Good local spot with a groovy happy hour. I'm a fan of the loud music and and funky crowd but if you prefer jazz piano and whispering over flights of wine this is not the place for you. I know there are great bartenders in San Diego somewhere. I have yet to find them, you won't find them here. read more

Abrasive staff and bartenders. Slow service. If you're looking for a shitty bar look no further you've found it. No redeemable qualities. Gillys up the street is by far a better place to drown your sorrows. read more

I've only been once since they started taking credit cards, and instead of my pint of whiskey sour, it was in a regular rocks glass. Boo! Will have to go back and see if that's the new thing. Live Wire is walking distance from my place on Arizona and I like the dankness of the bar. It's nice to go to a bar that isn't a pick up place too. Back when I was going every week (sometimes twice) the bartenders definitely knew me and what I liked to drink. I like to get the booth in the back by the pinball and the kegs. It feels nice and private. read more

So before going here, I'd heard a rumor that this place was kind of shady and awful. I don't know where the person I heard that from gets their information, but they're incorrect. The thing that really endeared me to the place was the amount of water the bartender put in my Scotch. Usually, when you order a Scotch and water, the bartender puts a lot of water in the glass. It's generally preferable to only put in a little bit of water to bring out the flavor (If you want more water, that's fine too. It's your Scotch.) and that's what this bartender did. Also, according to my date, Live Wire has the best jukebox in San Diego. I'll take her word for it. read more

I love finding a good dive bar. There's a pool table in the back and the men's bathroom is relatively clean with some delightfully colorful stickers covering most of the walls. Bartenders were super friendly and nice to chat with. They had 2 DJs come in and spin some latin-electro which was fun. Drinks were pretty cheap and strong and they had about 12+ beers on tap which was great. I saw that they had WiFi, but didn't think to ask for the password; another reviewer has mentioned the password (but can't verify)! They played The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly while the DJs were spinning which was awesome. We sat up by the bar, but there were some cozy looking booths as well with a pinball machine tucked in one corner and a shooting game in the other. When I'm back in the area again, I'll definitely be grabbing a few brews here! read more

Good ole hole in the wall bar that everyone loves. The bartenders were awesome and very knowledgeable about the beers on tap. The prices are cheap and the atmosphere is just like your typical dive bar. The place gets packed and pretty load so don't come in here expecting a nice quite place to grab a drink. The place has a lot of novelty stuff hanging around the bar which I thought was pretty cool. They also have a pool table and Big Buck Hunter if you're looking to play a few games. The juke box has a lot of good songs and will be sure to take you back down memory lane. read more

Best-neighborhood-bar-ever! Bartenders are super friendly, they have a pretty good beer and liquor selection (I usually stick to gin or Guinness though). The vibe is awesome, and there's always awesome music playing in the background, loud enough to enjoy, but not so loud you have to shout to have a conversation. Some times they even have free pizza from Luigi's Pizzeria (which is next door). They always have Netflix on on two TVs, some times they play funny movies, other times the weirdest crap you've ever seen. I really love this place. It's fun, divey, clean, staff is really friendly, good beers and sometimes even free pizza. What else do you need? read more

Great dive bar. Good music selection, cheap drinks, pool table, and the bartenders are polite. This place also lets you bring food in, which is nice. read more

Live Wire - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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If I could give this place a negative star rating I would. Worst bar I've been to in SD. I've been going for almost a year now in hopes of having a better experience but nope, I constantly get disappointed. Bartenders are okay, most of them got major attitudes. And if you're looking for a quick brew, don't bother. It'll be about 20 minutes before getting a cracked High Life for pete's sake. If you want to hang out with pretentious go-nowheres who are "punk af" go here. If you're looking for better beer, atmosphere and service I suggest Small Bar in University Heights, they got an old jukebox also, with better music. You pay for what you get really. Good Luck. Mantis Toboggan has spoken. read more

Until the Pink Elephant stole me away, this was my #1 hangout in San Diego. It still holds a special place in my heart -- when I first moved here years ago, it was the first place where I could wheel right in and immediately feel like I was among My People. They've gotten a full liquor license and cleaned up a little since then, but thankfully only a little. My only complaint -- and it's a complaint I have with many bars in this town, not just LW -- is that they have too many DJ nights. I understand DJs bring in the business, but one or two nights where you can sit and chill -- by yourself or with friends -- and not have to yell to be heard over the latest additions to some scenester's record collection would be nice. That said, LW's DJs are actually cool and have good musical taste, so I can't gripe too hard. (Wheelchair Access: Pretty good. They recently fixed the ramp in front, so using it is no longer death-defying, but the door is in an awkward position so you'll probably need to grab someone to open it for you. The bathrooms are accessible for me, but if you have a wider chair they may be difficult.) read more

Cold beer and warm friends. I tend to hang out in places with warm beer and cold women, but for this slogan works well for the Live Wire. This place has all of the necessary components of good dive bar. You can find some great local brews and double IPAs. Or if you're into economy there's the tall boys of Pabst. The bartenders are friendly and you can ask them about their selection. The juke box selection meshes well with my musical aesthetic. Sometimes they will put on cult classic movies like Fritz the Kat, or the Wiz. The dim red lighting is appropriate and necessary to make the simple denizens of the mid city look more attractive. The pool table has a tilt, and the rails are dead, which makes it easy to come up with excuses for why you missed your last shot. Occasionally I imbibe too much there and try unsuccessfully to ride the bicycle home. read more

I loveLOVElove Live Wire!! I insist my friends bring me here at least once whenever I'm in town, which is often. It reminds me a lot of my favorite hometown bar. Fun atmosphere, stiff drinks, friendly and attentive bartenders, an amazing jukebox, chill vibe and it's dog friendly which earns them major points in my book. It is very, very dark but I like my dives dark. read more

They got the bar height table top game back!!!! Wooo hooo Thanks guys read more

Hahaha. Finally a true dive bar! This place is downright dark and dirty. Definitely my kind of place to get away from the cookie cutter bars/lounges/pubs in San Diego that lack true character and come off looking more plastic and artificial. -Dark and dim atmosphere (with extra red lighting). Check. -Juke box (eclectic and loud). Check. -Leather booths. Check. -Pool table. Check. -Beer on tap (great selection and ice cold). Check. -Strong cheap drinks. Check. -Looong bar table. Check. -Mean looking bouncer but friendly. Check. -Odd but hip patrons. Check. -Take no BS bartenders. Check. -Posters and flyers and off beat decor everywhere. Check. -Located in the middle of nowhere. Check. -Old school TV sets (haha when I went the movie Saw was playing....mmm drinking beer, listening to loud punk music and watching blood and gore in a dive bar....now that's an experience!). Check. I like taking some of my friends here to scare them. They get the same reaction I did when I first went here....the "Where the F*ck did you take me?!!" look on their face. It's one thing when they see it from the outside, and a whole other thing when they go in. Hahaha Iove it! read more

Awesome beer selection, great bartenders, mellow crowd. That's really all you need to know. If you like good beer and dive bars, this is your spot! Cheers! read more

Great time had by all. The bartender is a scholar and a gentleman, the one with the pic beard. read more

Live Wire - The unofficial mascot of Live Wire...Kai the beast! - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The place itself is cool, but the service here is unpredictable. One bartender was really nice, but another bartender was really just a bully. read more

Used to live right down the street from Livewire... now I live in San Francisco but EVERY TIME I go home to visit.... Livewire is definitely a stopping place... Good people, fun place to get drunk... what more could you ask for? read more

This bar is GREAT! They have an amazing staff, great pour, and fair prices! Their beer selection is incredible! And how can I forget the Jukebox and DJ's they book!!! If you are looking for a pretentious PB WATERBOTTLE selling, jaggerbomb slinging meat head bar... this is not the place... read more

I will never come to this bar again. My first time at this place, and they played German torture porn. Absolutely disgusting. I was so offended as a women. I love dove bars, but they definitely took it to the extreme. Get a better management system, that doesn't encourage their employers playing torture porn. read more

Ok, heres the deal. I am not from san deigo. so this review is for real. I went under reviews it was a punk rock bar. its a very average bar. Juke box is under rated to say the least as far as punk rock. the people(chodes, and plenty of them) a few nice peeps. beards, yes! bartender is average(C) the girls, asian a plenty, thin and thick, a few hot ones but with dudes or other chicks and not into you. but I would have to say its a very neighborhood bar, so if you live close, become friends and drink cheap!. cheers. oh and good beer selection. PLUS there. oh and full pints too. ( not s cheap as we would like but will do ) later read more

Fond and fondest. My heart goes out to those of you going here tonight.... My last visit was all about the killer jukebox playing the original Rex Garvin version of "Sock it to 'em JB" and the movie "The Three Amigos" on the monitor - with a truly inspired cider called Anthem in hand. Cherry finish in a pint for a warm August night. I'm alive. Such a tap room. Such a sight. See the newbies rocking the joint. To the intrepid SDSU freshman with the jewfro - go man go. I'm old and done with the hip - let me fade away in a blissful buzz. This is a place where memories are made. You'll never forget it - good or bad. Have a beer - may it rise to the ocassion. Maybe go outside and grab a bite up the street and come back? Have another beer, cigarette, and ride your bike home. An old haunt now hitting 20 years. Congratulations. read more

I have not been here in years, but i hear there playing "German torture porn" so now this is my favorite bar, see you soon. P.S. Please make a schedule for the porn days, thank you. read more

You gotta love places like this. Low key, small, and very busy. Pretty good beer selection, pretty good prices, and a nice feel to the place. Punk rock tunes on the juke box and pool tables in the back. I loved it. read more

A dive bar in San Diego with a clientele comprised of shallow and irritating people trying sooooooooooo hard to be fashion-forward and nonchalant. Didnt they get the memo? Real hipsters care + know about what's actually happening in the world outside of their wardrobes (even though their wardrobes may be important too). This place reminds me of why I live in San Francisco and not San Diego... read more

my first drink cost me $8. it was a tall bombay sapphire gin and tonic. my second drink was a short of the same for $5. it barely phased me as far as getting tipsy goes, so it was quite a waste of my money. i don't drink beer, so i can't really judge them on there selection. the atmosphere was good. i like dark seedy bars, and this one had that vibe. i didn't check out the jukebox, i should have. there was mostly crap music playing the whole time i was there until the crowd started showing up. the metal bicycle out front is amusing. it makes this corner street bar welcoming for it's location. there was a disturbance among some lady folk about the condom machine not working. there was not a condom machine located in the men's room. tsk tsk. good thing there is a liquor store just a 5 second walk away. i would give this place another chance. i like to close out a bar, which i was unable to do as i had previous engagements to relocate for a birthday. it started picking up just a bit before we left, which was at 11pm. on a saturday night. read more

Came here with a group of friends. Was told it was a fun, low key place! Perfect for a late night drink. Well, I don't know what the deal was with the bartender but he clearly had it out for me. When he first gave me major stink eye, I thought nothing of it. Even my friend who I was with said, "What was that about?" Then when I went to pay for my drink, I said thank you. He had the audacity to say, "No, thank YOU..." with such a snarly attitude. My friend immediately was like, "Let's get out of here." I shouldn't have even left a tip, but I did, because I'm a nice person. Bartender, you are not. read more

Miss Pac Man. Dim red lighting. Slayer blaring from the jukebox. Ever-improving tap list. Tatted chicks brawling over the pool table. Dirty hipsters smoking American Spirits outside. Perfect. read more

This place would be cool if the people that come here didn't come here. Obnoxious people that like to start shit and just act plain retarded. It's like super douchey people that think they're not douchey, but they're 10 times worse than the people they try not to be. I'll go hang out with the people that aren't a bunch of rejects that don't try to overcompensate for their lameness. read more

Different crowd, super friendly atmosphere and bartenders were prompt given how busy it was. I'd definitely go back!

If you are looking for anything more than an okay beer or an "and" drink, NOT the place to go. I ordered a moscow mule and the guy put bitters in it. I get that places can make drinks differently, but this is a standard drink. When trying to talk to the bar tender he tried to tell me i dropped something, like he was trying to play a trick on me as though i was a drunk bimbo, in reality I was completely sober. It was very demeaning and rude. Rude and dirty would be how i describe this place. read more

Live Wire is everything I could ever wish for in a dive bar. A full wall of liquor, a fridge full of beer, and loud music touches even the most somber heart. Although the music is close to drowning out conversation altogether, the atmosphere makes it all worth it. Definitely one of the coolest bars in San Diego at 1/3 of the price. read more

Love it! Their sign out front says it all: "Cold Beer and Warm Friends"...really, what more do you need? Cheap drinks, dark bar, GREAT music, lots and lots of beer on tap, and cool people. Done and done. I wish I could walk to this bar, I would be there every night. read more

This is a hidden gem!!!! Love the friendly vibe and how lively this place gets for a small place and kinda random spot.

It's been a few years since I've been in the Live Wire, and I can't believe it took me so long to get back to this wonderful place. The cocktails in pint glasses are a nice touch, but I was all over the Paulaner Hefeweizen on tap ... completely cold and tasty as advertised. Our able bartender took control of the crowd nicely and kept everyone happy with full glasses. And dog friendly here, too? What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, they also have a great bunch of selections in the jukebox ... I will be back very soon! read more

Cold Beer.. Warm friends... and a sexy door guy Saturday nights ;)

I regularly go here on Thursday nights... but lately it's becoming less and less appealing for some reason, I honestly have no idea why. 6 pros about Live Wire: 1. It is closer to my apartment than most of the bars that I go to (but you guys probably don't give a rat's ass about that). 2. The jukebox. It has some good local bands and some good shit you've probably never heard of. 3. Beer Selection. It used to be better, but its still better than most bars. 4. The Doormen. They are usually pretty chill. 5. Credit cards. They now accept them. 6. The price of drinks. They're pretty inexpensive; $4 24oz cans of PBR and $4.50/pint of a good IPA. 6 con's about Live Wire: 1. It is not walking distance from my apartment (but you guys probably don't give a rat's ass about that either). 2. Crowd consistency. It seems like its either as dead as a cemetery at night or more overcrowded than a young female socialite's vag. There's really no in between. 3. Car wrecks. It seems like there are an unusually high frequency of car wrecks in that area. I'm worried that either someone's going to smash into my car or jump the curb and run me over while I'm outside. 4. Size of the bar. It's too small for how many people go there sometimes. 5. The bathroom. I hope you're not too shy to piss in front of other people. The male bathroom also has a 1" high pool of urine covering the floor. 6. Music volume. I don't mean to sound like an old fart, but... this is a dive bar, not a fucking discotech. Whenever they have D.J.s I can't even hear the sound of my own thoughts and it is impossible to have a conversation without shouting and having to put your ear up to a person's mouth. 6 things Live Wire's hitting and missing: 1. The Bartenders. The cute girl with the shorter black hair is friendly and fair. The guy that looks like a pirate is just plain fucking cool for the way he looks. The big bald guy is nice and on top of his shit. As for the rest of the bartenders (maybe there is one or two more, I don't really remember), I don't really care for them too much. 2. The D.J.s. Sometimes they are good and sometimes they are sucky. But most don't really seem to know how to keep people dancing, if that is indeed what some of them are trying to do. 3. The talent. Most of the time it is better than most bars. Still, this is Man Diego and the m/f ratios are a little off balance. By little I actually mean a lot. 4. The regulars. There are some people that go there, regularly, that I wish would be involved in one of those frequent car wrecks in that area (fatal or not, whatever). But... there are some really good people that show up on a regular basis as well. 5. Mixed drinks. Just like the D.J.s, sometimes they are good and sometimes they are sucky. 6. The pool table. Kudos to them for having ONE, but there is only ONE and it is usually taken. read more

the live wire used to be cool (or did it?), with many people who knew each other, a motto "warm friends, cold beer", and not a ton of silly younger people putting on a whole lotta airs. this used to be our friday night happy hour spot with cheap drinks, cheap pool, a great juke, and regular people gearing up and happy for the weekend. somewhere along the way, the "warm friends" turned into bratty fashionistas talking about how fashion forward they are and the "cool beer" turned into exclusively tall boys of pbr. if I wanted this shit I'd go to hollywood. read more

the place was cool. very chill environment. however, giving this one-star because the bartenders there are really conniving. this is the only place i handed my debit card over instead of inserting the chip myself and i have received TWO fraudulent charges, one for $14.99 at whitepages.com and the other for $390.06 at autozone. my bank confirmed the charges were done manually, meaning my card info was written down. i know for a fact it was at this bar as again, it was the only place i handed my debit card over. i have my card in my wallet still but now have to cut it up. read more

What I loved about Live Wire was when I asked the burly, intimidating bartender, "Can you pour a proper Guiness?" and put my life on the line. With such a hipster PBR crowd packing in, I worried about the quality of the other taps and old-world tapster techniques. It's worrisome when I get a Guiness back in under five minutes in San Diego. The flannel-shirted hunting vested man's man turned his back on me, and more than five minutes later I got my stout with a perfect clover trained into the foam. read more