Maxdon's It's so small. Until you walk in and realize that this place is huge! It has about 5 pool tables as far as i can remember. It is a good place place to catch a drink and play some pool. Usually when we are out and where like, ehhhh lets go to a calm place and play some pool, we all say the same thing, To Maxdons! read more

Walk in and ordered a drink, prompt service. Ordered food for my girlfriend and I...didn't ask for a card or tell us to wait. We awkwardly stood at the bar and sipped our drinks and then our food was brought and we ate. Kept the tab open, played pool and shuffleboard...went back to the bar and I'm still standing here waiting. A good 15 minutes has gone by so i decided to write a yelp. I've gotten better service at dive bars. Two bartenders and a bar back, the place isn't half to capacity and they can't handle it. Amateur hour on a Saturday. The girl at the door checking id's is being forced to buss tables/bar back/work the door. SEVERELY understaffed. My girlfriend and I stood at different sides of the bar thinking one of us would get service. Wishful thinking smh 20 minutes and counting... read more

Super clean, friendly, fun, comfy6 pool tables, Shuffle Board, Foos Ball, juke Box and T.V's. George, Vicky, Jamie and Andi are awesome:) just wish I could afford fast pass on the Juke Box;) all different music on the box never boring unless you make it so. Just saw the most recent review and was upset that someone would give so little stars because they had to wait for a drink:( there are several factors to having to wait, out of product, specialty drinks...servers and bartenders are only as good as their surroundings and guests. Just because you don't think they are "busy" doesn't mean they aren't. Make it a habit to learn about your surroundings before crapping on it. I Love this place read more

I had a really good time connecting with friends here. Staff is attentive but not bothersome. Bar seats are comfortable and the atmosphere is a step above other bars available in the area. I'd love to see some live entertainment here. read more

I do agree that this is kind a dive bar in a crappy and very creepy, deserted area by target. But this is my go to spot. I come here often because it's decent priced drinks and there's a ton of pool tables. They are moving locations soon as someone bought out the entire plaza. But they're moving to the valley across the street from the police station. It looks like a nicer building which will be shared with a cafe place so you can now order actual good food as opposed to their microwaved hamburgers that they now sell. I always have fun at maxdons and I love the staff. Same two bartenders every time. A lot of country music is played but it's fun when a good song comes on everyone in the bar sings. If you want to kick back with some cocktails and shoot pool, I recommend maxdons. read more

Maxdon's - I love that they have mason jars and try their $3 shots! They're tasty and they change then every month. - Pool Halls Near Me - Oceanside, California

Literally still might have a slight buzz from this place. My BF and I went to the 24 Hour fitness in the same parking lot (aka The Dungeon) and had about an hour to kill, so we went to watch the rest of the Kansas/Kentucky game at Maxdons. The bartender told us the special tonight was $9 pitchers of Coors Lite, Bud Lite, etc. We got a pitcher of CL, not exactly the best deal ever but I guess better than regular price. Was dead when we were there, Monday night at 7:30. Was livening up with a crew of what seemed regulars that were there playing pool, but we had to bail. You can tell they used to let people smoke inside, that never leaves a bar. It's divey and I love dives, I will totally try it again, especially with my BFF that loves dives like I do, when she comes to visit. Maybe. It's gotta prove itself to me, I don't know what the "good" night is so I hope it's not always boring. Worth another visit for sure though. Going after the gym is really special, it's close, and your blood is pumping and you get a quicker buzz off the $9 pitcher of coors lite. Score! read more

Maxdon's was an OK bar with Shuffle board and Pool and some overpriced bud light pitchers. The general crowd that go to this place seem to be rag tag and I wasn't impressed with many of the patrons. They sell some random snacks and it smelt like throw up when I went near the bathroom. The shuffle board gets at least 2 of my stars and the other star is there because of the bartenders general friendly manner. We couldn't get on a pool table because all the biker bums were holding them down with 20 rolls of quarters so shuffle board was the game of the night. The bartop was very warn and the bathroom was rather gross. There were boxes of empty beer bottles collecting in the hallwall (presumably to recycle for an extra buck) and overall the atmosphere was the least bit impressive. The pool tables looked nice though, so even though I didn't play on them it may be decent enough to check those out. read more

When my friends and I started getting into playing pool my dad suggested that we go try Maxdon's because they had several pool tables. We were really excited because we were paying $1 per game to play on horrible tables at the VEC so the nice tables at Maxdon's were refreshing. There are several nice tables and sticks and the place was pretty empty, though it was a Tuesday. We didn't mind spending the extra quarter to play on a nice table. They even have a pool table with a black light, though it was a lot more expensive so we opted for the regular table and waited for someone else to use that one, which was pretty neat but I don't think it was really worth the extra money. There are also some electronic dart boards and a shuffle board for those who don't play pool. And a juke box with lots of options. The only downside to this place was the waitress. She seemed less then friendly and was pretty demanding. I realize we look young, but there is no need to bark at us to see our ID's. We would have spent more time here but it was a pain getting drinks from her and we felt really turned off by her attitude. Perhaps she was just having a bad day, and we won't let that ruin the place for us, we will give her and the bar another chance because we had so much fun playing pool. read more

Co worker an i stopped here for happy hour. Its fantastic inside! They have a couch seating area, good sized bar, tables are large for a big group. Also some small tables towards the back. We had a meat an cheese tray with our drinks, yum! Fast an friendly service. If you like pool, you will love this place. The music was a bit loud for my taste. read more

Maxdon's - Happy hour drinks - Pool Halls Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Love this place....always feel comfortable here. However, these people try so hard to keep up and get way behind, and the patrons hate it. Please give these guys a bar back. read more

Been to the new location twice, and to the old location twice as well. The new location has a much nicer atmosphere, with a nice leather couch seating area, wood floors and granite bar. They have many pool tables, however I'm not a pool player but a lot of my friends are. They also have a darts area which seemed to be malfunctioning last night. My friend told me those seem to be the same malfunctioning boards from the old spot. I would have liked to played darts and had it score properly but oh well. The bloody Mary I had was delicious and was made with their own house made mix and came loaded with lots of bacon, cheese, tiny pickles, and olives on top. It was about a 9 dollar bloody mary for a double, which I thought was a good value. Only criticism about service would be to have another hand on deck on a Saturday afternoon, not just one bartender. read more

Maxdon's - Bloody Mary with house made mix and fixings - Pool Halls Near Me - Oceanside, California

Playing pool and having a great time with my son. Great bar with good drinks. George is a fantastic bartender. Weekend afternoon's tables are available. Evenings come early. read more

Maxdon's - Pool Halls Near Me - Oceanside, California

I was a first timer with my man for a few cocktails---- " Anyone for a game of pool?" The bartender Nick has charisma, personality and a great welcoming smile. Nick can make an awesome drink lickity split. He knows exactly what's going on at all times and is on top of his game, a guy with eyes in the back of his head. Quite impressive! My observance was the bar is well kept, while everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I took particular notice to the ladies room being very clean and stocked with needed supplies. " Thank you for that!" The entertainment of darts, pool and other electronic games were all all a hoot! I had a wonderful experience and look forward to my return in the near future with referrals to my friends and associates.. Cheers! read more

This place is the best for shooting pool in NC SD. But I agree with the other reviewer that the bass is TOO STRONG. It physically assaults your body! I too have left early because I couldn't take it any longer. This will be changed to a FIVE STAR review if the bass is adjusted. read more

Best (inexpensive) Bloody Mary's around!! Bar tenders are sweet. Like the chill atmosphere!

1st time here. The place is beautiful. Lots of seating. Bartender was awesome. Super cheap drinks (we were there for happy hour). The bathrooms were awesome - which for women is a huge plus. Clean & fully stocked. I don't know why the hand dryers were so low, but whatever. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area. read more

Typical local dive bar. They have plenty of pool tables and dart boards! As long as you go in knowing it's a dive bar to will enjoy it just don't expect a crowd or a crazy time. Overall good local place with reasonable prices read more

This place is a dive, but a dive by design, and therefore pretty good at delivering the goods. Carlsbad and Oceanside are very quickly becoming generically suburban (too late for Carlsbad, actually), so finding a place that's NOT ideal for a first date was a pleasant surprise. Cheep pool tables ($1 a game??? !!!!), loud rock 'n roll music and a bar that doesn't advertise cosmopolitans; this is a place that kept its gonads intact. There's even a limited selection of pub grub. And you can smoke outside without getting dirty looks. read more

Just finished playing 2 games of pool after ordering drinks (THAT WE NEVER RCVD). I wish I could say that it was so packed and the bartenders were so busy, but that wasn't the case. If you want drinks-I guess you'd better stay at the bar. Pool is pool...Going home to have drinks! read more

Stopped in the area for a few nights and the pool tables brought me here. Was so Impressed by the place, ended up returning a few nights later with a larger group. Fresh and renovated, very clean, mixed crowd, attentive and professional bar staff, and plenty of bar games. Pool, darts, football, shuffleboard....they got it. read more

The town I grew up in had a Maxdon's as well (whomever this Maxdon character is, they must really get around), so when I needed a bar to meet some friends at, this place popped in my head. I like old school looking bars. The type that haven't been truly updated, aesthetically, since it opened. Maxdon's does not disappoint in that department. The coolest part about the age on this place though, is that it's super neat and clean. You would expect it to be thrashed and abused, but it isn't. The pool tables are in great shape, the jukebox is digital (which is always great for me), the service is good and the drink prices are average. This just got added to my top five favorite drinking establishments in north county. I'm looking forward to my next drop in. read more

This place is a dive - and I freaking love it. Maxdon's was a regular hang-out spot for me and my friends on a Friday night. We typically owned the shuffleboard table, and we wagered on more than one game with the price being a round of shots. Our favorite betting game is simply known as the Credit Card Game. We all throw our credit cards into the center of table, and one by one they are eliminated at random. The person whose credit card is left at the end of the game has to buy everyone who played a round of shots. I had my best and worst credit card games at Maxdon's (one night where I lost around $100 playing in games with 8 people. How unlucky can one man be?!) The bartender here is a nice dude, and the drinks are stiff. The jukebox also has a nice selection, but be ready for a little country music as the marines that frequent this bar play it. Constantly. When we get really tired of listening to generic crap modern country, we typically bump Iron Butterfly and Kashmir to the top of the list. It's too bad most of my local friends who liked Maxdon's moved. But we occasionally drop in once in a while for old time's sake when they are in town. read more

Really chill bar, great selection of whiskey, vodka, and my favorite... Moonshine! They have many pool tables, darts, pinball and a great bar for the locals :) I personally like going on Friday nights and just kickback at the bar. read more

I Love This Bar but when the bartender just gets on her phone, it's kind of annoying. I do appreciate her asking me if I needed anything but not on her terms. Especially when I wanted to run the lottery, she wasn't available... here's a photo to prove it!!! read more

Maxdon's - Nick.Loved him since old Maxdons, always talkin bout his fav ppl, which is family & makesu feel like I'm not in bar. Oside till u die!! - Pool Halls Near Me - Oceanside, California

Had a great experience today. George is super friendly and made the best Cadillac Margarita. My hubby and I just moved back to Oceanside after nearly 18 years and have been looking for a bar that isn't pretentious, low key, and good vibes. This is the place! We will be back! read more

Nice and spacious. Played pool and had some drinks during happy hour 3-7 I believe, $3.5 well drinks is what I had.

I really came on here to give 5 stars cuz the bathroom was so clean! Literally a game changer.

I've been there a few times, and it's been meh. But this last visit was bad enough for me to say, "nope, not going anymore". My friend and I were at the bar with an average amount of other customers there. We got skipped over so many times, we lost count. There were 3 bartenders that night, and had plenty of chances to serve us. However, it was as if we were invisible. A couple of them started cleaning instead of at least looking at us. So finally I had to scream "HELLO". We stood there for , no joke, about 20 minutes, long enough that people around us were wondering why we were not being served. Finally the girl came over, took our order. I was very upset that we stood there so long, and didn't get acknowledged. One other thing happened, but I don't want to add more negativity to this post and point out anyone specific. read more

Amazing Bloody Mary's. Honestly the best in Oceanside. George the bartender makes a great one!!!

This has to be one of the most chilled spots in the area. Very nice ambiance for a bar. Music was good drinks were great. I met Whitney then later with George beautiful people with fun upbeat conversation. It got a little crazy for a short while only because some lady name Kim did not want to pay for a drink that some guy promised to pay for but didn't so she pretty much attacked the bartender because she asked her to pay up. What more can you expect from a drunk person. All in all Maxadon's is a chill spot with great drinks and more. read more

Every time I go here the bartenders are really nice. I like the atmosphere. I like the layout and the modern feel. The drinks are very reasonably priced. I've never tried their food so I can't speak on that. The only con I have is pool is $1.25 per game. It's not a huge con. But I'm used to paying $1 per game. read more

Went here for the first time and got the worst customer service. I actually didn't get any kind of service. I don't know if it's unwritten rule that you need to be over 50 to get served but the one waitress/bartender acted like we weren't even there. Would never go back or recommend this place to anyone! Fuck the waitress/bartender read more

It's been ages since I've come here. I can tell they have spruced up the place, but it seemed so much darker and smaller the last time I came. Not a bad place to hide out. I've been looking for a change of pace to my usual place and I may have found it. Dark and completely empty I see they have New Castle on tap, so of course I pitcher up. Seriously 2 hours without another soul. So I'm watching the tube and chatting with the new bartender. The next guys that waltz in are regulars and with their impressive lotto winnings buy me another pitcher. The pool tables aren't the usual green, but tan and the lighting and décor are very Midwestern. Pool bar maybe, not dive bar would be my best description. Nothing sticky or funky smelling. They have a tiled bathroom and plenty of space to mozy. If the crowd is anything like what I've seen so far I'll be less worried about leaving the ring of fire every Friday at OMTI's. read more

Awesome place. Sarah is so friendly def coming back. Chicken & pulled pork r delicious.. Great edition to Oceanside. Keep up the GREAT work!!!! Support local business... Check them out!!! read more

Love this place! Always good time, shuffleboard I played for the first time recently and good drink prices!

What a great bar. I've lived here two years and I never knew this place was tucked alway. Great pool tables, super clean bathrooms, shuffle board. It's almost what you would call an upscale dive bar with class. Definitely will be coming back. read more

Bartender super rude....makes very water down drinks and never smiles. I won't be coming here any more.

Maxdon's opened at this new place a few months ago and I have waited to try it multiple times before writing a review. Maxdon's is a great place to go if you like an atmosphere that isn't intimidating or dreary. When you enter you will immediately notice the size of the place, the lighting, and the decorations. Maxdon's almost has a "Steampunk" type look going for it. There are big screen LCD TV's all around the bar on whatever channel you want. There is a small lounge area with couches and a coffee table perfect for playing Cards Against Humanity or some other drinking game with your friends. There are six pool tables, two dart boards, and a bar shuffleboard you can rent for $5 an hour or $3 for a half hour. The bar shuffleboard is extremely fun with a group of friends. The pool tables are a quarter pricier than most places at $1.25 a game. The pool tables are in great condition (I'm a big fan of playing pool) Eventhough the pool-tables are .25c more per game, the prices of drinks are cheaper. Budweiser drafts, which are kept at 31* F, are always $3.25, all day, everyday. Not just for happy hour. They also have a good selection on tap from Stone Brewery to regulars like Shock Top and Stella. Those, of course, are not $3.25. When you order a wine they fill up a glass pourer and give it to you, along with a wine glass. My wife is a big connoisseur of wine and agrees that they give you more than most bars. They have multiple shot selections as a January special, all $3. On a regular night we got a glass of wine, a Budweiser, a Moscow mule (which didn't come in a copper mug. Most bars dont), and played shuffleboard for an hour. The bill came out to $22 before tip. I will say, all the mixed drinks I've had there have been fine or good. I saw one review knocking their Moscow Mule and I believe that is because they use a home made Ginger Beer which is slightly weak compared to most Ginger Beers. They did everything else inside the mason jar correctly. Real limes squeezed, not bitters. Vodka. Ginger Beer. It's just the Ginger Beer was a bit weak. It's a decent Moscow Mule (especially considering most bars use bitters instead of lime. Blasphemy!). A great thing about this location is all the restaurants around it. The Royal Buffet (Chinese) will be opening soon. What is better than Chinese food when drinking. There is all Killer Pizza From Mars or Waba Grill directly next door. Killer Pizza From Mars will give you a discount if you order a pizza to go to bring back to Maxdon's. Maxdon's, however, has a small menu of their own. Their pulled pork sliders are very good. If you enjoy sweet pulled pork BBQ sauce, you would love this. Three of them are $8 (or you can order 1 or 2. I could eat 3, my wife could only finish 2.) and they have a lot of meat on them. They also include coleslaw and jalapeno bits. Their nachos are also tasty. A hefty portion of Mission Tortilla Chips with nacho cheese, jalapenos, and for $2 more, a hefty portion of pulled pork on top of it. The nachos with pulled pork come out to $7. Be advised, don't be alarmed when they make the food for you behind the counter. They have their small kitchenette area right behind the bar. They also offer pretzel bites, meatball sliders, and small cheese pizzas, but I've never tried those. Going to Maxdon's for 3 sliders and a Budweiser draft comes out to around $11. Not bad for dinner. I have to give a special shout out to Elizabeth, the bartender. She is friendly and helpful. At the end of one night of drinking we asked her to make us any drink she makes up and she had a good time making it. It was tasty too. She also routinely goes around the bar (I think every 30 minutes), picking up glasses and asking patrons if they would like her to bring them another drink. She quickly remembers your face and doesn't card you once she remembers you. Now for the perspective for female patrons. I noticed, compared to other bars, a lot of solo, young females or female groups at Maxdon's. Generally you don't see too many solo females or groups of females going to a bar without men around. My wife, who is very good looking and gets hit on a lot when I'm not around, explained it is because of the atmosphere here (Maxdon's.) She said you don't see guys constantly creeping on the females and everyone seems to just be there for a good time with their friends, not "hunting for tail." So if you are female that is constantly hounded by men, this may be the bar for you. Sure, there are a lot of guys there, but the clientele seems to be very laid back. When Maxdon's first opened, I was afraid it was going to be the three types of bars you generally find in Oceanside. Either a place for only older people, a place where they are selling drugs from behind their bar, or a Marine bar where there are nightly fights or the moment you leave your girl's side they are trying to hit them up. This place seems to have attracted a crowd from all walks of life. I notice A LOT of couples. read more

I've only been a small number of times, but every time I've not been impressed. The joint has about 5-6 full-sized pool tables all in good condition, but are an ugly light-tan color and will cost you $1.25 a game. Beer was on the pricier side too. Never knew it was there until recently, but I could have lived just as well not knowing there was anything there at all. read more

there's only old people here and they're all rude a holes. service isn't the best and the food is really subpar. like really really subpar, we should've read the room bc literally no one eats here and for a reason. the drinks are cheap but i mean what else can you expect from a bar in a shopping center‍ read more