A bar that feels like the embodiment of a Dive bar (in the best way possible) My girlfriend and I stopped by here for drinks while waiting for a table at The Laundromat up the street. The bar itself is a quintessential Sports/ Dive Bar - TV's every where playing different sports, some small tables to sit at, and a pool table in the back corner. My girlfriend and I ended up grabbing a beer and a gin and tonic respectively and just chatted and watched the PBR (professional bull riding) event that was airing on one of the TVs. Also - that gin and tonic was one of the best I've had in a *l o n g* time. Staff here were friendly (notably the bar tender and the guy working the front door) and a lot of the patrons were amicable and easy to talk to. I don't find myself out in this neighborhood often but, if I did, I could easily find myself being a regular here. 5/5 just purely based on the vibes alone.
Tony Oates
Nice local bar on Balboa. Wood paneled decor, beer is not expensive- the Guinness is good. It doesn’t look like they serve food but there’s a few decent rest in the neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Caddy M.
What a lovely chill bar. Friendly staff, locals telling stories, fun decor, vintage vibe, and an outdoor garden! I was on a tight timeframe, otherwise I would have stayed much longer. I love this area of the city, and and would love to claim hockey haven as my own neighborhood bar
Šárka Benčová
You can't enter the bar if you don't have your ID card physically with you, which I think is ridiculous when you don't want to drink alcohol... Also the lady at the bar was kind of arrogant. It's a shame because the place looked nice... But also the name "hockey heaven" isn't really appropriate when you have only one hockey channel??♀️
Atmosphere: 3
jan jeseticky
I was in the bar to watch Boston vs Jersey NHL match... At first they have only one NHL channel for hockey, which is "really nice" due to the name of the bar... and what else, they wanted an ID card from me and my girlfriend just for the possibility of beeing in the bar, (we said we didn't wanted to drink alcohol). I had it but my gf had it only on mobile phone, which was rejected and we had to leave. Never meet up with something simillar. Also the girl on the bar was slightly arrogant.I would recomend to change the name on "The ID bar"
Service: 1
Conor Moore
Did not have any food. The beer, staff and atmosphere were all excellent. Lovely neighborhood bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Jeff W.
If you ever watched Cheers on television or streaming, you would know the vibe here. Friendly neighborhood dive bar with tv screens so you can watch the local teams play the big game. And because we live in an area where we have solid sports teams, we are treated to a whole schedule of watchable games that you lose your voice screaming at the screen. It is infinitely more fun to watch a game like 49ers Eagles in a room full of strangers bound together by their home squad. I had a beer and a mezcal-soda and their complimentary turkey chili last Sunday. Made friends instantly and high fived strangers after the dominant win by the local team. So fun, I heard this spot sells steaks on Mondays. I need to come back to try that. JYW highly recommends. BTW, there is a back patio here too.
Jonathon J
Misery loves company. If you're done with life, this is the place for you.Perfect place for a few hundred post-breakup/divorce cocktails. If there’s a Nobel prize for depressing ambiance these guys deserve it- I mean this sincerely because I absolutely love this place! A++ service and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Davis McElwee
I saw an Irish band. I drank Guinness and Jamison all night long. I fought many men. I won all the darts. I sang in tune. I defended my ladies honor. I did not stumble. I did not vomit. I tipped well.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Quang T.
This is a good place but bartender girl working today (07/31/2023) had very bad attitude to customer, I cant believe that.
Thank you Megan! We had a blast! We will see you next time we're on the west coast! Excellent ambience, great bartender, very friendly locals, cold brews on tap! We loved the atmosphere and the back patio was the cherry on top!
ミカ S.
Sad that I live soooooo far away (read: across the Bay, lol). Perfect chill, cozy neighborhood bar. Has a nice outdoor area too! Bartender was super friendly. Plus they have chips! Woo.
Vidisha Vijay
Nice neighbor hood bar with decently priced drinks. Pool table with live sports channel.
Les Jones
Cool local bar with a mixed crowd.Kid-friendliness: It's a bar, no kids allowed.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
NomadShabs
Nice little neighborhood bar with a back patio surrounded by greenery. Good place to stop in for a drink. They don't serve food but you're welcome to bring it in.
A bar that feels like the embodiment of a Dive bar (in the best way possible) My girlfriend and I stopped by here for drinks while waiting for a table at The Laundromat up the street. The bar itself is a quintessential Sports/ Dive Bar - TV's every where playing different sports, some small tables to sit at, and a pool table in the back corner. My girlfriend and I ended up grabbing a beer and a gin and tonic respectively and just chatted and watched the PBR (professional bull riding) event that was airing on one of the TVs. Also - that gin and tonic was one of the best I've had in a *l o n g* time. Staff here were friendly (notably the bar tender and the guy working the front door) and a lot of the patrons were amicable and easy to talk to. I don't find myself out in this neighborhood often but, if I did, I could easily find myself being a regular here. 5/5 just purely based on the vibes alone.
Nice local bar on Balboa. Wood paneled decor, beer is not expensive- the Guinness is good. It doesn’t look like they serve food but there’s a few decent rest in the neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
What a lovely chill bar. Friendly staff, locals telling stories, fun decor, vintage vibe, and an outdoor garden! I was on a tight timeframe, otherwise I would have stayed much longer. I love this area of the city, and and would love to claim hockey haven as my own neighborhood bar
You can't enter the bar if you don't have your ID card physically with you, which I think is ridiculous when you don't want to drink alcohol... Also the lady at the bar was kind of arrogant. It's a shame because the place looked nice... But also the name "hockey heaven" isn't really appropriate when you have only one hockey channel??♀️
Atmosphere: 3
I was in the bar to watch Boston vs Jersey NHL match... At first they have only one NHL channel for hockey, which is "really nice" due to the name of the bar... and what else, they wanted an ID card from me and my girlfriend just for the possibility of beeing in the bar, (we said we didn't wanted to drink alcohol). I had it but my gf had it only on mobile phone, which was rejected and we had to leave. Never meet up with something simillar. Also the girl on the bar was slightly arrogant.I would recomend to change the name on "The ID bar"
Service: 1
Did not have any food. The beer, staff and atmosphere were all excellent. Lovely neighborhood bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
If you ever watched Cheers on television or streaming, you would know the vibe here. Friendly neighborhood dive bar with tv screens so you can watch the local teams play the big game. And because we live in an area where we have solid sports teams, we are treated to a whole schedule of watchable games that you lose your voice screaming at the screen. It is infinitely more fun to watch a game like 49ers Eagles in a room full of strangers bound together by their home squad. I had a beer and a mezcal-soda and their complimentary turkey chili last Sunday. Made friends instantly and high fived strangers after the dominant win by the local team. So fun, I heard this spot sells steaks on Mondays. I need to come back to try that. JYW highly recommends. BTW, there is a back patio here too.
Misery loves company. If you're done with life, this is the place for you.Perfect place for a few hundred post-breakup/divorce cocktails. If there’s a Nobel prize for depressing ambiance these guys deserve it- I mean this sincerely because I absolutely love this place! A++ service and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I saw an Irish band. I drank Guinness and Jamison all night long. I fought many men. I won all the darts. I sang in tune. I defended my ladies honor. I did not stumble. I did not vomit. I tipped well.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is a good place but bartender girl working today (07/31/2023) had very bad attitude to customer, I cant believe that.
Restaurantji Recommends
Thank you Megan! We had a blast! We will see you next time we're on the west coast! Excellent ambience, great bartender, very friendly locals, cold brews on tap! We loved the atmosphere and the back patio was the cherry on top!
Sad that I live soooooo far away (read: across the Bay, lol). Perfect chill, cozy neighborhood bar. Has a nice outdoor area too! Bartender was super friendly. Plus they have chips! Woo.
Nice neighbor hood bar with decently priced drinks. Pool table with live sports channel.
Cool local bar with a mixed crowd.Kid-friendliness: It's a bar, no kids allowed.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Nice little neighborhood bar with a back patio surrounded by greenery. Good place to stop in for a drink. They don't serve food but you're welcome to bring it in.