Listen. I have NEVER left a review on any bar I have been to. But I honestly felt so compelled to do it tonight. IR has the NICEST freaking people there just hanging out. I have heard that IR is always a good time but I have heard that before about a bunch of spots. What I never hear is that a dive bar is full of just cool, nice, & generous regulars. Lots of smiles. Lots of joking & banter & it seemed the regulars knew one another kind of well. We had fun tonight. John says to come on a Sunday for football. I don't watch football at all, but maybe I will come anyways. All the bartenders are cool af. There is a lady bartender there, & she is incredibly sweet. There is another bartender (other dude with a hat) who served us so well tonight. I made special requests & instead of him being annoyed, he was just happy to do it. I don't even know what we ordered, but he made something fruity & we loved it. Be patient. They seem to always be busy. Our drinks were worth the wait. Will we return...... But only for the regulars, the drinks & the bartenders. I owe Rich a drink. I won't forget. PS Idk how this place has 3.7 stars. They deserve a solid 4, at the very least. read more

What a great local bar with friendly people and great owners. Sophia, the bartender and Dave, one of the owners treated us like regulars and were very welcoming and attentive. Can't wait to come back for football season. The group also welcomed us and did a great job making sure we were taken care of. Can't wait to return and have an "Instant Replay" of the great time I had on two visits to the bar. read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

As a professional Dive Bar person (to me that only means that they do not serve food) I will say this one is one on the best in San Diego. In Rancho Bernardo you get your your chardonnay mom's, whiskey drunks, titos and soda couples, and non alcoholics, and people celebrating occasions of just life. The atmosphere is very friendly, although there are no windows, lol, it still feels very safe. read more

The dive bars of all dive bars! Michelle, Kris, Mikes, Mitch, Tori, Shawnee are amazing first of all, and I can't tell you how happy I am about the Guinness on Nitro!! And the new games like golden t, arcade, pool, darts! add that with the touch tunes vibe and it's always fun and safe too! read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Use caution when at the bar later in the evening. I had my phone stolen. Never found. Told no cameras and a different time my gf had her wallet stolen another friend saw it and she confronted the woman to give her her wallet back. Don't bring anything you don't want stolen there. Not a casual local type environment anymore. read more

Great local dive. Cheap drinks, pool tables and bartenders are awesome. Great place for after-shift drinks and winding down.

I've lived in the area for 45 years and only went here today. It's everything you expect in a dive bar but a very pleasant vibe. No country music which puts it miles above Kelley's which is right down the road. I shall return. read more

I stopped in here for the first time with my friend The place is a nice hang out spot, the bartenders actually pay attention and don't have you waiting forever for a drink. Affordable drinks too! Pretty chill vibe! read more

Good pool tables, great pool players, great bar tenders, and an awesome atmosphere. Bring your friends bring food and have a good time. I've slept a couple times in my vehicle in the parking lot after a hard night at the bar. Good times! read more

Atmosphere was ok. Cool little dive bar. However, after 3 beers I got cut off when everyone around me was ordering several beers and/or shots. I would understand if I walked in drunk and they cut me off but I walked in sober. Maybe it was me tipping 1 dollar after waiting 15min when I was one of 3 people ordering a drink or something but others in the bar felt sorry for me when they were more intoxicated than myself but still being served. Won't be here again. Had a DD but still got served less than my DD did. Wild if you ask me read more

Overall fun place, definitely recommending to all my newly 21 year old friends, just weirded out on the prices. Went one Friday got four beers and it was 17$. Went next Friday same beers same time and it cost 45$. Other than that fire place read more

Rolled up to Instant Replay Dive Bar in Rancho Bernardo yesterday to meet a friend for some ice cold suds. The joint is warm welcoming and clean. Rocking tunes blast from the sound system while patrons have plenty of room to relax and get their drink on. Quaffed a pair of delicious IPAs in no time. Plenty of pool tables and dart boards here. Barkeeps are professional informative & efficient. Relaxed vibe all around. Top level local establishment for adult beverages and brews without any doubt. Stoner Grub Ranking: N/A read more

Well it's a dive bar so that ls what you will get. Fun atmosphere. Stiff drinks. Good beer selection. It's been there forever so there are a couple of generations drinking there now. read more

Attentive staff. Drinks were well balanced. People were all nice. Billiards and darts (with real darts). Only downside (for me...others may not care)...music is so loud it's hard to have a conversation. One suggestion...tables need to be wiped down more often. They were a bit sticky...like a fruity drink was spilled and not cleaned up right away. I will say, a staff member came right over when he noticed us grossed out by the table too. All in all...a nice neighborhood joint to have a drink. Not pretensions. Not intimidating. Just a good casual time. read more

Theres nothing like a good dive bar and you can't possibly do much better than the Instant Replay. I've been a semi-regular at this Rancho Bernardo place for decades and it whenever it changes (even incrementally) the more it remains the same. New owners Pete and Dave took over a few years ago and added credit cards and some new TV's. Those are big changes in a place that hasn't changed much over the years. It's impossible to go to the IR not see people you know. It's also impossible to go to the IR and not have a good time. People are friendly, they have pool tables, obviously they have booze. How can all those things not be fun? Please note Instant Replay doesn't serve food, but what the hell, there's pizza and Thai nearby. Sadly, the former drive-thru Taco Bell diagonally across the shopping center is now a Starbucks, (so no more late night fake Mexican food to help you sober up and drive home safely) but if you play your cards right the pizza place might deliver your pie to the IR. (Just ask for Joey.) Most recent visit 9/25/21. Jannette took great care of us. Three Pacifico's for me, three Coors Lights for Scott. Watched Giancarlo Stanton bang a grand slam for my Yankees against the Red Sox. First place baby! It was another chill visit, the latest in a very long line of chill visits, to this classic gem -- A truly timeless watering hole in RB. If you come in, please say hi. Thanks, IR. I love you. read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - SG and me did a IR drive-by last weekend and pounded a few Pacifico's. (Go Yankees) - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

If you're looking for an authentic dive bar, this one's the real deal. Metallica and Dio on the juke box, PBR $4.25 (like it should be), friendly bartenders, pool tables, regulars...it's all there. Since 1978. read more

Nice people, fun environment. Pool, Darts, Trivia all good times. New Felt on 3 tables read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Could not have been a worse night at the Instant Replay Dive Bar. Went for Trivia (they were 20+ minutes late which isn't the restaurants fault. I went up to ask for a food menu. They apparently didn't have food in store, but you could pay under the table to food that they made in the back. The lady asked for my ID even though I wasn't drinking and just there for Trivia. I showed my ID, but little did I know that my CDL was expired. Whatever... oops, guess I have to get a new CDL. I showed them my school ID, passport, and definitive proof I was over the age of 21. Didn't matter as the bar lady and the bouncer thought my license was a fake CDL. Who would ever get a fake CDL that is expired and says I'm 27? Embarassing by their management team. My entire friend group that came with me left as they were laughing at how horrible they treated me. I wasn't even trying to drink! read more

Mikey was awesome! Super knowledgeable and friendly, always love coming in when he is working

It's ver convenient dive bar but there is cockroach everywhere they were crawling on the bar bartenders didn't care it always smells disgusting You get what you pay for read more

Pretty cool neighborhood spot. Great people and staff. Definitely will come here again read more

Mitch, Michelle, and Mack are the best!!! They are the ONLY reason we come back every Friday night. Drinks are great and the pools tables are cool but those three make it hard worth it. read more

Awesome service, great people and fun vibe! Have been up from Los Angeles to San Diego twice have visited this bar always a good time!

Been to too many pubs to count at my age 63 . Will say this though, the service and friendliness by Michael and Janelle was first class. Finer establishment's would be lucky to have them. Was also amazed by the locals , very friendly also . Haven't ever experienced a so-called "dive" bar with more class . Go figure ! read more

Came in for a drink and some tunes, karaoke. We had a blast meeting friend and singing. Stop by if you like, great time.

We know what to expect when it comes to dive bars, and that's what this place excels at. The drinks are strong and affordable, the jukebox sets the ambience, and the bartenders welcome you as if you've been coming there for years. The owners have brought back this establishment to the modern era and provide various forms of entertainment from pool/darts to trivia and football specials. Worth dropping by on any night read more

I like this place.. Most of the people here are friends... Lots of good pool player also that fun to play with!..

My friend and I were looking for a bar close by and found instant replay. We were immediately ignored when we asked the bartender where the restroom was (we didn't see it around the corner). After we sat down he ignored us for all the 'regular' customers that were coming in after us. read more

Been going to IR for 20+ years. Harry is the best! Now new guys are terrific! Best "dive bar" in San Diego. New owners have stepped up the dark bar in a great way. Always a friendly place. Older peeps at happy hour. Younger a bit later But no matter... always good. read more

Went in for a few beers. After my third I was cut off. At the other end of the bar was a local who ordered another pitcher of beer. I tipped well and was in total control. Her making decisions for me is something I won't have. I'll never go back to this place as a result. read more

My good friend and fellow Yelper Chris A read my last review of this place and said to me, "I can't believe you didn't include your katy Perry story in your review of Instant Replay." So here it is! It was about eight years ago and my good buddy from Ohio was dating a girl from Hollywood named Katy. She was a struggling musician and he was in town to produce a record for another band. Katy would come down to visit but would leave as soon as he had to slip into the studio for 12 or 15 hours. One day she looked at me and said that she wanted to stay in SD for the day and hit some dive bars... Instant Replay was the top of the list and as divey as they come... bring it on! We posted up in the dark bar for several hours, drank beer and cursed with the locals and she took it all perfectly in stride. As the night continued we shot pool, talked life and I can still see the dimly lit and dingy background of the IR clear as day in mind. A few hours later we picked up the pieces and moved to greener pastures, Mckee's Tavern (now Kelly's Pub), where it turned into a black out drunk night. Yes, she was as pretty then as she now and any girl who can drink at a bar like IR is a keeper in my book. My buddy really eff'd that one up. read more

I have been to a lot of scummy bars across the entire world and I am proud to say that IR (or club IR) is the best of the best/worst/best bar I have seen. Where else can you get a pitcher of cold coors light for $9 and be assured that there will be an open pool table on a Saturday night? The answer is nowhere. IR is the place where broken dreams meet dreams that come true. As a local dive bar, this place has not changed in 30 years and can not be beaten. read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

It's always been two stars that's no the point NICOLE is literally a doll face, but more then likely smoking rocks. Grabbing change before bill signed and tossed into the tip bucket. Literally I can not repeat the medical questions coming out of the bar tenders mouth as I got out of my car and walked in. (Why did I Keep walking you ask?) Because I use to play pool here and have 12 year old memories, unfortunately those memories are shot! Paranoia, about pictures being moved, and low production, and serious drunk bar tending giving me a bud, when I ordered a vodka pineapple. Is something that cannot be excused. These old guys are use to it but I came here purposely and will continue to report otherwise until service is restored. read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Went in with my brother and dad! They had karaoke and a pool table. Had a great time! Cheap and strong drinks!!

Local watering hole with plenty of regulars. Three pool tables- woo hoo! Was fun watching the bar; one particular woman would go from one man to another while we were there. Counted three in total. :) There are no windows, which could contribute to that timeless feeling if you're a day-tripper to bars (Hey, we all have worked weird schedules at any given time, right?) The jukebox has a rocking selection; good stuff. One drawback could be the strong smell of cigarettes that sometimes floats back into the bar from the front entrance. Anyone who has read my reviews knows just how much I love cigarettes--- it is what it is, at least it's not being done inside... Definitely worth a look. We will return. CASH ONLY amigos. read more

Instant Replay Dive Bar - Tuesday night January 2011 - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been going to Instant Replay (affectionately known as the "IR") for more than 20 years. Harry Alexander is the BEST! As a matter of fact that place is filled with great and caring people! The bartenders watch out for you and are all really good people. The drinks are strong so be careful! And the jukebox has great music with lots of choices from country to classic rock. And, if you want something more than chips to nibble on, you can bring in whatever you want! They have pool tournaments expertly looked after by Big Dave. A little over a year ago, after 40 years, Harry passed the baton to two terrific guys, David and Peter, who have done some good remodeling but kept the integrity of this wonderful neighborhood bar. And, yes, they now take credit cards!! If you want a great "dive bar" in a quiet corner of RB with tons of parking to go have a cold beer or cocktail, watch a game on a Sunday afternoon on one of the many, many TV's, commune with some really good people, and maybe play a few games of pool, the Instant Replay is your place! read more

I was super disappointed at this bar last night I brought my third kid in to ring in his 21 he's in the Navy by the way he surprised me with a visit and I thought I would take him to my favorite dive bar this female bartender was super rude did not even look at us when we got there she was behind the bar with the security guard having a personal conversation Michael on the other hand finally acknowledged us and did come and help us then my son took a shot and his stomach was upset so he went outside so he could use the garbage can to throw up I could overhear the female bartender on a Tuesday night talking behind our back's about my son throwing up in the garbage can which I thought was pretty respectful that it wasn't on the floor in there so she comes out and proceeds to ask us how we are getting home I let her know my husband was coming to pick us up then she says comments on the tip that we left which was two dollars because the service was very poor and then she says oh you and your husband always are trouble here I've never even met her before I don't understand the way she treated me I think bartenders should earn their tips not just expect them because of Covid she was rude and it was rude of her to comment it was $32 and I tipped her two bucks to be nice I would've tipped nothing but I do realize it's Covid I'm very upset I guess that's why we don't go out on Tuesday nights she sucks and she's very rude and I may go in and talk to the owner because I am very very upset bars are plentiful places to go to enjoy and spend money and have a drink and celebrate your kid but it won't be there again well if it's a Saturday night or Friday and Shawna is working then it would be again!! read more

I really appreciate Janels beautiful service. She's always so sweet and on time with every drink of mine. LOVE HER

First visit here! Friendly called Andrea - fabulous quick service in a very busy bar! - $3 happy hour bud draft but no wifi! Asked barlady for password and she thought it wasn't working - she was right! Busy bar - lots of locals! read more

So this is a local bar... NO BELVEDERE HERE If you come before 3:00 you will meet the beloved Jerry, you can't miss him. FUCKIN AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA he is great. They only take cash , pool tables porn video and have a great juke box plus the barteneder is HAWT. HOLLA JENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *firemen* read more