The Lamplighter

So this is definitely what you would call a «hole in the wall» type of bar. There is a few pool tables, a juke box, a full bar… Kind of the older type crowd frequents here. Good place to come by for some cheaper drinks. I received good service when I was here, didn’t have to wait long to order my drink even though there was quite a few people there. It’s definitely a good place to stop by and get some drinks when you’re bar hopping around camarillo. Not gunna lie, it is a little sketchy, but when you’re looking for a divey kind of bar this will definitely fit the bill.

Had a couple of drinks in here during a recent Ventura Country trip. Cute little dive bar in old/​downtown Camarillo (super cute area). Bartender was friendly and so were the other people there. Reasonable prices and good service. What’s not to like?

What a shithole. Not divey, just grim. The whole «regulars and bartender against the world» vibe at the far end. Poured my tequila like it was cocaine. (Oops, a ml. Too much!) Had to ask for bar napkins. Took my son here for his 21^st B’day. Now bear in mind, I was a bartender in the county for a thousand years and I know what’s up. I always bought a 21^st birthday drink and spent some time making it memorable for the guest. Its just good P.R. and goodwill in general, but whatever… thought I’d involve the «bartender“on duty in a friendly conversation as to bar etiquite for the benefit of my «1^st timer» Her advise? «Yeah, don’t be an asshole.» As she scuttled back to the Deadbeat Club. Wanted to go all Billy Jack at that point, but left for a real dive bar and a better 1^st time experience for him. In the end, it was a good learning experience. Not all bartenders are good bartenders. When you get a bad vibe, if the place doesn’t feel right, leave. And most of all, tips are for those who deserve it. Someone treats you like an intruder, put your cash right back in your wallet and go. Might be o. k if you overrun the joint with about 20 people, but there’s still the bartender from hell to contend with. Yeah, you. The chunky brunette with the jacked up attitude, you’re a disservice to the profession, Get some skills. 1 star, because technically it is a place that has alcohol for sale (and I’m unable to give fewer, or I would!). If you’re dying and an over priced, rudely served, short poured cocktail is the antidote, then, BINGO! You’re at the right place.

Love this little dive bar oh so much. I can tell it’s not for everyone though, for all the people that act «creeped out» by it, you clearly don’t appreciate a great local dive bar, if your expecting table service, a sexy environment, and/​or a crowd of hot 20 something’s, (which no such bar like this exists of in camarillo) then yes you’ll hate this place & think it’s «creepy».
The locals here are badass. Everyone is friendly once you extend yourself out there to be friendly back, great vibes, and bitchin bartenders, they make a solid drink that’s for sure.
Pricing is great as well, my friends & I had drink after drink for like $ 30 a piece-​sounds like a lot? Well let me tell you we had a crazy amount of drinks a piece for that price– good luck at any other place on the block giving you any more then 2 – 3 cocktails for that. All I’m trying to say is you’ll definitely get your moneys worth. :).

From the outside, it looks kinda sketch. But on the inside, it still is kinda sketch LOLLL
An older and mature crowd congregates here where it has a lounge feel. The music is really whatever you request on the iTunes mp3 playing jukebox and there’s only one bartender that evening.
The drinks we had were tokyo teas which looked great but tasted like there was too much grenadine? It was sweet but funky lol
My friends and I met up with one of my friends co-​workers and we all played a few games of pool. The place is somewhat small so it’s easy to bump or get in the way of neighboring pool players. People here are not exactly here to meet new people but just spend a good night with their friends. Not a place to get cray cray buck wild but shoot some pool and have a low key kind of night.
Most likely not return unless we feel like playing pool and paying for jukebox music lol

I’ve been told that this is Camarillo’s dive bar. If this is what Camarillo calls a dive bar then they really need to get out more. It’s well lit, the floor isn’t sticky, they have good beer on tap, working pool tables and a pinball machine. It’s a fun place to go hang out with friends.

Come here to drink. Cool bartender.

This is a great dive bar. If your looking for that dingy dark pool hall that at one time would have been filled with cigarette smoke this is the place to go.

Now that Outlaws is weird I will be frequenting the lamp more often. Saturdays is the jam!

Go in a big group. Just over run the place and you could have a good time. Otherwise you are up against the regulars. Had some awkward conversations a few times but when I was there with a group it was better. Pool is fun I guess. Looks like the 70s.

Good Times Man! LOL… For a Wednesday night it wasn’t to bad… played like 15 games of foose ball… And dude seriously boys will be boys, trying to nail each other with the foose ball rods in the jewels. um are we 37 or 17 boys? Too funny! Why is it the drunker you get the better you play? However the ball flew out a few times… from spinning the rods way too much! Sorry to the guys next to use playing pool, but they were hella cool, so its all good… So the next time you go on a date (to Bandits Bar) and they close early just walk down to the Lamplighter, trust me you’ll have fun as long as you are drinking that is!!!

Uhm, don’t remember much, but there were lots of dudes. And I got my assed kicked at pool. Had plenty of money left over in my pocket the next morning though! So I didn’t get robbed and the prices aren’t that bad! Two for Two!

this place is great. I am all for the local dive bars! My only complaint is they never have olive juice for my dirty martinis!!!
PS – if you are a girl, don’t go here alone… it would be creepy, I think.

This place is creepy, not even going to lie about it.
It’s a ‘regular’ place, or at least it seems like it.
If you’re under 30 and casually walk in for a drink and some pool, you will feel like you are under close watch and/​or ready to be pounced on by some strange person hiding in a dark corner.
It smelled funny, which I usually appreciate, but with the creepiness going on, it caught me off guard.
The people were nice enough but the drinks weren’t really that good or strong.
I might give it another shot if I knew someone there who frequented more often. Maybe going at night would be a better choice? In reality, it just gave me the heebie jeebies, like someone was murdered there in the past. Eeks.

My home away from home… Best little dive bar in Camarillo. Good people, good bartenders, good times…

It’s one of ‘those’ bars. Its a dive, but there is a younger crowd that loves it. We played fooseball for the majority of the time there and had a good time. I dont remember a whole lot else — if ya catch my drift — but it was a good time.

This is your typical bar– pool tables, music, video games, & tv screens. I like the place– nice atmosphere.
BUT the best thing about the whole place is:
THEY HAVE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS GEAR EVERYWHERE!

If you go to this bar to meet people then I don’t think this would be for you. If you go here to watch sports, you might be in the wrong place. If you go here to hit on women, pick them up, or (if you are a female cougar) go pick up some young lads, it just might not be for you (but maybe, occasionally). This isn’t that kinda bar.
This bar has clicks, groups that have developed over the years, a very well developed set of pool players (regulars) that will put you in your place. It’s not for everyone, and that’s part of it’s strong charm. Always a camarillo favorite, and practically a landmark, the Lamplighter is the spot, for me anyways. Friendly staff, that isn’t afraid to stop fights and get people thrown out, so safety level is high as well. You aren’t allowed to be unpleasant or you get a charge added to your bill for being an ass. Honestly, that feature alone puts this above quite a few bars.
Would have 4’ed it, but it still has it’s drawbacks. Beef jerky being the most edible thing there is definitely a drawback, it’s located near restaurants, but that wouldn’t be very fair to consider that a perk for the bar, as it is for the restaurants near the bar. What happened to free peanuts. I will give any bar that doesn’t have some sort of free peanuts deal going on –1 star just because this new trend of charging for everything, actually lowers sales of drinks. Peanuts make you thirsty for beer, cmon.

I went here once, it was like going back in time.
It wasn’t up to much, in fairness though it was during the day, so the place was pretty empty.
There were tumbleweeds rolling past the front door.
After a couple of saspirillas I jumped back into my Delorean and met the Doc by the clock tower,

This is my sort of place. I totally dig the small, casual bars that you don’t have to dress-​up to get in. My rule of thumb is, in general, the earlier the bar opens, the better it will probably be. And the Lamplighter was open for lunch today.
My buddy Wilmar D. and I stopped in to have a «Wilmar is moving away from Camarillo to San Diego» shot. There were three other people in the joint, including the bartender. She got to us right away and made some pleasant small talk. Our two whiskeys were $ 7, which is about the same price I would pay for one at the bar near my apartment. It was a clean bar and the drinks were good. The décor was just right (neon beer signs and sports pennants).
If I can convince anyone else to give it a try, I will definitely be back.