The Mine Shaft

This place has been a fun oasis to get a cold drink for some time. Pool bar out back. Live music inside on weekends. It’s a fun spot that gets you out of chain restraints or downtown only nights out.

It’s Sunday late evening and SERVICE is SLOW. Had to wait almost 15 minutes for a simple pitcher fill. The poor bartender was too busy catering to the friends of the owner. Oh well.

I would give zero stars if that were an option. Disappointed for sure. Friends brought us here and prior to arriving really talked it up. ALL of us were astonished how run down the place is. What happened? Maybe time for new owner. Looks like IT COULD be a great place!

This place needs to be operated by someone who gives a damn. They’re is no one really in charge here. I’ve been here a few times and I had a good time but It’s never busy here which is a shame because they have an awesome patio which has a pool. But what hurts this place the most is the staff. Now I know it’s hard to find good help in this town… but I know of a few girls who worked there and they were top notch. They quit within 2 weeks. They’re are some bad apple employees that are bringing this establishment to the ground.
I once had a server count in her head how much change she was supposed to give me 3 times, and then she pulled her calculator out in front of me and she still got it wrong. I later found out she was doing shots between runs. Wtf??? This place has serious management issues and it’s not going to change anytime soon based on how everyone describes the owner. Oh well, survival of the fittest I guess.
This place has the best tacos stand in town though. Delicious

My only experience there was a terrible one. The bouncers were looking for a fight (they wanted to fight, not stop them) and would use violence to stop arguments. One even lied to police about being punched multiple times when he clearly wasn’t, just so he can get someone arrested. I was sober and saw two acts of violence unfold by the bouncers alone; one act in particular caused a grown (non violent) man to cry when he was tackled (practically thrown) so hard, he flew into a metal bench-​table which in turn moved at least two feet! I felt threatened by the intentions of the ‘security’. The only thing I liked about the place was the delicious tacos offered by a taco stand in the back patio. I want to go back just for the tacos, but my visit was so bad I’d rather not.

Mine Shaft feels like The TV show Cheers to me! I don’t go out often but when I do I always got to Mine Shaft! Even on week nights we break out the wash shoe game and have some beers. If you are new to Yuma or are from Yuma and feel like partying go to the Mine Shaft.

Had the BEST time. Huge bar-​tons of fun! Excellent bartender (Sarah) made great drinks. Band was great. Highly recommended!!!

Rude staff, been there several times, almost impossible to get a drink… Won’t be going back if I can help it…

Stopped in on a Sunday night with few buddies. Being outsiders, you always have to be careful what bar you enter. From the outside this place doesn’t look like much but once you enter, it is pretty cool.
They pool tables with one being a hard left turn table and other games to play. Good size dance floor and a mechanical bull.
It gets better outside. Tiki hits and a swimming pool next to the bar.
Met some cool young locals and had a few drinks. Overall nice place. Next time I’m in Yuma, I’ll be back.

The only reason I am being so gracious with 2 stars is because my friends were able to make this awful place a little more fun. The bartender was inconsiderate and you would think that by the look of how rushed she had been acting that the bar was packed however it was incredibly empty. Nobody was dancing and the pool tables were «owned» by someone meaning you apparently had to play him for the table. The worst part is that it was 12 at night on a Saturday. I won’t be returning…

The only reason this place gets 2 stars is because its huge and they had good live music.
The main complaint I have would be the patrons. A bloody ton of flat bill sideways caps and XXXL jerseys. And holy steroids, I am 6’2, 200 and I felt tiny here. When I pulled up, I was excited to see there were about 300 cars in the parking lot, unfortunately, all of them belonging to military guys and wanna-​be extras in a rap video.
The place is also full of Chuckie Cheese kids games. If youre forced to go out in Yuma, Top of the Kress is better, but not much better.

task at hand: find a chill bar to hang out at and grab a drink on an early sunday evening.
added desire: has a fire pit.
a yuma local told us it didnt exist… but hey now, the Unilocal app told me otherwise! (thank goodness for the few people who review this city; another 1-​reviewed business).
and though the fire pit was quite different than anticipated (it was a giant vertical ½ cylinder drumlike thing with picnic tables next to it — if that makes sense, stupid me for not taking a photo), and not even in use that nite… its existence was the catalyst for discovering the overall coolness of this joint. lets just say we dont really have such establishments in san diego.
i loved the versatility… its really is an all in one sorta place. the interior has various arcade & bar games on one half… i recall, the shooting hoops game, air hockey, pool tables (i think?) and standard sports bar-​esque on the other with flat panel tvs, lots of round bar-​height tables and of course, bar with counter to sit at.
the outside was quite nice on a warm evening with another big bar, tables, and more flat panels hung from chains. i couldnt believe the big pool behind the bar (which we were told is heated). made me wonder how many people use it and if its happenin’ in the summer.
The female bartender out there was super chill and personable. very generous in providing beer samples before committing to anything. We ended up getting the Firestone double barrel ale… $ 2.50 for a 12 oz glass is a STEAL for the SD girl, and i enjoyed.
my only complaint is the seating. it would be awesome if there were more comfortable sitting areas to relax in… loungey areas with outdoor patio furniture and such. nothing here has any back support for that ‘stay awhile’ vibe.
…im sad i didnt take more photos to share :(but trust me its a cool place!
id definitely come back here! its a yuma gem. (haha…that statement kinda sounds like an oxymoron: DDD)

My quest to find the best Bloody Mary brought me here. From my understanding, it is owned by the same person who owns Crazy Earls. I went there in the daytime so it was completely empty. But I must say that I was very impressed. Often times the bar you thought was perfect at night reveals it’s flaws once daylight hits. However, this place was extremely clean and well decorated. The outside of the building is lined with license plates from various states. Once you walk in, there’s so much to do… pool tables, shuffleboard, video games, darts, etc. It’s very spacious and there’s a cool décor. The bathroom had murals on the walls and was also clean. The outside area was really neat equipped with chairs, fire pit, large bar, and pool.
Ok, back to the Bloody Mary. It’s very similar to the one at Crazy Earls. Same garnishes: pickled asparagus, celery, and large olives. The mix was tasty as well. I couldn’t really put my finger on it, but it was just a tad bit inferior to the one at Crazy Earls. Still good as hell though!