Fun dive bar in Bankers Hill. One of my favorites for stiff reasonably priced drinks and a fun atmosphere. There is a Mexican food place next door and they let you bring outside food in. Which works out great if you are stopping by after a run and want to get some nice burritos to go with your beers. Street and on site parking available. read more

Horrible. All the way around Horrible. Games don't work, toilet was clogged, not a place to bring friend unless you're homeless.

My alcohol tolerance is low nowadays. I love my vodka pineapples and boiiiiii that drink was stiiiiiiff! Bartender was nice enough to add more juice so I can finish the drink without gagging. Needless to say I was buzzed after one drink. Drink prices were good! Cash only but there's an ATM. Nice atmosphere to just hang and chat with your buddies. I would go again if I ever go back to the neighborhood. read more

most random, fantastic nite EVA. this place is like a death metal version of Cheers...where everybody knows your name, but also likes to rock out to lamb of god. \m/ \m/ F@&*Yea! seriously surprised to have liked this place. located in the corner of a lil shopping center right next to a laundry mat, my friend and i cautiously walked into the dimly lit bar on a friday nite. the massive screamo playing in the background was definitely intimating and made us skeptical, but we had already made the journey here (after scouring the streets to even find it) based on the yelp app...and highly rated businesses on yelp rarely steer me wrong. i think the reason this bar has become so successful is that it was partially constructed by the local patrons. one thing people say over and over on here is it has a fantastic jukebox. you know why? because it's a collection of music provided by the customers themselves. Ask the owner (and bartender) Josh - who has a nose ring and fully tattooed sleeves - what song is playing and he will shrug and say "I have no idea, I listen to classical." Awesome. Such an easy-going, cool guy, you can't help but want to spent the entire evening chatting with him (which is what we did). He doesn't try to be anything but himself, and that radiates through the bar as well. it's not some pretentious hipster bar...it's just a local goth decorated dive playing the music the people want to hear while they are poured stiff drinks. Our vodka soda and rum & coke ran $4.50 each (CASH ONLY). And this is a spirits bar...not a place to get the la dee da local craft beer. in fact, i think he said if it was up to him they would have one drink: whiskey. Stay into the wee hours of the nite a bit before closing and you get to enjoy the leftover pizza (quite good by the way) from the neighborhood joint on top of strong drinks and laid back, friendly company. totally worth checking out. read more

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Great place. Nice cheap drinks that'll hold up the whole night. There was a couple of dogs walking around when I went, so if you're allergic, beware. They were sweet dogs tho, they just liked getting pets. It's also a rock/metal bar, but even if that kind of scene isn't to your liking, the place is still great. I had a great time. CASH ONLY!!!!! read more

I really really like this place, the only thing is that it is hot as hell!! "Do you have your ID?!?!" was the first thing I heard as I walked into the place. The barkeep is friendly enough and he reminds me of something out of an old Butthole Surfers video, and he was just doing his job... but his pours...wow!! I'll have a Sapphire on the rocks, I mean a Sapphire Tonic please. I don't usually shy away from strong drinks, but man, this stuff made the hairs stand up! Needless to say, I switched to Stella the rest of the night and who knows, those may have been injected with Nitrous Oxide as well!! I loved meeting the Yelp crowd here and enjoyed being with everybody! I had such a good time that I will definitely go back, but this time make sure I take a cab home. I love the all metal juke box with very few recognizable songs and then watching the barkeep switch out songs he didn't like. Prices? Decent, but make sure you bring some cash with ya!! OK, gonna come clean, I was pretty sloshed this night and was trying to work from memory of the place!! There, I admitted it, ok? Are you happy happy happy?!?! read more

Serious awesomeness inside. Banger music? I read a review that said that, and the music termed "banger" does not apply. It's metal. It's hard rock. It's awesome. I'm not a metalhead by any means, but the music definitely suits the atmosphere. I went with a few friends. One had gotten a tattoo a few blocks away, and apparently the tattoo shop and this bar have the same owner. She told me he's also the bartender. He was a super cool guy. Just think of Sam Malone with tats. And instead of playing baseball, Josh is a tattoo artist. The place is decorated in deep reds and dark colors. It's a very low-key, low light feel that seems to make any conformist uncomfortable at first. The place does grow on you. The people that go there are also very friendly. We were able to strike up conversations with just about anyone. The regulars were all having a great time and it's due to the fact that people really respect each other. Some patrons came in and talked with the bartender, but the bartender kept poking fun at the man ordering drinks. There's a certain rapport that people have with the place and I think it keeps them coming back. Unfortunately I live pretty far away and I can't see myself going here that often--but now I have another bar in my arsenal of boozing and I highly recommend this to anyone seeking to try something new and low-key. Cheep, strong drinks, good people, hot girls, lots of tattoos. You won't regret it! read more

Cherry Bomb - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

It's a dirty dive bar with a cement floor. Sure there's motorcycles parked outside...No you won't get stabbed. You won't get in a fight. The juke box has heavy metal and Johnny Cash. There's pool and Big Buck and foosball. Drinks are strong at $5. Cash only, ATM on-site. What more do you effing want?!?!? read more

Cherry Bomb - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The kind of mini-mall, cash-only, stiff-drink, dive bars we like. Despite having a locals-only and Rob Zombie vibe, the bartender and regulars were friendly to us "tourists", particularly Jason, who resembled a handsomer younger Charlie from It's Always Sunny. read more

Cherry Bomb - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

As a woman, if you want to get assaulted or touched inappropriately, this is the bar for you. If you expect door security to back you up, there is a good chance they were the ones that assaulted you. Do not go here unless you plan on keeping 911 on speed dial. read more

If you're looking for a dive bar with a good vibe, this is your spot. Not your average hipster downtown SD bar, more of a local/rock/punk vibe. We were couple hours early for our flight out to Vegas, decided to try it out. Glad we did! Will definitely be back, locals were cool and had us feeling like we belonged. Two thumbs up for Cherry Bomb read more

Cherry Bomb - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

What a great dive bar. Super stiff drinks at a good prices...just how I like them! Great decor, music, and vibe. Something different than the fancy cocktail bars that are everywhere. read more

Tired of watered-down chi-chi drinks in pretentious hipster bars? Cherry Bomb is the antidote. Hands down the best dive bar in San Diego. Solid basic well drinks made right at bargain prices. But if you go here for any length of time, do not plan on driving home! read more

Cheap and heavily poured drinks, friendly bartenders, and easy going patrons, Cherry Bomb is a community staple. I like the jukebox, I like that it is a few blocks from home, and I like that I am treated well here. It is cash only so be prepared for that. They have an ATM. Pool tables, a video game or two, and tvs are always on. read more

What can I say this place is sooooo cool!! Chip is the bomb in this cherry!! You will not be disappointed the drinks are so damn good!! Good vibe! Very welcoming! A must when in San Diego! The juke box is off the hook! Love me some punk rock!!! read more

Perfect little dive bar adjacent to tacos, car repair and a historic breakfast spot for the parents and out of town visitors just arrived at the airport. Honestly kind of special. read more

CASH ONLY *+*gets middle fingered by johnny cash*+* this no-frills dive bar is a nice place to get a five dollar pint of budweiser draft, especially if you're doing laundry, or just had mexican food next door, or you like billiards, foosball, deer hunter, jukeboxes, motorcycles, rock music, alcohol, etc. the bartenders are cool. don't be fooled by yelpers that expect barkeeps to kiss their asses read more

Stepped into this place and my gut instinct was to turn around and walk back out. But I was meeting a friend, spent 20mins finding this place and parking was not plentiful. One drink and we are out! Friend arrives and my first question to her is why this place? I don't know how, but Yelp had this place rated at 4stars. Drinks were disgusting, the jerk bartender was the owner, and don't go into the restroom if you value your health. This place isn't a dive bar. It's more reminiscent of an episode of Hoarders without all the clutter read more

Update: 4/9/19 Not sure what happened here in the last several months but they refused to serve me a martini. The appropriate glasses were there and they still had a shaker, but bald bartender said the owner wouldn't allow it. Weird. Ordered a gin and tonic and left. Disappointed in the ol' Cherry Bomb. read more

best bar in SD, solid pours, doesn't tolerate cheapskates, and a 25 cent pool table with some great players.

I wish I could give 0 stars. If You want to contract Hepatitis ,this is your spot. Absolutely filthy. Toilets don't flush and the glasses are dirty. Staff are rude ,entitled POSERS. Hopefully the Board of Health will close this sh%#hole. Not a cool dive. An absolute waste of time. Also, experienced some light racism from one of the bartenders, real fun. read more

Boom!!!! The Cherry Bomb is just one of those gems you don't even want to write about.....one that you hold so near and dear to your heart. Old, stubborn, unwilling to change, 2 taps behind the bar; BOTH BUDWEISER, as in BUD......think about that for a minute.....2 taps representing their draft selection, and both the handles are wearing fucking CROWNS!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA. It's such a classic dive....the pool table....the gigantic fan....the fact that it's in a 1950's era mini-strip mall. And walking distance to my barrio y piso is KEY. The head....it's a shit-rocket, just like I like em. Cherry Bomb.....I love you. read more

Owner/Bartender was actually a good guy. Read some reviews that said otherwise but it sounds like they were probably some terrible people. Had an absolute blast. Plus my Don Julio shot was a full glass. Love a good pour. read more

This is where you should go if you are a poor alcoholic! They have the strongest drinks I've ever had in my life! At most places I can drink drink after drink after drink and not even be 100% drunk... At THIS place, it is not so. I had ONLY 1.5 dirty gin martinis and I was SO DRUNK that I couldn't even ATTEMPT to drive drunk! No one even had to try to take my keys. I felt like I was going to die and my friend and I walked to her house and she put me to bed - we left my car there - which you are actually allowed to do, RARE, it has a parking lot! [and i never will leave my car ANYWHERE, so again, this proves just HOW MUCH alcohol they put in their drinks] I felt like I had about 10 or more drinks even though it was only 1.5, and I couldn't even finish my second drink, so if you are ever poor and need a martini that's under $6 or a mixed drink that's about $4 and will get you so drunk that you no longer wish to be alive, this is the place to go! It also has a pool table which might only be 25 cents, but you may need to check with someone sober to confirm this fact. P.S. I never want to drink again! read more

Let's say your drink of choice is whiskey coke. You know how some bars or clubs are so expensive you find yourself sneaking a flask in filled with whiskey to spike your coke so you don't have to spend too much money? At the cherry bomb you will find yourself sneaking in a flask filled with pure coca cola to spike your whiskey drink! You might as well just do a shot at this rate. A nice girl told my friend and I that she ordered a whiskey coke once and asked the bartender for more coke in her drink. His response? "No, Coke's expensive." hahahahahaha... It's like having a glass of whiskey and a splash of coke. My friend and I came here to down a drink before checking out the Appleseed Cast at the Casbah. The bartender was totally cute and both of us girls thought, "What's a guy like that doing in a place like this?" Of course, he probably thought the same thing about us. You will probably be welcomed in with wide open arms and handshakes by people with long hair, biker clothes, and a desire to meet and greet newcomers. The Cherry Bomb is kind of like... well, it's kind of like the old Scolari's Office but smaller. and without karaoke. Actually, you might miss this literal hole in the wall while driving by. The joint is tucked in the corner of a small business area surrounded by a laundromat and whatever else. Would I visit the Cherry Bomb again? ... Hm... Yes! But not alone. Definitely not alone. Oh, and don't worry, we called up a cab to cart our asses from the bomb to Casbah. One drink will floor you, son! read more

Some of the strongest drinks in town. This bartender doesn't mess around, and is sweet and attentive to boot. The jukebox rocks, I could easily spend more money on that than on drinks. Finally, very cool black and red decor. However, there is a time and a place for everything, and CB is not the place or the, uh, time for draft beer. Bud Light is the only option here, with a paltry selection of bottled beer. Every dive bar is a choice and while Cherry Bomb is a good one, it's not the right choice for beer drinkers. read more

Don't blink,, or you'll miss this place. It's in a little shopping plaza right next to Hob Nob Hill with the tiniest little red and black sign hanging over the door saying "Cherry Bomb" in tattoo knife-edge lettering. I drove by a couple times before I actually found it. But when I walked in, the bartender was so friendly. He shouted out a greeting, asked for my ID, and what I wanted to drink all in one breath! I felt like I was in some kind of emo dungeon in there, and it was just as hot, too. They even had The Misfits on the jukebox! Come with cash only. They don't take credit. PS. It didn't smell like stanky feet, either! read more

I got a buzz from 2 sips of my mixed drink. In fact I'm not even sure if it was mixed... quite possibly straight up ethanol. There was a dog licking my leg, a roller derby looking gal licking the dog, and someone was spray painting graffiti on the bartender... or maybe they were tattoos. Too much ethanol. There's a TV but you can't hear it, a toilet that was wrapped in a garbage bag, and clients who were extras in Mad Max. That said, I loved it. read more

The dark, stifling interior and the driving punk, metal, and REAL emo riffs pumping from the jukebox of this hole-in-the-stripmall-wall, encourages heavy drinking and heavy use of the F-word. There's a part of me that LOVES that Cherrybomb only has one beer on tap. How fuckin' rock & roll is that? It enables one to walk up to the bar, gesture vaguely towards the tap and grunt "I'll have a beer." And then that beer comes in a fuck-all giant glass. Awesome. This is actually quite important to people like me, who are kind of dazed and bewildered upon entering an establishment for the first time. As I walked in, the Bartender (who was serving someone else at the time) immediately asked for my i.d. I complied, and as soon as he handed back my license he barked "do you want a drink?" in a voice that said "what the fuck else are you going to do? Wander around here like a fucking amateur, waiting for the drink fairy to tell you what you want?" Kind of intimidating. So I pointed at the gleaming red Budweiser tap between us and stammered: "I-I'll just have a B-Budweiser." (No, seriously, he was friendly, just direct. I'm just a big spazz when I first enter a new place) Aside from the Budweiser on tap, Cherrybomb has about a million bottled beers, of which I approve immensely (and of which I sampled extensively after my introductory Bud). They also have plenty of booze and a heavy pour. People who dig fru-fru cocktails are rescued from full-on pussy status by the fact that their drinks end up being virtually all liquor, with only a cursory nod towards the mixer(s) that give the drink its title. Fuckin' A! This is a bar! read more

If im here im not leaving this area, most likely im not going home. you might even find me sleeping in my car. or outside the bar... some where... I will most likely asked.. "so what the hell man?" and i most likely say..."so what happened, i dont remember anything after my fourth jack on the rocks?" ive been coming here for the past 3 years. at one time i was a regular, than i became the irregular regular. i started drinking Jack and Cokes.. however the amount of coke in my drink was nothing..i guess they added it for color. so Jack on the rocks it is... ive left my car there so many times! ive slept in my car there so many times... just so i wont get a DUI. now that my best mate lives a few block from there i can just crawl to her house. and i mean CRAWL... after being here a few hours, you wont be walking straight ..... ps. i love these bartenders! read more

Want to go to a dive bar that isn't trendy or well known....this is it. Four things to look for in a dive bar: * If "seedy" isn't part of the description that is used to describe a place than ....I don't consider it a true dive bar. * If you don't feel uneasy at all upon your first visit....I don't consider it a true dive bar. * If you can easily escape to 10 other bars within a 2 minute walk......I don't consider it a true dive bar. * If drinks aren't cheap, stiff, and the women a little dirty looking......I don't consider it a true dive bar. I consider Cherry Bomb a true dive bar...nuff said. read more

Look, it's a dive bar in every sense of the word, but sometimes that's just what a law school student from CWSL needs. Amirite? I have many fond memories of celebrating the end of mid-terms or finals or the week here with my classmates (and maybe even a professor or two.) It was awesome because most of us lived nearby (or could stay with someone who did) and on our meager budgets we were actually able to feel a little tipsy. If you're looking for something a little dirty, a little boozy and a lot of fun in the Banker's Hill area, you'll be happy you hit up Cherry Bomb. Don't expect anything more than a dive and you'll do just fine. read more

With ONE pool table (which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the bar), ONE arcade machine lacking in color (that can play 39 different classic games for just a quarter), and ONE foosball table (which is stuck in a cramped space that would be hard to play if you weigh over 220 lbs), Cherry Bomb is essentially the definition of a dive bar. Our hero walked in recently and asked, "Can I get 2 beers?" To which the heavily tattooed bartender responded, "What kind?" Our hero was taken aback at this, because apparently they now have about 9 different bottled beers in addition to their Budweiser on tap (which is now inflation adjusted at $4)! Their men's restroom is like a back alley in El Cajon: graffiti everywhere, skate and board stickers on the mirror, and Sharpie messages scrawled everywhere. Quite the experience, even if you just go in to wash your hands of the filth around this dirty bar (with extra sticky floors). PROS: - The dress code here is apparently "as long as you don't take your clothes off"... as stated by a random person our hero played foosball with. - Strong drinks and large beers in hexagonal glasses. CONS: - Very small and packed bar. - Parking in the mini-strip mall is surprisingly booked. - The twin fans on the ceiling aren't turned on enough, leading to excessive sweat dripping onto the foosball table. - Foosball is expensive relative to the pool table. 75 cents versus 25 cents? No wonder the pool table's always booked and foosball is empty! read more

Got here about 12 last Thursday, and the bartender was having a smoke outside. As soon as we saddled up to the bar, he stamped out his half-finished cigarette, walked in and took our order. Dude didn't even finish his smoke, just dropped what he was doing to come pour me a beer. 5 fucking stars. read more

Cherry Bomb - The women's room is much nicer than this. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I have been to many a bar here in San Diego, and Cherry Bomb holds the rank for San Diego's stiffest drinks. The bartenders here mean business, so if you are trying to get loose, you came to the right place. Gettin L o o s e! The jukebox is filled with the best drinking tunes, guaranteed to get you in the mood, with such artists as Misfits,Fear,Sex Pistols, Cradle of Filth,Dropkick Murphys, Cramps, Hot Snakes, and the Damned The bartenders are very animated and will not hesitate to pull your card if u start to get outta line. Good art on the walls. A lot of tattoo inspired skate decks, paintings, and body suits. for it. So I came here in search of a good dive bar and that is exactly what I found. Walked in, put on some Misfits, ordered a hefty shot of Jack Daniels and a tall beer, snagged a seat at the bar, and it was all downhill from there. Time to put in work, son, and do some Van Dammage!!!! Every time I walk out of there, I have the same feeling... The feeling that I just became Cherry Bombs punk bitch. ...and you know what, i'm perfectly ok with that. read more

I wish it was not cash only :( The staff is really nice. They have a great selection of beer. I also like the music they were playing. read more

OK it's about time I finally give my propers to my boys at the Bomb. I live within crawling distance which is pretty much the only reason people would know about this place. And although it is only 1.5 blocks away, i can recount no less than 7 times where I do not remember the trip home (i'd say 'walk' home but who am I kidding). I defy any of you to order a Jager or Patron shot poured by any of their crew of bartenders and take it down with a straight face. Where else can you get a tumbler of jager for around $5? To the haters who ripped on the 'Bomb for only having Bud on tap, i say: either take your sorry ass to the Yard House so you can suck all the other yuppie's dicks, or sack up and have a cocktail. It's not a brew pub, and you won't be taking a date here unless your lady has more ink than mine. What else is there to say? Cheap, stiff drinks, bitchin' jukebox featuring deftones, descendents, misfits, etc., and everyone is super kool. Cherry Bomb you will always hold a place in my heart. read more

I made a very brief appearance here and it left a good enough impression for me to want to go back. It meets the standard dive bar requirements - strong, cheap drinks, a good jukebox and some great people watching. Plus I dug the fact that there is a laundrymat and a mexican food place in the same shopping center. If I had to go to a laundrymat, I'd go out of my way to this one just so I could have a couple of cocktails during the spin cycle. read more

When the most interesting man in the world challenges you to 'stay thirsty,' you better take that shit seriously. And I do. Where am I known to occasionally quench it? Yup. Cherry Bomb. Why? Because the former Boardroom is a owned by someone who undoubtedly once proclaimed, 'If I ever own a bar, I will pour heavy, charge way below market rates and authorize a jukebox with bitchin music, only. Period" See for yourself. If you can handle it. read more

And ode to the patrons of The Cherry Bomb: *that don't have a lifetime ban So smoke 'em if you got them, May your bottom see no bottom, and the jukebox always plays your favorite song. And that you fall in love tonight, and make everything all right. And with any luck we will see the morning sun. read more