- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Winston's
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Music Venues, Bars [Edit]
1921 Bacon St(between Newport Ave & Santa Monica Ave)
San Diego, CA 92107
Neighbourhoods: Point Loma, Ocean Beach
(619) 222-3802
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 1 pm - 2 am
Sun 9 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
95 reviews for Winston's
Review Highlights
-
"Think n Drink Trivia on Tuesday nites rocks my socks." In 7 reviews -
"Atmosphere - Live music with a lot of unique bands." In 25 reviews -
"Good thing you don't have to win to have a good time." In 7 reviews
Loading...
95 reviews in English
-
Review from Shawn M.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
4/23/2012
Popped into this place for a couple nights while partaking in a conference down in San Diego. My adviser is an old dude who apparently went to this place back in the days of old...
It's a pretty straight forward bar with a small stage setup. The bar is fine, the sitting area quaint, the dance floor straight forward, and the stage a stage. The first night there was an older band playing some grateful dead tunes and the place reflected that with being a bit quiet and some older... hippies... sort of dancing and hanging out. The second night the place was completely packed and there was standing room only on the dance floor. The music was absolutely fantastic both nights!
The beer was fine, the assortment they has wasn't too shabby, and the service was great. The girl going around through the dance floor taking orders was great and efficient.
So, if you're interested in a nice place to hang, and there's a band you're interested performing that night, check it out!
(21+ only and cover charges vary depending on the band performing that night) -
Review from Bree F.
San Diego, CA
5/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
My gf dragged me here for amateur comedy night. After a few bevvies we settled in for an eve of not so funny fun. If you like crass jokes that leave u w that puzzled look on your face this is the place for you. The best part of the eve was heckling the comedians. It seemed my gf n I were the only non comedians there lol It was pretty quiet. The show is 6pm-9pm. A great way to start your fri night. Would I go again? Maybe.... There is a $5 cover charge. Not over the top, but payn to see bad comedy? Im gonna give Winstons another go on tues night for their think n drink trivia. Now that sounds like fun! I'll be sure to report back ;)
Last night was think n drink trivia. $1 cover and cheap shots to play a game of outdated trivia. It seemed they were using an old trivial pursuit edition. Being in the 30 & under crowd my gf n I were unable to score a lot of points. In fact we were second to last the whole damn night! A lot of the questions were related to the 60s n 70s, waaay before our time lol I wish they had more current event or even local trivia. Next time Ill be sure to bring my token old guy to help the process along. After too many cheap shots we about gave up tryn to win and focused on ranting about the questions instead :p All in all another fun, wacky OB night hangn out at Winstons. Always good for a laugh :) -
Review from Lindsay V.
San Diego, CA
5/10/2012
Eh. I'm not impressed, especially considering this is the only bar in OB that ALWAYS charges cover - usually $10. This is OB, people. I've also found that the security at the door aren't all that friendly like they are in most other OB bars. The live music is generally good, but the place is more of a small concert venue than a bar. Thus, when friends want to meet up there for a drink, I cringe.
If there's a band playing that I know is going to be good and worth the $10 cover and standing around all awkwardly, sure. If you want to meet up for a drink, anywhere else in OB, please. -
Review from Jessica C.
San Diego, CA
5/21/2012
I highly suggest the Friday night comedy show. Bar service is a tad slow, but full bar nonetheless. Natty cans for $1.50, cant beat that!
-
Review from Craig S.
San Diego, CA
4/8/2012
Its hard to write a review for a bar because what a local regular thinks and what a one or two time visitor thinks can be way off.
I went here once a long time ago....a few years I guess, and I went again last Sunday, and I am just not impressed. The place doesn't have a lot of seating, and luckily we got there early enough to get a spot.
The beers are NOT cheap. For what the place is, it could come down a little on the prices. And they charge you a buck to get in because I guess you're supposed to consider the karaoke entertainment...??
Anyhow, we didn't like the place, but it looks like the locals can't get enough of it.
So there ya go. -
Review from Destany L.
San Diego, CA
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been here a few times. It's a great place for Karaoke and the people that sing are actually pretty good. The stage is huge and there's a good sized dance floor. Actually, the place is quite large. The only problem is that Karaoke doesn't start until 10:30 PM, even on a Sunday, which is a bummer for those who don't live in OB and have to work the next day. Bartenders are super cool and make good drinks...stiff as usual, but that's OB for ya. I'm not complaining.
-
Review from Raechel L.
San Diego, CA
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
What do you expect from a dive bar, especially in the hippie beach of OB? A cool place to go for checking out reggae bars and just be away from the hip downtown scene or urban feel of North Park. It's a small bar, so be prepared to stand and groove to the music. Drinks are very reasonable but not very strong. I guess you really do get your money's worth!
-
Review from Lesley C.
San Diego, CA
3/21/2012
I love Winston's for everything it's not. It's not pretentious. It's not snobby. It's not trying to be something that it isn't.
It's a great place to hear bands. They always have something going on whether it's a trivia night, karaoke, comedy, touring band, or local favorite. Bartenders are amazing, friendly, and pour a stiff drink.
Their calender is always my first look to see what's going on in my 'hood for the weekend. -
Review from Helen D.
Brooklyn, NY
3/7/2012
Showed up a few minutes before 6pm for that Friday's 6pm comedy show... it was empty except for a few comedian chilling by the bar. Got worried that Winstons wasn't happening that night.
"There's a show at 6, right?" I asked the bartender. He said yeah but somebody somebody wasn't there just yet. I said we'll be back.
Walked around the cool OB area with lots of nice little clothes and jewelry shops, forget souvenir, that's lame. Came back, paid cover charge (5 bucks a person) and joked around with the goofy comedians by the bar before getting my bloody mary with the barmaid. She was delightful and really, she made the best bloody I've ever tasted. It was bold with a little spice kick and she skewered a stuffed olive, pearl onion, and a pickled green bean (cool, right??) on the little toothpick! I had a total of three last night. My love ordered all the beer specials ($3)and then some... and got smashed and annoying big time. Otherwise it's like 5 bucks most drinks, I think.
It started out slow then got busy real quick after all the show-starters had their acts. Not funny, some of these guys. The girls were better.
There were quite a few comedians in the house, seemingly everyone sitting around us was one, poppin in from near and far. It was SOOOOO FUN, though not always FUNNY. Cool people, real nice.
Check their website for info on what's happening, who's performing, etc., that's what I did. -
Review from Heather W.
San Diego, CA
3/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
ive come to winstons a few times now to meet up with friends for live bands. i gotta say, this is a great venue for live performances. it combines two selling points for me: being a bar in OB & live entertainment with quality sound. on top of that, its really spacious and there is lots of seating (several bar height tables and comfy benches along the side).
the cover for performances is a bit steep (especially for the area). I think both times has been $10. but at least its fun and attracts a chill crowd, the music sounds great, easy to get drinks, and people actually dance on the floor -- mainly because they book good talent!Listed in: Where to fly with the social…
-
Review from Danielle B.
Lakeside, CA
1/11/2012
I have been to Winston's a ton of times and I am most definitely a fan!
Live music, strong drinks (need i say more?!), a dancing floor, and friendly staff!
Me & my bestie started coming here religiously on Tuesday nights for live reggae and the bands were always enjoyable. There have only been a few times where we didn't enjoy the band, and it wasn't really due to the band not rocking, it was mainly due to the fact that we were in the mood to listen to some reggae and got something else. Every now and then they have a cover, depending on the band, but normally its free of charge.
There is one bartender in particular that i LOVE at this bar. I feel bad because I don't remember his name, but he is always super friendly, quick (which is SO important at a busy bar!), and makes some deliciously strong drinks :) We came here last night, and made a bee-line for his section of the bar, and when I asked him if they carry redbull he said "no sorry, just monster" and then remembered how he may have a sugarfree redbull in the back. He went back to check and found it, i was STOKED! He then proceeded to make me a deliciously strong redbull vodka.
I highly recommend coming to check this bar out! -
Review from Ann H.
San Diego, CA
1/22/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Great place to see live music usually....I guess great, only because they have lots of live bands that I love and it's within stumbling distance to my man friend's apartment.
The bartenders SUCK. On a busy night, you will be waiting for a drink for at least 20 minutes. Multiple times, the bartenders are standing right in front of me and completely ignore me numerous times. So if you are friends with them, you will probably be OK. But otherwise, expect crappy bar service. -
Review from Alessa S.
La Mesa, CA
3/22/2012
I went here last night because my bf's band was playing. When we got there around 8 it was pretty empty, but it filled up steadily through 11.
What I liked most about this place was the bartender. He was all about giving the best deals--a man after my own heart. It was refreshing to see him repeatedly show people what beers were on special that night so they could get the most for their money. He was really personable and even made a custom whiskey drink for a British girl who requested something "not too expensive." Instead of rolling his eyes, he made her drink and I even saw her bring her friend back to the bar for her to order the same drink. Just proof to me that good service works. This was the first bar where I felt each individual's business was valued. When he poured my beer from the tap, it overflowed a bit. He cleaned it off and refilled it to the brim. I could just picture a bartender somewhere else hastily handing me a 3/4 filled beer and waiting for a tip. I'm not trying to badmouth bartenders, but the one here made me want to become a regular.
(Oh and the women's bathroom was disgusting, which I expected. What was unexpected however was the toilet, which loudly rocked to one side when I sat down. Could have done without that experience.) -
Review from Craig W.
8/18/2011
Winston's is another local landmark that has been around forever. It doesn't draw A-list bands but the sound is good and you probably can't find a venue where you can be as close to the stage.
For those of you who are devotedly following my grand tour of restrooms around the world, the men's room here is about as disgusting as they come, but it's about what you should expect from a small club/bar in Ocean Beach. There are simply different, and yes, lower standards in this part of town.
Winston's is laid back and fun. Come as you are. -
Review from caroline h.
San Diego, CA
3/9/2012
i'm a big fan of winston's. of course, i'm slightly biased, living in OB and all, it's just so easy! but, they always get good shows, have good, cheap drinks, and generally offer me an all around good time!
-
Review from Lindsey B.
San Diego, CA
1/11/2012
Came here last Friday for a comedy night. Both decent comedians and people who didn't have a clue but nontheless, a decent hilarious time. Happy hour was until 8 which is awesome. Didn't drink much but can't help but love a cheap beer or cocktail. I don't come to OB ever so not that there was anything wrong with this place, I just probably wouldn't come back unless it was for comedy again. Its pretty divey, not really my scene but it seems to pack 'em in!
-
Review from Melody T.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Mad respect for this Skins Bar!!! I must say we are cowboys fans, and everyone treated us with great respect as we all watched football together as one! This bar is a true fan of the Skins and I have a new found respect of their culture! Thanks skins fans for allowing 2 cowboys fans in your bar!!! --great people and an amazing staff :)
-
Review from Nette B.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a concert. "The Green" Local Hawaii music. Loved the musicians that played that night. 5***** for them...
The bartenders were awesome and I'm glad they had a separate bar from the main area. I think the building is a little run down but what do you expect being close to the Ocean. It's a little more intimate setting as oppose to a larger concert building. Only two restroom stalls for the ladies.. so men be careful just in case the ladies are using your toilet... This place isn't that big so from what I saw stay towards the back and it won't be as hot.
I will definitely return for more future concerts... -
Review from Joseph B.
San Diego, CA
7/7/2011
Winston's is alright. I don't normally go there because of the cover charge though. $10 to see a Grateful Dead cover band? No effin' way, I don't care how good they are. There are some pretty good looking girls in there dancing, etc but I have a girlfriend so that doesn't score any points in my book.
I have had to sit there for half an hour trying to get a drink because for some incomprehensible reason they only had 1-2 bar tenders on a Saturday night with a packed house.
It's a cool spot if you're really into live reggae but normally you won't spot me there. -
Review from Melissa M.
San Diego, CA
3/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Reggae night Wednesdays are awesome. No cover, no dress code. Good crowd. I love live bands.
Clean, but small, bathrooms! Cool chalk writings on the stalls.
Parking isn't too hard in OB either -
Review from Gregg S.
Oceanside, CA
12/26/2011
Went there to watch bands last Thursday. Had a great time, no complaints. Great fun, good local crowd. Drinks are decent prices. We will be back.
-
Review from Adriana P.
San Diego, CA
8/19/2011
This is a great place to see local bands. Most of the time there is a cover but sometimes it's free. Last night I went to see Todo Mundo and it was packed. There was only one girl working the bar but you never had to wait a long time. She was awesome. I also like that there is a waitress cause when you are having a blast jumping up and down with the band you don't want to miss a second of the action by going to the bar. I love the size of the stage. It's large enough so that a lot of people can be up close dancing. Drinks are reasonably priced for a bar. I feel that the people who go here are awesome too and that just makes the experience even better. Can't wait till next time which will most likely be a Todo Mundo show.
-
Review from Alyssa K.
San Diego, CA
4/5/2011
Winston's is a pretty fun place. I am a huge fan of the no cover to see Reggae bands on Wednesday nights thing they have going on.
One part of Winston's I find rather annoying is that ALL shows I have seen there have started HOURS after advertised. Last week the band came on and played one song (two hours after they were supposed to), before making everyone wait another half hour. I know most of the regulars are probably OB stoners/MB beach bums or college students with no schedule to adhere to, but it is a little annoying for the 8-5 ers like myself who come at 10 thinking the show probably started since the flyer said 9 but have to wait until midnight before anything happens. I may be getting older but come on......if you mean 12 am don't write 9 pm unless you indicate the time zone you are referring to....
They have cheap drinks which is always appreciated (although not the best beer selection- they were all out of any type of wheat beer last time I was there). I got a pitcher or hemp beer for $16.00 which was chill and made me feel very at home in OB.
Overall, Winston's is a nice place to roll into in the middle of the night for some live music and a laid back crowd. -
Review from Mark P.
11/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
LOVED: The Green Band
My second time here, this time to watch The Green Band LIVE. I was totally feeling that Islander Vibe!!
1. A really small venue
2. It can be tough at times to get drinks, due to the small bar
3. Bathrooms are really small, so expect lines
4. Some of the BEST reggae bands come here
5. GREAT location in the middle of Ocean Beach
3 Stars -
Review from Teej T.
Urbana, IL
1/30/2008
Wow. Apparently trivia and beverages are a winning combinations. Winston's is a fun, somewhat dinky bar/club in Ocean Beach. The Tuesday Night Think/Drink Trivia Night was amazing. The atmosphere was incredibly laid back, the groups are ridiculously friendly, and the camraderie was intense. 'Tis a bit dingy in the bar, but the winning company (fellow yelper Paul P. and friends) made it definitely worthwhile.
Enjoying a Stone IPA while trying to remember just what island Ronald Reagan declared was being harrassed by "Cuban thugs" in the 1980's can make any night a challenge, but sitting in the comfy chairs, and arguing the finer points of Late Cold War America make it all pretty darn fun. It costs $1 to get in, nothign to play, and there are $1 pizza slice and $5 sandwich deals a plenty while you're there.
So if you get a chance, kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself. Winston's is a fun little spot, particularly if you're a history teacher with a penchant for trivia and IPA.
EDIT:
I had to reprise my Winston's review after going for the second week in a row for the Trivia night, at Paul P's request. This week, we had a great time, chatting over beers and obscure questions such as "What was the first Confederate state readmitted to the Union after the Civil War?"* Then, the crazy began....
A drunken couple became insistent on showing us the level of their affection, sitting three feet away from us. The continued making out, fondling, caressing, reaching and fondling various anatomy, and culminating in a horrendifying moment in which the woman began actually performing fellatio on the 'gentleman' next to her. For osme reason our horror and indigant squawks dissuaded her show of affection from continuing further.
Twenty minutes later crazy girl matter of factly states "I had a miscarriage two days ago," then commences making out with said man.
Oh, Winston's. I love your trivia night, but your crazy terrifies me.
Maybe I'll come back.
-------------------------
*It was Tennessee. 1866, if you're curious. ;) -
Review from Danny W.
9/12/2009 1 Check-in Here
For music clubs I try not to let the band I saw dominate the reflection of the venue. Even though my opinion may be a bit bias because I saw my cousins band The Plastic Revolution rock the house and had a great time here I think I would have enjoyed a Kenny G show all the same.
Their staff is very friendly and attentive. It was a pretty packed house for the show and I never once had an empty drink. Bartenders were quick as were waitresses and the drink prices were set at right about what you would expect a music venue to charge ($5 a cocktail).
The stage is large which leaves lots of room for whomever you're seeing to maneuver during the show. They also have a pretty good sized dance floor for shakin a tail feather or mosh pitting which will vary depending on who's playing
My only beef with this joint is that they need to control the thermostat a bit better. As soon as I walked in I felt like I stepped into either hell or a sauna. Needless to say by the end of the show I had to wring out the sweat from the shirt I was wearing.
All in all I'm a fan. They bring in lots of great local acts so if you support local music I'd definitely recommend checking this place out!Listed in: Find me in da club!
-
Review from Richard M.
Riverside, CA
6/30/2009
We went to Winstons to see a friend play in a Reggae Group. It was decent inside in a dive bar type of way. The drinks were good and they had specials all night. The sound was pretty good with a nice size dance floor. We all had a great time drinking and dancing, It's a nice venue to listen to music. The cover charge was reasonable.
Ocean Beach has a fairly diverse number of people so you get a good eclectic crowd that likes to party. Fun time looking forward to our next visit. -
Review from Pete R.
San Diego, CA
12/17/2008
Someone recently told me that Winston's is "the backbone of OB," and I'm inclined to agree. This bar represents all that is good about our neighborhood:
- Great live music seven nights a week, representing many genres but mostly jam-influenced (including the kickass Electric Waste Band every Monday)
- Nice bartenders who don't ignore you and always give a good pour
- Reasonable drink prices and good specials on shwaggy beer
- Great divey atmostphere
- A big dance floor where you can get funky with drink in hand
- Waitress service on the dance floor (this is awesome)
- Nice folks who love music and just want to get down. No haters, no snobs, no macho shit, none of that bullshit you find in so many other establishments
Admittedly, the cover charge is a bummer sometimes. But good music ain't free - if we didn't pay for it, it wouldn't exist. Freeloaders take note.
Yeah Winston's, you kick ass!Listed in: The Best of Ocean Beach
-
Review from brooke f.
San Diego, CA
5/26/2007
I'm the little sister, 7 years younger. So, when my sis used to always talk about the bands she'd catch at Winston's I'd check the calendar for my 21st b-day. Now, years later, it's still a fave.
From local bands to national acts, jam bands to reggae, spoken word to the occasional hip hop, Winstons easily meshes the baby boomers and the college kids. Mostly locals, this beach bar is always chill and easy going. Yet another reason to slip on the flip flops and do some booty shakin'.Listed in: I heart OB
-
Review from matthew s.
San Diego, CA
10/14/2009
I found myself here last night, surrounded by worn Phish t-shirts and blonde dreadlocks, $2 Bud Light Lime in one hand, $2 Natural Light in the other, struggling to understand the chain of events that lead to this.
$10 cover for Toubab Krewe, an Asheville NC afro-pop group? Shittiest of the shitty beer? Unironic tie-dye?
I did spend some time gently guiding my female companions towards older gentlemen that danced like this:
http://www.youtube.com...
and the waitstaff was extremely attentive and courteous, so it would not be fair to call the evening unpleasant. I would not hesitate to return here to see a band I liked. -
Review from Brian R.
San Diego, CA
4/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
So myself and one of my buddies (Derrick B.) decided to leave the drum circle and head into Winston's in search of a cool drink and to support Stephanie's fundraiser. Yes, I'm a fan of boobs, helping good causes and besides that I owed the girl.
I hate beer pong because I don't think drinking is a game but it seemed like the kiddie games were under control. The band was pretty good. I hate anywhere I can't walk around in bare feet but this was worth it. A low key bar with good people and they are willing to help out someone raising money for a good cause...All in all, pretty sweet -
Review from Jeff C.
10/30/2008 2 Check-ins Here
I've been hitting weeen-ston's with increasing frequency lately. It is a fine joint and happens to be the closest bar to my house. Plenty of beers on tap, cans of natural light. Beer pong on Thursdays...
Live music is always a plus here, and they also show the UFC fights. There is usually a cover, which is ok because I'd just spend that money at their bar anyways, so I just try to show up a little buzzed.Listed in: Ocean Beach's finest (and not…
-
Review from Paul P.
Portland, OR
2/6/2008
Been to Winston's four times now, once a week for the past month for Tuesday night Think-and-Drink trivia. Up until about 7:40pm last night, Winston's was on its way to a four-star review.
It's a great little dive in OB that pulls in an eclectic, but friendly, crowd. If you take a Ferris Bueller-like walk from the entrance to the back corner, you pretty much see a microcosm of Ocean Beach: the college kids self-aware enough to ditch PB, the old guy in a bucket hat who seems content to not be using a walker, leather jackets here and there, a few Jamiroquai look alikes, a homeless Jamiroquai lookalike, and some young professionals (me) looking for a place to wind down.
The bar's small and low-key enough to staff one bartender at a time. Even the bouncers are good folks with better memories. Pizza slices for a dollar each can be purchased on the honor system (you literally drop a dollar in a bucket), and amazing bbq brisket sandwiches with a side of slaw is $5. Trivia itself is intense, and it's worth visiting just to hear the crass, hilarious team names (Kermit's Bacon Fingers - i'm talking about you). So there you go. Winston's - a four-star dive that gives you a 4.5 star experience.
Oh wait, that's right, 7:40pm. It's not common to pinpoint the exact moment one's soul dies, but there it is. Teej T. was there to witness it, and we can hope for a 2-for-1 soul coffin deal.
What I failed to mention earlier is that among the people Winston's pulls in, there are some legit crazies. Well, one crazy, whose name I don't know. She showed up behind our table a few weeks ago, making comments about the asses of us guys in our group that were 5% flattering and 95% "WTF?"/horrifying. This week, she showed up with a guy who was either her boyfriend, fiance, or random hookup-off-the-street of the night, depending on when you asked her (or rather, when she decided to tell you). Either way, they were intent on showing their mutual attraction to the world, making out with each other, making out with each other's ears/cell phone (hard to imagine, but they proved it to be possible), hands in shirts - really, a couple inches short of a first down. Speaking of down, that's where she went. On him. Sitting on the bench. 26 inches. Behind us. And this was at like 7:20.
20 minutes later, during a break in the trivia, I heard a gravel but straightforward voice near us say "I had a miscarriage two days ago." It was said the same way I'd say "Pants are a good idea when welding" or "I need more manila folders." My head snapped over, and it was without a doubt the crazy. But, but, but she was making out with him again! Approximating the speed of my neck, combined with the time it took my brain to process what was just said/what was going on in front of me, this means that it took her somewhere between two and four seconds to move on past that revelation. Check the cell phone - 7:40. Goodbye, dear soul of mine.
The math's a little fuzzy, but that's why I have to give Winston's, the four-star dive, a three. -
Review from Kate D.
San Mateo, CA
12/11/2010
I love Winstons!! Be prepared to pay a cover - not something you usually have to do in OB, but its because they have live entertainment, so its forgivable. They are located right next to Newport and always have something going on! Comedy Nights, live music, good drinks... long lines at the bathroom... :(
Looking for music and a fun night out in OB without having to get dressed up or deal with any hassle? Check out Winstons! -
Review from Patrick G.
Alameda, CA
5/29/2007
The best KJ on the planet...Mr. Jose Sinatra! This guy puts on a hysterical, professional, and fully entertaining karaoke night. Every Sunday night at Winston's he's there. On holiday weekends, the place goes off! It's tough to tell if there's a line outside or if the hippies are just sitting against the wall trying to feel the bass of the sound system.
Huge stage, 3 mic's and cheap drinks!
Drinks can be tough to get because the place gets packed. There's a little too much patchouli for my liking but it goes with the territory.
Other nights feature lots of jam-bands, funk-bands, latin bands, and classic rock cover bands. It's always a good time and it saddens me that I no longer live just steps from this place.Listed in: OB-where the ghetto meets the…, Karaoke through CA.
-
Review from Jacquelyn Q.
San Diego, CA
8/26/2009
The biggest waste of $16 I have ever had the misfortune of spending belongs to Winston's now.
A good friend of mine was in town from LA and asked us to meet her and her husband there, so we paid $3 to park in a nearby lot, waded through the stinkiest hobos I have ever encountered (and I work downtown, so my tolerance is pretty high) and parted the cloud of cigarette smoke from the hippies standing out front to get to the front door, where we were stared down upon by a bully of a bouncer who demanded $8 each for cover.
Keep in mind that we were not there to see the band, nor did we even intend to stay there for long, but we forked over the $16 anyway in hopes of having a drink with my friend in a decent bar and then heading home again.
Once the ogre took our money he stamped my wrist like I was a freaking package of meat at a deli counter and let us in to the hot, stuffy sweatbox.
My husband and I both started sweating immediately, but pushed our way forward only to find that the place was packed to the gills with people high and drunk as all hell dancing with reckless abandon with their eyes closed and bonking into one another (and us) to the distorted sounds of a crappy Grateful Dead cover band and a bad sound system.
We found my friend, agreed that it was simply too hot, loud and crowded to even have a drink and made a bee line back to the front door. When I explained to Shrek that we decided not to stay here, a whopping 30 seconds after stepping inside he shrugged and said "WHATEVER" (I hate that word!) and did not offer our stupid $16 back.
So, we stepped outside back into the smoke-filled air (at least it wasn't hot!) and talked for about fifteen minutes until the smell of hobos, joints and cloves overwhelmed our senses and we had to leave.
So: crappy venue + crappy music + crappy service + crappy cover charge + crappy hobos/high people and bad dancers as clients = crappy place.
I'll stick with Sunshine Company if I happen to be in OB and need to meet someone in the area. At least there they have fresh air upsatirs on the patio, take cards and don't charge a cover to walk in the damn door for less than a minute. -
Review from Lyn P.
9/18/2007
I was out slumming in OB again to catch the Eagles/Redskins game here. Um, they are not kidding around - these are diehard Redskins fans that come here to cheer their team on. (They even sing the fight song after scoring.) God forbid if you happen to be rooting for the other team (like we were). We kinda hid in the back so we could cheer when we wanted (not like there was much to cheer about though.) Drink specials were good, but one of the bartender chicks poured the smallest shot of jager I've ever had. (It was like a shot for someone that needs training wheels.)
I've been here for other stuff and it's a pretty good time but still not somewhere to go out of your way to hang out at unless you live in OB.Listed in: Bring on the Dives
-
Review from Jake S.
San Diego, CA
10/29/2009
I agree with Danny W! This place rocks! I definitely knew the band playing so I had no problem donating $7 bucks so some starving musicians could pay for gas...
I am blessed with the same personal bias, but everytime I've been here I've had a blast. Cool People, Great Drink Prices, Phenomenal Music, and overall standard Ocean Beach Fun.Listed in: Great Venues
-
Review from Starlight M.
San Diego, CA
6/19/2007
Winston's started out as a reggae/local music bar a while back - as far as I've been told. And over time, things have evolved into what has to be the most consistent calendar of stuff to do and see in Ocean Beach. Winston's typically has music that is at the very least "good", and more often, quite danceable and fantastic. And while some folks complain about paying cover (which I've never seen to be over $10), Winston's has a reputation of being a bar that pays their bands well. Support, you know...?
With local think and drink, open mic, ob-oke (tell Jose Sinatra hello, maybe sit on his lap for me) - you'll find regulars and make new friends.
With good shows or popular bands, it can get crowded, blazing sweaty hot and getting a drink can become difficult, so I recommend catching intermissions at Pac Shores around the corner block for getting your liquor quicker. As summer season tends to bring in lots of tourists and such, make sure you have your ID - carding can get nuts.
When I have nothing to do and want to round up some friends who don't all really have anything too much in common besides wanting to have some fun, Winston's is the joint. I've seen reggae bands, a James Brown cover band, some metal heads, Samba and alt/indie bands there - and I have yet to regret a single night of it. Wear your flip flops, dance your face off, and stagger home singing songs with your friends. -
Review from Danielle G.
San Diego, CA
11/14/2009
I have gone to Winston's only for their SOMETIMES decent venues. For instance, I've seen the comedian Doug Stanhope perform there twice and have truly enjoyed HIM. The 2 star rating stems from the crappy customer service. As soon as you walk thru the door you're being condescended to, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the manger was trying to rip me off.
I'm coming thru the door at 6 pm. I'm a lucid, intelligent human being. Don't talk to me like I'm a piece of crap. I'm a patron. I can't stand it when door men treat you like you're crap just because you happen to be frequenting a bar. It's 6:00 p.m. I'm sober. You're a dick.
I would only come back to see Doug.Listed in: san diego
