GRIFF is the BEST bartender EVER!!!!!! He is so nice, funny, and accommodating!!! Always checking on us and making drinks in a timely manner. Great convos, just an all over great person to share an evening with friends with! This is a local spot for friends of mine is how I ended up here. Playing pool, picking out songs on the digital jukebox, hanging on the back patio all enjoyable. read more

Norm's Cocktails - Sports Bars Near Me - La Mesa, California

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If you like dive bars like I do, this is a great one. Good draft selection and friendly staff.

Breaking news, especially when you're looking to "treat yourself" to an early morning weekend drink before the world wakes up, this is your spot. I love a great dive bar, and great news for you, this is a great dive bar. Dark inside and stacked with locals, the neighborhood vibe is clear and present. Cool old dudes, cool old gals, a friendly bartender, and a thoughtful owner that will buy you a drink or two if you chat him up and tell him it's your first time in. So what are you waiting for? Do you crave stiff drinks on a budget? Do you wanna chomp on a handful of peanuts? Do you want a local to share his jukebox credits with you? If you've answered "yes" to all of these questions, Norm's is waiting for you! read more

For a small dive bar, this is the location that is like home a few pool tables, a small little area for getting your drink and hanging out with friends but a place that also allows you to bring in your own food and enjoy a couple songs on Wednesday night with Trini Smith one of San Diego's hottest KJ's go there and enjoy sing your favorite song throwback a couple drinks and leave happy read more

Great local watering hole. Have a few friends in the area that frequent. Try to grab a drink there when I'm in the area and have a minute.

Ramon is the best bartender!!! My best friend and I had SUCH a blast last night! I think this bar had a massive face-lift or something because I came here about 4 years ago but never wanted to come back. The vibe before was different but this time was like a Neighborhood Bar feel. We only went last night as a unexpected finale to a bar hopping night. I'm so glad we went! We drank ALL the things. Strong drink pours. Amazing conversation. Awesome digital jukebox with a gazillion song options for cheap. Small back patio for smoking. Pool table. Cool patrons. I live stumbling distance away and am so coming back. Shout out to Ramon!! Thanks for such a fun night! read more

Norm's Cocktails - two women taking a selfie - Sports Bars Near Me - La Mesa, California

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I was looking for a local bar to cap off my birthday but how wrong I was coming into this place!! This is one of the worst bars I've ever been to. The bartender is an absolute jerk!! I am a paying customer and you treat me like a piece of crap?! Who owns this place?!?! Sorry, I'm not the regular alcoholic at the end of the bar barely able to speak. Guess I would get better treatment if I was. Remember these faces in case you come in...run!!!! I would select zero stars if I could!!! read more

Norm's Cocktails - Asshole bartender!! - Sports Bars Near Me - La Mesa, California

awesome time when i'm in th area. Great Wednesday Karaoke and Tyler & Jen are the best!

I love coming out to Norms for karaoke night every Wednesday! My friend Trini is the host. It's always a good time out there...chill vibes & inexpensive drinks. Tyler is an awesome bartender read more

Great kareoke system and supportive crowd! Good bartender makes awesome Michalados. Fun Night!

This place would be decent if the bartender on Tuesday's wasn't a rude and unprofessional sap. Went in with a group of friends and he spoke really nasty to some of us. The person who recommended the spot for the karaoke actually warned about this jerk bartender! I read a similar review here and wondering if his boss needs to be alerted. Bad attitude behind the bar is bad for business. The karaoke show was ok, lots of loud chatter while people are singing and not enough places to sit. Beer specials are pretty good, but it's not worth the bad vibe behind the bar - yuck! read more

Tyler is the best bartender! Hands down best experience with him he always makes us feel welcomed! Norms is not the same without him! He to me is the reason for this bar existence late night! If you are looking for a good time and good vibe with good service make sure you are here on Tyler shift$!!!! He always makes me and my group feel welcome!! For him I'll give Norms a 5 star!!! read more

I love this place. Tyler is the best bartender ever. Definitely recommend this place! read more

Norm's Cocktails - a bottle of beer and a glass - Sports Bars Near Me - La Mesa, California

I really liked this place but I'm pretty sure that the dude with the long beard intentionally double charged us atleast once the other night. I'll admit we were pretty toasted but after talking with my friend this morning he told me he paid for our last round but the bartender had already charged my girlfriend for the round. And its not like the place was busy cause we were the ONLY ones in the bar and it happened pretty darn close together. Then again it could have been a misunderstanding... or not idk. The bar is already shady and after this I'm not sure if ill go back. It's an okay bar just be aware of your surroundings and your tab. read more

Pretttttty random that I ended up here yesterday. I don't typically go out for drinks because 1) I like to stay pretty healthy 2) Booze sometimes makes me sick 3) It doesn't taste very good and 4) it's expensive ($9 for a drink? I can buy a box of carne fries). But I ended up here because my friends wanted to go out somewhere and drink and I was just kind of dragged along. They couldn't think of a place... so apparently we ended up at Norms because it was already 1130pm and I wanted to go to sleep (I'm old, whatever) and so they compromised with me and choose Norm's which was just around the corner. Apparently this is a local old dive bar for the neighbors in the area. It was empty as I expected but for my guy friends... booze is booze. I had a simple bay breeze and I could tolerate it.. simple. The bartender was awesome and was very funny. Decent dive bar for the local neighborhood if you just want a drink without the boughy trendy sh!t. read more

Dive bar. Lots of locals which is a good thing. Bartenders were nice and happy go lucky. Drinks were fairly inexpensive. Thx for a good time. read more

Norm's Cocktails - Halloween Party 2017 - Sports Bars Near Me - La Mesa, California

So I stopped in on my way home from work the other day because of the ratings I have seen. I don't know if it was a off night or a regular thing, but the bartender Jen either ignored me or was rude. I don't think it was that busy but come on. If I wanted to be abused, I'd text my ex-girlfriend. No thanks, you can keep your attitude. I'll find someplace else. read more

Its a cool dive bar - with friendly people. My only gripe is they overserve their customers. I know it should be a good thing they make strong drinks...but I've seen people leave out of there inebriated. That creates a huge liability for the bar tenders and owner. Scale it back a little and care more about the patrons instead of making as much as you can off them while they are clearly intoxicated. read more

Really like this place. Drinks are reasonably priced and the crowd is really chill. Only complaint is the back of the bar can get a bit hot at times. A/C would be nice! read more

This is where I meet my wife 9 years ago... And the place is always the same warm inviting dive bar. They say it's the happiest place on the planet..... and I would have to agree. Jay-Z, Jen, Chino, Ramon, Don, and Tyler are always there with a funny story or an open ear as they pour the best cocktails around. read more

Norm's Cocktails - a man and a woman standing in front of a bar - Sports Bars Near Me - La Mesa, California

If you don't have teeth, a life, a home, pay with all coins and don't mind drinking out of cans then recycling them to get more crappy beer ~ THIS PLACE IS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would of never had gone here but my friend got a gig behind the bar for a few weeks. It was so awful she moved to Minnesota! I don't think Mr Belvedere resides here, I was too fascinated by the locals to notice... ho' lawdy no holla~ read more

Came here the other night and it was so chill. I was looking for something with a homey, friendly atmosphere and this was exactly that. There's a pool table and karaoke on Tuesdays. The bartender was very attentive and friendly, as were a lot of regulars. Definitely somewhere to try out if you're looking for a place to relax and get a drink. read more

Ah, Norm's... the only nearby bar that's open when I leave my job at 7 a.m. I've never been at night, so my review is based solely on the early morning crowd, but I have nothing bad to say. Norm's is a dive bar, and it's everything that a dive bar should be. If, like a certain other reviewer, you think this means that all its patrons have no teeth and only pay with coins, you'd be best served to not show up here in the first place. If, like me, you enjoy a nice cheap drink, friendly service, and lots of local "color", then stop on by. At 7:30 or so, if you please... Jay is the best, he always makes me laugh and is generous with the beverage dispensing responsibility that has been entrusted to him. Also, the whisky selection is acceptable and reasonably priced, as it should be at a dive bar. The beer selection is limited, but that's to be expected, and it's better than most other dives. If all that weren't enough... ice in the urinals! What happened to this trick, and why is Norm's the only place to continue it's glorious tradition? The anticipation of watching the frozen mountains crumble upon themselves and melt away beneath a steady stream of my (sometimes asparagus scented) used beer is enough to keep me coming back all by itself. read more

I use to go here at least once a week back when I lived in the area and it was always a good time. It's just what you would expect from a dive bar I hadn't gone for a couple years after moving and decided to check it out. Sadly, it wasn't the same Norms...they should change their name to The Bar Formerly Known as Norms. The crowd, bar tenders, entire ambiance changed. I guess that's just how it goes sometimes. read more

A tad overpriced for a dive, where rotgut house mixed drinks go for $4.50 during those hours when other bars are offering happy specials. That said, the patrons were nice, barkeep was quick and funny, and the place has charm and decent TVs for sports. read more

After working night shift this is chill bar to stop by for some Post work cocktails at 0730 am . ---(don't judge! 12.5 hours is a long time! ). Jay is awesome ! Has my Jameson and ginger beer ready before I order it! read more

One of the few remaining true dives. Love the bleachers and marine decor. Only big downfall is the weak beer tap selection. Get some ipa's get 5 stars. read more

I have been here before and had great service. However, today and like every other time Chino was really rude.... my friends and I were there during the day and had great service but once Chino showed up it was a different vibe. My friend and I went home to eat dinner and got situated (changed out of our work clothes) so we showed back up and we were turned down by Chino saying we were too "intoxicated".... but yet we are posting this review. read more

Nice bar, if you're a local, this is good hand. Just stop in for a cold one. Look for Erika or Chino. Best bartender in town. read more

This is the hole in the wall of all holes in the wall. The ambience is decent, beer selection mediocre and the regulars are just that... Always there. They are a friendly bunch though. Go here if you want a quick and cheap beer. read more

What a dump. Stopped by on a Saturday night. Not too crowded. DJ playing bad music way too loud. Hyper-aggro group of bros playing pool. A table of worn out skeezes celebrating their big night out in La Mesa. Drinks came fast, not too expensive, decently strong, and were chugged as fast as we could get them down as we got the hell out of there. read more

First off moving from beautiful humboldt county was hard and when you move to a new city you expect to find your local water hole , well Norms is amazing. I love the bartenders, jay especially the crowd reminds me of home so I fit right in. Great beers on Tap goose IPA is a go to that's on tap. First place I felt truly welcomed since I've been in this rat race city. read more

wednesday evening: awesome female bartender ~ Megan? I think :) Like it here and love that they open at 6am Very helpful when I was calling to try and find my phone read more

Stopped by with friends for a few after dinner drinks last night. Misty, the sweetie behind the bar, was doing a great job keeping the regulars happy. And the regulars were happy... They were a good mix of folks enjoying some excellent juke box selections. More than a few of the locals stopped by our table to say hello and talk. One pool table (fitty cents a game). Just a cool little hang out. read more

My girlfriend and I had a very awful time celebrating our friend's birthday with karaoke by our favorite KJ Loy. The owner's son Tyler sexually harassed my girlfriend and made myself and my group very uncomfortable. Tyler was very drunk and being loud and obnoxious as well. My girlfriend and I decided to leave early and as we were leaving, Tyler shouted to my girlfriend "I'd fuck the shit out of you". It took every part of my being to not confront him after that and start a fight. My girlfriend and I have been coming to Norm's for a while and we are friends with the regulars such as Loy and Trinity. We always have had a great time singing karaoke here and we absolutely love Loy. However, we do not feel safe coming back here especially knowing it was the owner's son who did this behavior. read more

My husband and I really enjoy Norm's. The people are fun and friendly. The bartenders are engaging and professional. We like having a local dive-bar for relaxing. JayZ is doing a great job keeping the bar up to standard after Norm passed. Everyone is welcome! read more

The term "5 Star Dive Bar" has been coined by another establishment, but Norm's easily earns a 5 star review. Been frequently visiting this place for years, and EVERY time is a good time. It all starts with the bartenders. All of them are attractive, efficient, and they know what good customer service means. No, it does not mean heavy pouring - it means checking up on their customers, remembering their names, making sure they are happy with their drinks, and getting the drinks out FAST. This is the first step to making a customer feel welcomed. The next best thing at Norm's are the regulars. This is a highly inclusive group, surprisingly welcoming each and every time. As some of the other reviews have stated, there is an older group of people, but they are feisty and always ready to share a good joke. I think the regulars here help this place strike a balance between chill, but interesting and fun. The bar itself is great - large windows in the front and side let in lots of natural light. The bathrooms are clean. The jukebox is state of the art, and they play at a good level - you can definitely hear the music, but you don't have to shout at each other during a conversation. Except maybe on Thursday nights - it was pretty crowded during our last visit. But again, friendly faces all around. Prices here are fair - $11 per pitcher for domestics, $3 pints, and $4.50 for cocktails. But as I noted above, I am happy to pay these prices for the competent customer service and relaxing vibe. I wish we lived closer to this little gem. Every time I leave I have a warm feeling in my heart for this bar. Thanks, Norm's! read more

Nice folks, great price, and stiff drinks. What isn't to like? Don't let the poor review fool you. If you want PB, you're in the wrong part of town. Norm's is a cool place with friendly staff, and regular patrons where: "Everybody knows your name..." . I love this place. read more

Unfortunately one of the best bartenders is gone. Still a decent place, not sure if I'll visit as often...especially since the tender is a HUGE part of enjoying a bar...wish you luck Norms... read more

Well well well.......I work the graveyard shift and even though it's only 7:30 in the morning when I get off, it's still the end of my "night". That's when Norm's comes into play. It's the only nearby bar I've found that opens at 6am and welcomes the night crew and other inhabitants of the early hours. The drinks are good, and strong, and the company more than satisfactory. Thanks for being open Norm's, see ya another morning! read more