The Bar La Mesa

Surprisingly big bar, but not many here during happy hour/​weekday. Barkeep (Troy?) was very friendly. $ 4 wells during happy hour.
They seem to specialize in karaōke, so it might be better to judge the place during singing hours. Will stop by again to see if the regular crowd is decent.

I guess I just don’t get places like this because they get overwhelmingly positive reviews. We went in there once. ONCE. It was weird and creepy and completely lacked character. But maybe it’s just me…

Love this place my friend lives in La Mesa and invited me out to do karaōke. Who can turn that down. I drive from Oceanside to La Mesa to go do karaōke and I can truly say that I had the best time. Good cheap drinks. Awesome staff and awesome diverse crowd. It was like we all came out together. It is def a dive bar but i love dive bars. Comfy chill atmosphere. love this place and def will be coming back.

Not much of a scotch/​wiskey selection. However they have country music playing. Cant complain. Plus i got a buck off for checking in.
Bartender staff is nice abd asked if I wanted a water back.

This place could be a great bar, but it simply is not… Its needs a deep cleaning, some new bartenders, and a few upgrades. I’m not saying to take away to great dive feeling, just get bartenders that know how to pour a drink

I don’t understand how Terry, the bartender still works here.
I live down the street and have been coming to this bar for years. I know its a complete dive. I expect it to smell a little bad. I know the bathrooms will be gross and only half functioning. But all of that is part of the charm. Its overall a decent dive. My problem is with the bartenders and drinks.
My drink is a gin and tonic, aka two ingredients over ice. Terry managed to screw it up three times in a row. Vodka Tonic, no… Gin and soda, no… Vodka soda, no… I just want a Gin and Tonic. I could understand this if the bar was crowded, or a lot was going on, but there were only about 15 people in the whole bar at the time.
This past weekend we went back. Terry managed to get our drinks correct this time, but pricing was an entirely different issue. We ordered the same three drinks multiple times. And each round we were charged a different amount. $ 11.00, $ 14.00, $ 16.50. I know that for three drinks the prices were fair, but come on! Charge me the same price every time and I’ll keep ordering rounds.
If the new owner would hire a decent bartender, I would be here every weekend. I know I’m not the only one that feels that way.

Nice, little neighborhood bar. We live in the area and wanted a place that we could take our son, Connor for a midnight drink, on a Monday night for his 21^st birthday. This place was absolutely perfect! I guess most would place it in the category of a dive type bar with pool tables and a newer type of juke box that is computerized and hanging on the wall (pretty cool) with all kinds of music from top 40/​techno/​rap to stones/​beatles to country.
Faith is one of the loveliest bar chefs I have ever met, a very sweet gal that helped to make our son’s birthday very special. Ryan, one of the owners ’ brothers really topped it off by getting to know us and even playing a few birthday tunes for Connor on the juke box type thingy and really helped to make the night awesome as well. Connor and Ryan conversed most of the time about pilot’s licenses, para/​hang gliding and surfing. Ryan happens to be a professional photographer and is very well versed on all types of subjects. He’s a real nice, good looking young man… don’t know if he’s single ladies, try going there some night to find out!
All the other customers were very kind as well, raising a glass to Connor when Faith yelled out, «we’ve got a fresh one!» We were only planning on staying for 1 quick shot and a beer and ended up staying an hour and a half, we’ve never felt so welcome in a bar.
So, if you want a quaint little neighborhood bar with no frills and no food but just genuinely nice people that make you feel welcome, even on a Monday night then, this is a place for you.
Needless to say, we loved it and we will be back because, it’s an «everybody knows your name» type of place.
Thanks everyone for making our son’s 21^st birthday so special, it’s definitely one for the memory banks!

Been come for a couple of years now. Here an there, I truly think its a great little place to relax an see the dance that everyone does together.
Dj is why This Place is Awesome. He gives it his all, everyone seem to be having a good time.
Music is why I’m positives why people come.
Get your name in on the list. If you love to sing this is your place.
Everyone Sing and everyone pretty much does a good job.
You have to give this place a try, very down to earth.
No need to dress to impress. If your lucky to come you will not just get a drink but you will be impress with some of the people singing, who are Dame good. I do wish they have food something to snack on.
My only recommendation please fix the Dance floor.
A nice lite colored wood that would look great.
Maybe paint all the chair white or silver that wood really make a Hugh difference
Maybe some candle lights at each table on Friday & Saturday, or just invest on battery mini candles.
This would truly warm up the place, because it’s a bit Cool.

I live nearby and came in on a Saturday night. Teri was such a sweetheart and super attentive to clients. She was still able to remember my name and beverage of choice throughout the evening. The owner Vic is passionate about making this a great local hang, and as a neighbor, I appreciate it! Even security made me feel so comfortable as I witnessed them ask a gentleman that was clearly hammered head home for the evening. Pro-​tip: If you don’t want to be cut off or asked to leave, control yourself or find some place that doesn’t care about other clients having a pleasant experience, because they care here!
They had karaōke until 1130p, and it was wonderful to see so many different people feel comfortable singing whatever fit their mood! I waited too long to muster up the courage, and I really regret that. After karaōke, they had a DJ and he was playing some jams! As I chatted and danced in my chair, others took to the floor and got down!
This is absolutely my go-​to local spot! Check this place out for yourself and don’t pay much attention to the negative reviews. If you like chill, local dives, this place will pleasantly surprise you!

Was looking for a place to hang out with friends from out of town. Had a great time and as an added bonus the DJ played a little bit everything. We had a great time! Will be back!

Wish we had this spot when my bestie attended SDSU. The DJ last Sat night, BRAVO! He spins a variety of fab music. Old Skool-HipHop-Dance-Rock-He’s got it all! The bartenders are experts, and the general vibe was real cool.
Not too loud and all the sexy people came out too. Good ratio of males to females. Now that’s the cherry on top for my single friends. I recommend The Bar for a G.N.O. (Girls Night Out). Too busy dancing, but will post pics next time. Thanks The Bar staff, for a great night.

Great place! Dick, the owner, is super nice and welcoming! Nice chill crowd around the happy hour time. Clean bar and good prices. This will definitely be our go to bar :)

No stars would be perfect. I happen to love the pool tables. Great stress relief. With that said, the bartenders over serve resulting in chaos. I had a woman drink my drink the other evening. That is bizarre. It was a non issue for the «owner». As someone that runs several companies as a true owner, I found his reaction odd and inappropriate. The dyed blonde bartender is rude. The owner is rude. The crowd is old and antiquated and filled with «wanna-​be» something’s. This place is not hip or cool. Drinks are not cheap. For a run down hole in the wall, it stinks. I rather take über to the silver fox or the open bar where the crowd is relavent, drinks are cheap, and tables are fun.

Those of you who loved Norma Jeans… Don’t come here looking for a revival. Same story different day, just cleaner.

Your local neighborhood bar. I like it. Reason for only 3 stars is the bathrooms need to be fixed and I wish they had food for the sports games. (Bathrooms are usable and there is a sign stating they are in the process of updating them) I will update review when this happens. Overall if you want a relaxed well priced escape to play pool or karaōke this is your place. Any old customers of Norma Jeans it is much nicer and they now accept cards.

What a GREAT place to laugh, make memories and meet new people. I understand that this is under new management. I had a BLAST. I love the karaōke, the pool tables and the atmosphere. The bartender Terri is beautiful inside and out. She makes you feel welcome and at home with her warm smile and a good evening greet. I will go back and bring more friends. Keep up the good work guys and I’m sure you will shine, you got me as a customer

So much fun!!! Always walking away meeting new fun people. The karaōke is fun. Love Cowboy Casanova. Just put the beer taps in and the bathrooms will be updated soon. These guys know what they are doing. Used to run and manage bars in PB. Love coming here!

Under new ownership, management, or what ever? It’s still a stink hole. Too bad, it’s actually a decent space and has lots of potential. Only gets one star because of the stiff drinks. Still I’d take a lighter cocktail for the sake of the place not smelling like pee.

Great atmosphere, great service. Great new owners. Nice to see a fresh new look to the Bar.

It’s fun good time place where the karaōke and dancing are off the charts on Friday and Saturday. The bartender is still the same from before the bar was sold and reopened which is a great thing cause she is off the charts as far as bartenders go in my book. It makes it still feel like home for me and only little things are changing for the better