The Ugly Dog Pub San Diego

I’ve been in here twice now, and both times were great. The bartenders were all real and not just chasing the tip. Free pool, good music, chill patio area. My huge plus here is the amount of not ipa they have on draft. Whether you like stout, or pilsner, wheat or porter they have something. They have a plethora of ipa as well but that’s not my go to. Plus if you get hungry you can get cheeba hut or Woodstocks delivered to your seat. The vibe both times I’ve been have been that chill, divey scene that I’m definitely after. Definitely going to be frequenting here.

Located right off the boulevard parking can be really limited, but it’s ok to park on the street. It’s a yellow building just an FYI.
The moment you walk in you see a large bar to the left with TVs and pool tables to the right. Men’s restroom is in the back corner of the pool table area. Pool is free to play, but they are limited with pool sticks. They also have an online jukebox in the pool area. They have plenty of sitting and standing areas for large groups. They offer a wide variety of IPAs on tap and are inexpensive! Customer service is on point plus they allow you to bring any type of food you want and have some menus upon requests. Cheba Hut will deliver directly to bar for free.
They also have a back patio area to drink and smoke for the smokers. It’s got a laid back, upbeat vibe. The patio furniture is a lot more comfortable than it looks. Props on installing the fake grass too, gives it a better look.
Overall 5 stars because this place has character and positive vibes to chill. I’d recommend as a go to bar to meet with peeps before ya’ll decide to go out and/​or a way to end the night.

Came here on a Tuesday for $ 3 beer specials, so worth it. There’s plenty of craft beer choices on tap. Free pool tables and a large outdoor back patio seating area. Chill vibes, will definitely come back.

I only come here to see friends, but every time the worst customer service. Waited 10 min at the bar to order, and one of the bartenders was right in front of me washing glasses I asked twice, spend your money someplace else there are better bars in the area

This place… I’ve had a few slightly weird nights there, which is certainly better than a few boring nights. The beers are good and strong. They have decent nightly specials. On May the 4^th, they had Star Wars trivia. There’s free pool. Board games. It’s a good time.

Went here on just an urge. Wasn’t disappointed, the bar keep was friendly and informative. Loved the diverse selection. Def going to come back again.

I’m sorry, I tried to like this bar many times but cannot go back even for the free pool and really cool outside drinking area and good priced pitchers and good location. They always have a ton of guys at this place, hardly any women ever, at least what they could do is have a decent looking chick bartender that knows how to socialize with clients with some personality. Ive started to think this is a gay bar since there’s always nothing but a bunch of guys here which nothing wrong with that if that’s what you are into but please label this place right so straight people like my self that love women will never come back! This place has potential but needs ALOT of work, still to go! Hopefully will improve some day so I can return.

This place is great! We came here because we saw great Unilocal reviews. The bartender, Mike, greeted us with great respect. There was a live singer and she was getting harassed because she didn’t know a certain song. She handled the situation with great class and even came up to us and apologized for the customer. This was more than expected and appreciate the consideration.
My girlfriend and I played connect 4, mancala and pool which to me, separates this bar from any other in the area. The bartender Mike even played pool with us… and he paid!!!
I would definitely recommend this place.

This place is super chill the bartender jay made the whole experience, he is pretty awesome we talked for hours. I might just become a regular here

Awesome bar. Small, laid back, amazing selection of beer, nice jukebox, and pool. Jay the bartender was a super chill dude. Live music would make it a ⁶⁄₅. Otherwise an awesome experience. Would definitely recommend to anyone who’s not trying to turn up crazy and just wants to kick back.

The Ugly Dog is a small craft beer bar on El Cajon Ave in an area where craft beer bars are somewhat scarce. The owner is named Larry and he is a well known figure in the local home brewing scene, which is reflected well in the obvious appreciation for good beer that their rotating menu of beers typically displays. All of the beertenders are fun and sociable people who also love to hang out here after their shifts and get to know the regulars. There is a true sense of community that can be felt and experienced, especially during their celebrations such as today which marks their 2^nd anniversary. Scanning the room with a special Firestone Walker Merlin milk stout on nitro that was tapped for the occasion, I recognize various faces of people I’ve met and drank with over the last year of frequenting this place. If you enjoy a bar with good beer and good people, stop in and maybe even play a game of Drunk Quest or a FREE game of pool (tables are always free). The only complaint I have is that the beer is a dollar or two above that of some other similar establishments but if you come on a Tuesday you can score a pint of stellar brew for three bucks!

We were visiting San Diego for the night to see Tool. Unfortunately, the tickets we were sold were fake, so we walked to this bar to drown our sorrows. The bar (and Jay, the bartender) were both awesome! Great tunes, awesome beers on draft, and a nice selection of bottled sour beers as well. We are really enjoyed talking to Jay (who knows a lot about beer) and playing some of the board games that they had in the bar. Next time I’m in the area I’ll definitely stop in The Ugly Dog!

Came on a random Monday night and was not disappointed with the local craft beer choices. From meade to cider to sours and many other styles on tap, this place probably has something you’d like. There wasn’t anything on cask that night, but they do cask pours from time to time.
Also we had an awesome bartender — Jason aka Jay! He was very knowledgeable about beer and was also friendly and provided us with great conversation! You could also try a splash of a certain type of beer before buying a full pour!

Visiting from Vegas and was staying down the street. My friend and I walked by The Ugly Dog Pub and was glad to find a bar opened past midnight. Large selection of beer, free pretzels, and free pool. Mike was super personable and even treated my friend to a birthday beer! Will definitely come back whenever I’m in San Diego.

I enjoyed this place to my surprise. We stopped by after having dinner in NP and drinks somewhere else. I had already had a few drinks earlier in the evening, but switching to beer was fine. The bartender was very helpful and poured a couple tastes of beer for me to try. I ended up drinking a few different beers that night. They were all good. Don’t ask me what they were called though.
This pub is bigger on the inside than it looks from outdoors. When we arrived there were a couple dogs laying down at the tables, we went to the bar though. I like that they allow the dogs inside. The pool tables looked nice, but I’m a terrible pool player. The last time I tried to play I inadvertently hit someone in the back of the head at an adjacent table with the ball when it went flying off the table. I haven’t played since.
The bathrooms are clean, this was pleasantly surprising. Street parking, it is the college area.
They offer a small amount of food, but you can get delivery from nearby restaurants. It’s a beer pub, you come here to enjoy the selection of beers on tap. Eat before you come. Our sweet bartender did give us pretzels though :-). I met a lot of the staff, they were all very friendly. I’d definitely come back here. I was introduced to a regular at the the end of the bar who was quite humorous. This is an interesting place to hang out, not just because I was already buzzed when I arrived. Plus they have beer specials! This alone should be enough people.

This place has drastically changed for the better. Much better vibe, gr8 beer selection, outdoor patio with live music, online jukebox and the pool tables looked well taken care of. They also have a new super cool bartender that has some nice dance moves if you put on the right music. Definitely cruise this spot when nearby and looking for a chill good time.

Ugly dog is a great place to go in and get a beer. They have an awesome selection of craft beers and the price is right! There’s free pool, a big patio and they are totally dog friendly. I’ve seen more than a few dogs in there. I’ve been a time or two and always have a good time chatting with the bartenders and regulars there.
Last time I was there I saw a little sign for a couple of sausage rolls and pastes that they sell. That’s the only food they offer, but they don’t mind if you have something delivered or bring in your own.
If I lived closer it would definitely be a regular spot for me too!

Oh, how we love thee Ugly Dog Pub!
I’m not sure where to start but this is just a great place. Great craft beer selection and reasonable prices. They also serve PITCHERS OF CRAFT BEER which we don’t see often.
FREE POOL TABLES
GREAT JUKEBOX
HUGE BACK PATIO so great for crowds, friends, dogs, etc. You can enjoy being back there too without getting your face covered in smoke, plenty of space.
The bartenders are the coolest and friendliness around San Diego. The douchy-​hipster factor is a thang we encounter often with bartenders and bouncers in a lot of other craft beer pubs in SD but not here!
Weekends they sometimes have live music. We got a great jazz trio last time. Young musicians who knew their music theory, instruments and jazz. Excellent music to go along with excellent beer.
Call ahead or check their website for awesome daily specials on pitchers and two-for-one’s for ladies.

It’s seems like a small place on the outside, but once you’re in the it’s quite spacious with a back patio that you can bring your pet in. The bar keep was friendly and knowledgeable with the beers on tap. Best part was the free pool. There’s 2 tables that you can play at. Definitely got to meet some pretty cool people at the bar because of pool. Cheap beer, free pool, nice people. Can’t ask for more than that.

I love this place. It’s great for a chill night with a group of friends big or small. The beer selection is vast with a good range of local beers at a reasonable price. The staff is helpful when helping you make a decision and they are super nice. There are also a lot of unique beers of higher quality to try.
They have new food… Cornish pasty, chicken curry turnover and pork and beef sausage rolls. They are delicious. 2 sausage rolls for $ 6 and a turnover for $ 7.50. I recommend it, they also let you bring in food from surrounding restaurants or order delivery.
Pool is free. They have 30 taps. Large outdoor patio. Dog friendly. The bathroom is pretty clean for a bar and everyone is really nice. Try is place if you want to chill or you live close by and want some good beer.