaville. I know this because I play league and I play at all the bars. And their drinks are not the cheapest in town. Idk where u guys are going but like 6 bucks for a Malibu pineapple on a Wednesday night is ridiculous. Oh and the fact that they don't offer free pool ever? Yeah that's ridiculous. I refuse to pay for pool on a Monday or Sunday. Some of the staff is nice and has good customer service but that short one needs to be fired read more

The only thing cool about this bar is the people. It's real laid back and has a smoking room out back. Not to fond of the accomadations though. It feels real cheap inside like they are doing what they have to just to get by. read more

The sign for TJ's should read, "Hey, We're Not Huey's". That alone would draw more of a crowd. I read a few comments that said this place was chill. Yeah, it's chill, but not by design, its because its freaking dead. At night the entrance is in the alley, but to get in you have to sift your way through a weird hodge podge of cigarette smoking 50 year old bikers and more cigarette smoking 21 year old newbies. There doesn't seem to be much of a middle area here. The main problem with this place, besides the set up, is it doesn't have an identity. Once inside there are a few dart boards, a couple of pool tables, some tables and chairs and a bar. While this bar just doesn't have an identity, it is close to having 10 different identities. At one point I heard it was a cowboy bar, then a biker bar, then a teenie bar, it's not an irish pub, or anything that would draw a specific crowd, so it relies upon its regulars. - Good news, like I said it is "chill." Good place if you are looking to just meet a friend, shoot some pool, play some darts and chat. Not the scene if you are looking to "whoop" it up, as they say. (Except good place to bring a large crowd bc the place is yours.) - Better crowd than at Hueys and Cheers. If you aren't a prude you should fit right in. - Drinks are not bad. - Staff is fairly friendly. read more