I cannot stress enough how awful this experience was. The bouncer at Tivoli Tavern is genuinely the meanest, most miserable human being I have ever met in my entire life. From the second we walked up, he treated us with complete disrespect. Our friends were already inside, but he flat-out refused to let us in. Until some regular told him to let us in.
It got worse. When we were leaving, my friend realized she had forgotten her phone inside. She asked politely if she could run back in to grab it, and he refused. Not just a firm “no,” but aggressively rude about it, as if we were bothering him by even asking. When she tried to explain, he actually PUSHED her. Yes—physically shoved her. I have a video of this happening, and it’s disgusting that a bar would ever employ someone who thinks this behavior is okay.
This was not just unfriendly or strict—this man went out of his way to be as mean, condescending, and unpleasant as possible. It ruined the night, and frankly, I don’t know how this place hasn’t fired him yet.
Tivoli Tavern should be ashamed of themselves for letting someone like this represent their business. If you value basic human decency and safety, do NOT go here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
marc shotton
Called in for a beer great styled bar, staff were great
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Michaelann Johnson
Fun dive bar Nice the bartenders we actually friendly. Affordable beer
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jesse Garcia
San Diego's oldest bar, what's not to like? Wyatt Earp was a regular, and original wood bar is still there. All the booze and dive bar ambiance you could ask for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Lozano Mora
Decent experience, no issues. Everything went beyond my expectations.
Daniel Ledesma
I've been coming to Tivoli's for many years before and after Padres games and the experience never disappoints. Jukebox, divey vibe, drinks are reasonably priced, and a short walk to the ball park. There is honestly no better spot!
Brian F
Service was beyond terrible. I confronted the bartender about it and how others were being served in front of my party, I got a bunch a slang/foul language. The derogatory response is so childish and could have been easily diffused with an experienced bartender.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
c “cfl” lane
Stopped in for a quick bite and beverage. Service was friendly and fast. Seating was good but can get crowded at times. Lotsa history and baseball memorabilia.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mykel
Bartenders were nice but the rest of staff were extrememly disrespectful, inconsiderate, and outright bad at their jobs. Security was unidentifable and told us to leave after we ordered our drinks. They then followed us out of the bar and insulted us? It sounded like they were more drunk than we were. If you plan on a late night trip here stay away. They somehow want to pander to late night crowd while also being rude to every customer that walks through their doors. Once you get past the first or second person the bar staff is attentive and polite but before that its like walking through a minefield.
drinks were good but a bartender kicked my friend out because they were depressed
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 3
Geoff Verderosa
Most expensive dive bar in San Diego. Had 2 beers, but was charged for 4 at $9-10 each. Don’t go here, it’s a rip-off.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Patrick Gilligan
Dive Bar
Roy G recommended.
Decent dive bar. Darlene the bartender was great.
Vibe - ☘️☘️☘️☘️ Food & Drink - ☘️☘️☘️ Value - ☘️☘️☘️☘️ Service - ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Overall - ☘️☘️☘️☘️
Parking: It’s Gaslamp, so parking can be brutal. I was there on a Saturday afternoon, & it wasn’t that bad.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger
Kevin Satorius
Cheap beer, but loud music.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Jennifer Hay
I've always heard good things about this place and it's the oldest bar in San diego so I had to go see for myself. The bar was a fun old san diego saloonish style with an old cash register under glass and old painting. The drinks were good, we got a jack n coke and a rum n coke, nothin too wild. We went in for a quick drink during the day... ? obviously it was not the lively nighttime experience but there were a few people eating lunch here so I gather the food is pretty good, and the menu looked pretty wide. I would love to go back and eat some food. The service was okay, quick, not necessarily friendly but it's a bar in the daytime so I get it.
I cannot stress enough how awful this experience was. The bouncer at Tivoli Tavern is genuinely the meanest, most miserable human being I have ever met in my entire life. From the second we walked up, he treated us with complete disrespect. Our friends were already inside, but he flat-out refused to let us in. Until some regular told him to let us in.
It got worse. When we were leaving, my friend realized she had forgotten her phone inside. She asked politely if she could run back in to grab it, and he refused. Not just a firm “no,” but aggressively rude about it, as if we were bothering him by even asking. When she tried to explain, he actually PUSHED her. Yes—physically shoved her. I have a video of this happening, and it’s disgusting that a bar would ever employ someone who thinks this behavior is okay.
This was not just unfriendly or strict—this man went out of his way to be as mean, condescending, and unpleasant as possible. It ruined the night, and frankly, I don’t know how this place hasn’t fired him yet.
Tivoli Tavern should be ashamed of themselves for letting someone like this represent their business. If you value basic human decency and safety, do NOT go here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Called in for a beer great styled bar, staff were great
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Fun dive bar
Nice the bartenders we actually friendly.
Affordable beer
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
San Diego's oldest bar, what's not to like? Wyatt Earp was a regular, and original wood bar is still there. All the booze and dive bar ambiance you could ask for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Decent experience, no issues. Everything went beyond my expectations.
I've been coming to Tivoli's for many years before and after Padres games and the experience never disappoints. Jukebox, divey vibe, drinks are reasonably priced, and a short walk to the ball park. There is honestly no better spot!
Service was beyond terrible. I confronted the bartender about it and how others were being served in front of my party, I got a bunch a slang/foul language. The derogatory response is so childish and could have been easily diffused with an experienced bartender.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Stopped in for a quick bite and beverage. Service was friendly and fast. Seating was good but can get crowded at times. Lotsa history and baseball memorabilia.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Bartenders were nice but the rest of staff were extrememly disrespectful, inconsiderate, and outright bad at their jobs. Security was unidentifable and told us to leave after we ordered our drinks. They then followed us out of the bar and insulted us? It sounded like they were more drunk than we were. If you plan on a late night trip here stay away. They somehow want to pander to late night crowd while also being rude to every customer that walks through their doors. Once you get past the first or second person the bar staff is attentive and polite but before that its like walking through a minefield.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Great dive bar loved the music.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
drinks were good but a bartender kicked my friend out because they were depressed
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 3
Most expensive dive bar in San Diego. Had 2 beers, but was charged for 4 at $9-10 each. Don’t go here, it’s a rip-off.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Dive Bar
Roy G recommended.
Decent dive bar. Darlene the bartender was great.
Vibe - ☘️☘️☘️☘️
Food & Drink - ☘️☘️☘️
Value - ☘️☘️☘️☘️
Service - ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Overall - ☘️☘️☘️☘️
Parking: It’s Gaslamp, so parking can be brutal. I was there on a Saturday afternoon, & it wasn’t that bad.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger
Cheap beer, but loud music.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
I've always heard good things about this place and it's the oldest bar in San diego so I had to go see for myself. The bar was a fun old san diego saloonish style with an old cash register under glass and old painting. The drinks were good, we got a jack n coke and a rum n coke, nothin too wild. We went in for a quick drink during the day... ? obviously it was not the lively nighttime experience but there were a few people eating lunch here so I gather the food is pretty good, and the menu looked pretty wide. I would love to go back and eat some food. The service was okay, quick, not necessarily friendly but it's a bar in the daytime so I get it.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
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