Instant Replay

It’s been a long, long time since I walked into a bar in California and felt the heaviness of a smoke filled room. To be fair, Instant Replay wasn’t actually smoke filled, it just smelled and felt like it had been earlier. This is one of those places that you go to because you want a semi-​cheap (but not totally cheap at $ 5 a pop) drink, to shoot some pool, and to not have to worry about being judged. It’s definitely one of those places you go to because it’s close to where you reside and you want to drink with some other people, but not worry about driving (because you can walk) or paying a ton for an Über ride home. In other words, it’s a dive bar. One of the diveyest dive bars there ever was. So if you like that, you’ll love it here. If you don’t, maybe skip it and head over to Carvers or something.

I always love a neighborhood dive bar. Juke box. Pool tables. Cheap beer. Good atmosphere.

I’d give it another star, but they have no WiFi so the connection times out before I can upgrade the rating.

Only dive bar within a 15 mile radius and they know it. Has potential which the owner does not care to explore. Clientele consists of regular alcoholics and the occasional lost walk-​ins. I go there once in a blue moon when my memory is bad and my inhibitions are low only to be reminded that dark skin attracts dismissive stares. Cash only, no food, good pin ball, good jukebox, nice bartenders. Beer is cold, not expensive. To sum it up, best dive bar in town.

Cool place to go for a cold beer !! Pool, Darts, never any issues. Lots of locals. Enjoy !!

This bar is filled with locals and being in RB means that the average age is 50+. Whenever I come here with my friends, we’re often the only 20 some year olds. We always get great service and maybe its because we lighten up the place with our youth. Its definitely a dive bar but you can buy bags of chips here also. They usually only have 4 different beers on tap but its very cheap compared to most other bars ($ 16.50 for the most expensive kind and $ 11 for a pilsner I believe). They sometimes change the beers but from what I’ve seen it generally stays the same. They have an old dartboard you can play but you have to bring your own darts. Pool is $ 0.75 per game and tables are usually always open even when it gets «crowded». I put that in quotes because crowded here means around 10 people. Cash only!

Nice place to see old friends and get hammered. Best days to go are Sat and Mon for best bartender. It’s a dive but a home town dive with character. I wish the owner would fix the air conditioner. It’s been way too long. Juke box way over priced but has a good selection. They pour a decent drink. Sometimes the staff is a bit cold, depending on the day. Cash only. Count your change as sometimes they goof. Been going for decades. No Bozos and no jerks allowed – have a good time and treat everyone with respect!

The IR may be the bottom of the bottom of dive bars… in a very good way. The carpet stinks. The people are either nice or resemble the grim reaper. There are no windows. Cash only. The bartenders are cool. No food. Sometimes, they have contests to win prizes playing the computer bar games. Tread lightly with that… one time, I got ripped off from winning a pool stick. But… my fault… it was the IR. I shoulda known. Haha. But, I still love it.

My good friend and fellow Unilocaler Chris A read my last review of this place and said to me, «I can’t believe you didn’t include your katy Perry story in your review of Instant Replay.» So here it is!
It was about eight years ago and my good buddy from Ohio was dating a girl from Hollywood named Katy. She was a struggling musician and he was in town to produce a record for another band. Katy would come down to visit but would leave as soon as he had to slip into the studio for 12 or 15 hours. One day she looked at me and said that she wanted to stay in SD for the day and hit some dive bars… Instant Replay was the top of the list and as divey as they come… bring it on!
We posted up in the dark bar for several hours, drank beer and cursed with the locals and she took it all perfectly in stride. As the night continued we shot pool, talked life and I can still see the dimly lit and dingy background of the IR clear as day in mind. A few hours later we picked up the pieces and moved to greener pastures, Mckee’s Tavern (now Kelly’s Pub), where it turned into a black out drunk night.
Yes, she was as pretty then as she now and any girl who can drink at a bar like IR is a keeper in my book. My buddy really eff’d that one up.

Cash only bar. Really surprised this place hasnt been shut down. Dirty, dangerous and seedy. Somehow the bartenders are really nice.

How would I describe Instant Replay? A locals bar would be one way to reference it but of course the main way to describe it would be as a dive bar and I am completely fine with that.
If you happen to wander in to this place and you’re not a regular to IR, you will definitely get some stares. No, not a Charles Manson chill up your spine type of stare but more of a «who are you and welcome to OUR bar» type of stare.
I don’t recall if they have any beer on tap but I do know they have a nice selection of bottled beer and a full bar. Drinks here were quite inexpensive compared to others and the girl slinging drinks behind the bar was friendly and efficient.
IR is dark and dingy as you’d expect. The bar curves around from where you walk in towards the back of this little gem with plenty of stools to grab a seat. If the bar setting isn’t your choice, there are a few tables strewn throughout.
This place doesn’t seem to attract a large crowd. In fact the pool tables were not being used whatsoever while I was there and that is rare for any bar.
The only time I’ve been to IR, I quickly noticed that the age demographic is a little higher than most places. I then looked in the mirror and realized I am closer that that demographic than I lead myself to believe.
A cool little watering hole in an established neighborhood. What more could one ask for?

Awesome place always with awesome people. Have been coming here since 1998. I always stop in when I’m in town.

This place is great IF your looking for a complete dive bar with three pool tables and a tiny liquor bar. They have CHEAP beer, no food, no cocktail waitress.
I had fun shooting pool with my buddy, but would probably come strictly to play pool and drink beer. Not a place I would wanna take a date.

I have been to a lot of scummy bars across the entire world and I am proud to say that IR (or club IR) is the best of the best/​worst/​best bar I have seen.
Where else can you get a pitcher of cold coors light for $ 9 and be assured that there will be an open pool table on a Saturday night? The answer is nowhere. IR is the place where broken dreams meet dreams that come true.
As a local dive bar, this place has not changed in 30 years and can not be beaten.

Local watering hole with plenty of regulars.
Three pool tables– woo hoo!
Was fun watching the bar; one particular woman would go from one man to another while we were there. Counted three in total. :)
There are no windows, which could contribute to that timeless feeling if you’re a day-​tripper to bars (Hey, we all have worked weird schedules at any given time, right?)
The jukebox has a rocking selection; good stuff.
One drawback could be the strong smell of cigarettes that sometimes floats back into the bar from the front entrance. Anyone who has read my reviews knows just how much I love cigarettes— it is what it is, at least it’s not being done inside…
Definitely worth a look. We will return.
CASH ONLY amigos.

Cool, not bad, they don’t have a happy hour here, although you save 25 cents off draft beers after 8pm… wow…coolness. Went with the usual, vodka pineapple. Not bad. Cash only here.
The have pool tables, bunch of pictures, a juke box, a South Park pinball game and several tv’s. Also have a dartboard and a couple of clocks that were way off on the time.
The bathroom was dirty, no lock, flies inside. But the bar was clean and maintained. Nice stickers and patches on the wall. Couple of tv’s for sports and whatever. Bar lady was nice and friendly. Customer service was good. Thanks for a good experience.

Heard about this dive bar from someone I met at the Elephant Bar in Rancho Bernardo. Since this place has pool tables and I love to shoot pool, I decided to stop by for a drink and game of pool.
When I arrived, around 9 pm, there were only 7 people in the bar. Despite having 3 pool tables, nobody was playing. So, I saddled up to the bar and ordered a Stone Pale Ale. After a few sips I decided to head over to the tables and play a game by myself… hoping to draw in another player. Twenty minutes passed with no action, so I finished my Beer and left.
Will I return? If I’m in the area, probably… hopefully I can find a game next time.

Best Dive-​bar in RB. Classic. great Juke Box, pool, cheap-​drinks, no windows, and no douchebags. You know you are in the right place when its crowded as hell all night duriong the week, and not nearly as much on the weekends. only takes cash… perfect!
Top shelf stiff cocktails-​7bux.
A total shit-hole.(and I love it!)
Love this place.

Cheap pool, drinks, thrills. All in one place.
The IR — as the locals call it.
**DISCLAIMER** CASH ONLY, men’s bathroom door DOES NOT LOCK
When I moved home from college, this was my spot to drown after a rough night at Chili’s. It was walking (stumbling) distance from my house which was definitely important. One doesn’t go to the IR for «just a drink». You go to practice your 9 ball or get completely obliterated for less than $ 20.
The locals who frequent this place are some of the most laid back, mellow people I’ve ever met. They’ve all got great stories to tell (over and over again) and advice to give.
Will you see a bar fight? Probably not, but it has happened.
Will you get drunk for cheap? Definitely
Will you lose all hope for humanity? Yes
Much love for the IR…

So this is a local bar… NO BELVEDERE HERE
If you come before 3:00 you will meet the beloved Jerry, you can’t miss him. FUCKIN AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA he is great. They only take cash, pool tables porn video and have a great juke box plus the barteneder is HAWT.
HOLLA JENNY!!! *firemen*