Cool spot to hang out with the family and watch the sunset. It's a cash only establishment but drinks are super reasonable- There were seven of us and somehow we were able to stay and enjoy ourselves for two hours on the $90 cash that we scraped together. Based on reviews, I guess you either love this place or you don't. Personally, I would 100% recommend this unique beach bar! read more

If you are treated in a Rude manner at the Rudd, it's because you are a s*^t head. Get over yourself and your meager shtuff. It's not for everyone, so GFY (good for you, not). Stay away dweebs. read more

The reviews make sense lol they bullied me into either going outside with my service dog or leaving. Even though I have documentation they didn't care and said I can go outside or leave and the bartender and some girl at the bar just shot me dirty looks constantly. My friend wanted to stay so we sat outside but I'm sad the customer service was so horrible. Really cool dive bar on the beach read more

Best dive bar I've ever been to. There is 1 long bar and every stool faces the beach and u look right out onto volleyball courts, sand and water. It's a beach crowd, everyone knows everyone. Everyone is friendly. It's a cash only bar. Great chairs to sit on right out the back. Hold your breath going in, it Stinks. read more

Rudder Room - The view at the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Cheap drinks. Cool place to bring your dog and chill on the beach with other friendly people

A fun little bar with wonderful outdoor accommodations. When my friend comes to visit every year we go to the Rudder Room. Great drinks at low prices. Can't ask for more than drinks on the beach read more

This place is almost heaven! $4 well drinks that seem like triples, pool table, outdoor patio... that has a door that leads to another patio at the sand... which you can see boats coming into and out of the channel. There's a volleyball net on the beach. I mean, truly what more do you want. I've read some peeps having problems with a bartender. That wasn't my experience. The bartenders I've encountered were no frills, get to business, move on to the next thirsty customer types, which is enough at a dive bar when you just want to be drinking on the sand! Hopefully they'll pull through this Covid Mania. Would be sad to see such a perfect place not reopen. read more

Rude service. Wont ever be coming back. The only perk was the fact that it's in the beach. That is it.

Very cool, relaxed bar. Cash only-keeps the prices reasonable. They have an excellent juke box and mostly cool patrons. The only negative is that it smells bad at the entrance. read more

Great dive bar on the beach! Good prices. Not typical California bar. Open later than most bars.

Best place on earth to enjoy cocktails and local conversation, with ocean and island views!

This bar is an perfect venue for year-round partying. It offers a great location directly on the beach, sand volleyball courts right outside, plus it's located at the mouth of Channel Islands harbor and the Pacific Ocean. I lean towards the daylight festivities rather than at nighttime primarily due to the occasional unsavory element that shows up. Other than that, inexpensive, strong drinks, great location, and set in a nice neighborhood. Extra bonuses: - Comfortable outside chairs for sunning and drinking. - Food stand out front serving a variety of sandwiches, chowders, etc. - Beers @ $3 and mixed drinks @ $4. - ATM machine. Photos: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/MdZiWbKpcOAvjD8Cyu2QaA?select=0W7_W7Et8PyB4J26B-nq9A read more

See all

Cool local hangout; the place hasn't changed since I first went there back in my Navy days! Paneling on the walls, the smell of urine as you walk through towards the bar... great people watching, great prices, and you've got to get a bowl of chowder from Manda's in front!! Fun pit stop on a Sunday motorcycle ride. read more

Rudder Room - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Cool old skool hangout. It's been there forever, as has many of the staff and clientele. No frills, no food. Just a cool spot to chill. Lots of old bikers, friendly folks. Then comes 10pm and the influx of college punks and self-entitled twats from the nearby college at the former insane asylum (true story). The bartender says this is a new phenomenon and he hates them. Why you ask? Because these loud, impatient, mannerless turds don't tip. So get there early and bail by 10pm. read more

Dive bars are really not my thing, but when I was stuck in an unfamiliar neighborhood and needed to catch the final game of the Dodgers sweeping the Giants, Rudder Room came through. And even though they didn't have taps, they had ice cold cans of Guinness, which I thoroughly enjoyed. No food at the bar or nearby. The views are pretty amazing, and unlike other beachfront dive bars like the Beach Ball, the back of the bar overlooks the sand and surf. Ideal spot. There was a talented bunch of guys and gals playing beach volleyball until sundown. The jukebox had a great selection as well. A-OK in my book. If I'm in the neighborhood again, I will definitely swing by. read more

Rudder Room - View from the bar around sunset - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Now this take is based on comparisons to other dive bars. The best two dive bars in the world are the Rudder Room in Channel islands, and the Marlin Club in Avalon, Catalina. Now, for the Rudder Room: Excellent place to stop for a drink. Safe, fun place for girls to come in too. And they do. Superb, attentive bartenders. The Rudder Room has hit it's sweet spot with customers, and the owners don't dare change a thing. And that's good. Friendly, always fun, no kids, no credit cards, clean restrooms with dry floors, and the food window on the street serves above average food with pagers so you can wait in the bar. HDTV's with most sports, pool tables, games, smokers patio, super casual. It's a destination quality spot for most, but at the least worth a look for sure. read more

Never an issue. Locals dive bar with a lot of friendly peeps. Don't be a dick and all is well. read more

See all

Don't bother stopping in at the Rudder Room. The bartender was extremely rude and I can't express enough how much he doesn't deserve your business or money. read more

My friends and I noticed a foul smell when we walked it. Their bar has limited choices. You know it's bad when you can't get the bartender to give you water....you have to serve yourself at a water fountain. I guess the first tip off, should've been that it's cash only. read more

Great place...ice cold beer..great views, patio, jukebox with classic tunes.....and ice cold beer. Bring cash, no credit cards....still a great place to drink and relax.....and did I say ice cold beer....yeah it was that good! read more

It's pretty horrible dive bar that tends to be temperamental as to who they serve. If you don't fit the profile they look for excuses not to serve you. This and it smells like urine. read more

Always great service with some great shit talking...we love Great drinks.. Thanks Troy!!! Dennis and Marti Rae read more

Beware!!! I wouldn't even give them 1 star. Don't use the men's bathroom if you're a woman. I got yelled at and physically thrown out of a doorway by a male employee who was irate that my friend and I used the men's bathroom. The women's had a long line. He cursed at me as I apologized and waited for my friend to come out. I guess it hit a nerve with him. It was scary. All the employees here were super rude. Never going back!! read more

The worst place to go to. The bartenders are the rudest people on earth. Nobody has respect here and the bartenders looked drunk while giving out drinks. If I can give 0 star rating I would. This place needs bar rescue!!!!!! read more

Fun hidden bar. Went his on a Friday night and it was fun, it's small but definitely would come again to get some drinks.

Open 365 days out of the year and most importantly even on New Years Day! Show up in your Pj's at 6am. God bless them. Cash only but whatever you do don't ask him to make you a Bloody Mary or prepare for a death stare. You may even have to fight the man. Lol read more

Rudder Room - You can legally walk right up to the waterline with your drink even. Cheers to that! - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Cool little beach bar that makes your typical basic drinks. If you stroll in asking for a French 75 you're going to get stared at with a reponse of either, whats that or we don't make thay here, we do run and coke, vodka seven, etc. So there is that, also it's cash only, there is however an atm so no worries just have your debit card ready if you are sans flow. It is a cool place right on the water and beach and epic for hanging out and enjoying the beach and a beer. The only thing that could use some work is the plumbing/bathrooms. When you walk in you pass right by the bathrooms and the odor can be a little rough as you pass by. But after that it's not bad, a cool little spot. The bartender by the way is awesome, fellow aviator so he's badass in my book. This is a fun bar with a pool table and beach access. I wouldn't bring a first date here, unless thats your style, but a few dates in where you want to drink not bad priced beers by the beach...then this would be a good one! Check it out! read more

Rudder Room - That's the ocean behind the glass - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

One of my favorite finds. Strictly for locals and those of us that want to be left alone. We know good food and service when we have it. If you want a fantastic view of beach and low key tude, this is where you will be. Great burgers and food. read more

Rudder Room - Chili cheese dog! - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Same place, same customers year after year. I love this place.. old school dive bar with pride. Right on the sand with killer views of sunsets. read more

Locals bar outsiders beware of the bartender Chris. A real ass hole. Don't order a bloody Mary after 12pm. He will have a fit because it takes longer to make,,wow. Also don't ask for water or he will rudely tell you it's in the back! Don't attempt to card it, also will rudely tell you cash only. This is a nice dive bar with beach in backyard. Too bad it doesn't have real bartenders and a blender. read more

Rudder Room - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

Off the beaten path by a few minutes. This place is not for everyone. It is a small bar that has great outdoor seating. ... you know, if you're into sitting in the sand with a beer and watching the sun go down. Very narrow pathway leads from the front door past the bathrooms that could use a little better ventilation and ends at the bar that has a large window looking out to the water. Seemed to be dog friendly and the customers were also on the happy side. I'll return because this is my type of escape to place. read more

I love this place! How many places in California can you sit on the beach and have a drink? I think the bar tender is cool. Bought a jacket and a tee shirt the other day and everyone was great. It's a bar people! Enjoy it! read more

Rudder Room - Dive Bars Near Me - Oxnard, California

If you're visiting Oxnard, this is one of the must-go bar for the experience. Dive bar with a direct access to the beach! You can sit on one of the many sun chairs that are out in the sand and enjoy your beer with the sunset. It's a watering hole for the locals and most people are found to be very nice and approachable. Farmers, workers, and all the likes. It gets chilly year-round, so bring a sweatshirt if you want to sit out on the beach. read more

Can't review without awarding at least one star, alas ~ they made me do it. Dropped by for lunch w/ galpal yesterday ~ we sat at bar for ten minutes without a greeting, much less being served, thus missed out on bad burgers and $6 beers. Plenty of entertainment tho as nearby table was working hard to get their Blood Alcohol levels up over .30 and fellow next to me at bar practicing his daily DT's, screaming incoherently [except for the profanities, of course] as he struggled to stay on his madly-swaying stool. Can only imagine what 'happy hour' might mean ~ bring the kids, it's cheaper than circus tickets, and they'll never go near another bar. i'm thru with the Rudder Room. . read more

This is as close to a dive as you can get without a speedo and a pool. The awesome location more than makes up for the "mixed" clientele and "suspect" bartenders though! Bottom line; don't take this place too seriously. Grab a drink and head outside to the beach, so you can enjoy the Vodka tonic you were served instead of the Vodka soda you ordered. read more

Cool bartender, great service, amazing location and beach access. Put it on your dive bar bucket list for sure.

This is a small dive bar right on the beach. It has a smoking area outside with picnic tables and they even allow dogs on the beach area. This isn't for the 20-something set, though there are a few that hang out here. Most are middle aged and retired Navy folks and their spouses/girl/boyfriends. Let me be clear though. THEY DO NOT SELL FOOD! I see a lot of people saying "great food, great prices" but it's strictly a bar without food. There is a deli just behind it that is often closed, but if you find it open you can get your food and go in there. The bar itself is often jammed elbow to elbow, especially just after normal work hours. That said, hey have a TV and a great time to go is for the early football games. My husband is a semi-regular but his close friend is a definite regular. He's there every day with his bar stool, kind of like Norm from Cheers. They're all a friendly bunch. Naturally they get even friendlier the more the night wears on. lol! There are some volleyball nets outside and they offer some great sunsets. In fact, there is a great framed set of photos by a regular who took a picture of the sunset every Friday night for a year. The walls are also plastered with a ton of other photos as well. All in all, I like it. read more

One of my favorite dive bars in Ventura County. First off, the location is super duper awesome. There's not very many places in Ventura county that you can have a drink on the beach, well at least legally. Not a fan of the nighttime bartender, Mark. Every single time I have gone in there, this guy seems to hate his life and his job. Rather than seeing a busy, popping bar as a good thing for business, he easily gets stressed out and takes this out on the patrons. Mark makes me want to completely write off the Rudder Room, but it is the ambiance, and also my friends who love the atmosphere who keep me coming back. Not to mention the foul smell of piss when you first walk in, but what the heck, it's a dive bar... Having said all that, I will continue being a patron at this bar but only about once a month rather than once a week bc of their horrible bartender(s). Might I also add, this place is cash only. They offer an atm on location for a nice little fee. Wish there were more good things I could say about this place. It has great potential, but definitely needs a little help. read more

Solid. If you miss stopping here once, you've just plane missed out. The crowd: local and eclectic. The drinks, inexpensive and CASH only. The interior is authentic and fitting. The service is perfectly detached and funny. It's off the beaten path, so it's hard for any but the most enterprising casual visitors to accidently walk in. I took a visitor here and we had a pretty dam good time. Well worth the stop. read more

I can't say enough good things about this hidden treasure!! The bartender is fabulous and knows how to make an excellent margarita!!