What a cool place. Used to go here decades ago came back, had a drink and great co variations with the dudes at the bar and a wonderful bartender named Jenna. Fully recommend it for a great dive bar experience. Very un-private equity-ish read more

Dark and divey. One really friendly bartender. Didn't care for their drinks. Got the Malort and a Hello Kitty and a draft beer. A dollar off drafts for HH. Small space in a sort of sketch neighborhood. Unfort not my vibe and probs wouldn't return. read more

The Tower Bar - Malort, Hello Kitty, and beer - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Lovely. The house chardonnay mwah chef's kiss. The Coors Light mwah chef's kiss. They love to host cool bands at this bar and they understood the assignment last weekend. $5 cover no problem!!! Because vibes period! Spacious and fun and THE best mirror pics at this place. Attaching more photos. Good deals. Good customer service. A decent amount of street parking on a Friday night. Check them out!! Thank ya! :) read more

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Small bar, pretty dark inside with low lighting. Smelled funny when we entered. There are a few booths and tables to sit down. We sat at the bar, wanted a quick drink for happy hour. The happy hour prices are good. Bartender was super nice. I had the hello kitty fart, it was pretty good. Parking is limited. It's near restaurants and shops. Really small restroom. read more

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Cool little dive bar with music. Went on a punk night with local bands that were pretty rad. Bartenders were all chill. read more

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Quaint little bar off university ave, kind of diverse one might say. Located one block east of Euclid Ave. Attended to support my daughter & friends performing. Drinks are cool & not overly priced. They even have specialty drinks. Not sure how it is at night. We were there late afternoon. Men & women designated restrooms available & the women's was clean. Very dark inside that when the door opens you will be blinded. And that day they were charging for entry so there's that. But we were with the performers so no charge. Not sure if that's because of the acts they were charging or or just in general. Bit this the 2nd bar I've attended where the charge at the door. Do be prepared just in case. read more

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Went to The Tower for happy hour on my birthday. It was early so there was no music and the place was not crowded. The bartender was very friendly, as were the patrons. It's an old building in an old part of East San Diego(City Heights). Some would say it's a "Dive Bar", if so, it's authentic. It's not a modern bar that someone is trying to make look old. It's old and I guess it would fit most peoples' description of a Dive bar. I spent time at The Tower in the 70s and the bar looked pretty much as it does now. read more

I would give this place a five star review if it weren't for their really really shitty ass bartender at night. I didn't even care enough to get her name because of how rude she was, she was a very tall and skinny girl, she knew it was my birthday and she couldn't have been any more rude. She wouldn't communicate she wouldn't talk and she even got mad at me for simply recording the videos of the beverages. I wasn't even recording her and she told me to put my phone away because I was recording the drinks. security and the environment overall is amazing, but for some reason, their bartender likes to pick and choose who she wants to be nice with that night. I really hope this dive bar can find a better PM bartender, because I don't think I've ever had a worse experience than I did with her. I wish I knew her name so I could call her out personally, because she was really honestly the shittiest bartender ever. How are you gonna be a person that serves alcohol and serves to customers and you aren't even good at communicating and being nice to them.?? pick a new job. I came in with the happiest attitude ever, I was super sweet and super nice and the second she saw my phone out, recording the drinks, her attitude switched. I don't even think I was there for more than 30 minutes, I wanted to go home because of how rude she was. (thank you to those few that made my night memorable, the security guard was very sweet and he made sure I got to my car safe, even after realizing I was leaving very early. He checked in and made sure that I wasn't upset with my stay, although I was, and I told him how the bartender was rude. They left me a little note on a coaster saying happy birthday and that made my night, the security guard really made up for the shitty service.) read more

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Stopped in for a drink and you DON'T find places like this anymore. Old, dingy, shows its age. Buts it's that character that makes the place. Old school punk rock bar. Small stage. D spinning records on an old turn table. And they serve Malort and Absenthe. read more

I stopped by and the bar was alright and that's keeping it nice very very small but cool looking I guess the bathroom is very very tiny with red light bulbs and the sink looked so dirty.... now imagine with actual lighting :D Personally didn't care for the vibe of the place unless you're into the heavy metal/screamo type of music there was a $10 cover to go in , i'd assume it would go towards the bands playing cause this place isn't worth the $10 cover... the guy at the front made sure to watch me and my friend take money out of the ATM to pay for the entrance. Parking yiiiikes get here super early or park in one of the neighborhoods in the area! read more

I'm pretty sure the door man is running a scam. We got to a show at 8pm that was supposed to start at 7pm. My group paid the cover fee and later when I went out to get my jacket from the car, they charged me the cover again saying I paid "for a different show." Even if there was a show before the one I'm here for, there were no bands playing when we arrived. Also... For a dive bar, it's way too overpriced. $15 cover with dirty glasses, a sticky floor, and torn seats is ridiculous. No wonder the metal scene is dying. read more

Metal night at Towerr and what a blast! Superb service and solid drinks. Plus music you will not hear anywhere else.

I went to see a friend's band here and it's a tiny place. Total dive, which happens to be my jam. Very cheap.and different cocktails. One drink was called Hello Kitty Farts which was tequila and watermelon. I would guess that is exactly what a Hello Kitty Fart would smell like. The day I was there they were advertising Free Nachos and I thought that was a band that was playing later. But much to my delight, they were actually serving free nachos. The kind you get at the movies which I one of my secret downfalls. I pigged out. It was a cool place to see a band. It's way far from where I ever typically visit but I did enjoy myself. And nachos!!! read more

Fun punk bar! They had a good band there the night we went. Heather is the best bartender! My husband said she was like an octopus doing like a thousand things at once! She was fast and the drinks were great! I heard a lady there say she typed in "dive bar near me" in Google and Tower Bar came up. She was having the best time! I will always go to Tower Bar for my Friday night! My husband was perfectly at home here! He lived in SD and was big in the punk scene, so Tower Bar is perfect! The guy in the parking lot seeking tacos... best freaking tacos! True TJ style tacos. I don't like pork stuff generally but his pork tacos were or of this world. Like I want him to teach me how to make his tacos so I can take a little bit of TJ and San Diego back to Tulsa, OK with me. When I find out the name of the taco guy I'll up date it here so everyone can have the tacos! So overall you want a great time at a local favorite dive punk bar... Tower Bar is your place! read more

Love the ambiance and service I received! The drinks are very well received priced compared to downtown! It's a small bar but soo much fun!

I love the Tower Bar. It offers a wide variety of music, cool t-shirts, and, perhaps most importantly, cheap drinks. Patty and I saw the Soda Crackers and TK and the Deadlist here last night (07/05/2024). They were both loads o' fun. 16 oz Hamm's? Four (4) dollars. read more

The Tower Bar - The famous tower of the Tower Bar. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I've always wanted to come here for the historical aspect of this bar. Surviving a car crash and becoming a landmark are some of the main reasons I had to visit. This bar gave me a punk/mosh pit vibe and I absolutely loved it. It was grunge, dark and felt like as you were sitting time had stopped. The history on the walls, the bands that had played all gave it a euphoric feeling. Their drinks were cheap and got the job done. We had came early evening right when they had opened so we didn't get to hear any live bands. Next time we go, we will make sure to come when a local band is rocking out! read more

The Tower Bar - graffiti on the walls and ceiling - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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First time here I heard music from outside and I was looking for a good bar in the neighborhood. I was delighted when I came in and met Jenna the bartender. She's great and down to earth with her guests. It's been a year now and I love this place. Today I came in and was happy to see the regulars here and Jenna behind bar. For me it's nostalgic. I work in the industry and live close by! This place is great. People are always enjoying themselves. Jenna thanks for your kindness. I'll just say everyone here is great and I love tower bar! It has tons of history. Ask for the history book and a drink while you read ! I'll be back even if I move away from the area. Tower is a great spot! I love bringing friends here read more

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Dropped in at Tower Bar after happy hour at Key and Cleaver. Met Mick and he was so cool. He played yacht rock on the tele for us old farts. The Eggo liqueur from Gatlinburg, TN was the bomb. Had the waffle, syrup and butter taste to a T. Friendly folks at the bar. Such a cool vibe. We'll definitely return. read more

Came here a few weeks back to check out my friends band, Western Settings (Dopest punk rock band in all of San Diego, btw....if you ever have a chance to catch them, do so!). Bar was super divey! I liked the atmosphere. Small, a bit cramped, but it gave it some personality. Been here forever and a day...my inlaws remember this bar from when they moved to San Diego back in the 60s/70s. Good sound, attentive bartenders, party vibe. Only thing I didn't like was the sticky floor. JESUS that thing was nasty. Literally had to put force into your step to unstick your shoe from the sticky ass floor. It was rather disgusting and I had to wash the bottom of my shoes off before I entered my friends house as to not drag in layered filth. Other than that, had a great time and would come back to see another show! read more

Loud! Good service. Very tiny space. Punk rock bands and music videos. Crowd is lots of fun and friendly...gotta be cuz it's so small!

Pop in for a beer or sit and enjoy the dark corner while music is blasted by a local band. Bones helped me out like douche bag Great beer and great bartenders. Chill vibes till the music starts. I'll update you guys as it goes.. read more

**City Height Neighborhood What a fun dive bar. A bit hipster but we didn't mind. We mainly came here to check out the tower, which was very cool. Never been to a bar with a tower. I need to explore more. As we got there, we weren't sure where.the doors were. Thanks to someone upstairs, the tattoo store, guide us to the tower bar door. According to him, many got the tattoo store and the bar confused because everyone thought the bar must be at the top. Woohoo, we stopped in at the right time because they were having their happy hour. Don't get too excited now, happy hour does not include their top shelf, however, drinks were cheap! Top shelf bottles were still cheap compare to fancy places, they're about $6. Happy hour goes on daily and they are $3 wells & drafts (Guiness, Fat Tire, Blue moon, Sam Adams, Newcastle and 3 other beers) from 4pm-7pm Don't forget they also serve Absinthe for $10. Yup, not sure if you want to go there. The bartender (lady) was nice and had a great pour. Not to forget to mention that she also gave us 20 credit on the house for the Jukebox. Thanks! It's not the cleanest dive bar I've experienced, but at least the floors weren't sticky! Other entertainments to keep you company would be one pool table, punching bag machine game, and I think there's dart, not sure on that. Recommend this place if you're on a budget, just want to chill with a group of friends or yourself. The reason why I love going to dive bars because they allow customers to bring food in here. Already got that confirmed with the bartender. read more

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"girls dont wear shorts in this neighborhood after the sun goes down." ...my friend whispered to me as i entered tower in jean shorts and heels. i kind of gave a blank stare to the obvious shock my outfit caused. hey, i was just embracing the warm evenings we were beginning to have. it somehow slipped by me when looking up the address that i was entering the heights (def not part of my routine hangout spots) - and my outfit was actually more appropriate "work attire" than "hang out at a bar and look cute, attire." oops. in an attempt to hide my embarrassment and newfound discomfort, i grabbed a seat at the bar and asked for a vodka soda...$3.50..i ate free popcorn that suddenly made an appearance in front of me, i watched B&W foreign porn...i sipped a friends absinthe...i did not like, blegh....i took pictures like a good yelper does. then i ran back to my car before i could get any unwanted business :-| i think i can cross tower bar off my list now... read more

The Tower Bar - absinthe - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Fun small bar! I came here for my brothers band. Never heard of the place before. Very unique building. This inside is SMALL. Luckily it wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were even able to snag a booth seat (only 4 or 5 of them). The only other seating is at the bar. Punk atmosphere. They had my favorite beer on tap so that was a plus! read more

gr8 place for cheap drinks and strange music. small venue that houses some nice cool off-beat bands. if yo girl likes music, she'll dig this spot. read more

The Tower Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Great spot. Perfect neighborhood dive bar feel. Cheap drinks, long happy hour and some of the best staff. They have local and touring bands from all types of genre. Definitely recommend checking out their calendar and stopping by if you haven't yet. read more

I used to be a Monday night regular before Lady Dottie and the Diamonds jumped ship for U-31. This bar was always hopping and the crowd was a bridge mix of nuts and chews-rockabilly, be-bop, rockers and mods. It's grown quiet these days, despite a reasonably priced strong-pour cocktail and excellent off-the-grid DJs like Old Man Johnson on Friday nights. He plays a great selection of 60's soul that has the few regulars dancing on their stools. The owner is a star and the bar hasn't lost one bit of it's unconventional appeal, it just seems to have lost it's patrons. It's one of the only bars in San Diego that you can catch random softcore porn (Russ Meyer and his bobbing boobs of thunder) or kitschy 80's dance classics . (Breakin'!!!!!) Come on back kids, don't let the Tower die. read more

Ok...i can't declare I am a fan since I was tithering between 3 or 4 stars on reviewing the bar. Like most dive bars, you don't expect much but you also get to see new things. Checklist: Small and dank bar - Check Various Characters (not sketchy but different) - Check Cheap to Standard to Draft Beers n Mixed drinks - Check Pricing - reasonable - Check Bathroom - Did nt check this but my friend Jen said the women's bathroom is clean - Super Check Music - Rock, Punk, Rockabilly - Check BBQ outside with the smoke coming in..- Check but Rossi cooks a mean Carne asada hot dog (got a taste but Roger can review it) The location itself is somewhere I have not been to before, City Heights and the bar itself _ Towers among the neighborhood. As our friend Jen said, I didn't know it was East of 805 then when i saw her, I said Jen its farther east, its east of the 15 (around Euclid/University). Came here to see Rossi and a couple of bands. Made it to the first two but my ears are not attuned to loud music for long periods of time. I had a good time with the group that were there (fellow Yelpers unite!). Overall, I wouldn't be scared to come again. Parking is neighborhood, although they do have a small lot. I think for an early show, I was comfortable to be here. I don't know about later in the evening. I should have taken a picture of the Tower, interesting landmark in City Heights! P.S. Videos played on the TV hilarious but for ADULTS only. I have seen worse, this was more exploitation stuff with nudity (probably rated R for violence not sex). Saw an animated talking D*ck on one of the movies, even in my experience of a lot of dive bars, this was hilarious! read more

A lot of people call casual or hipster bars dive bars and its a misclassification. This place, however, is an actual dive. Cheap drinks, nothing fancy going on, probably some cockroaches running around and then there's the bathroom...lets talk about that. So, this seems like the type of men's room that has seen its share of Jackson Pollack-esque fecal paintings and undoubtedly has spackled over a baker's dozen gloryholes. The smell is less of a smell and more of a thick, localized atmosphere; heavy on the humidity. The toilet is in working order but for some reason it is Saran wrap and duct taped off - save for a small hole in the center. Which means number 1 is ok but if you need to take a twosie, you're (pardon the pun) sh*t outta luck. Flip flops would be a poor choice here because the level of liquid, which has to be at least 50% urine, rides up about 1/2" off the ground. This is a dive bar. A real dive bar. I drank $5 tall cans of PBR all night and loved every minute of it. read more

I came to the Tower Bar for the first time the other night to see a friend's band play. There's a stage, but I call it a ledge as it's tiny. And it seemed so small that the lead singer and guitar player were on the floor with the rest of us. Or maybe that was just their choice. Nothing wrong with this bar at all, and I was able to get a Sculpin IPA on tap. But it is a dive, and is not quite near me. Won't necessarily be back unless another band is playing that I like. At least it was a cheap cover charge! read more

This place. OH. MY. GOD. So yes, I've only been in there once in my life. After driving past it for years and always being curious, I bit the bullet one Friday night and did it. And... it was totally f*cking worth that three dollar cover- this place is pure magic. The crowd- super diverse, and I mean that in a "holy crap, how are people here not killing each other but actually having a good time together" kind of way, not the "it's a small world" kind of way. I don't know if it's always like that, or if it was just because the night's theme was "Punk Vs. Hip Hop," but it was cra-mazing (Crazy Amazing- yes I made up a word because it was that good). You had Mexican punk rockers straight from the pages of a Love and Rockets comic dancing in the mini mosh pit with white college girls as Asian American hip hop heads kicked it in the back next to the steampunk girl and stovepipe hat guy ordering drinks at the bar. Where else in SD could you find a crowd like this, in such a tiny bar too?! Also, did I mention that Jameson on the rocks was $4? FOUR FREAKING DOLLARS. So yeah... that may actually be the secret to everyone's happiness at Tower Bar. Whatever it is, this place is a wonderland of weird, and I love it. read more

The Tower Bar - this says it all, really. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Excellent place to ho have a beer. My kinda place. Good music too. TK& Deadlist. The perfect bar!!!

Best dive bar in SD. Stiff drinks, prices are cheap and the bartenders are grumpy. This place is a dream..

Wow! I've lived in the area my entire life and have never stepped foot into this bar. I remember driving by as a kid and looking up at the colorful tower wondering what was inside of it. My friends and I, who also live in the area, wanted to top the night off with drinks after dinner and decided that this was the night we'd finally enter The Tower Bar. If you aren't from this area, it would probably look ghetto and unsafe, but it's really not that bad. The lot is small, but we had no trouble parking since it was night time on a weekday. Inside was dark, dingy and also small with a bar, dancefloor? and stage. As newbies in the dive bar scene, my boyfriend and I ordered Moscow Mules (my go-to) and kind of felt ridiculous with our copper cups. My other two friends got Fat Tires on draft, which tasted really strange. To our surprise, we came before a punk rock band was going to perform. They were pretty good; it was crazy loud and awesome. Our bartender, I forgot his name, but he was a cool guy, very welcoming. I'd probably return some time in the future? The drinks were cheap. Bottled beer, if they have any, would be a better choice. I'd probably ask for a different drink or for a glass instead of a copper cup to blend in a bit more. read more

Wack and super small. Too many weirdos and way too small. WS there 5 min and left too awkward

What can I say but; I am a local and I will not return. If you want unearned bartender ego attitude and badly behaved "friends" of the bartender as company...by all means, enjoy...plus, the inside does smell like the alley outside... Badly done Tower Bar. read more

Nice punk rock scene, the chics were young and silly, but deff nice to look at. The band was really good. I think next time I might dress up in a suit just to be funny read more

"Dude, you are going to die here of alcohol poisoning while watching softcore porn." These words coming out of a friend's mouth were one of our hero's last memories here on a Saturday night. Sailor Jerry's rum was being given away for free against the backdrop of softcore biker porn on the projection screen. The interior seemed like something Frank Gehry drew on the back of a napkin while drunk off his rocker. Even though Tower Bar's namesake tower has been removed, it's still fairly easy to spot on the street corner. With no security and 3 exits, it seemed like a place that was just as easy to escape from as it was to get in to. To get a sense of the atmosphere of this place, 24 oz cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon aren't referred to as "tall boys" (as they often are called by hipsters), but rather they are called "man cans." They are quite proud of serving PBR, Hamm's, Schlitz, and other beverages with a grade of "C" or less on beeradvocate.com. Luckily, our hero didn't die here; however, he was questioned by police officers when he left whether he witnessed a fight between some Somalians in the street by the bar. This is definitely one dive bar that you will leave with some stories and with more hair on your balls (which you will need to come here). PROS: - Cheap, strong drinks. - $2 man cans of PBR and well drinks every Tuesday, along with competitive eating contests as well. - A truly authentic dive bar feel, complete with a picnic table right in the middle of the bar and a pinball machine that could be from the 60's. CONS: - Located in a shady neighborhood. - Balls in their pinball machine often get stuck, requiring a little nudge. - The structural rigidity of the architecture is questionable. Load-bearing supports are crooked and look as if they could collapse at any moment. read more

I stopped In after work to come have a few drinks during there happy hour which started at 4pm! I left right away! This business is so filthy and depressing! The guy who was bartending was a complete asshole! He didn't seem one bit interested in being there or helping anyone! I will never go back! I guess your just upset at yourself for being a bartender at the age of 50 in such a shithole of an establishment! read more