Decent small venue for up and coming artists/bands. However, zero parking, hard to get a view, and bring your ear protection! Bartenders are nice and efficient, two unisex bathrooms available, seating is first come first serve. The show I attended was great, supposedly sold out, but the people sitting on the side of the bar where the booths were located were SO loud. Like if we all paid to see this show why are you talking over the artist? Heard some Shhh's that didn't fix the problem, not sure if they were regulars or didn't care for the concert. Either way, since it's a small area, it definitely affected the experience. read more

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This is such a great venue!! The size of the venue makes every show feel like VIP and you get to meet the bands at the merch tables too! With the intimate setting, I definitely recommend ear plugs because it can get extremely loud. The seating throughout the venue is first come, first served, so make sure you arrive early. The staff are all friendly, security too. The only downside is there are no food options, but there's a pizza place across the street and an Ethiopian restaurant a few doors down. They have a full bar and the bartenders are quick and responsive. Overall it was a great experience and I'm definitely going to try to catch more shows here. read more

Soda Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Soda is a nice small divey live music venue in North Park. We've been here for sold-out shows and we've been here for a show with only 35 people. Huge difference in experience, lol. I love that they have the big booths on the left, that's usually where we're camped out. And because they allow in & out, and don't sell food, you can bring in snacks or a sandwich, etc. It's small with just the one main bar in the center and merch near the door. It can get super loud, so bring good earpieces. We know a couple of the employees from other venues we've realized, and everyone has been nice enough. Downside is parking in the area is tough to get. There is a little but on the street, especially if you head North of it. South is all housing, so always difficult to get a spot there. read more

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Intimate, close, but also spacious. Came here to see 76th street. The men working the door and people bartending made the experience easy. I have anxiety at venues and it was so easy, we found a table on the "dance floor" and were able to see the stage and get around easy. Will definitely be back. A local charm spot you picture being the venue in books read more

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I went to Soda Bar this past Saturday to see one of my favorite artists, Nico Play, and honestly, the performance is the main reason I'm not giving this place a lower rating. The venue itself has a cool vibe much more chill and generally quieter than most of the LA venues I'm used to, which I actually appreciated. The drinks were fairly priced and tasted good, and I was greeted very warmly at the door, which set a positive first impression. Unfortunately, the biggest downside of the night was the bartender. He was extremely rude from the moment we approached the bar. I said "Hi, how's it going?" and received no response just a hand stuck out at me. When I ordered, again, no acknowledgment, no words, just staring at me waiting for payment. To be clear, the bar had maybe three people sitting there, so it wasn't like he was busy or overwhelmed. (At least from what I saw) When I asked if I could use Apple Pay, he didn't answer verbally just nodded with an annoyed look. I handed him my phone, and when he brought it back, he tossed both my phone and the check onto the counter in a visibly irritated way. I'm not sure if he was having a bad day or if something else was going on, but whatever it was, it felt like he was taking some kind of frustration out on me and my wife, which made the experience uncomfortable. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but it definitely stood out and left a bad taste. Overall, Soda Bar has a solid atmosphere and good drinks, and the live music was great but the service at the bar seriously detracted from what could've been a really good night read more

Soda Bar - Nico Play - performing - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Soda Bar has been a great choice of music venues for years. Recently attended an improv show, and was even able to snag one of the big comfy booths. I'll surely be back time and time again, and maybe I'll even remember to take some photos next time! ;) read more

Went for the Racing Mount Pleasant concert and it was very crowded but my boyfriend and I got a roomy booth where we could still see the band perfectly without being squeezed in with the sweaty people. Staff were great, other attendees were not. read more

Mixed bag for me. I've been in maybe 150 - 200 venues from living in Austin and elsewhere so I've seen and heard a lot. The good: gets some decent bands, bar is OK but don't let the 20 taps excite you as they're 5-6 beers on tap. Not so good: bar in middle splits room in 2. Sound was OK but overdriven with distortion. Parking was painful - almost 6 blocks away on a cold night. Bartenders seem to be only staff happy to be there. Never like sticky floors. read more

LOTS OF POTENTIAL!! Interesting venue to see bands perform. If the owners put even a little bit of love & effort, this place could have a really cool vibe to hang out & watch performances. Currently, their vision is tired & flat. They are located just east of Hillcrest in a neighborhood that is emerging. Bartender was super nice and the groups we saw were great! ("Doorman" & "Security" acted like they didn't want to be there, which was a shame). read more

Same story as all these other nice people getting the worst energy from that one bartender. He didn't toss my bar tab hard enough at me though- so it fell on to his side of the bar. Hah read more

Had 2 drinks but because I'm disabled and have problem with my foot I stumbled a little bit outside and they refused to let me back in saying i was too drunk when I have a disability: they refused to listen to the fact I'm disabled and cant always walk straight on my foot. They're not understanding about disabilities and are not ada friendly and hopefully will likely get a lawsuit over it. I also came in an uber and they saw me get out of it so there was no liability of me driving. Just discrimination. Also the last time I was there for death cab for karaoke one of the security guards grabbed me For no reason and called me a stupid bitch after I sang a song read more

I've been here a couple of times to see some shows and it's a really nice local spot for small, unknown bands. It's pretty fun being able to be right up close to the artists. The sound quality needs some work though. I'm not sure if it is because the space is soo small that the sound doesn't have space to go, but it can get muffled if you aren't standing in the right spots. The drinks are pretty expensive here for what you get. I rarely feel like my drink even contains any alcohol so I feel jipped. The staff is also extremely rude at closing time. They are yelling at everyone to get out and move faster even if there is literally no room for you to move. I get y'all wanna go home after your shift is over, but there is no need to be that rude to the paying customers. Despite the rude staff, it's still a nice venue to come to for live music. read more

Soda Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I was prescribed an antibiotic and I was basically given a death warning if I were to drink during the course of that treatment SO I can't say anything about the drinks at Soda Bar other than I wanted to rip my head off because I was on a weird trip on my own being the only sober solo female at the joint. Couldn't even properly mask my awkwardness. On that note, for being 100% sober, I dug my time there. As many have noted, the sound is a bit muffled but it adds to the charm of a dive right? Definite punk rock house party charm. read more

I really like how small this venue is! It allows you to get way close to the stage and really experience the show you're seeing! I've been here twice now and I always have a good time! It's a casual environment and it's fun to come and see smaller artists here! The cocktail menu is okay, I mostly stick to beer at venues like this, but they have some great options for beer! The sound can get pretty loud since it's a smaller space so I would recommend brining earplugs or they sell them at the bar for $1- it will really save your ears! Overall, I enjoy this venue a lot and would go back again and again for more shows read more

Soda Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Soda Bar is a North Park staple! Great sound and a solid bar selection. It's a straightforward dive bar music venue and honestly no where in San diego has the vibes this place has. They have a variety of bands, i often go see their Deathcab for Karaoke emo karaoke nights they have monthlyl read more

I attended a concert here to see Ramona. I had always wanted to check this place out as a frequent concert goer but shows here are 21+. I honestly have nothing negative to say about the venue. It was a hot summer day and the inside was nice and surprisingly not too hot durring the concert. I didn't order any drinks so unlike other reviews I can't state if any bartenders were rude. All the employees seemed pretty happy to be there :) The line moved pretty fast to get in and they only have 2 restrooms but they were pretty clean prior to the concert starting. Bathrooms 5/5 stars Venue 5/5 stars Employees 5/5 stars Parking 5/5 for plenty street parking (i'd suggest getting a lil early to the venue) Pricing for concert ticket 5/5 read more

Soda Bar - Singer in the crowd :) - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I love venues like this. The punk rock kid still lives deep inside of my soul and that same spirit is baked into the walls of Soda Bar. Take a look at their calendar, find a restaurant nearby, and have a fun little night out with some good music and decently priced drinks. I've been here a handful times and for the kind of music I like, it always feels like the place can explode at any moment. The mic can get pulled from the stage, the singer of the band could get sweaty singing in the crowd, and the whole room has a certain type of energy and anticipation when the band you're waiting to see is about to come onto stage. You get it, I like a sweaty and rowdy room, and the Soda Bar gives me just that. read more

This is a great venue for live music but again, but I've been there three times in the last couple of months and on education I've met the most obnoxious anal retentive idiot I've ever had to experience attending a show. Apparently, this person is the production manager. He sits on the door when you arrive. Yes, park at customers is impatient, rude, and again obnoxious , I've mentioned this to the security people to the Bar staff and oddly they all agree. They say they watch him being rude mean and nasty to everybody including them. Great venue occasionally books great bands I would never ever return to this place. read more

The doorman/bouncer is an a*hole. I'm sorry but you do not treat people like they are below you. Take your power trip some place else [checks notes...] bouncer. Sorry you didn't make cop, dishonorably discharged, or otherwise couldn't find your calling but, your power tripping was next level. Find your peace. read more

Great venue! I recommend this spot dor its great bands ans good vibes and drinks. It's in a convenient location and always good times!

Music was phenomenal, but Staff there were horrible. They all seem like they didn't want to be there at all and I witnessed the manager being ridiculously rude to the band that played there and when we were talking with the band, they were saying that they're never gonna play here again. Probably not the experience you want for the people that are bringing people to you to make money or the people spending money to come watch. Again, music was so so good. Look forward to seeing them again at a different venue. read more

The male staff is RUDE. If you are a woman don't expect to be treated with respect or decency by most of the male staff members. I don't know if they were unhappy because it was a Taylor Swift night or because they don't like women, but their treatment was not okay. The bouncer was rude and mocked one of my female friends. He physically copied her mannerisms to make fun of her to the other staff member and talked to us like we were stupid when we asked a question. The ticket taker physically grabbed my other female friend when she walked in because she accidentally walked a bit past him. She didn't even walk all the way in just a little past and was stopped looking around. Apparently, she didn't hear him ask for tickets so he thought that meant it was okay to yank her by her bicep and demand her ticket. And lastly, the bartender scoffed at us when we weren't all ready to order and just walked away from us before we could respond TWICE. If you are women, stay away from Soda Bar. There's plenty of other bars around that will treat you like a human being!! The only reason I gave two stars is because one busser and the female bartender were friendly and the event DJ played great music. read more

I went to Soda Bar on a crowded Saturday night to check out a New Wave DJ. I hadn't been to Soda Bar in years, and it seems to have changed quite a bit. It was pretty empty when we got there around 9:30 and packed an hour later. It is a pretty small place. There are a few tables along the walls. There is a long bar in the center that seems to split the place into two areas, and a stage in the front. It is typically a music venue. Unfortunately, there was only one bartender there on a Saturday night. He was fast, but still, they definitely could have used more help. I also found the drinks to be pricey for a divey place. I was drinking gimlets. I'm not sure of the exact price because my friends drinks were on the same tab, but they seemed to be at least $15, which is more of a craft cocktail price... and these were simple dive bar gimlets. I felt that the placement of the bar that went up close to the stage, was awkward. It seemed to be in the way of part of the dance floor, if you want to call it that. Since this was a DJ night and not a live band, I was hoping to be able to dance instead of watch the DJ. but it became too crowded later in the evening, and the placement of the bar just took up too much space near the stage. Anyway, it is good to have small venues that have a variety of music. This is not my favorite place, but if there is a show I want to see, I'll be back. read more

Have been to SB in ages! Won tickets to see Letters to Cleo and so glad I did because I had the best darn time. The opening band Broken Baby came out with awesome energy and great songs to get the crowd hyped up. There was a brief intermission and then Letters to Cleo came out and the crowd was ready to erupt and dance and sing-a-long. The acoustics in SB is better than I remembered. Bar staff were cool. Loved the draft cocktails! It was a good damn wholesome night! read more

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I came out to see one of my favorite bands last night- they were great! However, at the bar there was this older gentleman with the words "pastel" on his shirt and he was very rude and unprofessional. My partner and I walked up, waited for him while we looked at the menu and when he finally got to us, there was an obvious attitude. It was passive aggressive. We each ordered a drink. When he asked me if I wanted to keep my tab open or closed, I decided to close because I did not like his service. He then THREW my card on a tray with a pen at me. My partner looked at me like "what was THAT?!". I closed out and walked away but it's this type of service that makes me to never come back and make other people aware of the treatment. read more

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PRO: Super small and intimate. Great way to see a band up close and the interaction can be fantastic. Decent beer selection. Staff super nice n friendly. CON: Sound...Decent. The bar actually divides the audience, so it's really tough to get a proper mix -- there's no standing in the middle. Sound guy needed bring down the lead guitar about 15%... OVERALL: It's a small, bar with live music that allows you to see bands -- some clearly about to break -- in an intimate fun way that feels like a party. read more

I've been here numerous times over the years and it's probably one of my favorite places to see live music. They have had some pretty big name bands from the punk, hardcore and Oi! scenes play there. The staff has always been courteous and helpful. I don't drink so i can't comment on alcohol choices but they have a spot with cups and free water so that works for me. Out of all the "dive bars" that have live music the Soda Bar is one of the best. read more

Cool venue on El Cajon. We came here to watch a friend perform. Super divey but chill vibes. Cash only entrance but they accept card at the bar. Spacious pit area & booths surrounding the perimeter. Street parking or residential parking only. read more

It's divey, dark and located on a stretch of El Cajon Blvd that you don't see many tourists stopping to take selfies in. If you find yourself here, you should already know what you're in for though. They host a myriad of punk rock, metal and hip hop shows, all of which are affordable and sort of under the radar. So, if you're here, you should already expect something that isn't quite the Four Seasons based on the show you paid to get into. Drinks are relatively cheap, toilet seats are relatively pee splattered and odds are relatively good that some drunken buffoon will stumble into you, smile but not say sorry. That's all part of the experience though. Truth is, we need places like Soda Bar so that San Diego has a place for musicians that aren't the Coachella type to come perform at. read more

Fun small venue, friendly staff, cheap/free shows, no parking lot but finding parking close by has not been much an issue the times I've been here. Saw Foster the People and Jon Walker here - 2 very different crowds in terms of size and vibes but loved the intimate performance of each. I recommend following them on Facebook to be in the loop about upcoming performances. Looking forward to attending more shows here! read more

Soda Bar - Jon Walker - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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A quaint hole in the wall on El Cajon Blvd! Came here to see Prep and it was an intimate venue. Parking was difficult to come by, so be prepared to walk a block or two. There's plenty of seating as well as standing area. The sound quality was good, but not the best. The stage is big enough for a band and you can stand quite close to the performers! I recommend bringing ear plugs since the venue is small and the speakers are loud. The bar was great! Good vibes all around at Soda Bar. read more

Great venue wonderful bartenders and amazing atmosphere worth going to whether or not there's a show

Good place to see young local bands. Maybe 30+, not so fun. Weird setup, dive bar, watered down cocktails, super nice bar tender. I had 3 and never felt anything. No food read more

Soda Bar - Bar and stage - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Great place to see bands- very cozy and intimate. Not fancy. Not a lot of seating so if you're old get there early

The drinks were expensive (more than usual for a divey bar) and they closed an hour earlier than expected. So we ordered a drink, weren't warned that they were about to close, and were yelled at to get out and had to leave our drinks read more

When I go to the bar I don't really drink much anymore so it's gotta be a good reason for me to go otherwise it's really just a Chaser that's No Fun At All! Soda Bar has some water on the end of the bar so that's all I drank thank you for that it was needed with the ever so changing location of the standing room I was in :) So they have shows here and the one I went to was the awesomeness that is No Fun At All from Sweden and my friends Chaser from home in Orange County! Chaser always do what they do and bring it to the party people so you really can't go wrong if you get to catch them ever on tour! No Fun At All hasn't played in America for 23 years so it was like awesomeness totally to finally get to see them play as I've listened to them for years and years the sound for all bands was right on the environment was friendly and it was just an all around great show! Overall a good time at a great show with some amazing bands hopefully I'll get back to Soda Bar at one point again soon to see you in the circle pit! read more

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Awesome venue! Saw one of my favorite bands, Mrs. Magician, here a few nights ago and they kicked ass! This was their grand reopening, but I think they regularly have local rock bands play here just about every weekend. It was a great experience and I'm sure I'll be back soon. read more

Soda Bar - neon sign for soda bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

This is another fun music venue in San Diego. Parking is on the street and I was able to find a good spot on the residential street leading to the venue. The area itself seemed kinda sketchy. I had walked across the street to buy chips and had to hold my chips up to the glass so the clerk could scan it. That's the first time I've ever had to do that in my life. Anyways, when the venue opened at 8:30, I bought a Long Island iced tea. The drink was expensive at $14, but at least the bartender let me know ahead of time. The drink was strong as well so at least I didn't pay that high price for nothing. The stage is set low, so be aware if a mosh pit forms behind you during a set. I was pushed from behind and fell forward and felt like a doofus afterward. Behind the bar area I noticed there were some arcade games which was cool. Overall it was another good San Diego music venue. The only con to me were the drink prices. read more

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Fun, slightly strange dive venue with great sound and fun bands! I've seen Electric Six (you remember these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IslF_EyhMzg ) and Black Sabbtich, that all-woman cover band whose singer sounds, looks, and dances a hell of a lot better than Ozzy. The sound system there is top-notch: clean, full-spectrum, and louuuud. Loud enough to mostly drown out some clown who brought his own harmonica to play along with the band, briefly. It's on a most unclean stretch of El Cajon Blvd, yet the bar itself is quite clean. The bathrooms are lit by UV, so you know they're spotless, and you'd know if they weren't. Soda Bar has a very odd viewing setup. The stage is nearly split down the middle by the bar, which serves solid and reasonably priced drinks, including sodas. This setup creates two audience zones, with varying seated and standing views. Tickets are cheap, about $15 both times I've been. I'll be back. read more

This place is awesome. I have seen so many good shows here. It has been around for a while and it never disappoints. My cousins band played here several times and maybe that is some of the nostalgia for me, but until you check it out for a show you wont know. read more