Have you ever just wanted to go to a bar and just sit and relax? A bar where you just drink and have light conversations with the people around you or the bar staff. A bar where if you want it to just doom scroll you can and nobody would bother you. A bar where you can watch one of 20 DVDs that they have available. A bar where most of the seating are comfortable and you can just relax. A bar where you can bring a small group of friends and laugh well into the night. A bar where it won't cost you an arm and a leg. A bar that keeps the light low and doesn't have all of those frills and thrills. That's why black cat is dope. You walk in and you see what you get. Good people. 7 to 8 drafts. Two pool table. Seating for maybe 50 to 60 people. Guaranteed solid night all around. read more

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I love this place. It's dimly-lit relatively cheap with strong pours and all the staff are very personable. No food, it's drinks only but there's dozens of places to eat around here. Favorite bar in the area with Tower Bar a close second. read more

A perfect local haunt. My go-to for ultra affordable drinks, a great jukebox, and accessible billiards. You can't go wrong.

I actually really like this bar. The drinks are great. Prices are great. The price to play pool(.75 cents) All so great! Good vibes, great staff! I would definitely come back. I will be back. read more

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OK, so this bar is on the former site of a bank, is modeled after the Haunted Mansion, hosts International Pop Overthrow, and I can walk to it. Sold! A black cat named Behemoth used to live here, but I believe that he has passed. RIP. Beers (and other libations) are affordable. They got pool tables and a jukebox. They at least used to have happy hour, but my wife and I didn't see evidence of it when we visited a couple of years ago, and other Yelp reviews haven't mentioned it lately. Apparently you can bring in food. There are some great restaurants close by like Lucy Ethiopian and So Saap. See you at the next IPO! read more

DRINK VALUE! our bartender was very nice and i loved the crowd. we came for drinks and stayed for 1 dollar pool read more

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It's really cool here...decorations are cool and Halloween like. Goth punks should gather here. Jukebox and billiards are cheap. Drinks are sooo yummy. Bartender was nice. : ) read more

Owner is always rude, old white guy. Waitress is very friendly and better manner than owner. read more

This is a cool little dive bar with two pool tables, the decor inside is dim with loud alternative music. If you're into that it's a great time! The bar tender was fast and attentive, it wasn't too insanely busy which is nice because crowded bars are lame. Come here for a good time! read more

My friend and I stopped in Black Cat Bar for drinks before a nearby show on Saturday night. It is a cute place that felt very cozy and welcoming on a cold, rainy night. there are a couple pool tables, a small bar, and an upstairs balcony with a fancy sofa, and an area that I couldn't see from the bar. There are cute black cat decorations everywhere. When I walked in the juke box was playing Joy Division, followed by several more dark wave tunes. I didn't have the chance to go through the juke box, but I liked what I heard. It wasn't crowded at 7:30 on a Saturday night, which was nice because there was plenty of space, but hopefully they draw a good crowd later and on other nights. I was drinking whiskey sours. They were simple, but the prices were great. Three Bulleit sours cost only $18. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would definitely make this my home bar.... cute place, friendly bartenders, cheap drinks and good music! read more

I've lived ten minutes from this place for a decade and had no idea it existed but better late than never. Black Cat offers a nice reprieve from the City Heights mayhem just outside its doors. The photos on Yelp truly don't do the place justice. It's not huge but has two pool tables, a cool upstairs loft/lounge hangout spot, a music stage and a full bar offering every liver killer under the sun. It's super clean and well kept. As a music venue it has surprisingly good acoustics that really give performers a warm sound. Friendly service, friendly pours. Cheers. read more

I love this place. They have a great ambience and 2 pool tables. Sometimes they have live music (with a cover). They have pretty good prices on bottled Hoegaarden which I love! Bad thing is the bartender can be slower than molasses if they get busy, no hustle. read more

- live music was extremely loud (way too loud) but the vibe is very chill. No one is dancing - accused of having a fake (I don't) when leaving (??) - outside a cockroach fell on my shoulder and I will never recover - $10 cover . cheap drinks read more

Black Cat Bar - a neon sign on the side of a building - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this place and the vibe! It's becoming a new hang for me and a friend. Good service, cheap but good drinks. Always live music when I go. Only complaint is that the music is loud to the point of being like dangerous. You have to scream to even kind of have a conversation. I actually feel bad for the bands because it's so loud that it doesn't even sound good. Last night was rough, woke up with a migraine and ringing in my ears. If they adjust the volume of the music even just a bit, it'd be much more tolerable. read more

OMG how I wish this place was way closer to home. I would be here all the time. Great venue for music. Super nice staff. Cute bar and layout. Great for small bands. Sound was great. But the greatest of all greatest is that the two drinks we ordered were 7 bucks for both That's right. SEVEN DOLLARS FOR TWO DRINKS. One was a beer but the other was a vodka soda. Hello. There is nowhere anywhere where drinks are that cheap outside of happy hour. so I was very happy for the two hours I was there. Please go and visit the Black Cat Bar. Your wallet will thank you. And the bands that play there are great. read more

best bar matt the guy all bartenders ar vibibing plus thay carry my favorite beer and make a mean gin and tonic read more

Black Cat Bar - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Black cat is a cozy neighborhood bar with the nicest bar tenders & crowd is so diverse I am probably one of the oldest people there but I always feel comfortable we come from our friends barber shop Chavos Parlor . The owner hires kind staff . The drinks are great. The atmosphere is very comfortable and they do have live music occasionally wes the musician/bartender play acoustic guitar when he it's not at other bars playing rock . read more

Surprisingly disappointing. I had been working late so a little pause and something to drink sounded like a delightful way to wrap up the night. I walked in and thought "This place looks pretty cool." The background music was awesome, I liked the interior and there were lots of people talking and enjoying themselves. I ordered one of my favorite drinks, a rum and Coke and ....it tasted terrible! It was really a horrible drink. And then the band took the stage. They were so shockingly, overwhelmingly loud that I absolutely had to leave. I chugged the drink and walked out. Not exactly the best first impression. read more

Black Cat Bar - Hmmmmmm - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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The drinks were cheap, but the gal at the bar with the short hair and the big eyes was so rude for no reason. I tried to order one more drink before I closed my tab and she gave me so much attitude. I understand working under pressure, I work in the service industry myself, but she was so mean. I was turned off immediately by her foul attitude. I would have tipped poorly but I can't as that would go against my conscience. I won't be going back though. She was very mean. read more

I give this place a solid 4 stars for the dive bar category! Cheap drinks, great music even live music, and a pool table! The only thing is they don't have enough bar tenders so expect the service to be a bit slow. It's a great vibe, great people of all types, and clean! read more

Went in... the entire bar and the bar tenders all stopped and turned around like it was 1950 and my kind wasn't welcomed in these parts lol wow this is still going on in SD read more

Nice bar to have a couple of drinks and talk with friends there's also a taco stand right across the street and makes read more

Black Cat Bar - Poole tables - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Great Pool Tables and Price and Drinks Low Key Atmosphere and Ambiance. Definitely recommended to come!

We went to see a local band perform at the bar. Parking could have been difficult later, but we found street parking near the bar. The bar is beautifully decorated with various black cat motifs and the service is prompt and friendly. They seem more geared towards beer than wine, the server joked (at least I think she was joking) that my wife got the only wine glass that they have and the only bottle, but it was a good bottle! There was no food available at the bar, but we were told that we were free to hit the taco stand directly across the street. So overall, it was a good fun bar, with a couple pool tables. Where it really excels is as a place to watch bands (though I will bring my newly purchased high fidelity ear plugs next time)- there is no bad seat in the house and the energy level is incredible. I heartily recommend the place. Only thing keeping me from 5 stars would be a little more variety on the wine and some bar food (i.e. bags of peanuts or chips to purchase). W read more

Bartender was super nice. Business is super cute. Drinks are a great price. I would say this place is 3.5 stars. Only things that suck about it are the location, which to me is a bit sketch... personal opinion due to the riff raff i seen while cruising in and the drunk a$$ winos that stumble in and cause scenes. Nothing the business can do about it tho, they try to kick em out as soon as they see bad behavior. I would go there again for a drink or 2, but it wouldn't be a regular spot for me. read more

Black Cat Bar - two glasses of water and a bottle of alcohol - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Great place to hangout with friends and not break the bank. Loved the environment and the vibe of the place.

Not the safest place for LGBTQIA patrons! I went there on 3/4/22 for a round of pool and was verbal assaulted by another customer. A lot of gay slurs and aggressive posturing. Took about 15 minutes before anyone decided to make him leave. I think he was friends with the security because it wasn't even bar staff that had him escorted it out but his friends that I was pleading for to get their friend under control. I went to the bathroom to gather myself only to see him back inside at the end of the bar staring at me and posturing. I am assuming still being served by the bar. I decided to leave and luckily I was with some friends. Please be safe out there Family! read more

First time here and loving it. Chill, classic bar where you can hear great music, have a drink & be yourself. Two pool tables. Great jukebox. read more

Black Cat Bar - View from the gorgeous balcony - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Good drinks they have a pool table and friendly bartenders they let my dog lay under my bar stool nice peeps

Good water! It comes in a medium sized plastic cup with ice and a straw. It's cold and had a bit of a flavor to it, though I couldn't put my finger on what. read more

Black Cat Bar - Water - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Solid place! I had one gin and tonic and the bartender was very generous. I felt more buzzed than I did when I had 2 cocktails at a fancy restaurant the next evening. Whew! There's not a ton of seating-- just at the bar, plus a couch in a loft-- not sure you're even allowed up there. Then 2 pool tables. Seemed to be locals in there. No music that night. Also, I wouldn't go in that neighborhood without some kind of bodyguard type of person, but the bar itself felt very safe and the bartender seemed like the type to look out for people. read more

It's a little small and could get crowded quickly. There is a cover to enter. Live music and lights are dim, nice ambiance. I sat by the bar, asked the bartender if she had any blue moons, rudely she responded "Um no, the menu is right in front of you" and proceeded in slamming it. Lol I guess silly of me to not have noticed the menu, but geezus women the attitude & bitch face was unnecessary. She deff needs to be replaced she's a buzzkill and I was sober af! read more

Dennis was the best. It is such a homie vibe and he was the best bartender that I have ever had. He was attentive and went above and beyond to meet our needs. I have no complaints. Honestly the best bar in SD that I have experienced. read more

Black Cat Bar - Bar - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

First time here and last time here, The bartender who looks like Jack Frost was rude. We stepped in tried to see where we could sit. But he came up to us "IDs". Not even a "hi welcome" after he checked our IDs he told us we weren't allowed to sit at the tables if we aren't buying anything. We literally just walked in and automatically TERRIBLE service. He also said "this isn't a social club, you gotta buy something or leave". We were in here for two minutes. For someone to come up to us and say "social club" should change their atmosphere and not be such a fake speak easy bar. We obviously were going to buy something but for someone to come to us and already starting to give us bad service. You might as well shut down this place if they're going to approach their guest like this. read more

Thrilled the Black Cat is responsibly operating during COVID. Without a doubt, my favorite bar in City Heights, along with the Tower. The Black Cat has been providing a much-needed and much-appreciated hub in the neighborhood for year now, and I hope it does for years to come. I love the jukebox, the feel of the space, and the owner Matt is passionate about his business in a way few bar owners are. Cool, intersecting groups of customers are the norm, with everyone getting along whenever I've been there (which has been dozens of times). read more

Dig the vibe, nice folks behind the bar. First time visiting, will go back. Live music had C a good mix.

I came here Friday night with my husband and another couple. We came to see The Downs Family. None of us had ever been here so we weren't sure what to expect. There was plenty of parking on and around University Avenue. The first band was going on at 9:00 so we got there about 8:55. Apparently, we squeaked in right before they started charging cover...the cover was only $5 each. Not bad for seeing three bands. The bartenders were friendly and welcoming. They have a good selection of beers on tap and bottle/cans. The mixed drinks looked on point... we didn't try any. The crowed was mixed. Some locals and some were there because of the band. Everyone was super chill and respectful of each other. Everyone was having a great time. There are two pool tables but only one in use while the bands played. We all said that we would definitely come back to see a band. I'm not sure if I we come come all the way over here just to grab a drink. read more

Black Cat Bar - The Down's Family - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Awesome dive bar. It resides in the former "Bank of East San Diego" building, before City Heights was incorporated. It's comfortable, it's walkable, and the cat theme is pretty awesome. You'll enjoy the music at night. The barkeep with the beard looks tough, but he's a nice guy. There are billiards, and if you want a legit bar, here it is. read more

Black Cat Bar - Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

My favorite dive bar ever Great ambience and badass bartenders. Good place to watch some live music too oh and they have a cool jukebox

Christina is a terrible bartender, dont ever go to this bar. Its North park there is many bars. Christina is a terrible bartender and very rude. read more