I've lived in Oxnard most my life and I've also lived on Silverstrand and Hollywood beach part of my life, and not till my 31st year of life did I make it to the Rudder Room. The Rudder Room doesn't offer the best drinks, or even the coldest beer, but they do offer an atmosphere, that is complete authenticity of a dive bar. Though the Rudder Room is not your average dive bar, its a dive bar with view, and you can drink on the sand in front of the bar. How completely cool is that? Plus Seth Mcfarland has been here. I enjoy the Mai Tais, though they are completely dependent on who makes them. There is a juke box there too, which has gotten more money out of me then a Venetian Hotel slot machine. Don't go as many years as I did not checking out the Rudder Room, it's a true dive, with a view. read more

This place is vile. The bartender is a complete jerk, and the place smells like urine. Just gross. I walked in and then right back out after the a-hole bartender barked at me when I asked if they are cash only. I wouldn't spend one cent in this nasty place. read more

Heard this was a good place to go - walked in today and literally stood in front of the bar and the bar tender for a full 5 min and he never even asked me what I wanted. Mind you, it's early and the place is empty with only 1 old guy at the bar. I asked if I could sit outside and he replied "I don't know, can you?" And still didn't take my order ! They just lost my business - I'm never going back. read more

I was visiting from out of town and although sitting on the beach is neat, the bartenders were extremely rude. One actually threw .75 cents at me and said good luck getting a drink in here ever again because it was taking me a little long to get my cash together. (They only take cash and look at you like you're an idiot if you didn't know that.) They should really work on their hospitality and making newcomers feel welcome. I will say the prices were amazing for California. read more

Rude bar tender. Waited patiently to be tended to and once I asked for a beer brand he said "we don't have that, did you see it on our beer list?" in a rude tone. Then he grabbed some list from three people over and slammed it in front of me. Needless to say I ordered no beer. read more

We just happened upon this place at random this week - in town visiting for Cowboys training camp (b-day present for the boyfriend...), and were trying to cab it to someplace interesting near the harbor. Then we needed cash, and the ATM we hit at some bait shop was all screwy, but the guy there told us that The Rudder Room had one. We ran in to get cash for the cabbie, and after paying, ran right back in to have a nice beachfront cocktail. Great dive-bar vibe, everyone was cool to us even though we were obviously out-of-towners (though we live 1/2 a block from the beach in our own town, so it's not like we don't understand sand, sun, and dive bar drinkin....) At any rate, friendly folk, strong drinks, beautiful location - if we're ever back in O'nard, we will definitely be poppin in for a drink or 3. Thanks for the hospitality, Oxnard!!! read more

To many lame locals with something to prove.place smells like piss.cups are always dirty.but when your a lush I guess that doesn't matter.

Love that you can sit outside on the sand in a lounge chair! Inside is more of a dive bar vibe. One of the best spots in Ventura to meet all kinds of people & have good strong drinks! read more

This place is horrible. It is the worst place I have ever been to and if I could rate it a negative star I would. The place smells like urine upon walking in. The bartender was super rude and the drinks were watered down. The view was nice, but there are definitely other places you can go with a nice view of the beach, where you don't have to smell urine, deal with a low life bartender and have a drinks that barely have alcohol in them. Worst place ever! read more

By far the greatest bar on the planet. Period, end

Best dive bar in Oxnard - Period. You can grab a drink at the bar and pull up a chair on the beach and enjoy the sunset. Where else can you do this where the beers don't cost $9.00? This is an awesome local bar with awesome people and awesome prices! Can't go wrong here, especially on a sunny day in the Nard. read more

Only bar where alcohol may be consumed on the beach. Bartender way better on weekends after 5. Cash only, amazing sunsets, tons of locals.

Great place haven't been there since the Eighties when Trigger manned the bar, would love to revisit the place, always had a great time there. read more

I knew this place was for me when I asked an old lady for directions and she replied, "You're not going there are you?" Oh yeah, I am. This isn't the sort of place you bring Mom, unless your Mom just finished getting the tattoo of her ex-husband, Smokey, removed from her breast and is looking for a quick replacement. Beers are domestics, the drinks are poured strong, and best of all the beach is right outside. Great place to catch a sunset, wish you had a cool handlebar mustache and a gravely smokers voice too. read more

Where do you go when you've hit rock bottom and your want to enjoy a world class view from a world class dive bar? The Rudder Room my friend. Walk through the front door and you're hit with the strongest odor of urine you're likely to ever encounter. Continue on past the cloud and you get to a great bar with great drinks and a great view. You can even take your act outside for some much needed fresh air. read more

Best Dive Bar in California, but a well kept secret . People are Nice and Pleasant, especially the REGULARS!!! The Bartenders and the Owner George are AWESOME!!! On Special Occasions the Owner will put out a Big Spread of Food, ham turkey,etc. you name it. The Rudder Room is an Old School Hangout that has been around FOREVER! On a clear day the scenery on the beach is just AMAZING! Volleyball, GOOD DRINKS,WELL MADE, SCENIC SUNSETS, & FRIENDLY, INTERESTING PEOPLE!!! Need I say anymore? read more

A very locals known bar. Pool tables, darts. Just picture the show "Cheers" on the beach. Volleyball sand court out back, outdoor beach protected patio. Place in front sales food. read more

Been here once. Like most things in coastal Oxnard, this little dive is out of the way, so you're rewarded with a great little beach front dive. Somehow, this isn't as intimidating as the Beachcomber, located across the harbor in deeeeep Silver Strand. read more

Just what I expected (hoped for) & more. Full true dive bar. Genius! It was almost dark but the rag-tag view was still epic. Right on the beach, stuff all over the walls, salty dogs saddling up, pool table arguments, a smoke room, and a couple of 6's upgraded to 8's. Good pours too! read more

Best place around to have a corona put your feet in the sand, watch the sunset, play some pool meet up with friends. They have pot lucks on the holidays etc read more

A great place to meet friends for an informal "take your shoes off, pull up a beach chair, wiggle your ties in the sand and enjoy the drinks, conversation, and sunshine." Whether at 10:00 on a Sunday morning or a very popular Friday night, always buzzing with locals,bikers, and just a great crowd!! Play pool , darts or just enjoy the game on the tv. Loved it from the first time I walked in there and as long I can be within walking distance to home ( after two of those bloody Mary's) I will continue to patronize this wonderful dive bar!!! read more

Very fun and relaxing. Inexpensive drinks and the beach, you can't get better than that! We always bring our dogs and hang out in the sand. Its a big mix of patrons, bikers, beach bum locals, out of towners and everyone so far has been really friendly. I cant wait for more sunny Rudder Room days! read more

We recently stayed the night in Oxnard and were looking for a looking bar for a srink. After reading the reviews, we though we would give Rudder Room a try. We had a blast. It is definitely a tiny, dive bar with a great atmosphere. The drinks are inexpensive, you have a great view of the water, you can sit inside (limited seating) or out back at the picnic tables or in a chair in the sand. Inside they have a pool table and video games, outside they have a volleyball net. The customers were all friendly and welcoming, and the bartender was friendly too even though he was crazy busy keeping up with the drink orders. The age of the crowd was mixed. There were some in their 20's and 30's, and plenty in their 40's and 50's (which is my age group). We will stop in again the next time we are in the area. read more

White Russian, Margarita, both great and STRONG! Dive for sure! Beachfront is awesome at sunset. Do it!

Went here on a Thursday night after work- had Veterans' day off. Completely 4got abt cash only. YEAH for a reallly nice bartender who took what ones and change I had and poured me an associated amount of Jameson - thank you! Met up with an old friend and a few of her people. Shared a round. Then hit the beach - literally. We got a night beach volleyball game going that lasted til 1am. It was a blast. And the crowd was very easy going, yet had a fun streak. read more

As dive bars go, this is as good as it gets. Outdoor seating as well where you can watch the sunset and you can bring in the food from the grill in front. I love the Rudder Room and will always come back from time to time secure that it will be just as it was 20 years ago when I first went. read more

Love this place, best dive bar in town! Someone once asked me what makes a good dive bar. I laughed and told him, next time you walk in there, take a deep breath as you walk through the threshold, if it don't smell like piss, it's not a good dive bar :) read more

The long dingy hallway entrance and feelings of 'what and who is' at the end of the tunnel, sure, had those, but I was curious. At the bar, a few weathered guys sat clenching their beers with one hand & staring at the the other hand, also clenched. One rough looking woman, probably pretty hot in her youth, at the end of the bar. Still tan. Still thin. Still smokin'. Still drinkin'. Still coming to this place. No seats turned to see who I was, funny, because amongst all those RudRoom gents there were only two females; her & me. I'm always up for a pub chat buuut, no way, not inside this place. Bartender, not rude, just hard like all the others. I waved a 20 in his face and asked for a Coors. Not my beer of choice but I wanted to keep it simple- for his sake. Did I want to drink it on the beach & bake in the hot sun? No. I live on the beach. I looked over at the 'other' woman, yes, decision confirmed...Oh wait! What a cheery little patio outside! Met a very cool couple on the patio. Had a great afternoon chatting, laughing, telling stories. I went there a month later - headed straight to the patio and met two (also) cool guys who rode their Bugattis there. Played pool, activated the jukebox, another fun day. Haven't been back since....but I would. A few good memories might serve us better; kinda like deciding not to hook up again with the high school boyfriend. We thought it was all awesome !!! Then something changed.... The bartender(s) might be assholes but I didn't give them that opportunity with me. I know their type. They see cash like a wildcat sees a rabbit. They don't like (esp women) asking where the restroom is or if they can drink on the patio because it's obvious if you look through the glass doors. They don't want to help, they don't want to smile, they don't want to make you smile, they don't want to break the news that they only accept cash ( it's posted) they just want to get through the day. Surely some of us can empathize. My advice: Turn to The Light - outside! Hit that jukebox! A game of pool is always fun with a Coors and some Queen! (although those stolen effigies from a Disney ride at the bar will hate you- more) read more

Cool little dive bar, service is good and the beer is cold. What more could you ask?

Best dive bar around. I love this place and frequent often. Never had a bad experience. You can't beat the view or the drink prices. Great place for a pick up volleyball game on the weekend. read more

Decent place for a local drink. Prices are fair and the crowdy was welcoming.

This is what a Dive Bar looks like when you look up Dive Bars! Don't take the kids, don't expect a martini crowd with pinkies held high! You go here for great strong drinks at great prices. Sit on the beach with your feet in the sand, get liquored up and watch the sun set. Cash only. Sure it's dingy, but that's what dive bars are. Rudder Room, don't change a thing! Just go and enjoy it for what it is. We do as often as we can. The food stand out front will even deliver burgers to you while you are drinking at the bar or on the beach. What more can you ask? Try it, you won't be dissapointed. Thanks. read more

Nice place. Not a glamorous Westlake bar if you're into that, but the margaritas were strong, not overly sweet, and only $5. We sat outside and watched beach volleyball and sailboats going by in the harbor entrance. No trouble with rudeness or service; some of the patrons were lit up a bit, but happy and polite. Service was as quick and professional as anywhere else we've been lately. It's a cash place, so bring some. We will come back. read more

Rudder Room - L and K relaxing in the outdoor seating area - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Just can't beat having beers on the sand. Great sunsets, cool local vibe, food right next door, good priced drinks and awesome bar tenders.

The Rudder Room is a classic! The best dive bar I've ever been to - and I mean that as a major compliment! If you are looking for fancy drink menus, with all sorts of silly drinks, made by "mixologists" (please!!) with snotty attitudes - please do everyone a favor and go elsewhere. If you want to experience a 50+ year tradition of strong drinks, fun locals, serious characters, and the best ocean view in CA - then the Rudder Room is your place! Bring your flip flops, sunscreen and thirst - BUT, leave your attitude at home! See you there!! read more

Dude, a bar on the beach? Fuck yes. God bless America and no place else.

Let's make this easy this place is a dive bar not kind of a dive or rustic but a true dive bar. But the drinks are cheap the staff is awesome and you walk out the back door and you sit on the beach and look at the ocean as you drink it works. Five stars for the view the price and the people read more

Great dive bar on the beach in Oxnard, CA. Grab a drink and go sit in the plastic adirondack chairs with your toes in the sand!

Cool spot little dive bar on the sand! Would've got five stars if they accepted credit cards and the bartender wasn't such a jerk. Cash only. In today's age, that's not really smart. So they put an ATM in there to make money off of you. That's not cool. Get with the times. One of the bartenders was really nice, and one was like the soup Nazi from Seinfeld. Ha ha ha. Has such potential to be something so amazing! A lot of locals which is great as I am a local, but I could make that place amazing! read more

As far as dive bars go, you can't get any better than this secluded beach bar that is almost hidden from the rest of the world!!