The service was amazing! I'm new to the area and exploring local establishments. I wandered my way into The Bench Warmers on a Monday night. I'm horrible with names, but my bartender was on point! I apologize for not remembering her name. She welcomed right away (not that I needed it, but it makes a good impression). It was chilly, so I wanted a warm drink. The first drink was nice, but didn't quite hit that spot (based on my tastebuds, nothing to say about the quality of the drink. It was good!). I told my bartender I was thinking about something different for my second drink. She was kind and thoughtful in helping me make a selection. I went for a coffee variety drink. AND THAT WAS WHAT I NEEDED! I appreciate the quick service, the thoughtful advice, and the tip shelf delivery in service! I recommend The Bench Warmer! read more

OK, it was pretty clean, not really a dive bar but not really a great bar... the staff was nice. Kind of loud, no big deal... But for the drink prices we just paid? I would've expected a lot more. If you're gonna be that kind of bar then be that kind of bar, you don't get to charge $13 for a cocktail when you're really just a kind of upscale dive bar. read more

I popped in to catch the Dodger game and discovered a lively group. The layout is nice in that no matter where you sit you can catch the premium sports activities being televised. Friendly staff and friendly people. I was rolling stag but had four or five engaging conversations with friendly people. read more

The Bench Warmer - A combination of NFL fans and MLB World Series fans. - Dive Bars Near Me - Ventura, California

See all

I have a heart condition so I have a service dog This Buisness owner asked me to leave and would not allow my service dog in his Buisness!!! I was discriminated here and will never come back !!!! Owner hates service dogs !!! Don't waste your time going to this place don't waste your time going read more

Had a blast! We were in town for a yearly water polo tournament and just happen upon The Bench Warmer. Such a cool vibe. Matt knows how you rock the Salty Dog! We had so much fun we came back for the "Tamale Guy" and more cocktails later that night. Nearly joined a biker gang, the problem I don't own a motorcycle. If you're looking for a relaxed place to hang out, have some drinks, play some pool or just chill, this is your spot! See you next year! read more

Great service, the vibes we're right. They have a easy to use jukebox and our bartender JO was on top of things and made sure our glass was never empty! It was my first time here, definitely coming back. read more

The Bench Warmer - An amazing time - Dive Bars Near Me - Ventura, California

It's a great place to relive your college bar drinking days. No shaker kind of drinks. Either bottle, can, tap, or 2 ingredient cocktails over ice with mixers, juice, or soda. It's kinda like a dive bar that's trying to be something else. read more

I looked up sports bars in my area on a Saturday to watch a baseball game. The owners here don't pay for a single sports package and there were no sports on the TVs. How ridiculous is that? Change the name on your bar or pay for the Sports package guys, this is ridiculous. Don't go here read more

I am new to Ventura and if you want to play fun competitive darts, then this is the place. SHOOTWELL read more

The Bench Warmer - Dive Bars Near Me - Ventura, California

I love myself a good dive bar, and The Bench Warmer never disappoints! Pool tables and and darts...fun, friendly, regulars. Great bartenders and an excellent selection on the jukebox makes this a fun place to go for a down to earth good time. They hold pool tournaments and it is always fun to watch the regular locals play. Even though this is a locals spot, you feel welcome. The vibe is cool and laid back, great spot to watch games oh, and there is a ping pong table! How cool is that?!!! This is a cool watering hole that I will definitely be coming back to next trip to Ventura. I met some really cool people there and look forward to making more friends next time I go here! read more

Most definitely not "better than ever before", even as much as I'd hoped for just as good as before. The Bench, as it was fondly known, was, as prior reviews indicated, a friendly and tolerant, mostly locals bar, with good drinks, a great jukebox, Sunday Ticket, and really great bartenders. A huge plus was ownership, long term owners so committed to the neighborhood vibe that a football Sunday often meant a free crockpot of spaghetti and meatballs or chili for whoever was hungry. It was a place where older people could hang early, and younger people took over later. As it should be. When the pandemic shuttered bars without food for sale, The Bench did not reopen and rumors swirled that it was for sale. We all waited eagerly for the reopening. And waited and waited, which I get, as friend who've owned restaurants have spoken at length about the city's looooong approval process. We were out of town when the long awaited day finally came, The Bench reopened! Some friends who went reported it didn't feel the same not was it as friendly, but we chalked it up to opening jitters or similar. This weekend, we finally had a chance to go, our first trip to a real bar since the pandemic started, as one of us is immune compromised. It was pretty crowded so we were happy to find a table in the back, away from the crowds. Still no table service, but we expected that. We waited a bit for drinks but also to be expected when the place is busy. What wasn't expected though was the super rude older dude in the Benchwarmer sweatshirt who maybe was a manager but who knows. There's a separate room near where we were sitting in the back, and at one point, someone unlocked the door and a bunch or people went in and looked around. Several people near us also got up and went in for awhile, came out and talked about how cool looking it was and how convenient that there was a bathroom right there, too. As the bar area was crowded and as previously mentioned, trying not to get covid, we thought we'd check out the room and use the bathroom. I asked my husband to come in with me as I wasn't sure about the lock. I was in the middle of using the restroom when someone pounded on the door. When I came out, the dude in the sweatshirt was there and loudly and aggressively said that we weren't supposed to be in there because it was private. The door was open and MANY people had been in and out of there, which I pointed out. Instead of a customer focused approach like, oh hey guys, sorry, I forgot to close the door after I showed those other people around, he acted like we were some bratty kids breaking into an empty house. Not a good look for the neighborhood/town bar, and let's be real, if you're not drawing from the neighborhood and town, where are you drawing from? read more

Where else can you get $5 bloody marys all day AND watch football?? Great service, fun crowd. Come on down!

This place is weird. I get that it's a dive bar. I like a good dive bar. But they're like snobby about it? As soon as I walked in, a guy behind the bar told me there's a classy new wine bar down the street. Like I'd be more comfortable there. I've never felt judged for looking *too* classy before. They're way nicer at the wine bar so yeah I'll be going there instead... read more

The staff are so sweet and have great customer service! They go above and beyond to make sure everyone is comfortable.

Love this place! Best bartenders in Ventura & great drinks!! Donny, Travis, Aris and Chantelle are the best, always accommodating!!

I drop in here from time-to-time for a few ice cold Rolling Rocks, a couple of shots, and to watch NFL football. During the day, the crowd leans towards an age range in the 30's-60's, but I hear that the patrons get much younger in the evenings. They have tons of (older) televisions, the NFL package, a comfortable outdoor area for kickin' it, as well as very friendly patrons if you're open to meeting people with similar interests such as sports & cocktails. As others have mentioned, they're serious about darts here, too. Frequent competitions are going on and all are welcome to join in. I don't have steel tip darts, so I didn't get the opportunity to throw dangerously sharp projectiles after downing my fair share of adult beverages. Next time! read more

Ahhh.... the Bench. Neighborhood bar. Locals bar. Complete strangers bar. All shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds are welcome here. The regulars have true character and are generally quite friendly. I've been a patron of the Bench for at least the last 8 years. The bar itself has been around for much longer, of course. At times it shows a hint of it's age with a random scent or signs of the days when smoking in the bar was still legal. Don't misunderstand this though, the good folks who own and work at this establishment WORK HARD to clean it and keep it comfortable. That said, bar patrons can be, well, bar patrons. There are 3 or 4 beers on tap, maybe another 15 or so in the bottle. Bar is well stocked with the expected liquors and the bartenders are very good. Jessica makes a fantastic Bloody Mary! Back in the day, the first thing that really stood out to me about the Bench was it's sense of community. Folks make dishes, often really good food, and bring it in for all to share. For free. Completely out of the kindness of their hearts. Folks celebrate birthdays, discuss life, tell lies, share truths, hook up, mourn deaths, and the bar keeps rollin. Really good jukebox with a great sounding speakers that can easily be cranked up over the crowd. I have seen and participated in bar-wide sing-a-longs like I'm in some old Irish novel with a Country music leaning. Pool table. Darts. LOTS of darts. Cribbage. Lotto. Keno. And an outdoor patio in the back where folks can still smoke. The Bench is the real deal, something like a Ventura version of Cheers I think. When it's good it great and can be tons of fun. When it's bad it can turn real ugly and we've found ourselves leaving after only 5 or 10 minutes before. Don't know why these things happen, but I suppose it's just because of people living their lives. You'll find that if you're well behaved and polite that you'll be treated in kind. read more

Great dive bar. Some highlights: - Cheap drinks, heavy pours. - Monday football night is fun there. They have food in the back on Mondays. - Darts! Always fun to play a game of darts. Loser buys next round. :) - Laid-back bartenders. Locals joint. Love it. read more

Always a great time at the bench warmer.... Go Cowboys!!! We have been coming to the bench warmer for years to watch football with family and friends. Always a great game of darts and pool if you want. read more

My new favorite bar. Drinks are reasonably priced. Everyone is extremely welcoming. I feel like I could really get better at darts n pool if i stick around this place. Pool is cheap..only a buck a game. Great patio and space..multiple dart boards with good quality darts. Plus ping pong! It's a dive bar, but just labeling it that doesn't do it justice. You have to see for yourself. Oh and amaaazing music all night from Nirvana to Steve Miller band to Jimi Hendrix. read more

These guys hosted the darts event for Ventura County Corporate Games 2008, and while Invitrogen lost in its first round, we were good sports about it then drank some sorrows away. Plus it's Wednesday night. What's a better night to drink than Wednesday? Don't answer that. I only ordered two drinks - citroen-and-tonic and rum-and-diet. Both were amazingly strong and made me wanna hurl, but I stomached them both, kicked it with the coworkers (and Michael S.), and peaced out to venture forth into downtown Ventura... kind of. 2 Stars because their drinks sucked, the place was divey but I didn't feel at home, and because we didn't take any medals for darts in Corporate Games. read more

Great neighborhood bar, great atmosphere, and games. Looking forward to watching 2019 baseball season! Jessica (Not Rebeca) is Awesome!

Horrible customer service do not know how to treat customers have to wait 40 minutes Together drink Worst bar in town would never come here again do not recommend Horrible customer service read more

Nice to have a home town bar filled with a variety of regulars. Always feel so welcome. The bartenders are stellar and jukebox is the bomb .... read more

Travis was awesome and super friendly! He helped us pick out drinks and where we could eat after. This is a cute small bar in downtown Ventura. Will be back for sure ! read more

Pretty cool place!!! Friendly bartender & patrons. Was working in the area & found this place on yelp. Good drinks (Apple Whiskey & Soda water) is my choice. Seems like a local spot but nobody makes you feel uncomfortable. I'll be back again I'm sure. read more

The Warmer is a serious locals bar in Ventura. Good back patio for smoking-- I like to fire up a stogie there once in a while with my boy BIG L. No kitchen, but sometimes they'll have sloppy joes or hot dogs for football games. Get in the betting pool or shoot the shit about the VHS Cougar's chances for a league championship. It's all good. Carlsberg on tap with a shot of tequila is my standard at this sports bar. No happy hour specials, which kind of blows. read more

This place is the closest you can get to Cheers in real life. Ages range from 20s to 80s. Strong drinks and friendly people. Gets younger as it gets later. read more

The warmer has it all for the small neighborhood bar lover. They have cheap yet stiff drinks, a mellow atmosphere with billards, darts, pinball , a jukebox, as well as a heated patio with TVs . Everyone I've been to the warmer I've had a blast. Best part is that you can afford to buy rounds of drinks without breaking the bank. Tired of downtown Vtown? Check out the benchwarmer . read more

Grab a draft from a limited selection (only two), some free darts, and catch the many games at the Bench. Tons of TVs, jukebox, quarter pool table, and huge smoking patio. Pretty laid back with an audiece of mostly neighborhood bar regulars. Great place. read more

Terrible service ran by a lazy and arrogant bartend...had the arrogance to ignore me for a good 5 minutes then whine saying he's at the far end and why can't I go to him...the owner needs to get rid of that guy, made all the ladies go in a broke toilet because he didn't want to deal with it. read more

The Bench Warmer gets 5 stars because frankly in Ventura the neighborhood bar is a dying breed. If you want to grab a quick drink before, during or after work the Bench Warmer is your place. read more

Bench Warmer's is Ventura's best place to go and have a good time without all the hassles and drama that can come with going out to a bar. Everyone there is seriously friendly and down to earth, and just real! It reminds me of a "Cheer's", no matter how long it's been since your last visit, you are bound to find at least two familiar faces, nothing ever really changed.....Overall, if you are looking to have a good time, meet good people and have some good drinks, Bench warmer's is the place! read more

"Friendly staff. Strong drinks. Flat tonic out of the bottle. Weird white stuff floating out of the olives."

Threw a surprise party for about 30 people at the Bench Warmer last night and had the best time! The staff was so friendly and easy going, taking care of everything I needed to make a great party! The guys played darts and pool while us girls hung out and enjoyed our drinks. Thanks again. We will be back! read more

So - before I finished the following paragraph, a local bought a round for everyone at the bar - 12 of us. Gotta give it one star for friendly - but still not my kind of place. Here is what I was writing: Completely reeks of stale cigarette smoke. That and 5.75 for ordinary beer (only 4 beers on tap, no IPA). Definitely a local dive for people who don't mind smelling like cigarette smoke when they leave. read more

My favorite bar in Ventura. Great vibes, reminds you of Cheers. Really great people and ownership. Best neighborhood bar in town: there's not many of these types of places left. Lots of dart boards with a dart league if you're interested in some good competition. Also a pool table, a pin ball machine and keno. Lots of regulars! read more

Stopped at this bar on our journey back to Orange County. I wouldn't recommend it unless your a regular, we were clearly watching a game and a local went to change the channel, the bar tender told him " people are watching that game" & he blatantly said " I don't care" & changed the channel. The bar manager or owner heard it all and allowed it. Not treated with kindness, won't be back! read more

I fell in love with this lil bar! The drinks were stiff and the bartender was effing cool! Just a quiet watering hole where everyone is so mellow. I will be back soon. read more

In Nov, they upgraded and added new High Def TV'S....I mean they are all over the place! Also has WiFi now, two customer friendly improvements....thank you! read more