Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Knotty Barrel

    4.1 (889 reviews)
    ModerateGastropubs, Pubs
    Open 11:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Knotty Barrel Takeout or Delivery

    Knotty Barrel Photos

    Business Info

    KNOTTY BARREL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like Knotty Barrel

    Recommended Reviews - Knotty Barrel

    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

    Knotty barrel St. Patty's Day Special. Ig @mel_foodie_ventures
    Melanie P.

    A quick search for some pubs that offer St. Patty's day drinks and food, yielded Knotty Barrel in Downtown. Conveniently close to the parking garage that I usually park at, this place was close enough to Gaslamp but far enough from the crowds. The ambiance is your typically dive bar with multiple TV screens showcasing March madness on a Saturday afternoon. Waitress was nice but only brought one water instead of bringing water for everyone in the table. I guess you have to be specific. Of course I ordered the St. Patty's Day Special, which was the Stout Braised Corned Beef Reuben (on rye bread) and a green margarita rimmed with Tajin. Marg was delicious! I ordered two! The sandwich was hearty and the meat flavorful. I upgraded my side to Parmesan Garlic fries and these were super crisp with the right amount of seasoning. I also tried the Rosemary Tater Tots, these were fried perfectly and were not too oily. Price point is reasonable. Definitely a solid place to get some good bar food and watch some sports! I would definitely come back again!

    Phuoc B.

    Came for happy hour and it was our first time here. The place is very spacious. There is outside and inside seating. We live down the street and didn't have to look for parking cause we walked. It seems like they were short staff the day we came because it took a little while for someone to take our order. We ordered a single smash burger and a double smash burger with fries. I'll start with the fries! Cause they were actually good. I thought it was going to be overcooked but it was perfect. I do want to say the burgers didn't taste like a smash burger. It tasted like a beef patty. Super thick and not smashed. That I didn't like. Super cool thing on the menu: deep fried twinkies! I never had deep fried twinkies before and this did not disappoint. If I came back for anything it would be for this

    $1 oysters on Tues
    Melody D.

    A lot of businesses run out of steam after being open for many years, but not Knotty Barrel. I came by two different times on a recent trip back to San Diego and both times the service and food were as good as I had remembered. It is still San Diego's version of Cheer's, the friendly and fun neighborhood pub. I ran into old friends and played darts while enjoying some non-alcoholic cocktails and food. Their grilled cheese is seriously the best, along with their chicken strips, and new smash burger. I also love their protein bowl and ahi stack when I want a healthier option. They are still getting it right and I will continue to come back during every visit to San Diego.

    Chicken strips
    Nikki R.

    Been coming to Knotty since I moved here in 2017. It quickly became a second home. It's a NY Giants bar on Sundays and as a NY transplant, it definitely helped my transition. The staff and owners have become a second family over the years. You wouldn't think bar food is anything special, but i have never had a bad meal at Knotty!! Their chicken strips and steak sandwich are my favorites

    Menu QR codes
    Vanessa P.

    Watched a football game here recently with friends. We ubered so didn't have to stress about parking. QR code menus. Overall I had a great time there and the food and drink were great. Service was good. Casual environment. I would come back again when visiting San Diego.

    Southwestern Chicken Salad
    Leslie G.

    Been so many times and really thought I put a review. Food is always great. $7 happy hour smash burgers. Yes please! The chicken salad is a fresh choice loaded with salad toppings. Love getting the potato chip nachos and adding buffalo chicken. Great place to watch sports or hang and chat.

    Bobby D.

    I finally got to attend my first Padres baseball game of the season, but before we walked to Petco Park, my best friends wanted to pre party before the game. One of my best friends recommended Knotty Barrel and I trusted his choice because he hasn't let me down yet when it comes to selecting restaurants that serve delectable food. I was so hungry that I couldn't wait for the grub to come out. My buddies are beer drinkers and I'm a foodie, so Knotty Barrel was the perfect Padres pre party restaurant for incredible food, refreshing drinks, and a good vibe. When my buddy mentioned Knotty Barrel, the name was familiar to me because there's a Knotty Barrel in Rancho Peñasquitos, so it's a small chain restaurant with a location in North County San Diego and this location we visited in Downtown San Diego. This was my first time visiting a Knotty Barrel and for this East Village location, it's a short walk to Petco Park, so it's an ideal pre party location. My buddy parked at the 4th Avenue parking garage and the 6th and K parking garage isn't too far, which means paid parking is your option. The restaurant is on the corner of Market Street and Ninth Avenue. It is across the street from Lotus Thai and Modern Times Coffee, diagonal from Krisp, and opposite of Floyd's Barbershop. We got to Knotty Barrel a couple of hours before the ballgame, so the restaurant was packed with diners. There is bar seating, high top tables, booths, and outdoor seating. The restaurant is spacious; there are tvs mounted all around; there are sports teams banners, pennants, and other sports decor; I enjoyed reading the painted quotes around the restaurant; there are kegs manufactured into urinals; and the main focal point were wall displays of beer taps. Our server Maren was friendly and did her best to take care of our group, but I didn't think she checked on us as often as I would have liked, so I have to take off a half star. For me, Knotty Barrel's food was the star of the show, so if you're looking to satisfy your hunger and not have to worry about paying the exorbitant stadium prices for food, I suggest you do like my buddies and eat here before the game. I knew Knotty Barrel was going to serve some righteous food after I took my first sip of the Shirley Temple I ordered. When an establishment serves a refreshing and with the right amount of grenadine syrup Shirley Temple for a non alcoholic drinker like me, then I know that restaurant takes attention to detail seriously and it will be reflected in their food. Since we were going to a Padres game, we decided to order a bunch of appetizers. My buddies asked me to order the food, so I selected traditional Buffalo Knotty Wings, Potato Chip Nachos, Pretzel + Beer Cheese Dip, and Fried Pickles. Seriously and I'm not exaggerating, every appetizer was carefully prepared and they were tasty from the first bite. If I had to pick my faves, I thoroughly enjoyed the fried pickles and the potato chip nachos. The pickles were perfectly coated with cornmeal flour and were fried to just the right crispy crunch. Dipping them in the ranch was satisfying. The nachos had house-cut potato chips, blue cheese English cheddar, jalapeños, horseradish cream, and we added shredded chicken. Those nachos were yummy, hearty, and every component of that dish blended well with each other. The wings were savory and hearty. The pretzel was shareable and dipped really well with the beer cheese. After the appetizers, I decided to try their special of the day, which was a single smashburger. It was only $8, but that seriously was a tasty burger with the meat grilled to perfection, melted cheese, grilled onions, and toasted soft buns. I savored every bite and make sure to save room for this amazing burger. I left Knotty Barrel happily stuffed. Big ups once again to my longtime best friend for choosing a memorable eatery like Knotty Barrel. It was a blessed time breaking bread with my buddies eating delish food, chowing down on an amazing smashburger, washing the grub down with one of the better Shirley Temples in SD, and we were just a short walk from enjoying a Padres game together.

    Grilled cheese panini with truffle fries

    See all

    Photo of ERIKA L.
    37
    69
    128

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jocy C.
    1640
    1752
    8503

    4 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T F.
    0
    39
    2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 23
    Thanks 0
    Love this 23
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike Z.
    155
    415
    1549

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark O.
    4
    198
    1047

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kris G.
    186
    691
    6595

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dawn B.
    774
    381
    3723

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J V.
    0
    12
    3

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris G.
    1573
    2208
    4940

    4 years ago

    Helpful 24
    Thanks 0
    Love this 27
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kealan H.
    83
    39
    99

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    I really love their outdoor section. Such a cute ambiance and a great place to stop if you've been walking around downtown for a bit.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark F.
    151
    582
    5512

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Thank you for your review glad you enjoyed yourselves.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A A.
    0
    8
    8

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    The food and service were great. It is really loud if you try to have dinner during Happy Hour.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Stephanie L.

    Stephanie L.

    Thanks for the comments Beau and compliments on the staff.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Chill place with good food. Bartenders are attentive and friendly. Good place to stop in for a drink and catch the game.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 23

    Knotty Barrel Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Knotty Barrel

    Do they have a dart board?

    No.

    Is this a football Giants bar? What time do they open on football Sundays?

    Yes, it absolutely is a NY Giants bar. They have watch parties for all the games. As for the hours for the games, I believe it is 9am, but just for football season.

    What areas of the establishment are dog friendly (if any)?

    The front patio is dog friendly. I've sat at the part that opens directly to the bar and there are hooks where you can hang your dogs leash. They gave my dog treats here! I've also had my dog on the back outdoor patio, and seen many other dogs back… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    The Field Irish Pub

    The Field Irish Pub

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This spot just gets it…read more I came through recently and was honestly excited before I even ordered food because they had a solid selection of NA mocktails. For a bar, that's not always a given, and as someone who doesn't drink as much these days, that immediately stood out to me. I grabbed a lavender leprechaun and it was super refreshing, light, and just a really nice change of pace from the usual soda-or-water options. It didn't feel like an afterthought, it actually felt intentional. For food, I went with the corned beef sandwich and it did not disappoint. Hearty, flavorful, and exactly what you'd want from a proper Irish pub. The whole place has that classic pub vibe but still feels welcoming whether you're drinking or not. That balance is rare, and I really appreciated it. Definitely a spot I'd come back to, especially knowing I've got solid non-alcoholic options to enjoy.

    I love to stop in at the field after a padres game - or on an event weekend like comic con! We…read morelove the upstairs to grab fish n chips - they are delish While I crave more live music and dance from this pub it is definitely a cozy place to grab a pint. One of the most unique items is their frozen Irish coffee Don't sleep on this drink - it's refreshing and tasty- and even though you can't taste it - these are strong Always a friendly staff and fun time here

    Photos
    Nice fireplace
    Nice fireplace
    Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
    Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
    Fish & Chips

    See all

    Fish & Chips
    The Pub

    The Pub

    4.4
    (531 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$

    I have lived down the street from The Pub for 1.5 years now and somehow St. Paddy's this year was…read moremy first time trying it. Initially, I was bummed that there was a special menu and I didn't have access to everything, but when I received my fish n chips, all the disappointment went away. They were SO GOOD! The breading was light and airy and the fish strips were cooked perfectly and giant. Honestly, the star of the meal though was my husband's beef stew. I am not a huge stew girl so I wasn't excited at all when he ordered it, but after I tried it....I was sold! I liked it so much that when I went back to The Pub with my friend a few weeks later, I ordered it for myself! With mashed potatoes of course. There is so much more on the menu, and I look forward to trying more.

    The luck of the Irish! Our crew of 10 snagged a booth at The Pub to watch one of the World Cup…read moregames over July 4th weekend. This place was hawt, hawt, hawt. Temperatures were rising and this bar filled up quick. To cool off, we ordered a number of brews for the table, as well as a few shooters from their menu. I adored the lemon drops and would easily order a second or third round. No complaints. To chase it all down, we went to town on their appetizer menu. The table shared poutine, chicken fingers and fries. Nothing about this trip was healthy, but everything tasted so so good. I love a bar filled with locals and this is exactly the vibe The Pub brought to the table. I'd recommend if you're seeking an afternoon of people watching, cheap bears, and greasy bites.

    Photos
    Legion Watch party
    Legion Watch party
    The Pub
    Rare beer from Traquair House, Scotland. Matching glassware for bonus points!

    See all

    Rare beer from Traquair House, Scotland. Matching glassware for bonus points!
    Long Story Irish Pub

    Long Story Irish Pub

    4.3
    (141 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    Fun spot! Huge shoutout to Nika. She is an exceptional…read morebartender, best one I've had yet. She is very personable and her service is exceptional. I don't usally leave reviews but she made my sunday night next level awesome! Great at making drinks & making people happy. Took care of me & my friends and made sure I was safe and okay multiple times due to lot of guys being there too, love knowing I'm safe at a bar as a girl, We need more bartenders like Nika, hope to see her more often!

    Well... This was our attempt for this months New places with old friends. We ended up just having a…read moredrink and heading elsewhere. I hate leaving questionable reviews.. but also feel when we researched places we didn't get an accurate story. This is a true neighborhood pub.. the place you come so everybody knows your name. Which I love and can appreciate. But as an outsider it was kinda chaotic instead. A bartender came to clean a table for us. The largest grossest bugger hanging out of his nose, he had sweat marks so large there was no need to lift his arms to see them. He proceeded then to do shots at the bar with costumers. Which again... I totally can appreciate having a good time in a good neighborhood pub. The floors were so dirty around the booths. The menus dirty. Just over all couldn't stay and eat here. Did get some good laughs watching a few very inebriated customers, had some good drinks and went on our way. We personally wouldn't come back, but again if you live in the neighborhood and it's just that place you come to for your hang with friends, it's looks like it's a fun place.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Mushroom Swiss Burger & Caesar Salad
    Mushroom Swiss Burger & Caesar Salad
    8-1-24

    See all

    8-1-24
    Werewolf

    Werewolf

    4.5
    (6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Came here for a Birthday dinner last Saturday night with a large group (~20+ people), the food and…read moredrinks were amazing and can't say enough how much I appreciate the staff and service here. Ruby was the first person I spoke with when I initially called, and she was lovely. The general manager Amber made planning easy - there were no deposits or minimums, I was able to order platters in advance, and she was great with communication. When I mentioned that the group loved Rumplemintz shots, Amber even set some aside after ordering extra bottles (and had it cold and ready when we came in). I was able to meet and thank Amber after we first came in, and she was so warm and welcoming and even gave us a few Rumplemintz shots on the house to kick things off (thank you again, Amber!). The reviews don't lie in terms of how good the food here is. When we arrived a little early, they had our platters ready almost immediately and kept them well-heated. We had platters of the sticky garlic wings and a mix of the garlic and regular fries, and ordered pretzels and queso and the elote dip à la carte for the tables. Everything was amazing and the sticky garlic wings and garlic fries were such a hit that we ordered a few extra plates of them as well (even though the platters were perfect for our group size). EVERYONE raved about them. We had a small amount left to bring home that were enjoyed the next evening and were still amazing after being reheated. A few people in our party got additional food items as well (burgers) and they were hits as well. The drinks were also phenomenal, with a special shoutout for the espresso martini and the Purple Haze mocktail (that a few folks liked so much they got an alcoholic version). We had a person in our group who can't drink and it was nice to see how inclusive they are with having a few signature mocktail options. The pricing was very reasonable, especially for the platters (they were perfectly sized, and we only ordered a little extra because the food was so good and we'd wanted to take some home). Highly recommend getting platters with a larger group here - you can pre-order and they keep everything well-heated for you the whole time. Most importantly, this place is a vibe and every single staff member we interacted with was SO KIND and accommodating. The service was top-notch and I wish I had everyone's names to thank them individually (thanks to everyone working Saturday, 8/1 evening!). We had the best time and Werewolf couldn't have been a more perfect place to host a Birthday dinner.

    I was with a large group of friends for a farewell brunch. This restaurant didn't have anything…read morevegan friendly. I thought at the very least, I could get an avocado toast. For a brunch spot, they don't have toast! When I tried to order a toast with a side of avocado, I was told they didn't have toast, but could get a biscuit. I went with that, but as I was eating the biscuit with avocado, it dawned on me that most biscuits have butter or dairy as an ingredient. Ugh! My friends consist mostly of omnivores and a few vegetarians. Everyone else was happy with their orders. The service was fast and friendly. My suggestion would be to have a fancy avocado toast to satisfy the occasional vegan that happens to stop in!

    Photos
    Cool place
    Cool place
    Pork belly benedict
    Pork belly benedict
    Blubbery lemoncake

    See all

    Blubbery lemoncake
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    My husband and I recently spent some days in San Diego. He found this speak easy and we decided we…read moreneeded to try it out. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. From the spooky, dark, skulls old school ambiance and decor, to the experience of not ordering from a menu, everything about it made it feel unique and curated making it feel like a true individualized experience. As mentioned, there are no menus. We sat at the bar, the bartender makes casual conversation with you regarding the types of drinks you enjoy. He curated something for both my husband and I based on what we shared we enjoyed. The drinks were delicious. The entry was very cool! It felt as if you were entering a hidden spot - which you do. When you enter the restaurant, you let the hostess know you're there for the Noble Experience. She let us know to head to the wall with the kegs (which is actually a door). You enter and there's a small waiting area where you're greeted by another hostess. This place is a 20/10. We can't wait to return on our next visit to SD.

    This is an easy one and Consortium Holdings does it again...a MUST go. You know the rules...one…read moreshort review, let's go: Drinks: no menu. Love it. True bartender skills. Love it. Drinks. Love them! Whole crew did. Well done Ambiance: top tier. As with anything CH. so fun Service: amazing. Knowledgeable. Attentive. And so nice. Go go go to NE

    Photos
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Ceiling and chandelier
    Ceiling and chandelier
    Bartenders creations.

    See all

    Bartenders creations.

    Knotty Barrel - gastropubs - Updated August 2026

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