Rhythm Lounge

After YEARS of hanging out at Kristy’s across the street and living right nearby, I finally went in. Had a great talk with the bartender about music and had strong rum and cokes. Not sure about the price, who cares.
BREAKING NEWS.
New ownership soon. Met the guys that are going to buy it, they are cool as hell. They’re turning it more rock/​punk and are decorating it nicely, getting some bikes there, and calling it…
SHAKEDOWN.
Can’t wait.

Went for a few drinks after a disappointing dinner at Kyoto. We were the only people in the bar. The bartender was friendly and said that the place fills up when they bring in bands. Definitely a dive bar. They have signs up reminding you to only drink beverages from the bar… nice. Drinks are served in plastic cups and draft beers will set you back $ 4.50.

If you cruise past on Midway, you’ll miss this spot. It’s that low-​key. It’s definitely not your posh downtown club and I have to agree that the place has the aesthetic charm of what you would expect from a local dive bar. But to be honest, it’s a pretty cool place. And the aesthetics work for the place. I went on a Saturday night and they had techno and house music playing. As I walked in two cute girls (a tall leggy blonde and a shorter brunette with glasses) asked me for a $ 5 cover and at first, I didn’t want to pay. I thought, «$ 5 for this place?» But then decided, why not? It was only a few bucks and the girls said it was to help pay djs (didn’t realize there was going to be more than one). I chatted with one of those djs and he even bought me a drink and thanked me for coming out. No attitude and none of that elitist attitude I get from alot of other clubs. Oh yah, that sound system was INSANE… Seriously the loudest system for a room that size I’ve ever heard…
There’s no alcohol «guns» that perfectly measure the little amount of alcohol you get. The bartender, Cindy poured me the meanest Jim Beam and Coke I’ve ever got from a bar on a Saturday. Seriously, it was like ²⁄₃ alcohol and ¹⁄₃ coke. Not bad for only 5 bucks with the tip. When I looked at their bottle beer selection, it was amazing. Everything from tall boy cans of PBR to microbrews.
Anyway, I had to leave at around 11 to meet some friends who were already elsewhere, but to be honest… I got more bang for my buck at the Rhythm Lounge that night.

So this place is a definitely a dive bar :) The sound system is really, really good though. There is a very warm and happening underground house music weekly here, called GrooveHaus. Every Saturday. $ 5 Cheap drinks. Deep House, Tech House, Progressive House. The best local djs and big name underground djs. It’s rare to find a true underground spot here in San Diego. All of the good music seems to come from downtown more or less. Unless you go to a warehouse party or something there aren’t too many options to hear good house music here in San Diego. I’ve found plenty of places that say they have good house music and it’s really not good or consistent.
I’ve been listening to house and techno since the 90’s. I occasionally hear A-​list djs at the bigger clubs here in San Diego. Good times for sure. I’ll gladly fork out the bucks for any dj I’m a fan of. I just don’t feel good paying $ 10 – 20 bucks to party with d-​bags and hear some weak sauce djs.
I like downtown, but It’s a commitment. Parking, dressing up, expensive drinks, club hopping, cover charges etc… It’s fun for sure. I can’t do it all of the time though. It’s nice to hang out with people who don’t care about being scene or all that pretentious crap.
The people who come to these weekly Saturday events at Rhythm Lounge are real. No plastic people. Just about everyone comes for the music. If your looking for a place that has cheap drinks, great djs playing house music and a low key atmosphere, give this place a shot.
J.

I remember this bar before. The dad’s owner turned off the power/​lights because none of my friends want to buy any drinks (we were the only ones there at the time). This was back in let’s say, late 90’s…Fast forward to recent times and voila. it’s the same exact look. and it is the same spot. call me a hater. but it needs a renovation…
Did an event here… sound was good for music. but did grandpa really had to chill and smoke a cigar in the back while an event is going on? PF i tell ya. Giving it 2 stars is me being a nice guy. Okay moving on.

Holy Dive-​uh. The name is nice and cool. But the bands that play here are neither Lounge, nor do they have Rhythm. I always have to remind myself that this is a dive, which I usually prefer, but come on! It should be endearing to drink pints of old beer out of faux glass cups, but in fact these are just lame acrylic pints that make you think you will get a cold drink and then you drink it, and immediately feel like you have the worst hangover ever. After first sip! Weird. It could be mixed with the fact that they never get good bands to play, or that the owner is always there watching every move the bartenders make. Also– It is frickin loud in there!!! You cannot come here to enjoy life when there is live music going on. You either have to rage with the crazy crazy locals/​fans or just point and snicker.
The drummer last night was actually very talented. The band had I don’t know how many members, but they kept rotating people in and out of the audience and they all seemed to know the songs, which might have just been Deftones covers. But, I will never know, because I left.
On the plus side, the bartender is super awesome, she makes fun of the owner all the time, and has that kind of spunk you want in a live music venue bar. The drinks are not very expensive, and they have a nice selection of draught beers, bottles, and liquor.
Someday, I’ll see some Rhythm there, and possibly Lounge. Until then, the proximity of this place to work will be the lure. Headaches abound.

I been here a couple times to see my boy Ferch perform with his camp MAG FLUX and all i have to say is Dive-​DADA-​Dive-​Dive Bar. Has all the symtoms of getting fucked up any day of the week and calling in shit faced for work the next day.
Both times i’ve been there the bartenders have been dimes and the owner is on point with the picture box a the end of the bar. I think he was watching the animal channel last time i was there.
The bar itself ain’t nothing to special. A couple pool tables, bar seats, super long bar… thats always a good sign for a good dive… and random ass people gracing the floor.
Now you tell me… What else could you expect. Well to tell you the truth i expected more. With a name like rhythm louge i sort of wanted to walk in to a laid back jazz bar. but i guess not.
Well its a chill spot. i never would of gone here if it wasn’t for my man Ferch and MAG FLUX… (they ROCK!!!) .sorry about the shameless plug but yeahcome through especially if the FLUX is gonna be there so… spend some dough on some drinks, play a bit of pool, introduce yourself to the king of the castle and act interested in what he has on the tube, or just bring your boys to catch a good fade… so swing through.
Verdict: Dive bar so dive the fuck in already!!! nough said

Yuck. Since the lounge is close to home I was hoping that it was going to be cool… like the name. At first I was happy to see they had a pool table but it was too close to the walls to play. My bf said that the draft beers tasted like crap b/​c they probably hadn’t cleaned the lines. The juke box was decent. The entire place stinks like a dirty mop. I would never go back– not even for a show. It just seemed diiir-​tay!

Ha ha FIRST! Yeah boyee. OK– I love the Rhythm Lounge to do shows– like say, the one I’m doing on June 22^nd with Fifty on Their Heels and Ima Fuckin Gymnist. That is a Cat Dirt Records event. The normal booking policy is super leinent– as in bring in $ 50 books and you can do whatever you want.
The place has pretty decent sound. Not great sound but good enough for punk rock.
The drinks are cheap and it’s pretty easy to get to– equidistant between the beach communities and downtown folks.
I think more promoters should do shows here, but you need to bring your own crowd. The stage holds about three people mas or menos. It’s 21+. Near SOMA– would make a good place to do a SOMA related after party hypothetically.
It COULD be, possible to do a mixed all ages/​21+ event with the use of wrist bands. Don’t quote me on that!
Also has a spacious off street parking lot– but don’t miss the fast right turn off the main road!
FIRST!